New Hawaii postage stamp out in 2009 - 12/30/08 02:32 PM
We're getting a cool new stamp in 2009!  It commemorates Hawaii's 50th year of statehood.  The stamp features a surfer catching a wave in the foreground and two persons in a Hawaiian canoe in the background on the same wave.

This stamp reminds me of surfing in Waikiki, where we frequently see canoe paddlers catching waves along with surfers.  One of the top surf spots is Canoes, located right where the Duke Kahanamoku statue stands on Kalakaua Avenue.
Note - if you're out surfing and a canoe is catching a wave, steer clear of it!  Hawaiian canoes are heavy and don't manuever … (2 comments)

Hawaii roof information - 12/30/08 02:29 AM
Hi All,
I did some research and wrote about house roofs in Hawaii.  The article includes information about roofing styles, materials used and reflective roof coatings.
Take a look at our article, titled Roofs and Hawaii homes.  Prior to writing this article, I appreciated the older style roofs seen in neighborhoods like Manoa and Kahala, but knew little about them.  I hope you will find the information useful.
Aloha, Mike
… (0 comments)

Lights out on Oahu 12-26-08 - 12/27/08 01:01 PM
On the day after Christmas, Oahu residents found themselves in the dark.  Electricity went out in the evening and was restored sometime the following morning.
We were at my mother's condo in Hawaii Kai having dinner.  I noticed the lights flickering several times.  I asked my mom about it, she said it was not normal.  As we finished up dinner the lights finally went off!  We first thought it was just the power in her building.  Then we walked out to the lanai and this was our view of Hawaii Kai from the 12th floor.

Mostly, it was dark.  There … (1 comments)

Merry Christmas to all! - 12/25/08 06:40 PM
I hope you're having a great Christmas Day!  The weather in Honolulu is sunny, cool and breezy. We're loving it.
Although the economic situation throughout the world has not been good for the latter part of the year, we all know things will get better.
In good times, we're looking out for opportunities.  In bad times we retrench and survive.  The great part about the slow economy is that careful planning and investment will yield nicely when the turnaround comes.
Hang in there and look forward to more good times!
Aloha, Mike
 
… (1 comments)

Tell me about these Mobi phone webpages? - 12/21/08 03:13 AM
Today I was doing a search on Google for info about Kawainui Channel, a stream located in Kailua, Hawaii.  I came across an entry that looked like Wikipedia and I clicked on it.  Then I was prompted to download a file.  I cancelled and thought I had almost been fooled into downloading a virus.  Just below the highlighted section is a Wikipedia webpage and the two sites look very similar.

Then I looked around some more and realized this might be a valid website, setup for cell phones with internet browsers.
Then I did a search for wapedia.  When I click … (2 comments)

Price cuts at Moana Vista condo in Honolulu - 12/20/08 08:29 PM
In the last five years or so, Honolulu saw another round of high rise construction.  New choices for condo living in town have emerged.  The cycle appears to be reaching its end with a few more properties approaching completion.  One of the properties is Moana Vista, located on Kapiolani Boulevard in Kakaako. 
 
This is a great location for city dwellers.  Moana Vista is near the downtown financial district, Ala Moana Shopping Center and the Ward Centers.  Now the developer is facing the challenge of selling its condos in a slowing market.
KC Development is constructing the 46-story Moana Vista.  It's just down … (0 comments)

Looking at homes in Waianae - 12/09/08 10:50 PM
This past Saturday I picked up a couple at the airport and took them to Waianae to look at a home.  The weather was beautiful, sunny and cool with light winds.  On the way down, we saw some successful hunters driving home after a pig hunt.  Here's a photo of the bigger pig.

They has another pig on the hood of the truck, I didn't get a good photo of that one.  The hunters' dogs are in the cage underneath the pig.
Just in time for the holidays, put that pig in an imu and enjoy Kalua Pig at a … (0 comments)

Hawaii artist Peggy Chun passes away - 12/08/08 04:09 PM
Peggy Chun passed away on November 19, 2008.  Her funeral was on November 5th and it was well attended by friends and family.  Peggy Chun died at the age of 62 due to ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease.
Chun was originally from Oklahoma and she moved to Hawaii in 1969.  She took up art after her sister (who was an artist) passed away in 1987.
ALS progressed through Chun's body, slowly paralyzing her until she could no longer move her hands.  She continued to paint using a paintbrush in her teeth.  Later, she was unable to paint with her teeth she … (1 comments)

Hawaii Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) Reports - 12/08/08 01:40 PM
We're adding a new feature to the website, Comparative Market Analysis Reports, also known as CMA Reports.  The reports are on our neighborhood pages.  For example, if you're looking for a home in Kapolei, look for our report below the listings on that page.
The reports reflect homes sold.  Most reports are for 12-month periods.  We update the CMA Reports periodically, some may be for the 12 months ending October 31, others for the 12 months ending November 30th.  
Some neighborhoods such as Lanikai have a relatively low number of sales and the time period might longer, so that buyers and sellers can get the … (0 comments)

Be safe in the ocean - surfing Hawaii - 12/05/08 08:30 PM
November was a pretty good month for surf on Oahu.  In the winter we get more waves on the famous North Shore (20 feet and higher) and the West and East shores.  In Honolulu (town) the surf is smaller during winter.
We had the chance to surf at a break located within Kaneohe Marine Corps Base on a Saturday in November.  You can't just drive in there, you gotta know someone with access if you're not military.
The surf break is called North Beach.  We took one look at the waves and were ready to go.  The sets had five to … (1 comments)

Barack Obama's Hawaii connection - 12/03/08 08:48 PM
Most of us know that Barack Obama was born and raised in Hawaii.  Turns out he was for the most part an everyday guy living in Honolulu when he was growing up.
Robert Kay is a public relations consultant in Honolulu.  He made a website outlining Barack Obama's roots and his local hangouts.  The site came to my attention because Mr. Kay contacted me about using some of my pictures on his website!  I felt honored to have my pics on his site. 
The site is called Obama's neighborhood.  Click on the "Gallery" tab and look for photos of Rainbow Drive … (0 comments)

 
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