Maui Living and Real Estate Report in Covid-19 Times
I wanted to stay on the pulse of our Maui real estate market. So having said that I dug in a bit deeper and kept track on a weekly basis on what is happening in our Maui real estate market. Read it here. Especially during times of uncertainty, I feel data, not drama is important. Not making it better or worse than it is but seeing it just as it is. See the weekly data below on pending escrows for Maui homes. It is encouraging as our weekly pending escrows are now close to 2019 figures. For full Maui Real Estate Weekly Recap report, click here.
The photo above of Hawaiian Airlines, I felt it was appropriate photo right now as basically our tourism has come to a halt.I wanted to share with you a glimpse into what Maui life was like during this shelter in place times.
Hawaii Governor Ige put into effect that on March 26, 2020 a 14-day mandatory quarantine for all arrivals. Essentially this effect was dramatic. On April 1, 2020 Hawaii had 453 arrivals vs. 27,260 same weekday in 2019! That is a -98.4% reduction. You can read my post here. The streets and the beaches got quiet. It reminded of long ago when I lived in Manhattan; the week after labor day weekend in the Hamptons in New York, the town just empties out except for the locals. But this time, it wasn't part of a migrating pattern of urbanites, it was a global pandemic and Hawaii being one of the most remote places on Earth became just that. Some locals remarked that this is what Maui felt like 30 years ago. My colleague said she could drive without the pressure of someone behind her impatiently close. Driving by hotels such as the Andaz, Four Seasons was eerily silent.
Wailea Beach, Maui Photo taken by Jeannie Kong-Evarts this morning during my morning walk.
Maui locals got busy! Two local companies, one is Kahului based, HNu Photonics received Maui County grants to manufacture 500 ventilators! Maui Memorial Medical center was preparing itself in case of a community outbreak . Testing was getting ramped up fast. Over 10,000 Face masks were getting made by volunteers. Food drives given out to our community. Most people here were simply filled with aloha and came together as a community. I never felt more proud to live on Maui. Supporting our local farmers and local businesses, local non-profits is of utmost important. Read here on how to help.
As of noon, May 18, 2020. Maui had 0 new cases reported. To date, Maui has 117 confirmed cases and 96 of them have recovered according to Hawaii State Dept. of Health.
Last week our Mayor Victorino loosened the restrictions. Beaches can have not just active but passive activity (meaning you can sit at the beach now!). We now have "Safer-at-Home" mandate till end of June. But if the data still remains low then by June 5, 2020 restaurants could be open for sit down dining with social distancing. Read here.
Maui real estate was still going on. I kept busy with escrows and new contracts. Putting safety practices into action immediately for all clients. Zoom meetings and appts. Lots of education and good time to tune up everything online. But also took the opportunity to slow time down and spend it with my family. Finding ways to socialize via zoom. I never appreciated more how much I love living next to the beach and on Maui. The water looked clearer and Maui got a chance to breathe...
Upcountry, Kula Maui last week was ablaze in bloom with purple Jacarandas. See my video below with the soothing Koshi Chimes.
I leave you with those beautiful sounds and visions of purple Jacarandas in bloom, my friends. I wish you much peace, good health and aloha.
A hui hou (until we meet again)...
Jeannie Kong-Evarts
REALTOR®(S)
808-276-1832
Source: Maui Real Estate Data is from Realtors Association of Maui. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
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