Welcome to Great Hawaiian Homes.  In our ongoing series of Oahu's neighborhoods, we are proud to present Kailua.  After reading about Kailua, you can do a property search by clicking on our logo (Just Below) and putting in the criteria for your search.  Gayle and I will be more than happy to speak with you at any time and set up showings of properties you are interested in.  Please remember that we give our buyer clients a Rebate of 20% of our Commissions as our way of thanking you for your business.  Cheers - Mike

Kailua  

Kailua is located in Windward Oahu in the judicial district and the ahupua'a named Ko'olaupoko. [ Ahupua'a are the land divisions of old Hawai'i from the mountain top to the sea.  Just think of a Spoked Bicycle Wheel and you will have the right picture in mind.] It is located 12 miles northeast of Honolulu - over the Nu'uanu Pali, tallest mountain peak in the Ko'olau mountain range. The town is a typical suburb spawned by post-war development and improved highways bringing thousands home from their workplaces in Honolulu. Many small businesses and community organizations support this unique town with its beautiful, protected beaches, Kaiwanui Marsh, and Enchanted Lake. With the addition of the H-3 to the Pali Highwayand the Like Like, access to downtown Honolulu and the airport area is much improved.

Historians and researchers believe that it is possible that Kailua was home to Hawaiian families at least 1,500 years ago. The earliest settlers are thought to have lived fished and played on the slopes surrounding Kawainui Marsh. In the 16th century, Kailua attracted the ali'i giving birth to many rich Hawaiian legends. Many legends were born here including the menehune who were known for working at night in Kaiwainui Marsh and mo'o who took the shape of a large lizard that attracted fish. Kailua was densely populated before the arrival of Captain Cook and was the ancient capital of O'ahu's kings. The biggest event in Kailua and the entire Windward side was in 1795 when King Kamehameha I conquered O'ahu in his quest to unite the Hawaiian Islands. The King granted Kaiwainui Marsh and old Kailua, which included large freshwater fish ponds and saltwater ponds at Mokapu, to the warriors and chiefs that had helped him. The land was used in various forms for agriculture from sugarcane to rice to taro and eventually was used primarily for cattle raising.

Kailua was a sleepy town of barely 3,000 in the 1940s. However, the events of World War II changed the appearance of Kailua. Kaneohe Ranch sold portions of land to the government for expansion of the Navy base (now Marine Corps Base Hawaii) and the Army's Fort Hase. Finally in 1942, Kaneohe Ranch closed down its cattle raising operations entirely, freeing thousands of acres for post-war development. A new four-lane highway, tunneling through the Ko'olau Mountains, was completed in the late 1950s. In 1946, a small Liberty House (now Macy's) shop opened with three employees and upgraded to a full-line department store in 1953 with nearly 50 employees. The first bowling alley, a branch office of the telephone company, and the very first supermarket in Hawaii opened in Kailua in 1947.

By the end of the 1950s, Hawaii had become a state and Kailua became the official postal designation (previously known as Lanikai). Castle Hospital (now) opened in 1963. By 1960 the population was up to 24,400. The town has grown more than 100 percent since 1960 when its population was 24,402. It has a compact, easy-to-shop business district surrounded by mostly single-family homes. By 1992 50,000 residents encompassed a central urban core with surrounding residential areas. Kailua consists mainly of various neighborhoods of single family homes, although there are several condominiums in Kailua town and one upscale townhome complex in nearby Enchanted Lakes.

Natural Features Kailua is a place of much natural beauty. The most significant features of Kailua are the bay, the mountains, and the wetlands. Kailua Bay is a magnificent place symbolizing the regional quality of the community. Kailua Beach and nearby Lanikai have been on the "Worlds Best Beach" lists by several publishers for many years. Ka Wai Nui (the big water) Marsh, a natural wetland, provides habitat for many species of wildlife. The marsh was a center of life for early Kailuans. A huge saltwater wetland, it's peacefulness can be enjoyed on the hiking/biking pathway that wraps around its edge. Mount Olomana towers over every neighborhood in Kailua. It's three peaks are it's significant feature and a challenge for the hardiest hikers.

Today, Kailua has become one of the most favored areas on Oahu to live and play.  There are a great many restaurants and local Kailua shops that cater to the needs of most Kailuians.  You will find the best Mexican Restaurant there at Los Garcias, The best Plate Lunch at the Food Company in the Enchanted Lakes Shopping Center (Get the Meatloaf!) and even Famous Amos (The Little Cookie King) in his new cookie shop, "Chip & Cookie".

If you are thinking of a new home in or around Kailua, or anywhere on Oahu, Gayle Fujita Ramsey (RA) and Michael Ramsey Fujita (RA), Vice President of Realty Executives Oahu, are two of Kailua's finest Realtors and invite you to call at (808) 630-1828 or email at Mike@GreatHawaiianHomes.com.  They often work with mainland buyers who are pre-transfer or pre relocation.  Kailua homes for sale and Kailua condos for sale can be see by clicking the logo above.  It will take you to http://www.GreatHawaiianHomes.com .  GreatHawaiianHomes.com has a wealth of information about buying real estate in Hawaii.  Below is a list of what you can expect from Michael Ramsey Fujita and Gayle Fujita Ramsey when you work with them as your buyer's Agent:

•·         Our services are FREE to you because the Seller pays all Real Estate Commissions.

•·         We Rebate our Buyer Clients 20% of our commissions!  This is given to you as a credit at closing.  You may apply the money to the Principle of your new home use it toward closing costs, part of the down payment or for new things for your new home. 

•·         When choosing a new home, it will be helpful to know if the list price is Fair Market Value, Priced Over Fair Market Value or a Real Bargain!  Our high tech approach to valuation will give you this information before we even visit the property for the first time.

•·         We will go through the Purchase Contract and ALL Addendums with you before you sign anything.  You will also find a great deal of information about the Purchase Contract and its Contingency Descriptions.  This way, if you choose to become familiar with this document, you can.

•·         We will give you recommendations on Real Estate Professionals whom are available to you.  We maintain NO affiliation with any of these Professionals; they are simply the best at what they do in our opinion.

•·         Buyer's Agent.  Every buyer needs a buyer's agent that is dedicated to THEIR best interest.  As Realtors, and members of the National Association of Realtors and the Honolulu Board of Realtors, we are duty bound and Licensed by the State of Hawaii to Protect your Best Interest at ALL Times.

•·         We work with Mainland Buyers from time to time.  This is easily accomplished by use of Posted Video Tours of homes they have selected to see more of from our emails, emailing of documents, faxing of documents by way of our Toll Free Fax Line, and by excellent communication skills.  We have and can also email pdf Slideshows of homes for Mainland Buyers directly to their inbox.

•·         Once we have fully explained the various contracts to you and you make an informed decision as to your acceptance or rejection of them, we will do the face to face negotiating with the Seller's Agent for you to be sure you are getting the best terms the Seller will give.  We do our best to keep your transaction as stress free and pleasant as possible.

•·         Not only will we walk through every home together, we will review all inspection reports generated during your transaction.  It is important that you know exactly what you are buying and its condition, even inside the walls!

•·         We are proud to have represented a great many families in their purchases of new homes.  You will have the full benefit of our years of experience as Realtors acting as Buyer's Agents.  We promise not to hold anything back from you...ever.

•·         Our website at http://www.GreatHawaiianHomes.com is a big advantage to buyers.  It explains the buying process in detail and many clients have to us for assistance because they like our website so much.  It is very down to earth, just like us.  Let's chat over coffee...

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