Maui Blog - Georgina M. Hunter R(S): December 2007

Jim Sanders Realty - Paia Maui - We're on the Hana Highway with plenty of parking in the back.  Come on in and talk with one of us about your Maui real estate needs. 

Are you selling a home?  We sell plenty of homes and yours could be next.  With our dedicated team on your side, you will have decades of experience working to get the best price for your home. 

Looking for a home to buy?  We have oceanfront homes, country estates, starter homes, condos and vacant land.  We can help you find any property on the island, and we'll guide you through the process of negotiating and closing, to make sure your transaction is a success.  We're not happy until you're happy.  It's that simple.

As a team member who specializes in the north shore and upcountry areas, and the south shore, I know the territory well.  More than just a diligent and efficient realtor, I'm a member of the community and long time resident.  What are you looking for?  I can help.  I'm listening.

Jim Sanders Realty is located at 137 Hana Highway, Paia Maui, right across from Charley's Restaurant.  The office is open Monday - Friday 8-5, but I'm always working.  I'm working for you right now in fact.  Don't believe me?  Try me!

Georgina M. Hunter R(S) - THE HUNTER - 808 283-0635 - EMAIL - EASTMAUI.COM - search the MLS

Need a map to figure out where Paia is?  How about an overhead view?  Looking for some relocation info?

PAIA MAUI HAWAII 96779

In 2003, our Paia Post Office was dedicated to Patsy Takemoto Mink, the congresswoman who was born in Paia on December 6, 1927.  She grew up on Maui, and was educated on Oahu during a difficult time.  Patsy passed away on September 28 2002, but will always be remembered by the people of Paia, every time they go to their post office. 

She grew up in Hawaii during World War II and was often the victim of racial prejudice because she was of Japanese descent.  For her significant contributions towards equal rights in this country, Congress commissioned a likeness of her image to forever look down upon those who walk the halls of the United States Capitol.  When she was first elected as a U.S. Democratic representative in 1964, Mink became the first Asian-American congresswoman.

PAIA is a friendly town on Maui's north shore.  If you're thinking of visiting Maui, be sure to stop off in Paia, it's on the road to Hana.  You can find lots of shops and restaurants and real estate offices here.  Some other Paia highlights:

• Jim Sanders Realty
• Thee Salon
• Mana Foods
• Charley's Restaurant
• Paia Fish Market Restaurant
• Rambutan
• Kaunoa Senior Center
• Strini Art Glass
• Morning Glories Internet Cafe
• Ono Gelato

But the real attraction in these parts is Ho'okipa Beach Park, where the surfing fun never stops.

Get your Paia relocation package - ALOHA from MAUI!

If you're looking to buy a home in Paia - call or EMAIL - The Hunter:  808 283-0635

What: Rambutan

Where: 381 Baldwin Avenue, Paia, Maui in the historic Paia Train Depot across from the old sugar mill on Baldwin Ave.

It's a furniture bazaar featuring vintage and modern furnishings.  A lot of the pieces are restored and reclaimed wood fashioned into new uses, and have come from Indonesia and Bali and Thailand.

You can also find lots of cool items like bowls made from coconut wood and bamboo (fused together), statues, hand woven baskets, local pottery, and other household things.

They have a website at rambutantraders.com if you want to get a good look at some of their wares.  Phone them at 808 579-6008 and speak with Jan.  She's very smart and will be happy to talk with you.

This old building actually used to be the train depot back in the day when there was a railroad that ran from the Kahului Harbor, to Paia and to Haiku.  It served as a passenger and freight train hauling pineapples.  Some of the old timers still remember riding that train to go into "town".  It's hard to believe that there was actually once a train on Maui that traveled across the rugged terrain of Maui's north shore, over steep Maliko Gulch on a trestle bridge.  Those were the days!

Don't forget that a rambutan is a tropical fruit that grows here in the islands, but is native to South East Asia.  Either way, it's a sweet deal to treat yourself to some of these goodies.

If you're looking to buy a home on Maui, please EMAIL me and I'll help you find the right deal.  Aloha - Georgina M. Hunter R(S) - 808 283-0635

PAIA relocation package.

Kahului Maui

Del's Farm Supply

326 Hanumau St, Kahului, HI  96732

Call them at 808 873-0101   EMAIL them: kahului@delsfarmsupply.com

M-S 8:00-6:00 / Sun 10:00-4:00

If you own livestock on Maui, you probably already know where Del's Farm Supply is located, on the corner of Alamaha and Hanamau, in Kahului.  With the new expanded warehouse space they have a much bigger selection than they had at the old Maui Shopping Center.  Of course, that store burned down, which was a major inconvenience.  You can find all the usual feeds for your critters, like chicken scratch, egg maker, pig starter, hog finisher, alfalfa cubes, sweet horse feed and rolled oats.  Fenceposts, fencing wire, salt blocks, rubber boots, tubs and troughs, ropes and pails, meds and grooming aids, it's all right here under one roof.  These guys have been serving Maui farmers and ranchers for decades, and doing a great job. 

A bag of 2-way chicken scratch cost me $13.  These hay bales they were selling today cost $27. each.  I guess this means if you own a few horses, you'd better have a big pasture!   No wonder hayburners are so expensive over here.  Well there are still plenty of horses and cowboys in upcountry Maui, so it must be worth it.

Need help finding a farm or ranch for sale on Maui?  Call The Hunter - Georgina Hunter - 808 283-0635

Aloha from Maui.

Just in case anyone was wondering, "what's a rambutan", wonder no more...

I have pictures of some of those exotic sounding fruits that we encounter when submitting comments.  So here for your enjoyment are some tropical delicacies:

On the right you see papayas in the back row, and mangos and starfruits in the boxes up front.  Most people are familiar with papayas and mangos.  Starfruit are a little exotic and don't ship well, so they might be harder to find even in a large market.  They are also called carambola in other parts of the world, and they grow well on Maui.

These are cherimoya fruits, which are the size of large avocados.  The skins are thin and inside the flesh is creamy white and custardy flavored with a hint of pear.  There are a few large black seeds which are easy to remove.  They are really sweet and delicate, and delicious.  These grow up in Kula Maui, where the climate is a little cooler.  I use a spoon to eat one, and they are a real treat.  They are sometimes known as Custard Apple.

Here's the rambutans... they are a lot like lychee, except they have this extreme appearance with rubbery little spikes all over.  Inside they are white and juicy, almost like green grapes, with one large pit in the middle.  You just peel off the outer skin which is fairly sturdy and pop the whole thing into your mouth, then spit out the pit.  Very juicy and they can be messy.  Try not to get any on your clothes.  These have shown up lately in our local markets, as more people have begun cultivating them.  I think they originate in Asia, like the lychee.  You can actually buy them at our local Costco.

These pictures were taken at Mana Foods in Paia Maui.  By the way, RAMBUTAN is also a store in Paia.

I hope this helps to enlighten some of you about our tropical fruits that grow in Hawaii.

Aloha from The Hunter - Georgina M. Hunter R(S)

It seems to me that the market is getting busy again, at least over here on Maui anyway.  Yesterday I was non stop, showing properties, delivering a closing gift, and countering an offer.  I even managed so do a little last minute Christmas shopping.

The day started with a 9 am showing of this cute Haiku fixer home in the country.  Seller is asking only $375,000. which is a low price around here.  I have some friends interested, so they all came to have a look and see if it would be worthwhile.  While they were thinking about it, some other buyers had it tied up and opened escrow, as they had already started the process.  We can always make a back up offer.

My next appointment was about an hour away, in the resort area of South Kihei and Wailea.  I met some Canadians who are here for the holidays, and want to see some nice 2BD/2BA vacation condos in some of these resorts.  They've been here before and they know what they want, which always makes it a lot easier.  We saw 4 condos for sale in various complexes that were suitable for their needs.  A lot of units were unavailable for showing, with the busy tourist season right now.  We made an appointment to see one other after Christmas.  I think we have already narrowed it down, with one unit being a real standout compared to the others.

After dropping them off back at Maui Kamaole, I was able to get a quick sushi lunch at Safeway at the Piikea Shopping Center.  What luck, I also found some incredible deals on glass ornaments and other small gifts to put under the tree.  Scratch that off the list!

The next appointment wasn't until 3 pm so I had about an hour to kill.  I went to an open house of a nice Pukalani condo for sale - at The Gardens Upcountry - I love this complex.  The units are townhouse style with nice architecture and terrific views.  Check that off the list of properties to preview.

Endangered Pieces is an eclectic store on Makawao Avenue.  I stopped in to see what's new in there, and ended up across the street at his 3 Pukalani warehouses filled with interesting furnishings and art, and one of a kind pieces that have been salvaged from some of the Maui estates.  No room for anything large today, so I just bought some cute little egg shaped wooded rattle/shakers carved in Bali.

Next - my 3 pm appointment to have some firewood delivered.  I have a buyer client closing a home in Kula tomorrow and she is off island.  I'm buying her some kiawe firewood to make her first night back all toasty and warm since the house is way up in Kula where it can get cold at night.  Everything went well and that's one more thing to scratch off the list.

While driving down the hill, I stopped at a yard where they were selling Protea flowers - how perfect.  I was trying to think of one more gift to take along to the hostess, and this is just the ticket.  I bought a whole bunch of flowers for $20 bucks, and I was happy, and the seller was happy.  Yippee!

That's when I stopped at the Pukalani Superette, to pick up a few more things for dinner tonight.  Mission accomplished - and I'm driving home.  Whew, I could use a day off, and I see one on the horizon.

All this and negotiating a house sale in Paia, for another nice Canadian man who plans on living here for half the year, and living in Canada the rest of the time.  With the Canadian dollar at par, things are looking very attractive over here for Canadian investors.  I speak Canadian, having grown up in the prairie city of Saskatoon.  Today that transaction gelled and we are opening escrow.  I think this market is just right.

Happy Holidays to everyone - keep on doing what you do and you will have a great year in 2008.

Aloha from The Hunter - Georgina M. Hunter R(S)- Paia Maui HI

Pukalani Superette is a great little store in upcountry Maui.  It's on Makawao Avenue, at the intersection with the old Haleakala Highway.  Locals know where it is.  If you can't find what you're looking for in this grocery store, you better head down the road to the Pukalani Terrace Center.

This store has the best pupus, if you're hungry and you need a snack RIGHT NOW.  The other day I stopped in with my dad, and we walked out with some fried teriyaki strips and chicken wing drummettes and we ate them in the car!  They make really good local specialties like potato macaroni salad, teriyaki beef, and chow fun.  The vegetables they sell are locally grown so you know they're fresh.  We also got some ahi to make sashimi.  This is a busy place at the end of the working day, and you can bump into a lot of acquaintances picking up cold beer and other supplies.  Plenty of parking makes it an easy stop.

Today I shopped at the Superette on my way back down the hill from Kula, getting a few things to make a trifle to bring to a friend's house on Christmas Eve.  The store is small enough that you can be in and out really fast.  I ran into someone from Las Vegas, of all people to run into!  He was married over here a couple of years ago.  Small world isn't it?

If you're driving holo holo upcountry, looking at Pukalani properties for sale, be sure to make a pit stop at the Pukalani Superette.  It's convenient, quick and friendly.  Happy trails!

On the other hand - if you want it all, try the Pukalani Terrace Center - sort of "downtown" Pukalani.

I came across this "fruit stand" in Pukalani - someone was giving away his lemons and tangerines.

aloha - Georgina M. Hunter R(S) - Jim Sanders Realty Inc. - Paia Maui Hawaii

I just noticed the new option at the end of the new comment alerts.  When did that start showing up? 

--- Unsubscribe from notifications for this post

This is useful for those times when you get swamped with way too many emails, which often happens when you comment on a great post by some of the blogging overachievers here like.....

• Sally Cheeseman
• Brad Andersohn 
• Jason Crouch

I haven't yet tried it, but I will because I'm the curious type.  I think this is a great new feature. 

UPDATE - I don't know about you all, but it seems to take 3 tries before it works. 

Thanks again ActiveRain, you guys rock!  Thanks to Imagechef.com for the cute picture.

I love it when the sugar cane fields bloom with their big fluffy plumes.  This usually happens in December on Maui each year.  When the sun hits a field of these flowers, it's a truly beautiful site.  Here's a few pictures that don't do the sight justice.  I have just stopped and snapped a few quick pictures in this past week.  I would really like to take the time to get some great shots, but these will have to suffice for now.  That grass is about 10 feet tall before it flowers, so you can imagine how tall those plumes are.

Sugar cane is grown on only 2 of the Hawaiian islands any more... Maui and Kauai.  In times gone by sugar was big business, with many sugar mills on most of the islands, and cane fields covering much of the landscape.  Spreckelsville is an area named after the San Francisco sugar baron - Claus Spreckels in the 1800's.  Here on Maui the cane fields are still a major component of the agricultural scene, especially on the north shore, in the Paia area.  The crop grows for about 18 months, with newer species taking less time to reach maturity.  The old fashioned practice of burning the fields before harvest is still practiced here.  This creates a rather unpleasant situation if you happen to be downwind when they do their "burn".  The smoke can be really thick, and the sky gets dark, with a huge mushroom cloud of smoke and ash rising in the warm air.  I guess it's a small price to pay for the rest of year when the green fields are so beautiful.

We get rain and rainbows every day during the rainy season, but it's usually in the early mornings or late afternoons, with passing showers.  The climate is so ideal for growing things, that crops like this do very well here, all year round.  Sugar and pineapples are traditionally the 2 big crops grown in Hawaii, which is still very much an agricultural economy.  Other important crops are:

• Macadamia nuts
• Papayas
• Tropical flowers
• Maui Onions
• Organic Beef

Thanks for dropping in to see some of the Maui north shore sights.  Come back again.

Aloha - The Hunter

I had my first ActiveRain meeting the other day.  I have graduated to a new level  for an ActiveRain newbie.... lol.  It was unreal.

Gena Riede from Sacramento contacted me before she came to Maui and we managed to hook up over here for a lunch date at Mama's Fish House Restaurant in Paia.  She had the stuffed mahimahi and I had the ahi sashimi salad and the shrimp wontons... delicious.  Thanks for the great time Gena!  She had been to Maui 17 years ago and has been just waiting to come back to this famous beachside dining spot on Maui's north shore.  I like to eat here whenever I get a chance. 

Gena beat me to the post with her great pictures, and a post called WEST MEETS WESTER.  We both took some pictures of the encounter, the restaurant and the beach.  How do you like them? 

We'll get together again before she leaves the island.  I am in awe that she has been a member since almost the beginning.  I have only been here less than 3 months.  This is a great start to a wonderful networking opportunity for me.  THANKS ActiveRain.

It was great to talk to her, and tell her about the things that make Maui a special place to live and visit.  I got to listen to her Maui stories too.  If you're coming to Maui, I hope you will also contact me and we can  talk story.  I have lived here since 1980 and we have been buying real estate here since 1981.

Some of my other posts about the north shore here on Maui:

Morning Glories Internet Cafe - Paia's newest coffee shop

Ho'okipa Beach Park - less than a mile from here

Stable Road, Spreckelsville - a prime beachfront neighborhood

Peahi Farms - big oceanfront lots for sale

Coming to Maui?  Call the HUNTER - Georgina M. Hunter R(S) - your real estate agent on Maui

EMAIL or call 808 283-0635

Aloha and Happy Holidays!

I haven't been posting much lately, probably because I spend way to much time making my posts all pretty - I love eye candy.  But it's paid off anyway - a couple of the last ones became featured on Localism, so they earned me 400 points or more.  Woohoo.

Stable Road In Spreckelsville and Ho'okipa Beach Park must be doing something right.  I'm not quite sure I know what it is, but if points and juice is what you're shooting for, then check them out and do something like that for your neighborhoods.

 I'm glad to know that putting the extra effort into them is getting noticed.  Thanks ActiveRain - I appreciate it.  If this is getting me Google Juice - I'll have a double!

Aloha - The Hunter

Who's Brad Pitt?

The other night Larry King was interviewing Brad Pitt and I turned on the TV and said, "we have to watch this program with Brad Pitt in New Orleans."  My dad said "who's Brad Pitt?"  I explained to him that Brad Pitt was the actor in the Jesse James film that he recently saw, and he looked hard and said... "so it is!".  Well at least that got his attention, so we were able to watch most of the show without too much channel surfing during the commercials.

You have to applaud Brad Pitt for taking on such a monumental project, and getting the ball rolling with a $5 Million contribution.  His heart is in the right place, and he is leading by example.  I can understand why the former residents of the Lower 9th Ward want to come back to their home.  There is no other place quite like New Orleans, from what I hear, though I have never been lucky enough to visit there.  Such a vibrant mix of cultures is always a pleasure to experience, much like here in Hawaii.

What's a Green Home?

As proponents of a green lifestyle on Maui, we are already living proof that it can be done.  When we bought this vacant land in Haiku, back in 1989, we knew that we would living off the grid, but we were up for the challenge.  18 years later we have it dialed in to some extent, within our budget.  Being in Hawaii makes us somewhat spoiled, as we don't have to be concerned with temperature extremes, and therefore we have no heating or cooling systems.  We are also not very concerned with lack of water as rainfall is ample.  So with that in mind, here are the energy conserving ways that we have learned to live with a small impact on our land.

WATER  - why not keep all that wonderful rain that falls and use it to water the landscape, wash the car, wash the windows, and even shower and cook with it?  It makes perfect sense, especially in areas that are suffering from water shortages.  Here on Maui, parts of the island would be desert without irrigation.  Those places use a disproportionate amount of water, to make the resorts lush and the golf courses green.  On the north shore, the natural rainfall makes things green without added irrigation.  We have 3 water tanks to hold rainfall that lands on the building roofs.

HOT WATER - Solahart brand solar water heater on the roof.  This is intuitive - the hot water rises and stores itself in the tank which is the highest part of the system.  No pumping needed.  Pumping of water uses a lot of power.

COOLING -   We have large roof overhang , an 8 foot overhang, with wraparound decks.  This provides plenty of shaded space to sit and enjoy the views and the cooling tradewind breezes.  The shading effect helps to keep the interior of the home cool, as there is not much sun beating on the walls and windows.

LIGHTING -   Lots of windows to let in the natural light, so less lighting is needed during the day.  We took it one step further and used some excellent 11' x 5' windows that were recycled glass doors from some Shops at Wailea, and incorporated them into our home design.  Great big picture windows that didn't have to go to the landfill.  Of course light bulbs have always been the compact flourescent ones. 

POWER - Photo Voltaics and Wind Turbines.  We have 3 buildings that each have their own self contained power system which includes solar panels, a wind generator, storage batteries, and inverters.  It's not easy being your own power company.  Right now one of the wind turbines is "down" and we are waiting for the parts to arrive.  And wouldn't you know, it's been the windiest week in months!  Sometimes it can be frustrating.  When everything hums and whirrs perfectly it's a beautiful thing though.  We have an electric SunFrost fridge which we prefer over the propane ones, and the stove uses propane.

What else would I do?   

OK so if money were absolutely no object we could have done things differently and here's what I would put on my wish list for the future:

WATER - a wonderful natural shaped swimming pool with dark stones, and solar heating - and an old fashioned Japanese furo tub, heated from underneath with locally harvested firewood - water features like koi ponds and aquaculture ponds

COOLING - more extensive covered lanais - being out of the sun is important, and exterior spaces can be used for living space a lot of the time, as long as you can keep the rain off

LIGHTING - I'll have some solar tubes and skylights - we ran out of money before we ran out of ideas - and lots more solar yard lights, I love my tiki torches that I never have to refill

POWER - more PV panels - all over the roof - more batteries - the best that money can buy!  Solar is the greatest - no moving parts

You know what else?   

If money is no object I'd even have a 24 HR TECHNICIAN to be on call to maintain the system and install new stuff.  And while I'm dreaming, let's make him look like Brad Pitt, and he can walk around with his shirt off and fix things that need fixing.  Yeah that's it... if money were no object..... hmmmm.

This post was a challenge - thanks to JaneAnne Green-O-lina. for the idea.  Thanks for listening.  I hope this will encourage some of you to make a change in your lifestyle.  Where there's a will, there's a way. 

Aloha - The Hunter - Georgina M. Hunter R(S) - Paia, Maui HI 96779 - your agent on Maui - 808 283-0635

(PS - I do have a 24 hour technician, my husband is what makes this all work)

Stable Road on Maui's north shore is a well known street that has some very exclusive oceanfront and beachfront properties for sale.  The real estate in this neighborhood is not cheap, and that's because there's just not much of it. 

There are some very expensive beachfront estates at the end of this road.  Gorgeous homes with manicured lawns and lush landscaping.  If you'd like more information about homes for sale in this area of Maui, please inquire.

The sandy beaches on Maui's windward coast are renowned the world over as some of the best windsurfing locations in the world.  It's no wonder that so many homeowners around here are also world class sportsmen and women.  What could be better than stepping out your front door to launch your board and go for a session?  Leave your windsurfing gear on the lawn when you're not sailing, have a bite of lunch.  It's a dead end road, with not much traffic, but please drive slowly.

The Tradewinds blow in from the north east most days, and there is usually some small to midsize surf on the outer reefs of Spreckelsville and Kanaha, making for ideal windsurfing conditions throughout the year.  The warm water temperatures make it very pleasant for swimming and wetsuits are generally not needed.  Larger wave sets make for much more interesting and challenging fun, and the hardcore sailors will be out there in all conditions.

Spreckelsville is considered part of the Paia region, and it's located between Kahului airport and Paia.  Paia town is a short drive away, for all your needs, including restaurants, shopping, gas, post office, and spa.  Ho'okipa Beach is just on the other side of Paia, and it's another world class windsurfing and surfing spot.

Vacant lots for sale around here start at $1,680,000 with all utilities.

Residential properties on the market right now are asking upwards of $2,300,000 for a multifamily home on Stable Road.

Relocating to Maui? - get the relocation package today

Looking for an oceanfront property on Maui?  Call The Hunter. 808 283-0635

Looking for a home in Paia?  Email or call today for more info.  Ask about free market alerts.

Let me be the real estate agent for you.  Aloha from MAUI.

Mahimahi (Coryphaena hippurus) is commonly known as dolphin (not the mammal), dolphinfish, or dorado, in other places.  It's an open ocean fish found in seas around the world.  When a mahimahi takes the hook, its colors are brilliant blue, silver and yellow.  These fade in a flash when the fish dies. Large schools of mahimahi are common around ocean flotsam and off fish aggregation devices or FAD's.
About 80% of the commercial mahimahi caught in Hawaii are by local fisherman using trolling methods.  Hawaii's mahimahi is a highly regarded product which is best eaten when fresh.

When I cook mahimahi I like to bake it in a hot oven, 400 degrees, for 20 minutes.  Preheat the oven while preparing this recipe.

Mix up some:

• mayonnaise
• fresh pressed garlic
• fresh chopped dill
• fresh or dried tarragon leaves
• spoonful of pickled capers

You can use single serving fillets, or a whole slab of fish, whichever you prefer.  Place the fish in an ovenproof dish, like a glass or ceramic casserole or metal pan.  Spread this mixture all over the fish so it's got a nice coating.  Pop it into the hot oven and it will be done in 20 minutes, or maybe a little longer if you had a really big slab for the whole family.

Serve with rice and a fluffy salad, and you have a healthy and nutritious meal.

This is so easy and so delicious, you will be surprised.  If you are lucky enough to get some really fresh fish, this dish will always impress those you serve it to.  If you don't have fresh herbs available, you can fake it with whatever you have handy.  I have used basil, but it's a little overpowering.  Dill and tarragon are subtle and go well together.  I have also used this method for Ahi (yellow fin tuna) and it's pretty good too.

Why go to Mama's Fish House when you can eat like this at home?

Here on Maui we are lucky to know people who fish and we can sometimes get mahimahi right from them.  Other times we can buy fresh fish at our local market in Paia, and sometimes even at Costco.

If you enjoy eating fresh fish, you might want to move to Maui where it's available year round.  For more info on Maui homes for sale - call The Hunter - Georgina M. Hunter R(S)- 808 283-0635 - Paia Maui Hawaii 96779

WHERE - Haiku Maui - the north shore

WHAT -  A new street!

There's a new roadsign up on the Hana Highway at about the 15 mile marker. I notice it as I drive by each day.  Remember the new paved roadsat Peahi Farms?  Well they even got a street name already, and it's called Kai Huki Street. 

This is just the beginning of a great new agricultural subdivision at Opana Point, on the north shore of Maui.  New owners will enjoy a rural lifestyle by being part of the larger "farm" which will consist mostly of pastures.  These will be great properties for horse owners as there will be plenty of riding opportunities in the area.

My previous blogs about Peahi Farms:

Paved roads for Peahi Farms - miles of asphalt go down to improve access to the oceanfront lots.

Peahi Farms Brokers Open - with some pictures of the newly mowed lots.

Peahi Farms - first sale - this was a big turning point for the agricultural subdivision by Holt and Everhart.

Are you interested in Haiku land for sale?

Are you looking for some oceanfront land on Maui? 

 Call or EMAIL directly to The Hunter  808 283-0635

Maui real estate agent Georgina M. Hunter R(S)

Team member: Jim Sanders Realty Inc.  Paia HI 96779

Would you like to receive my FREE HAIKU NEWSLETTER?

Today was another beautiful day on Maui - the Kona storm has passed and things are back to normal here on the north shore. 

This was the scene at Ho'okipa Beach Park, with the usual smattering of beach-goers, surfers, windsurfers and kite-boarders.  Waves were mid size, nothing like the 20-footers we had last week.  With the warm water and gentle tradewinds, it was a perfect day for going to the beach. 

I stopped in with my dad and we both took some pictures.  It didn't long to get a bunch of good shots, and we were back on our way.  No time for swimming today, there's Christmas shopping to do. 

See more of today's pictures on Localism.com

Nearby Paia town has some great shops filled with those special little things to mail off to family on the mainland.  There are some tourist shops, lots of boutiques and various restaurants, some food stores, and much more.  I bought a nice painted coconut, and some locally made jewelry, and a cute pottery turtle.  My dad found himself a colorful aloha shirt and some other knick knacks.  We went to Mana Foods for the fresh veggies and milk we needed.  Got some cards and things mailed off at the Post Office, and then we were done.

Ho'okipa is Hawaiian for "to make welcome" and it's a great place to meet people for a day in the sun and surf, and to make a party.  Kids are always coming and going to surf at "pavils" on the north side of the beach where it's a little more protected, and the waves are smaller.

The park has good facilities such as showers and bathrooms, plenty of parking, and shady pavilions for sitting and eating and talking story.  There are barbecues and fresh water taps, so cooking and clean up is made easy.  We used to party here a lot when we lived much closer, but lately it's only once in a while, usually when there's a surf contest for the local kids.  It's about that time of year again, and I'm ready!

The north shore of Maui is a fast growing part of the island. This area is my specialty.  What are you looking for?  If you're looking for a home in Paia or an oceanfront property, I can help.  Give me a call. 

Georgina M. Hunter R(S) - 808 283-0635 

*  Aloha from MAUI  *  More Relocation Info  *

Help is Here!

I stumbled into a new place the other day while my husband was filling his fuel barrels at Maui Oil Company.  We were in Kahului Maui, and I didn't want to wait in the truck.  I wandered out in the misty rain and peeked my head into the first shop I came to.  It's a small shop that's not really very visible, and I don't think they get a lot of walk in traffic.  The friendly guy in the shop said they really don't have anything for sale, except their time. lol.  They are interior designers, with a nice showroom filled with samples of all those wonderful details you want to incorporate into a new home or a remodel.  There were beautiful tiles of glass and stone, mosaics and decorative designs.  Fabrics and fibers from around the world are available.  What else is there?  Furniture packages suited for the Maui lifestyle.  Top of the line appliances like Viking.  Lighting ideas. 

Interior Design Solutions

16 Hobron Ave. Ste 101, Kahului HI  96732

phone 808 871-8801   fax 808 871-8802

Residential.  Hotel.  Restaurant.  Office.  see their site at  idsmaui.com 

Valorie Spence is an award winning interior designer with a background in Architecture.  She keeps up with the latest trends and products, and can help you with colors and designs for the new millennium.

Go by and check out their showroom to get inspired and talk to a professional about planning your next remodel or new construction project.  They provide a great service here on Maui.

If you have any questions about finding a nice home on Maui, call your favorite Maui realtor... 808 283-0635

Paia Maui Homes for Sale

$1,595,000 FS

71 Ulumau Place, Paia HI 96779

 3 Homes on 1 Lot

This 5 bedroom/2 bath 2 story home is located on a quiet cul-de-sac just above the Patsy Mink Paia Post Office. Walk into town and enjoy the many restaurants, shops and services. 

If you feel the need to get pampered in Paia, check out  Thee Salon it's a day spa and salon in a cute old plantation house, and it's only a couple of blocks away. 

3 Homes on 1 Lot

3 bedroom/1 bath home, with carport.

Nearly one acre, three houses, 3 water meters, mango trees and tropical flowers, all in the heart of Paia.Property is zoned R-3. 

 3 Homes on 1 Lot

This older 3 bedroom/2 bath home has a large carport.  Propane.

There is potential here to condominiumize the property and have 3 separate homes.

Not exactly what you're looking for?  How about another cute Paia starter home, on a smaller lot for only $519,000?

Don't forget about the Christmas in Paia event on December 8th.

Looking for a home in Paia?  There are plenty of homes for sale in the Spreckelsville, Paia, and Kuau areas.  The beaches are nearby, and upcountry is just a short drive away.

Call the HUNTER today. - Georgina M. Hunter R(S) - 808 283-0635

Team Member Jim Sanders Realty Inc. for your real estate sales and  info

PO Box 792050 Paia HI 96779

You could be driving around Paia and seeing some of the sights.  Sign up for the NEWSLETTERS about the new real estate listings.

These beautiful exotic PROTEA flowers are grown in upcountry Maui on the slopes of Haleakala - that's the fertile volcanic mountain that makes up a large part of the island.  The cooler dry climate of Kula makes it ideal for farming of flowers and vegetables, and many productive farms can be found up here.  Protea flowers native to South Africa.  I snapped this picture at the Hui Holiday sale on December 1st.

Sunrise Protea Farm specializes in growing and shipping flowers for sale and  have been operating since 1958.  You can order  bouquets, baskets, and wreaths, and have them shipped anywhere.  All flowers are unconditionally guaranteed.  Want to brighten somebody's day?  Don't wait, call them now to get your holiday orders in. 

Sunrise Protea Farm ~ Haleakala Hwy ~ Kula, HI. 96790
Customer Service: 1-800-222-2797

The Skystream newsletter has a link to an interesting story today.... former president George Bush has installed a 33 foot tall windmill to generate electricity at his oceanfront summer home in Walker's Point, Maine.  This should help others to realize that wind power is a great thing.

A Skystream 3.7 model can produce an estimated 400 kilowatts a month at a wind speed of 12 mph. An average household uses about 600 kilowatts a month.  The wind turbine connects to the utility grid, and when it does not produce enough electricity, a home will start drawing electricity from its power company.  If the turbine produces excess energy, the excess will feed into the grid and the homeowner will receive credits from the power company.

You can learn more about wind power at the Southwest Windpower website or the Bergey website.  I encourage everyone to give it a try if you're able. 

Here's a picture of our Bergey wind turbine spinning away in Haiku.  We are really using the wind power today, as it's blowing up a big storm here on Maui.  Some parts of the island are already without power due to trees knocking down the lines.  At least I am still powered up!  Being off grid has its advantages.

Are you looking for an off the grid property on Maui?  If you have any questions about Maui off grid living, I would be happy to help. 

 Call or EMAIL directly to The Hunter  808 283-0635

Maui real estate agent Georgina M. Hunter R(S)

Team member: Jim Sanders Realty Inc.  Paia HI 96779

Sign up for my FREE HAIKU NEWSLETTER