Maui Blog - Georgina M. Hunter R(S): December 2010

Wordless Wednesday - purple orchid for the new year

This poor orchid plant was tossed aside after it bloomed, and was neglected in a rainy part of the garden.  I was quite surprised to find it blooming today!  I really should take better care of my orchid plants, but luckily here in Haiku they sort of take care of themselves.

Paia Maui MLS search  ~  Haiku Maui MLS search ~ Maui oceanfront MLS search

Thanks for reading My Maui Blog!  ~ Georgina M. Hunter Realtor(S) e-Pro  

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call or text me 808 283-0635 ~ EMAIL

Paia Maui HI 96779 - north shore beach town with good vibes

Paia Maui has a lot of art galleries featuring work from local artists.  You might be surprised at some of the talented people living here on this little island.  Painters and potters and wood artisans all find inspiration in the beauty and nature that surrounds us.

Some people prefer the art of surfing, becoming one with the sea and the waves.  It takes years of practice to reach that zen-like state.  Paia is also home to a lot of surf shops where you can find the latest beach fashions and beach toys.  Hard core water enthusiasts flock here to be part of the north shore Maui scene.  Paia is one cool spot!

Surfers and artists need to eat, so you know there's going to be a great selection of well priced food establishments.  If you're looking for something to eat in town, check out this list of Paia restaurants.  The Paia Fish Market restaurant packs them in all day and night for fresh fish dinners with cold beer and wine.  You can't miss this place, it's right on the corner in the middle of town.

What else does Paia have?  Plenty of real estate offices.  If Maui north shore real estate is what you're looking for, then look no further than right here on this blog.  I live here on the north shore and I love it here.  I'm a licensed Maui Realtor and I can help you find the perfect property.  Contact me with your questions... I'm listening!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM PAIA MAUI HAWAII

Thanks for reading My Maui Blog!  ~ Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro  

Search the Maui MLS right here 

call or text me 808 283-0635 ~ EMAIL 

Wordless Wednesday - dreaming of a white Christmas on Maui... NOT

You are crazy if you think I want to be looking out my window and seeing snow covered trees.  That's exactly the reason I moved to Maui, so I would never have to shovel snow, scrape my windshield, and drive on icy roads EVER AGAIN.

When I see the news reports of winter weather on the mainland, and in Europe it makes me so glad that I am here in Hawaii for the holidays, and every day.  We are experiencing winter weather, with some rain and cooler temperatures.

Thinking of moving to Maui?  MAUI Relocation Info

Nevertheless, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Thanks for reading My Maui Blog!  ~ Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro  

Search the Maui MLS right here 

call or text me 808 283-0635 ~ EMAIL 

Blast from the past - Paia Maui Hawaii - December 2010

Puka Puka is a gallery on the Hana Highway at the edge of Paia town.  The architecture is reminiscent of the time when shop owners would live above their retail stores.

Old buildings rule in this little beach town on Maui's north shore.  Charley's Restaurant is getting a new pave job in the parking lot right now, which will be a big improvement over the gravel and dirt of yesteryear.

If Paia Maui is a place you'd like to call home, why not contact a local Realtor to help with your search?

Paia Maui MLS home search  ~  Haiku Maui MLS search ~ Maui oceanfront MLS search

Thanks for reading My Maui Blog!  ~ Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro  

Search the Maui MLS right here 

call or text me 808 283-0635 ~ EMAIL

YouTube video from the Hawaiian Canoe Club in Kahului Maui HI

Yesterday I posted pictures taken at the harbor in Kahului.  Well here's the video I took at the same time, on my handy little Flip video camera of course!

The mountains in the background were just so stunning that day.  At the bottom of the mountains, in the inner harbor, you can see the Harbor Lights condominium complex.  What a great location for a housing project, right next to the college and downtown Kahului.

There weren't many paddlers out this day, only one canoe, which you can see over by the pier near the end of the movie.

At the end of the video you get to see the old fashioned traditional Hawaiian hale (building) with the thatched roof.  I love this little hale as it's very picturesque and reminiscent of simpler times in Hawaii.

Thanks for reading My Maui Blog!  ~ Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro  

Search the Maui MLS right here 

call or text me 808 283-0635 ~ EMAIL

Speechless Sunday - Hawaiian Canoe Club at Kahului Harbor Maui Hawaii

The other day I took a detour when leaving the bank and couldn't resist stopping at the Kahului Harbor to snap a few pictures.  The traditional Hawaiian hale (building) now has the roof on and it looks so inviting.

There's a great view of the West Maui mountains, with homes in Wailuku nestled at the base.

Watch the YouTube video from here!

The Hawaiian Canoe Club (HCC) has it's home here in the harbor, and there were canoe paddlers out practicing on a beautiful December day.

Thanks for reading My Maui Blog!  ~ Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro  

Search the Maui MLS right here 

call or text me 808 283-0635 ~ EMAIL

Maui Ocean Rafting Video - sea life and whales

Just click play for a quick ocean adventure and underwater fun!

This is the time of year when thoughts turn to tropical islands like Maui.  Maui Hawaii is the place when you want to get away from the cold and hang out with turtles and whales.  Every year tens of thousands of visitors arrive on Maui and enjoy the sparkling waters and sandy beaches.  Lahaina and Maalaea Harbors have boats leaving daily, to take you on the adventures you dream of.

This rafting tour is one of the many outdoor things to do while visiting our beautiful island.  Other sporting activities include:

• golfing
• surfing and windsurfing
• kite boarding
• paddle boarding
• snorkeling
• zip-line tours
• horseback riding
• whale watching

For real estate information, ask a local Maui Realtor which island homes are best.  Give the HUNTER a call when you're coming to Maui.

Thanks for reading My Maui Blog!  

Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro  

Search the Maui MLS right here 

call or text me 808 283-0635 ~ EMAIL

Things are pretty quiet in Haiku Maui lately.  It's been so still without the normal tradewinds blowing, that you can hear the bamboo growing.  Can you see the tiger in the bamboo stalks?

This black cat is a little easier to spot in the jungle.  Just playing around with the Iris Photosuite App for iPhone on a Saturday afternoon in Haiku.

These cats found a home in Haiku, you can too.  Just call THE HUNTER with your Haiku Maui real estate questions.

Paia Maui MLS search  ~  Haiku Maui MLS search ~ Maui oceanfront MLS search

Thanks for reading My Maui Blog!  ~ Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro  

Search the Maui MLS right here 

call or text me 808 283-0635 ~ EMAIL

Hookipa Beach Park, Maui Hawaii - surf is UP!

Just a tease for now.  I'm off to a #Mauitweetup in Paia and I'll be back to clean up this mess.

Thanks for reading My Maui Blog!  ~ Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro  

Search the Maui MLS right here 

call or text me 808 283-0635 ~ EMAIL

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day... more Maui pics to warm you up.

While the rest of the country is shoveling their way out of snow, we're enjoying the usual sunshine and mild weather here in Hawaii. We're expecting some bad weather with rain and vog though in the next few days on Maui.

Anyway, to cheer you up, here's a little sunshine and color coming your way!

Tropical foliage and flowers always brighten my day, and it's nice to be surrounded by all this beauty.

Aloha from Maui!  And remember this - Maui is only as far away as your nearest airport...

Thanks for reading My Maui Blog!  ~ Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro  

Search the Maui MLS right here 

call or text me 808 283-0635 ~ EMAIL

Maui Real Estate Q&A - What's a condo-tel?

A Condo-tel is short for Condo Hotel, where a condo complex is run like a hotel or resort, with a front desk that greets guests and takes walk in bookings.  Not all condo buildings will have a front desk for customer service.  Here in Hawaii, condo-tels are quite common in the resort areas where we get a lot of off-island owners.  Absentee owners means a lower percentage of owner occupants.

What does this mean to buyers and sellers?

Buyers need to be aware that their lender will probably require a greater amount of down payment if the complex is determined to be a condo-tel.  Maybe even as much as 40%.  Buyers should work with a Hawaii lender who understands the nuances of condos and resorts here in the islands.  Be prepared to bring as much cash as possible to the table.

Sellers need to understand that this tougher qualification for a loan means that fewer buyers will be in a position to complete the purchase of their desired Maui condo.  That means longer DOM and maybe even only cash buyers will step up to buy.  

Search all Maui condos by name * Maui condos for sale *  Want the FREE Condo Newsletter?

Shopping for a Maui vacation condo * Kihei beach parks * Kihei and Wailea relocation package

• Maui Banyan
• Hale Kamaole
• Kihei Kai Nani
• Kauhale Makai
• Luana Kai
• Kihei Kai
• Palms at Wailea

Thanks for reading My Maui Blog!  ~ Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro  

Search the Maui MLS right here 

call or text me 808 283-0635 ~ EMAIL

Other Q&A posts:

• What's a tsunami?
• What's a Residential Condo?
• What's an Ohana?
• What's Makai and Mauka?
• DOM - huh?
• What's a TMK?
• 
  

Speechless Sunday - lounging by the pool in Haiku Maui Hawaii

Thinking about buying an oceanfront home on Maui?  Start your MLS search right here, and let a Maui Realtor be your guide.

Paia Maui MLS search  ~  Haiku Maui MLS search ~ Maui oceanfront MLS search

Thanks for reading My Maui Blog!  ~ Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro  

Search the Maui MLS right here 

call or text me 808 283-0635 ~ EMAIL

Sugar Beach - Maalaea Maui Hawaii

Kihei Kai

61 N. Kihei Rd. Kihei HI 96753

8888 778-7717

This small condo complex in North Kihei is a hidden treasure, tucked between a couple of other resorts which all share the same beautiful sandy beach.  Kihei Kai consists of only 24 apartments and an office/front desk for vacation rentals.  It's a 2-story building, right on Sugar Beach!  There's a cute little pool and a grassy lawn with an outdoor shower.  

Search Maui condos for sale by building name.

If you want a vacation home that feels personal and homey, this might be more appealing than a larger complex with hundreds of units.  Guests mingle on the lawn at sunset and even enjoy pot luck dinners together.  

Maalaea Bay is where the Humpback Whales come to have their calves each winter.  The beach stretches for miles so you can spend your morning walking and looking for shells.  Sunset viewing and whale watching are prime activities here.  Want to take a cruise?  Maalaea Harbor is only minutes away.  Make arrangements for a snorkel trip or whale watch.  There's also a surf break here, which is best in summer.

Thanks for reading My Maui Blog!  ~ Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro  

Search the Maui MLS right here 

call or text me 808 283-0635 ~ EMAIL