Hawaii is the Healthiest State in the Nation

According a report released by United Health Foundation, Hawaii is the healthiest state in the nation for the second year in the row. The United Health Foundation uses a variety of factors in coming up with their rankings including state health policies, the lifestyle behavior of the citizens, availability of clinical care, and medical coverage.  Hawaii had the fewest percentage of smokers at 13.3 percent of adults, and the second lowest obesity rate at 21.8 percent of adults.  Rounding out the top five states are Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Utah.

Keith Yamamoto, the acting director of the state of Hawaii's Department of Health, stated, "I'm elated that we have gotten the highest ranking in the nation for the second year in a row. We do think it's a reflection of our community and their commitment to healthy lifestyles and environmental protection."  Governor David Ige added, "This is encouraging news and I look forward to working with our public health and health care communities to ensure access to care and strengthen prevention efforts to reduce chronic disease and injury in our state. I'm proud to say that Hawaii is the healthiest state in the nation, and we must continue to invest in our public health efforts."

For full details, please visit americashealthrankings.org

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-10-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Real Estate Sales Data for the Island of Oahu for November 2014

Source: Honolulu Board of Realtors

Single Family Home Sales Data for the Island of Oahu

November 2014 - 225 Houses Sold - $719,500 Median Price

November 2013 - 296 Houses Sold - $684,000 Median Price

Condominium Sales Data for the Island of Oahu

November 2014 - 363 Condos Sold - $343,000 Median Price

November 2013 - 407 Condos Sold - $330,000 Median Price

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-9-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Time-Share Industry Generates $45.8 Million in Tax Revenue

According to a report released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the time-share industry generated more than $45.8 million in state and county tax revenue and added 1,445 jobs to Hawaii's tourism industry during the past fiscal year which ended in June 2014.  The report noted that time-share occupancy was 88.9 percent statewide, which was almost 12 percentage points higher than the hotel occupancy during that same period.  Joe Toy, the president and CEO of Hospitality Advisors, commented, "The time-share industry is very healthy in Hawaii. I expect it will continue to expand.  There's lots of motivation for people to buy here. Part of it is the ability to have a prepaid stay in Hawaii, but there's also a very strong redemption value if you want to exchange elsewhere. That's why there are even a lot of Hawaii residents that buy into time share."

Henry Perez, the chairman of the American Resort Development Association of Hawaii added that within the next two years, the island of Oahu and Maui are expected to add an additional 500 time-share units each, and that there are another 800 units planned for the Big Island of Hawaii.  Perez noted, "This period of expansion is pretty close to the 2005-to-2008 time period. The time-share market gets hot when the visitor industry gets hot."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-9-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Invasive Pine Trees Removed from Haleakala National Park

The National Park Service has announced that they will be removing a total of 3,000 invasive pine trees from the Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui. The operation will take about 10 days to complete and will require the use of helicopters to remove some of the trees that are growing in very remote or steep areas.  The invasive trees are Monterrey pine, Mexican weeping pine and maritime pine, and they are displacing endemic and endangered species in the area.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-8-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Waikiki Commercial Properties Asked to Contribute to Beach Restoration Projects

Honolulu Councilmen Ernie Martin and Stanley Chang are proposing two new bills, Bill 81 and Bill 82, which would require that commercial property owners in Waikiki must contribute to the beach restoration projects for that neighborhood.  Under the Bills, commercial property owners from Ala Wai Harbor to Kaimana Beach and from Ala Wai Canal to the ocean would be taxed an estimated 7.63 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.  This would generate about $600,000 per year for the Waikiki neighborhood.

Rick Egged, the president of the Waikiki Improvement Association and a supporter of the bills, stated, "It spreads the cost over all stakeholders rather than the few who are willing to come up with the money. It also gives us a seat at the table to make sure that the projects are done properly and that they are in keeping with stakeholder objectives. I think all of our members generally believe that establishing this major public-private partnership is necessary,"  City Councilman Chang added, "As Waikiki's councilmember for the last four years, I believe strongly that the only way to preserve Wai­­kiki Beach for today's and tomorrow's residents and visitors alike is to develop and implement a coordinated comprehensive plan for all of the beach rather than continue to react to spot crises."

Jerry Gibson, the area vice president of Hilton Hawaii, stated that he will support the bills provided that the money stays focused on improving Waikiki beach.  Gibson commented, "I believe in the public and private aspect of putting it together. I wouldn't like to see the money go toward creating a bureaucracy. I want to see it go to maintenance and care of the beaches. We've seen with weather and hurricanes and those kinds of things that the beach can go away quickly. For the economic viability of Wai­kiki and the pleasure of the tourists and locals who live here, it's important to continue to maintain the beach area and continue to make it the best in the world. If everyone does a little bit, we can do a lot together."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-5-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Hawaiian Electric Industries to be Sold for $4.3 Billion

NextEra Energy Inc., which is based out of Juno Beach, Florida, has just announced that they will purchase Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc for $4.3 billion.  NextEra is currently the nation's largest generator of wind and solar power, and has stated that they will help Hawaii reach its goal of becoming less dependent on imported fossil fuels for power generation. Hawaiian Electric will keep its name and will continue to be based in Honolulu.  NextEra also promised that there will be no layoffs for the next two years.

Government officials have been cautiously optimistic about this new development. Governor David Ige commented, "The state of Hawaii will do its due diligence to ensure the sale will be in the best interest for Hawaii ratepayers. Since Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. was founded by King David Kalakaua, the state will work to maintain the spirit and values that are consistent with the King's legacy and honors our culture for future generations."  U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono added, "The decision to combine with NextEra Energy and spin off ASB deserves careful scrutiny on behalf of Hawaii consumers and residents."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-4-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com

Hoopili Has Been Given Approval By Honolulu Planning Commission

The Honolulu Planning Commission has voted 6-0 in the recommendation to the Honolulu City Council to rezone the Hoopili development from agriculture to residential, business and mixed use.  Developer D.R. Horton plans to build a total of 11,750 homes on the 1,554 acre site. Supporters of the project argue that Hoopili will provide much needed homes to the area as well as jobs.  Opponents state that it will make traffic worse and eliminate prime agricultural land. The proposal will now go to the City Council who will probably decide on the rezoning request in January 2014.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-4-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com