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| High School Surfing | Scams | Milan | Fire and Ice |
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Aloha Friends and O'hana,
I hope February is treating you well. This month, the Big Island gave us a little bit of everything: fire and snow. A powerful winter storm swept across Hawaii, closing schools throughout the island. Here in Kona, we were fortunate. Sheltered by our 14,000 foot mountains, we enjoyed calm skies and mild weather. As you can imagine, the kids in Kona, including my daughter, were more than happy about the unexpected day off.
Up on Mauna Kea, fittingly known as “White Mountain,” the summit transformed into a true winter scene, blanketed in fresh snow. It is always surreal to see snow in Hawaii.
And then there is another kind of “Kona Snow.” Along the slopes of Hualālai, Kona coffee trees are covered in delicate white blossoms, filling the air with a sweet, jasmine-like fragrance. The bloom is brief, but absolutely magical. In this month’s video, I captured both snow and fire, and I will show you why we call it “Kona Snow.” |
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And then, fire. Kīlauea has been very active, with short eruptions lasting only a few hours at a time. The park closed during the 41st episode, as lava fountains neared record heights. Kīlauea is the most active volcano in the world, yet also one of the safest to visit. If you are on the island, I highly recommend visiting. USGS forecasts suggest the next lava activity window is March 5 to 15. Here is our blog about Kilauea volcano and safety. |
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| | Last spring, when President Trump announced tariffs, the real estate market froze. Uncertainty has a way of doing that. The recent Supreme Court decision striking down those tariffs may help ease pressure on household costs. Geopolitics is no longer distant headline news. It directly impacts markets, mortgage rates, and even life here in Hawaii. The 2026 market is off to a good start; let's see how we will do in the spring. |
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| The Winter Olympics are something I watch with enthusiasm, although watching from Hawaii feels a world away. Interestingly, Milan is now Europe’s hottest real estate market. After Italy introduced favorable tax laws in 2017, global luxury buyers poured in. High-end sale prices have surged nearly 38 percent between 2020 and 2025. Here is a link to a beautiful property in Milan, Italy, listed by our friend, Marco Tirelli. Global events and global real estate are more connected than ever. |
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If you’re planning a visit to the Big Island, let’s connect—we’d love to catch up.
As always, I’ve linked the latest Big Island lifestyle video above, along with market insights, local happenings, and a little slice of life from here in Kona. I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you, as always, for your trust, support, and referrals.
Mahalo,
Kai |
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Each month we share our Market Update - insights carefully gathered and analyzed to help you stay on top of what really matters. If you’d like to receive these updates directly, let us know and we’ll be happy to add you to our mailing list. |
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| | | Oahu : $1,125,000 | $530,000 Maui: $1,445,000 | $629,950 Kauai: $987,500 | $965,000 Hawaii(Kona): $1,410,000| $570,000
source: Title Guaranty Escrow |
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Hawaiʻi Makes Surfing a High School Sport |
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What if surfing wasn’t just a beach activity but a varsity high school sport? I recently attended a spring sports meeting at Kealakehe High School in Kona, where surfing was introduced alongside traditional varsity programs. It felt different. Meaningful.
Beginning in spring 2026, Hawaiʻi will officially crown its first state high school surfing champions, becoming the first state in the nation to sanction surfing at the interscholastic level.
In Hawaiʻi, surfing is not just recreation. It represents culture, discipline, and daily life. For Big Island families, this decision reflects how deeply the ocean lifestyle is woven into education and community.
Most of us are not surfers. Yet we all understand what the ocean means here. It is where our kids grow up. It is where friendships form. It is where we reset at the end of the day.
Recognizing surfing as a varsity sport is not just about competition. It is about honoring something that quietly connects all of us who call Hawaiʻi home. |
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Could someone transfer your property without you knowing? |
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A recent alleged deed forgery case on O‘ahu suggests it’s possible. Authorities believe forged signatures were used to record fraudulent deeds and to attempt to resell vacant properties.
Here’s the key issue: the Hawai‘i Bureau of Conveyances records about 344,000 documents annually. The Bureau verifies formatting and notarization requirements, but it does not confirm the legal validity of the transfer. A recorded deed does not guarantee its legitimacy. Most scammers target vacant lots, especially parcels outside monitored subdivisions. The good news? Hawai‘i Bureau of Conveyances offers a free Property Watch alert system. If you own property on the Big Island, this is worth understanding.
👉 Read the full breakdown to see how the system works and how to protect yourself. |
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| | | All ocean and surfing photos in this issue are by Mike Cerrone, a talented photographer I have known for nearly 20 years. He beautifully captures our local surf community, including Kealakehe High School. If you enjoy his work, please follow him on Instagram. @cerrone_photo |
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| The Kona Brewers Festival is an annual fundraising event that celebrates the love of craft beer, delicious cuisine, live music, and the unique culture of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Established in 1996, I already have a ticket. You? 20 breweries are participating! |
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| | The Laupāhoehoe Music Festival is a beloved community tradition on the Big Island’s Hāmākua Coast. What started as a small local gathering has grown into an annual celebration of Hawaiian music, culture, and ʻohana. |
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| Fresh on the Market: Latest Listings from the Past 30 Days |
| Ready to explore your next dream property? Here are the newest listings in Kona and across the Big Island Resorts, each offering its own slice of paradise. |
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| | | Welcome to “Heavenly Home”, a tropical paradise set at approximately 1,200 feet in elevation, where cooler, floral-scented breezes and sweeping Pacific Ocean views create... |
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| | Forever Sunsets $2,795,000 |
| Welcome to Forever Sunsets - a private island retreat in the coveted gated oceanfront community of Ke Alohi Kai. Thoughtfully crafted for comfort and connection. |
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| | Pualani Estates $1,025,000 |
| Here is a Pualani Estates dream home. This desirable Pikake model offers 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 1,476 sq ft of interior living space, plus expansive covered front and ocean view. |
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KE TEAM Featured Listings and their Distinctive Lifestyles |
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| | | | 4 BD 4 BA 2728 SF $2,200,000
- Situated on a 1.17-acre lot - 2019 custom-built home - PV 52 panels with 4 Powerwalls - EV charger - Guest quarter |
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| | | | Vacant Lot NEW PRICE $1,149,000 Shovel-ready homesite comes with HOA approval and a building permits |
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| | | | Vacant Lot NEW PRICE $599,000 An opportunity to build your dream home on a fully-developed homesite |
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| | | | 0 BD 0 BA 0 SF NEW PRICE $499,999 1-acre ocean-view building site. Currently features a mature coffee farm and a permitted storage |
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| Kai and Emil are the best real estate team in Kona. They will help you to find a dream home. They are not ordinary realtors, but they also can be your friends in Kona. If you are looking for honest and dedicated realtors, I truly recommend them to you.
Takeshi Okai |
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| By the way, We never too busy for any of your referrals. |
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Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions. |
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