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| Graduation | Paniolo | Lei | Hawaii Geology |
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Aloha Friends and O'hana,
With Mother’s Day, graduation season, and Memorial Day, May may be one of the most colorful times of the year in Hawai‘i, and much of that beauty comes from leis. Hawaiian leis are far more than a flower necklace. Leis represent aloha, connection, celebration, love, and respect. There is also a rich culture and etiquette surrounding leis that many visitors and even longtime residents may not fully understand. From the joyful tradition of graduation leis to the meaning behind open-ended leis, I hope you enjoy learning more about one of Hawai‘i’s most cherished customs below. Be sure to check out the lei-filled graduation videos above as well. They truly capture the spirit of celebration and aloha. |
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Big congratulations to the University of Hawaii men’s volleyball team on their national championship! 🏆 A few years ago, Emil played with some UH players here in Kona. Total next-level athleticism. But as this GIF proves, Emil was not too far behind! What a spike! Volleyball is a lot more explosive than golf for sure. Hawaii may not have pro teams, but we proudly cheer for our schools and college athletes. |
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| | Mahalo to everyone who guided, supported, and encouraged Momo along the way. We are deeply grateful. In our small Kona community, it truly feels like the village helped raise our daughter. Daifukuji Taiko and Akemi Sensei helped shape her character, Kealakehe High School taught responsibility, and countless friends, aunties, and uncles offered warmth and support whenever needed. This summer, Momo begins her next chapter at Cal Poly, and we could not be more proud. |
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| Believe it or not, the Big Island is home to one of the oldest and largest cattle ranches in the United States. Life upcountry feels worlds away from Kona and is rich in paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture. The word “paniolo” comes from “Español,” as the Hawaiian language traditionally does not use the letter “S.” We were recently invited to Paniolo Legends Under the Lights, a new event reviving the island’s rodeo traditions. We look forward to sharing more in the months ahead. |
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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. If you’re planning a visit to the Big Island, let’s connect. I’d love to catch up.
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. We send out the latest market updates during the first week of each month. |
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| | | Oahu : $1,180,000 | $510,000 Maui: $1,300,000 | $699,000 Kauai: $1,388,000 | $750,000 Hawaii(Kona): $1,300,000| $615,000
source: Title Guaranty Escrow |
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Lei Is Never Just Flowers: Hawaiian Lei Etiquette and Meaning |
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This month, we explore the deeper meaning and etiquette behind one of Hawai‘i’s most cherished traditions: the lei. After living on the Big Island for 25 years and recently helping make dozens of graduation leis for our daughter, I gained a new appreciation for the craftsmanship, symbolism, and aloha woven into each one. The article shares fascinating cultural insights many visitors may not know, including why pregnant women sometimes receive open-ended leis, why leis should not be placed on the ground, and why removing a lei immediately can unintentionally feel disrespectful. I also highlight the incredible variety of leis found across Hawai‘i, from fragrant plumeria and pikake to kukui nut, candy, and ribbon leis. Especially during graduation season, leis become powerful handmade expressions of appreciation, family, and community connection throughout the islands. |
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Why Kauai Has Red Dirt - And Kona Has Lava Rock Walls Everywhere |
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Last week, I traveled to Oahu to cheer on my daughter at the Hawaii State High School Tennis Tournament. Like many local families, the trip became a mix of sports, ono food, island hopping, and a reminder of how remarkably different each Hawaiian island feels.
While Oahu’s soil only carries a slight reddish tint in places, it immediately reminded me of Kauai, where the deep red dirt is impossible to miss. Kauai, Hawaii’s oldest major island at nearly 5 million years old, receives more than 450 inches of rain annually near Mount Waialeale. Over millions of years, rainfall and oxidation transformed volcanic rock into iron-rich red soil.
Meanwhile, the Big Island remains Hawaii’s youngest and most active island. Here, lava rock is everywhere. In fact, some of us jokingly say you can almost measure the value of a property by how much rock wall it has.
It’s easy to think climate plays the biggest role in shaping architecture and lifestyle in Hawaii. But geology may be just as important.
I think you’ll find this one worth the read. |
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| Many Festival events, which will take place at various locations, are free, while others require a nominal fee and reservations. If you like coffee, it's worth going and comparing Kona Coffee and Kau Coffee. |
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| | Featuring many riders on horseback, the annual parade and ho'olaule'a (music and art festival) will take place in historic Kailua Village. Kamehameha Day is a state and county holiday established in 1871 to honor Kamehameha the Great, who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810 and became Hawaii's first king. This is one event we never miss!!! Best to see the event in front of Hulihe'e Palace. |
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| | Bon Dance season is here, and the first event to kick things off in Kona is the Community O-Bon Festival. This wonderful gathering is open to all cultures and offers a chance to experience the spirit and traditions of a Japanese Bon Dance festival. Daifukuji Temple’s Bon Dance will take place on July 11th starting at 3:00 p.m. I’m honored to once again serve as co-chair of the event. We hope to see you there! |
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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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| Holualoa Charmer $1,850,000 |
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| | | Kona Sunset Living $1,549,000 |
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| NEW LISTING 75-5506 Kona Bay Dr | Listed $5,350,000 |
| Designed by Lucky Bennett, the home reflects a deliberate alignment of architecture, climate, and coastline within a guard-gated community with 24-hour security, direct shoreline access, and proximity to Kailua Pier, Ali‘i Drive, and a nearby community park with pickleball courts. We hope you enjoy the video above. |
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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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| | | | 0 BD 0 BA 0 SF $649,000 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 both a pleasure to work with and be around. They’re knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely great people. I consider them top-tier and highly recommend them.
Colin Runge |
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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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