ALOHA NOV 2025!

Coconuts | Best Kona Coffee | REALM Maui | World Series

Aloha Friends and Family,

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, a perfect time to pause and appreciate the people who make life meaningful. It’s been a good year, and I’m especially grateful for you - my friends, clients, and ohana. Mahalo!

The economy? On paper, it’s not looking too bad. Unemployment at 4.3% and inflation around 3% are historically solid(before the shutdown). But there seems to be a disconnect among many. Ever heard of a "Vibecession"? That’s when the numbers say “stable,” but people still feel uneasy.

On a brighter note, we just wrapped up another amazing week at the Kona Coffee Festival. More farms, more faces, and more heart. Big shoutout to this year’s Cupping Contest winner, Hawaiian Goat Coffee, followed by Kona Farm Direct and Hula Daddy. In the Heritage Division (washed Typica), honors went to Imagine 100% Kona, Ka‘awaloa Trail Farm, and Aloha Aina—a beautiful reminder of our island’s rich coffee tradition.

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.

Let’s dive in!

2025 was a full-circle baseball journey. It started with watching the season opener live in Tokyo and ended with the World Series in LA. The three World Series games at Dodger Stadium included that unforgettable 18-inning marathon. Thanks to NHK, I caught most of this year’s games. Shohei made history again, and with his new training facility opening on the island soon, we’re excited to see him in action here!

Holulaloa Coffee Stroll featured 24 farms, each hoping to win the People’s Choice Award. While we always find a few standouts, picking one winner is tough; flavor alone isn’t everything. A warm smile and heartfelt welcome go a long way. That’s why we love Aloha Star Coffee. Armando’s kindness, his growing son, and their rich medium-dark roast keep us coming back. They’ve placed top two for three years straight. Well deserved!

Right after the World Series, I flew to Maui for a REALM event. Unlike the annual gathering of 200, this one was small and relaxed with just 30 of us. It felt like a fun reunion since I knew almost everyone. My REALM and Compass colleague and friend from NYC, Caryl Berenato, visited Kona afterward with her husband, Peter. We roasted coffee together and walked in the Kona Coffee Festival Parade. Check out the video above

If you’re planning a visit to the Big Island, let’s connect—we’d love to catch up.

Thank you, as always, for your trust, support, and referrals.

Mahalo,

Kai

Real Estate Market

NOVEMBER 2025 Recap

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.

Median Prices by Island

Homes | Condo

Oahu : $1,140,000 | $540,500

Maui: $1,300,050 | $695,000

Kauai: $1,227,500 | $852,000

Hawaii(Kona):$1,273,500| $620,000

source: Title Guaranty Escrow

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.

Lifestyle

The Coconut Surprise: What I Didn't Know Living 25 Years in Hawaii

During a recent trip to Maui for REALM ELEVATE, I discovered a side of coconuts I had never experienced in nearly 25 years of living in Hawaii. I see coconut trees every day, yet very few locals have tasted fresh coconut milk or young coconut meat.

At the event, I met Ryan Burden, who runs a coconut farm in Haiku. He taught us that coconuts grow in rhythm with the moon and move through seven stages of maturity over 14 months. Each stage offers a different flavor and texture, from soft jellymeat to firm spoonmeat and even coconut “noodles.”

Ryan prepared three dishes for us: a hydrating cocktail from young poppers, jellymeat shooters that looked like oysters, and pan-cooked coconut noodles that reminded me of Japanese udon. All three were surprising and delicious.

A simple coconut turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of my Maui trip.

Big Island

Crafted by Hand, Preserved by Heart: Kona Coffee’s Japanese Legacy

Kona Coffee isn’t just a local luxury. It’s a symbol of perseverance, craftsmanship, and cultural legacy. This month, I’m excited to share a story that’s close to my heart and deeply rooted in our community.

Uchida Kona Coffee Living History Farm, built over 100 years ago, still stands with its full coffee mill, hand-built drying deck called hoshidana, and even a human-powered coffee grinder. It’s not a display. It’s a living memory.

This blog dives into how first-generation Japanese immigrants, the Issei, and their children, the Nisei, came to Hawaii for plantation work but ended up building something more enduring in Kona. Small, independent coffee farms created with sweat, creativity, and grit.

Whether you’re a coffee lover, history buff, or simply curious about what makes Kona so special, this story will deepen your connection to the land and people.

Local Events

LIGHTED BOAT PARADE - KAILUA-KONA

When: December 7, 2025, 6PM

Where: Kailua Pier Area

Get ready to sparkle under the stars! Watch the bay come alive as dazzling boats decked out in holiday lights and island flair sail along the shoreline. Bring your ohana, feel the festive energy, and celebrate the magic of Kona’s coastal Christmas tradition!

KAILUA-KONA CHRISTMAS PARADE

When: December 13, 2025, 5:30 PM

Where: Historic Kailua Village along Aliʻi Drive

Feel the holiday magic at the 2025 Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade, where the streets burst with lights, music, and aloha spirit! Colorful floats, joyful hula dancers, and marching bands will fill the air with festive cheer as the community comes together to celebrate the season. Gather your family and friends, grab a spot along Ali‘i Drive, and join the merriest parade in Kona!

THE NUTCRACKER BALLET

When: December 23, 2025

Where: Kahilu Theatre, Waimea

Experience the magic of the season with The Nutcracker Ballet, a timeless holiday classic brought to life with dazzling costumes and enchanting music. Let the beauty, grace, and wonder of this beloved performance sweep you into the spirit of Christmas!

REALM ELEVATE - Maui

KE TEAM

Featured Listings and their Distinctive Lifestyles

Makalei Estates

72-4027 Ke Ana Wai Street

0 BD 0 BA 0 SF NEW PRICE $695,000

3-acre vacant lot in gated Makalei Estates subdivision. The lot was cleared and ready for the new owner.

Mauna Lani Resort

68-1304 Lot 15 Akea Place

0 BD 0 BA 0 SF NEW PRICE $1,149,000

Shovel-ready homesite comes with HOA approval and a building permits

Mauna Lani Resort

68-1019 Lot 27 Hoe Uli Way

0 BD 0 BA 0 SF NEW PRICE $599,000

An opportunity to build your dream home on a fully-developed homesite

Kailua-Kona

75-195 Ala Onaona Street

13 BD 6 BA 3467 SF $1,300,000

Investment opportunity! Rare zoning flexibility. Possibilities for creative long-term rentals or multi-generational configurations.

Daisuke 'Kai' Ioh

REALTOR® | RB-19352

Mobile 808.936.6148

kai.ioh@compass.com

www.KETeamHawaii.com

www.KonaFudosan.com

REALM Founding Member

Top 1.5% of US Real Estate Professional 2020-2025