| | Bon Dance | RGC2024 | Most Beautiful Restaurants |
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Happy Memorial Day Weekend! The school year in Hawaii is almost over, and summer vacation season is about to begin. I am preparing to take my daughter's taiko group of twelve high school students to Japan in July. Surprisingly, the budget for this trip is cheaper than in 2017, thanks to Japan's low inflation rate and favorable exchange rate. Our average daily accommodation cost per student is only $33 per person this summer. If you are planning a trip to Japan and need suggestions, feel free to contact me!
Speaking of Japan, Hawaii's Bon Dance season kicks off next month with Community Bon Dance at Kona's Old Airport Pavillion on June 15th. I have more information below. |
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| | May was a month with several memorable events. First, we closed on a new construction property in the Keauhou Estates. Emil and I worked on this two-year project closely with the seller, from land acquisition to construction and sale. In the end, we were able to represent both the buyer and seller. Adapting to market changes was the key. |
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Additionally, Kumi and I completed beginner taiko class and officially joined the Daifukuji ZEN TAIKO group. It's refreshing and satisfying to hit/perform taiko drums. Pounding something hard is unimaginable in daily life. Also, the sensation of my nerves memorizing body coordination is fascinating. I imagine this is what it was like to learn something new as a child. Please check out the video below to see how I played. |
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| | The REALM GLOBAL COLLECTIVE 2024 @ Laguna Beach was well worth mentioning. I spent three intense days with the top 210 brokers from around the world. This year’s topics included AI, luxury, and real estate industry transformations. The parties were exciting and it was an incredibly stimulating three days. A special feature on RGC2024 is below. |
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May in Hawaii is the graduation season and the market tends to become slow. The Kona real estate market is seeing an increase in condominium supply, catching up with the single-family home market. The market will start moving again with the summer vacation season in June. This month, I will compare the national market with the Kona market. Please see below. |
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| Experience the vibrant lifestyle of Kona and the Big Island through this exclusive video. This month, I have captured videos of Mother's Day, Taiko, Laguna Beach, Rivian, and Hawaiian graduation. Let this visual journey rejuvenate your spirit with the true essence of Hawaiian Aloha. |
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| MAY 2024 National and Local |
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Prices, Inventory & Sales Continue to Rise Moving Deeper into Spring.
Inflation & Interest Rates Fall; Stock Markets Hit New Highs.
Virtually all the economic indicators that weakened in April turned around again in May (as of 5/21/24): The latest monthly inflation reading declined, stock markets rebounded vigorously to hit new highs, and interest rates dropped back down to where they were before their April jump. This month, I will compare national and Local real estate stats. |
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| -Extremely local but important- |
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210 Realm members gathered for three days at Montage Laguna Beach, an iconic destination for our third annual REALM Global Collective. There we also met industry innovators, disrupters and leaders, Here is a glimpse of this year's RGC, along with my takeaways: |
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| We were very grateful to haveRivian, an innovative electric vehicle company, as one of our sponsors. They managed all the transportation and even hosted a party for us. They aim to create a carbon-neutral world by popularizing electric vehicles as a bridge to the next generation. The test drive experience was excellent, but what stood out most were the smiles from Rivian employees and the company’s enthusiasm, which contributed to a luxurious experience. Rivian manufactures its vehicles in Normal, Illinois, at the former Mitsubishi factory, which resonated with me personally as it’s where I was born! Passion X Technology = Next Generation |
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| One of the highlights of RGC was the speech by Professor Assha Saxena from Columbia University, a highly sought-after data expert in the field of AI. Her insights into "unstructured data" and AI were enlightening. I found her new book, "AI Factor," extremely informative. The examples of Netflix and Starbucks succeeding through the use of unstructured data were fascinating. This week, in Japan, DIP Corporation's AI-generated interactive job search service (AI AGENT) is a hot topic. The company uses AI to help bridge employers and job seekers. They are now working on analyzing difficult-to-quantify factors, such as clean interiors and appealing uniforms, to help job seekers further. Ultimately, how we utilize AI depends on us. The advent of AI tests human capabilities even more. AI X Humans = Better Service |
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| | Dr. Langer explained that redefining luxury now requires a focus on the value and positive experiences a product brings to the consumer rather than the product itself. Creating memorable experiences especially seems crucial. When a product or service exceeds expectations, it creates memorable experiences and value, which are the essence of luxury. Ultimately, we all seek experiences that are meaningful and memorable rather than superficial and flashy. Quality X Memorable Experience = Luxury |
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| $11.9M Home in Laguna Beach |
| Mahalo to Mike Johson, Compass and Annie Clougherty, Compass for putting together fabulous RGC welcome reception at your $11.9M listing. It was a beautiful home. Please check out video from the link above!! It is a very nice video. |
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| DEBUNKING THE MYTHS OF CREDIT SCORES Todd Parsons, Origin Point |
| We asked about the relationship between credit history and interest rates. Despite our extensive experience in the business, we realized we had never received a clear explanation. Here is how Todd explained As a Mortgage Lender, I’ve had countless people cite a low credit score as the reason they haven’t pursued homeownership. While Credit is indeed an aspect of loan qualification, the minimum required credit scores are often much lower than buyers perceive. Conventional mortgages require a minimum credit score of 620, and alternative programs such as FHA, VA, and Non-Conforming loans can approve credit scores into the low 500s. Mortgage applications with lower credit scores can be subject to higher rates, but typically, the rate adjustments are minimal. The larger the down payment, the less the rate will be impacted by a lower credit score. ..... Todd Parsons, VP of Mortgage Lending, Origin Point |
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| BIG ISLAND JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL - MAUNA KEA BEACH HOTEL |
| Oceanfront performances, from 5-9PM, with Grammy Award winners, Grammy nominated artists, Music Hall of Fame members and jazz and blues legends. Gates open at 4:30PM. Visit for more details. |
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| | | Many Festival events, which will take place at various locations, are free, while others require a nominal fee and reservations. The Grand Finale Ho’olaule’a will be from 9am-5pm on June 8th at the Pahala Community Center. For the latest information, visit www.kaucoffeefestival.com. |
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| | KING KAMEHAMEHA DAY CELEBRATION PARADE - KAILUA-KONA |
| Featuring more than 100 riders on horseback, the annual parade and ho‘olaule‘a (music and art festival) fittingly return this year on Kamehameha Day 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. |
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| Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission, 8-12pm |
| 39th ANNUAL KONA DAIFUKUJI ORCHID CLUB SHOW AND SALE |
| This year’s focus will be highlighting creative and natural ways to mount and display orchids. Buy high-quality, locally grown orchids and hybrids. Bring your questions or ailing orchids to the "orchid doctor" for guidance. Demonstarations on how to care for your orchids will be held every half hour, starting at 8:30am. Taiko drummers will perform at 10am. |
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| Lifestyle Tips and Tricks |
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| 50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America |
| This is where my wife and I were engaged. Highly recommended. |
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| Hawaii Bon Dance Season Starts in June |
| Bon Dance (Odori) is a traditional dance that honors ancestors and is cherished as a regional summer festival across Japan. Its origins lie in Buddhism, but today, it is an important cultural event that transcends religious boundaries and brings communities together. Bon Dance is typically held at temples, but this year's Bon Dance Season kicks off with a large community Bon Dance at Kona's Old Airport Pavilion (Maka'eo Pavilion). Kona Daifukuji holds Bon Dance practice from June 2nd. Everybody is welcome—a good way to get to know Japanese tradition and culture! Here are some of the Bon Dance Dates: June 15, Maka'eo Pavilion 5-9 pm July 13, Kona Daifukuji 3-6:30pm July 20, Keei Hongwanji 6pm July 27, Kona Hongwanji 6-10pm Aug 10, Kona Daishiji 6:30pm |
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Cooling (HVAC) & Air Quality Rebates |
| Summer is here. In Hawaii, as much as half of the energy used in your home goes to cooling. Regular maintenance and exploring other energy-efficient cooling options can have a big effect on your energy savings, electric bill and comfort
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| Keauhou Estates #193 - JUST LISTED |
| | 3 BD 4 BA 2614 SF $2,500,000 |
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| | 82-6115 Hawaiʻi Belt Road |
| 0 BD 0 BA 0 SF $1,995,000 |
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| | | | 78-261 Manukai Street, Unit 806 |
| 2 BD 2 BA 1500 SF $699,000 |
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| | | 5 BD 6 BA 5006 SF $3,975,000 |
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| | | | | 3 BD 3 BA 2276 SF $1,650,000 |
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May was an exciting month filled with new experiences and learning opportunities. With the rapid advancements in technology and AI, we are witnessing a new paradigm shift. While change can be daunting, it also brings growth opportunities. I am eager to see what the future holds. Speaking of new experiences, I encourage you to try bon dance. It's a fun, non-religious tradition from Japan that embodies the spirit of community and joy. There are no mistakes in bon dance—it's all about participating and fitting in—very Japanese! Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions about the market, Kona, golf, or anything in between. I am always grateful for your referrals. |
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| | Connecting Hawaii-US-Japan Top 1.5% of US Real Estate Professionals, 2020-2023 |
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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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