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| Kona Heaven Coffee | White Pineapple | Island Hopping | Merriman's |
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Aloha Friends and ʻOhana,
I hope your summer’s been relaxing and refreshing.
The Big Island experienced a tsunami warning following an earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. While sirens echoed across the island, especially along the west side, thankfully, there was no impact here in Kona. Historically, Hilo has borne the brunt of tsunamis due to its unique coastal shape and underwater topography. If you’re ever curious about how tsunamis work or want to understand Hawaii’s history with them, I recommend visiting the Pacific Tsunami Museum in Hilo. It’s both humbling and fascinating.
This month, I also had the chance to island-hop over to Honolulu with clients to explore some of Oʻahu’s most exclusive luxury condos. Island hopping is second nature here, but touring those high-rise penthouses was still a thrill. I’ve included a quick tip below on how to make your island-hopping smoother. And if you’re curious about Honolulu’s luxury condo market, you’ll find links to the latest blog posts at the end. Our video this month, above, captures a few of these moments. Please take a look. |
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It’s pineapple season on the Big Island—and not just any pineapple. White pineapples (Kona Sugarloaf) are in peak form right now. Grown locally, they’re incredibly sweet, soft to the core, and rarely make it to supermarkets due to their short shelf life. You’ll find them at farmers' markets or in backyard gardens. Pro tip: twist off the crown to plant it. You can harvest your own in about two years! |
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| | Notice the shadow? Lahaina Noon is one of those uniquely Hawaiian moments. It’s the only time—twice a year—when the sun is directly overhead and shadows vanish. It’s subtle, but once you know, you can’t unsee it. Friends and clients sent me some great photos. The science is cool… but let’s be real… it was hot! Just another reminder that living here always comes with a little magic. |
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| Every August marks the start of Kona coffee harvest season. Emil and I had a special tasting at Kona Heaven Coffee, tucked next to the beach volleyball court on Ali‘i Drive. Eric and Jonathan—a passionate father-son duo, shared their hand-drip Kona brew with us. Jonathan was meticulous: water temp, timing, flow - it all mattered. The result? Unmistakably smooth and refreshing. For the real deal, stop by Kona Heaven Coffee and ask for a pour-over. |
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| | | Cooking is something I enjoy when I am not busy. Last week, a friends dropped off fresh Ahi (Yellowfin Tuna) and Aku (Skipjack) late in the day. Dinner was already planned, but Kumi and I quickly changed course. We delayed our meal by an hour, and it was worth it. We made homestyle Ahi poke, traditional Aku Tataki (lightly seared Katsuo), and Japanese-style fried Aku(Tatsuta Age). Fresh, simple, and so good. Moments like these remind me why I love island living. |
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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 |
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In Kona, we saw a notable jump in single-family home supply after a slower spring—partly influenced by tariffs. The market is shifting, and having the right strategy matters more than ever. For a closer look at what’s happening and what it means, check out our Market Update Flipbook below or visit the blog. |
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How Far Is Your Next Island? |
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Living on the Big Island means space, peace...and a direct connection to every other island in Hawaii. With over 20 daily flights from Kona to Honolulu, it’s easy to pop over for a meeting, a dinner, or even a same-day beach escape. Want a view tip? Sit on the right side flying to O‘ahu and the left on the way back. You’ll see half the island chain out your window. This month, I’m sharing a quick guide to island hopping - including tips on airfare, luggage, and routes to Maui and Kaua‘i. |
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| | | Oahu : $1,135,000 | $510,000 Maui: $1,300,100 | $725,500 Kauai: $1,175,000 | $887,500 Hawaii(Kona):$1,286,500| $650,000
source: Title Guaranty Escrow |
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Merriman’s The Restaurant That Redefined Island Dining |
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Luxury isn’t a thing—it’s an experience. This month, I revisited Merriman’s in Honolulu. Many know it as one of the best spots for regional Hawaiian cuisine, but what you might not know is that it all began right here on the Big Island, in cool, misty Waimea. That little upcountry restaurant helped spark Hawaiʻi’s entire farm-to-table movement. What started in Waimea now connects food lovers across all four major islands.Fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Genuine hospitality. A quiet kind of excellence that never feels forced. Merriman’s isn’t just about the food. It’s about a sense of place. For many of my clients (even from as far as Tokyo), it’s a must-visit. Read the full story and see photos from my latest visit to the original Waimea location. |
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| The World's Largest Long Distance Canoe Race started in 1972 simply to fulfill a need. The race really began as a way to train for the grueling Na Wahine O Ke Kai (Women) and the Molokai Hoe (Men) long distance canoe races from the island of Molokai to the island of Oahu. It is simply an amazing sight to see so many canoes in Kailua Bay! Highly recommend to go watch in the morning. |
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| | The 27th annual RUN FOR HOPE weekend of events to benefit cancer research. The weekend kicks off with the popular Concert and Taste of Hawaii Island event featuring Hawaii music artists, Kala'e and Kalena. Annual hope for run is on 6th. |
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| | Established in 1914, this Zen Buddhist temple is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and isdesignated a Kona Heritage Building. The proceeds will used for maintaining the buildings, with the focus this year being on the upgrading of the minister’s residence to current safety standards. |
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KE TEAM Featured Listings and their Distinctive Lifestyles |
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| | Proven Income-Producing Vacation Rental |
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77-212 Ke Alohi Kai Place |
| 4 BD 7 BA 4,035 SF $3,995,000 |
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| Proven Income-Producing Vacation Rental House in Kona's Oceanfront Resort Zone Gated Community – No STVR Restrictions This high-performing asset has consistently delivered strong financials:
2022: $295,342 gross revenue → NOI: $205,071 | CAP Rate: ~5% 2023: $336,045 gross revenue → NOI: $245,774 | CAP Rate: ~6% 2024: $275,422 gross revenue → NOI: $185,151 | CAP Rate: ~4.6% 2025 (Q1 only): $100,000 gross — a record-breaking start, signaling potential for the highest revenue year yet.
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| | | | 7 BD 6 BA 4,399 SF $3,200,000
The serene Holualoa estate |
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| | | 68-1304 Lot 15 Akea Place |
| 0 BD 0 BA 0 SF $1,275,000
Opportunity to develop |
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| | Your 3 acre Canvas for Kona Luxury Living |
| 72-4027 Ke Ana Wai Street |
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| "I purchased a second home and investment property in Mauna Lani Resort. Kai has excellent bi-lingual skills and gave us a clear picture of the most up-to-date market trends in Japanese. He also helped us negotiate and close the transaction to our satisfaction. He was able to clearly explain every step of the real estate purchase process in Hawaii, which can be very unique. Kai is now a great friend and has given us warm support, even after the closing." Miyamoto H." Miyamoto H.
By the way, We never too busy for any of your referrals. |
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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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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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