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| REALM | Scottsdale | Hokulea 50 years | |
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Aloha Friends and O'hana,
April is flying by. The purple jacaranda trees are in full bloom around Big Island, often called our version of cherry blossoms. I included a short video of this tree this month.
Many of my friends traveled to Japan this spring to see cherry blossoms, taking advantage of the favorable exchange rate. Cherry blossoms signify a new beginning in Japan. And a fun note: Japan was recently voted the most polite country in the world by far, with 35% of the vote. The second was Canada, The U.S. is ranked 13th. (Article LINK)
Back on the Big Island, we are seeing inventory tighten. Single-family home supply in Kona dropped over 10% in just the past three weeks. Mainland spring real estate activity is definitely influencing our market. Inventory is shrinking in many major markets in the northeast, Dallas, Florida, Denver, and more.
At the same time, national consumer sentiment declined in April to a historic low. The survey's preliminary April reading came in at 47.6, down from 53.3 in March. There is a bit more caution in the air right now.
As always, there is a lot to think about. |
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My visit to Scottsdale for REALM Global Collective 2026 was refreshing. REALM is a brand-agnostic network of top agents, with each member averaging $90M in annual sales. Impressive numbers, but what stands out is the collaboration and constant innovation. As a founding member, it felt more like a meaningful annual reunion than a conference. Scottsdale is one of the hottest luxury markets today. I toured several ultra-luxury homes and was reminded how each market has its own value drivers. Here is a link to the $18M house I toured. |
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| We had another storm pass through Hawaii while I was in Scottsdale. Fortunately, the Big Island saw no damage, but it got me thinking about insurance. If your home is held in a trust, make sure the policy names the trust properly as "additional insured". If not, claims can be denied since insurers treat it as a separate entity. Definitely worth a quick review. |
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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. 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 : $1,180,000 | $510,000 Maui: $1,300,000 | $699,000 Kauai: $1,388,000 | $750,000 Hawaii(Kona): $1,308,000| $630,000
source: Title Guaranty Escrow |
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Hōkūleʻa at 50: The Voyage That Reclaimed a People’s Identity |
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What does it really mean "to find your way"?
May 1st marks a powerful milestone. It has been 50 years since Hōkūleʻa first left Hawai‘i in 1976, setting out across more than 2,500 miles of open ocean with no GPS, no instruments, and no guarantee of success. The goal was simple, yet profound. To prove that Hawaiians came from Polynesia through intentional navigation, not by chance.
Interestingly, my own introduction to Hōkūleʻa started in Japan, watching a documentary. At the time, I didn’t yet have a connection to the islands, but something about it stayed with me. Looking back, that moment means a lot more now.
What I find most fascinating is that the “technology” behind this achievement lives entirely in the mind, star paths, ocean swells, wind patterns, all read and interpreted with incredible accuracy. And just a few years later, in 1980, Nainoa Thompson became the first Native Hawaiian in over 600 years to repeat that journey without instruments.
And in many ways, it all started with a simple but powerful decision: to begin. If you’ve ever wondered how this single voyage helped reshape an entire culture, and why it still matters today, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. |
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What I Learned at RGC 2026: AI, Relationships, and the Real Value of Human Connection |
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What actually gives you an edge in today’s luxury real estate market?
At RGC 2026, that answer came into focus—but not in the way you might expect.
The first keynote speaker, digital futurist Brian Solis, challenged the idea of AI as just a productivity tool. His perspective was simple but powerful: it’s not about doing more, it’s about creating a more meaningful human-centric approach to innovation WITH AI.
Abigail Posner, the cultural Anthropologist and former Google executive, took it in a unique direction, focusing on something harder to quantify - human energy. How we show up, how we connect ideas, and how we make people feel. In a world increasingly shaped by technology, understanding the human element and behavior may be the real differentiator. She also pushed us to expand and combine different parts of ourselves. "Because when WE expand, the WORLD expands with US." Great message.
And then there was Grant Golliher, a horse whisperer, who demonstrated trust in its purest form. No scripts, no pressure, just consistency, presence, and clarity. A reminder that trust isn’t claimed, it’s earned in an authentic way. Maybe we rely too much on words?!
Individually, each of these ideas stands on its own. But together, they point to a larger shift underway, one that is quietly reshaping how business gets done at the highest levels. AI is important, but more important is how we use it with the right energy in the appropriate way. We certainly should avoid AI SLOP...
If you’re curious how these insights translate into real-world strategy, I think you’ll find this one worth the read. |
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| Come celebrate lei culture on May 1st in beautiful downtown Hilo, at Kalakaua Park, featuring live Hawaiian music, hula halau, lei making demonstrations and more! No vendors or food trucks. Please bring your own chairs, mats, and snacks. Natural shade provided by Hilo's wonderful, big old trees. Here is a good read about the Lei Day. |
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| | Regular admission ($2 cash at the door), with Early Bird exclusive admission ($20) from 8-9am. The event includes a display of blooming orchids by club members (bring your camera!) and a sale presenting a wide selection of healthy plants from Hawai'i Island growers. |
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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 Beauty $1,850,000 |
| This home sits at an ideal elevation on a half-acre. Stunning views of Kailua town, fruit trees, privacy, and fully renovated with a new garage and guest room. The location is hard to beat. CALL US FOR DETAILS. |
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| | | A home in Kona’s premier oceanfront gated community is coming soon. Walk to the beach, Kailua Pier and into town. CALL US FOR DETAILS. |
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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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| | | | 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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| Emil and Kai are an outstanding realtor team. We’ve completed several buying and selling transactions with them, and every one was handled seamlessly. They are incredibly reliable, organized, and always on top of every detail. The entire process was smooth each time, and we always felt confident knowing they had everything under control. Their consistency and dedication truly set them apart. We highly recommend Emil and Kai to anyone looking for a stress-free and successful real estate experience
Victor K |
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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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