It’s Aloha Friday Again: Aloha Festivals kicks off in Waikiki
According to KHON News, “Dozens turned out to welcome this year’s royal court at the Royal Hawaiian center.
This year’s theme is “Mele Ailana” which means celebrate island music.
Other aloha festival events include a ho’olaulea in Waikiki and a floral parade later this month.
This is the 65th year for the festivals– it’s the oldest and largest Hawaiian cultural celebration in the U.S.
Mahalo For Reading.
Disney Set to Unveil New Luxury Hawaiian Resort on Oahu
According to KPUA News Online, “Disney officials say Hawaii’s culture, history and natural beauty will play a big role in the company’s new upscale Hawaiian resort Aulani, which opens Monday.”
“Disney executive Djuan Rivers says the resort isn’t a replication of the company’s other theme parks, saying guest are coming to the destination “first and foremost for Hawaii and everything Hawaii has to offer.”"
“Aulani is located on the west side of Oahu, about an hour’s drive from Waikiki.”
“Disney would not comment on the cost of building Aulani, which has been reported at more than $800 million.”
“Disney broke ground on the project in November 2008 during the recession and temporarily suspended sales of time-share units in July amid concerns that it underpriced annual fees.”
Mahalo For Reading.
Secret Real Estate Code (A Little Humor)
I usually post this or put a link on my webiste every couple of years. Following a Sunday, and reading some of the real estate classified ads, I was reminded of how entertaining the choice of words and descriptions used actaully were.
Real estate advertising makes fascinating reading. It always seems to describe your dream home- until you stop by the Open House. Many real estate ads then show themselves for what they really are: exercises in creative writing with a little little’adventure-action flair. At times you may find yourself to double-checking address. This is a’”Desert Oasis??”.
Real estate agents sometimes have a tough job to do. As commissioned salespersons, they have to make the best of a less-than-perfect product. Many home features are quite subjective, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Still, some really step over the line into fantasy.
Here is a twisted look at some of the real estate terms you might encounter – and another reason to call your real estaste professional if you want the truth about property you see advertised!
Perimeter Lot: On the edge of the cliff, but it didn’t used to be. Bring rope and wear a harness!
Breathtaking: And that’s just the price.’ You’ll need oxygen after you see the inside.
Friendly Neighborhood: You’ll love the Casserole of the Month’Event . Attendance is mandatory.
Pet-Friendly Neighborhood: Bring your own guard dog. Everyone else has one.
Handyman Special:‘ Earth moving equipment required to get to front door.
Fixer-upper:‘ Quick, before it falls down.
It’s Aloha Friday Again: Missed the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival
Darn it! So many good festivals! Just a few weeks ago was the ukulele festival and now, although late, I just learned of the slack key guitar festival. Darn, I missed it! Both were free and held at the Kapiolani Park in Waikiki.
According to “Hawaii Magazine Online“, “The Ki-hoalu Foundation describes Hawaiian slack key guitar music as “sweet and soulful,” and “drawn from the heart and soul — out through the fingers of each player.”
“Intrigued? If you’re on Oahu this weekend, check out the musical mystique for yourself at the 29th annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival “Waikiki Style” is set for Sun., Aug. 21, noon to 6 p.m., in Kapiolani Park.”
“The free fest will feature some of Hawaii’s top artists in the slack key genre including Ledward “Led” Kaapana (pictured, right), who was recently named as a 2011 National Heritage fellow, the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts. Previous fellows in the award’s 30-year history include bluesman B.B. King and cowboy poet Wally McRay.”
Read the rest of the article, “Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival brings sweet, soulful sound to Oahu this weekend”
Mahalo For Reading.
It’s Aloha Friday: Made in Hawaii Festival this Weekend
According to the Pacific Business News online, “The Made in Hawaii Festival, which starts Friday and runs through Sunday, is one of the year’s biggest showcases for products made by local companies.”
“This year’s festival at the Neal S. Blaisdell CenterNeal S. Blaisdell Center will have approximately 400 exhibitors and is expected to attract some 35,000 attendees.”
“But it’s way more than just a shopper’s haven for the latest Hawaii-made coffee, chocolates, lotions, candles, koa accessories and quilts or the like.”
“It’s where distribution deals are made.”
Mahalo For Reading.
According to Transworld Surf Online, “The 10th annual Duke’s OceanFest will be held at Waikiki, at the foot of Duke Kahanamoku’s statue, from Wednesday, August 24, through Sunday, August 28.”
“Duke’s OceanFest features a variety of individual ocean sports that were close to Duke Kahanamoku’s heart: Longboard Surfing – Paddleboard Racing – Swimming – Tandem Surfing – Surf Polo – Beach Volleyball – Stand-Up Paddling.”
“The festivities commence on Duke’s birthday, August 24, with a lei draping parade and ceremony at 5pm at Duke’s statue that is free and open to the public. The ocean sports begin on Thursday, August 25, running through Sunday, August 28, from 8am to 4pm daily.”
Mahalo For Reading.
According to Hawaii News Now online, “Kapiolani Park was filled with the sound of an instrument that’s linked to Hawaii.
The annual Ukulele Festival is the largest of its kind, and gathered more than 800 ukulele players Sunday from Hawaii and around the world.
It also showcased many of the ukulele makers in the islands. People attending even could take ukulele lessons at the park.
The performers came from Australia, Italy, Korea, Guam, Taiwan, California and Maryland.”
Read the rest of the article, “41st Ukulele Festival draws hundreds of players from around the world“.
Mahalo For Reading.
According to the “Hawaii Reporter”, “The Honolulu rapid Transit Authority has formally notified the City Council that it will begin acquiring public and private real estate along the 20-mile route of thefixed-rail guideway.”
“Acting HART executive director Toru Hamayasu made the notification in a letter this week that lists nearly 200 parcels which will be acquired through negotiated purchases or eminent domain proceedings.”
“The parcels range in size from hundreds of acres all the way down to a 156-square-foot remnant on Kona Street near Ala Moana Center.”
Although no work has started on the previously announced plans to make major upgrades to the International Market Place in the heart of Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue, we are now reading news that the nearby Royal Hawaii Market Place on Royal Avenue is also planning a major renovation.
According to the “Honolulu Star Advertiser“, “The longtime leasehold owner of the Royal Hawaiian Market Place has plans to replace the property’s hodgepodge of tired retail and restaurant kiosks with a nearly 6,000-square-foot, two-story building.”
Read the rest of the article, “$1 Million Overhaul Aims to Clean Up Waikiki Market Place“.
Mahalo For Reading.
According to an online article written by Michael Levine at “Honolulu Civil Beat“, “A pair of homebuilders and a handful of government agencies own more than half of the land surrounding the proposed route for Honolulu’s 20-mile rail system, an analysis of real estate data shows.”
“Of the more than 500 entities that own at least an acre within 2,500 feet of the route, Ohana Military Communities LLC and D.R. Horton-Schuler Homes are the two largest stakeholders. They’re followed by the City and County of Honolulu, the State of Hawaii, the state’s Department of Transportation-Airports Division and the federal government.”
Read the rest of the article, “In the Shadow of the Train, Landowners Stand to Gain“.
Mahalo For Reading.
