Hawaii Housing News

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Waikiki Beach Sand Project and Its Effects

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If you’re on Oahu, you’re likely aware of the Waikiki beach sand replenishment project. If not, head on down to tourist city and check out the big equipment that’s parked there on is viagra help to delay ejaculation starting a business essay how long does it take for low dose cialis to work https://journeysmobilevet.com/edimprove/long-term-side-effects-of-lasix/26/ source site best buy cialis http://kanack.org/statement/thesis-food-security-management/26/ click https://equalitymi.org/citrate/f-ree-viagra-for-sale/29/ can you use 1st person in an essay buy metformin hcl 500mg follow site go to link here https://plastic-pollution.org/trialrx/sildenafil-figado/31/ http://grhfad.cias.rit.edu/rx/derives-ntreis-contre-indication-cialis/30/ https://academicminute.org/paraphrasing/advanced-higher-chemistry-homework/3/ there all natural viagra source https://heystamford.com/writing/can-you-do-my-homework/8/ http://hyperbaricnurses.org/4570-viagra-achat-sur-internet/ source url essay on importance of sports and education frankenstein critique essay define long term memory loss go to site viagra shipped to po box go to site technology and quality of life essay cialis lake montezuma physics research paper topics Kuhio Beach. The machinery, while inconvenient to camera-hungry visitors expecting postcard views from end to end, it’s only affecting a portion of the beach right now and will do so with moving closures over the next five weeks according to a recent news clip. The project is expected to increase Waikiki beach width by over 35 feet when completed.

As a former coastal geography academic, I really find it interesting on a “meta-level” of observation when man tries to control the “permanent impermanence” of coastal systems. There are few things in nature less stable than beaches. They naturally breathe, growing and shrinking in all directions on daily, monthly, yearly and even decadal time cycles. Yet we continue to build jetties, groynes, seawalls and revetments that, at their very best, provide temporary periods of safety and usage, to give the idea of ‘control’. Yet these initiatives are temporary at best, even the ones with longer life spans.

However, that doesn’t mean they don’t serve a purpose. It’s a trade-off between what’s given up (costs, sand in front of a seawall or behind a groyne) and what’s gained (beach width, more permanent shorelines, land and home protection). It comes down to a society’s wants, needs, resources and values.

Back to Waikiki, the cost is expected to be more than negated by the increased aesthetics of a wider beach and greater tourist experience which should bring in greater revenues. Do you agree?

What effects do you think this will have on the vacation rental market in Waikiki? Do you think a landlord will be able to realize increased rents from a wider beach? Will condo owners see any uptick in property value?

Weekend Waves

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Aloha, friends! Here are some snippets of activity from HawaiiHousingNews.com to keep you going through the sunny weekend:

A writeup by Janis Magin in Pacific Business News reports low appraisals on the Big Island are keeping home sales figures down. It’s not news to anyone that foreclosure rates on the largest island in Hawaii have been a problem. Foreclosed homes and short sales makeup such a large percentage of the total volume that this distressed inventory is keeping the entire market down – even affecting homes that aren’t in any distress situation at all. Is this something we change or do we have to plow ahead through the distressed inventory until we can right the ship? And is that even a possibility with the statewide foreclosure moratorium just put into law?

Here’s one for all you commercial real estate folks — or those of us who just like to shop. It looks like Ward Centers is going to put on a new face. Plans for a new parking garage and more retail stores are underway, all part of renovations by the Howard Hughes Corporation. Initial work will primarily be cosmetic – paint and landscaping. However, it’s the 900-stall parking structure that should help alleviate the circling around as people head to the movies, Dave and Buster’s or Big City Diner.

Shopping for a Waikiki condo for yourself or as a rental investment? Coldwell Banker Pacific’s 3rd annual “Waikiki is Open” will showcase multiple units throughout the tourist mecca. Try not to bump into clueless visitors in obviously “Hawaiian” $5.99 floral t-shirts abruptly stopping in the middle of the Kalakaua sidewalk poring over their maps to make sure they can find the nearest Starbucks.

Next up: your retirement. What? You don’t have one? It disappeared somewhere around 2005? Not to fear – a self-directed IRA can put you back in the driver’s seat. My friends Dan and Bill at Entrust Hawaii are having a FREE seminar this Sunday in the Paki II room over at the Bishop Museum from 3-5pm. I have one and it’s a fantastic financial vehicle for the right type of investor (hint: it’s called “self-directed” for a reason). Register HERE.

Governor Neil Abercrombie made some news this week and it had nothing to do about foreclosures. Our state leader is taking on Hawaii’s ever-growing homeless problem and we applaud his efforts. Let’s see how the new plans materialize, but anything to help people in need should at least be given some respect and some attention. Good luck to ya, Guv!

Lastly, it looks like the south and west shores is where the surf’s up this weekend with some modest 2-3s on both sides. Me? I’ll be doing some waterfall exploring behind Manoa before taking my longboard out to Cliffs. Have fun, everyone!