Hawaii Real Estate | Hawaii Relocations | Hawaii Home Buying & Selling

Rich Jacobson wanted to inspire us to do a little "community building" and he said, "Create a post that tells us what you've experienced, what you've learned; how you've benefited from your participation here; the friendships you've made; the ways you've grown personally". Read more of Rich's inspiring post here:  "Testimonials in the Rain" - What's YOUR Story? And join in on the comaraderie and community building.    (they changed it from bonding...to building lol) 

ActiveRain introduced me to a REAL Estate Network to Blog for Business, to blog for conversation with my peers and to read informational and localized posts for all others areas and neighborhoods. ActiveRain is an all in one place to work, relax, read and socialize with members in the Real Estate Industry. No matter how I word it, ActiveRain has been the learning experience of a lifetime and there IS more to come.

John Suler's The Psychology of Cyberspace taught me the significant points I needed to learn about the individuals that hide behind a keyboard, the different personalities and basically about the online presence. I have experienced meeting members in person or phone...and I have made a few valuable friendships that will continue on.

And this is what it's been all about for me: Looking Back on 2007: Giving Back to the Community  where I wrote: "It's not hard to get wrapped up in the "fame, glory and recognition" while writing for a large community as ActiveRainhas grown into.  The points, the features and the "friends" we accumulate along the road of blogging gets a little exciting, huh? If it is one thing I have respected are the people who did not change in spirit and in soul along their pathway to blogging freedom and remained themselves. The ones who have written from the heart and let their whole persona shine through."

And last but not least....the most important and beneficial thing for me......

   **.MY Very FIRST Sale from an ActiveRain lead!**

Yeah, you may not think it's so important to have a closing from a client from an ActiveRain post but I have been blogging on ActiveRain since March of 2007 and this is THE first closing that I have had directly from ActiveRain and a post my client saw  *Across the Ocean to Paradise: Military Relocations Hawaii*  Six more weeks will be one year that I have been a member of ActiveRain and this has got to be high on my list for determination to succeed with this thing called Bloggging.....for Business.  Over TEN months of continuous blogging it finally it paid off.

Relocations to Hawaii is something that I specialize in. I know what it is like to relocate to a strange place...let alone Across the Ocean to Paradise.  That is the post that my client saw on the internet and called me. It just so happened that 10 minutes before my husband is notified the company is closing nationwide...for good. I wrote  When Life Throws a Bunch of Curve Balls........ Deal With It! to catch the rest of that story.

The following stories are all related to this particular transaction that is recording Thursday.

• From Call to Contract: Doing My Homework (Part I)
• Be Proactive: Know Your Lender (Part II- From Call to Contract)
• Going Above and Beyond (Part III- From Call to Contract)
• VA Loans & Hawaii Military Relocations: This Realtors® Process

You bet I'm proud! We signed last Thursday, the loan officer called and said it's funding by noon tomorrow and recording Thursday morning. ......ONE WEEK ahead of schedule.  Proud. It's about how hard I've worked blogging and keeping balance with my Localism posts. It's about receiving many leads from ActiveRain, BUT this one went through. Smoothly.

Last but not least.....I sincerely thank the founders, staff and members who have guided and supported me throughout....to get to where I am today. Without that quality of relationships....what is a professional worth?

UPDATE 1/24/2008:  At 8:15am (half hour ago) I received a call from escrow that they received clearance from the Bureau of Conveyances that we recorded. I called my client and wished her a Congratulations and will be going to the unit shortly to drop off a basket of wonderful stuff for her and put on my lockbox as she is in some kind of military class.  

I am the PROUD Real Estate Agent of my very FIRST ActiveRain closed (recorded)  transaction!

In Hawaii, we sign a week or so before (to be on the safe side) and the loan company will fund one day prior to recordation. When escrow receives the funds they take all documents to the Bureau of Conveyances to record and it is usually by the next business day.  THEN we hand over the keys to the buyer.   Do I hear a WooHoo?!!

We live, we die and it's what we do in between that matters. After watching the previews for the new movie "The Bucket List" and after reading Linda Scanlan's post about it, we made it a point to go see this wonderful movie today. Now, all of you that know me know that I believe that success lies within. No matter what, material possessions and money is NOT the foundation for a happy and successful life for me.

With grace and a zest for living the "rest" of their lives to the fullest, two older men Edward Cole, a hospital corporation head (Jack Nicholson) and Carter Chamber, an auto mechanic (Morgan Freeman) find out they have cancer (and coincidentally meet in the same hospital room) and are told they both have only a few months to live. They decide to make a "bucket list" or rather, a list of things they want to do before they die and with the money of Edward and Carter leaving his family for a little while they head off into an adventurous around the world trip.

Carter realizes that all this didn't mean a thing like his family did. He went home and he ended up dying on the operating table and Edward's cancer went into remission and he died at the age of 81. They both were cremated and they both laid in tin cans and set next to each other at the top of a mountain in the Himalayas. Edward realized (at the time of Carter's death) that the only family he had (a daughter he had not spoken to for years) was important and was going to be his reason for living life to the fulllest. He reunites with his daughter and one of the things on his list "kiss the most beautiful girl in the world" was granted. He kissed his grand daughter.

I laughed and chuckled through the whole movie and cried in the end. Literally, a tear jerker but so real life were the scenarios that it made for a really great movie and also an eye opener for the things I believe in and strive to hold close so my heart does not falter. Okay, now that I gave you a brief synopsis, let me tell you how it relates to REAL LIFE. Or rather, MY life.

• Balance is key to success. If I have a healthy sense of self and keep balance in all aspects of my life....then success follows.
• Success for me means a healthy, happy and simple life that I am proud of.  
• Nothing is more precious than my family and the love and closeness we share.
• No amount of money can buy happiness.
• No amount of fame 'makes' me a person.
• My real estate business is based on the time I give it and the time I allow it to "run my life".
• At half a century, I value the time I have to enjoy my days from morning to night.
• Real Estate is enjoyable as long as I don't MAKE it ONLY a job. I care about the people I work with and represent.
• And the list can go on......

I am going to make a "bucket list" of the things I want to do for the rest of my life........How about you?  Join the Positive Attitude for the Weary Soul Group and plop your positive bucket lists in it!

** Watch  "The Bucket List" trailer **

Our Sixth Wedding Anniversary

Thank you Gary:

• For complimenting our marriage with .....YOU
• For allowing me to compliment our marriage with.....ME
• For having a healthy sense of self....and not letting me run all over you
• For allowing me to have a healthy sense of self...and not letting you run all over me either
• For leaving an open avenue to discuss everything and anything so that we are both contributing to our marriage together
• For supporting me in whatever I do (me too)
• For being good to Michael and Dori and offering them help when they need it.
• For giving me the time to blog....while you take time for your pc games
• For going with me to meet ActiveRain friends.
• For giving me ideas for writing. (even though half of them I don't because they're pretty wacked out)
• For doing things to crack me up.
• For asking if it's okay before building yet another pc yesterday.
• For letting me buy many pairs of shoes....and making me donate the ones I haven't worn in six months
• For getting rid of clutter that we haven't used in six months that I never notice is gone unless you tell me.
• For accepting me for who I am....not who I am not.
• And vice versa
• For quitting smoking with me so that we can have healthier lives without the smell on our clothes and hair
• For working together to meet a common goal.

A healthy relationship equals a healthy home life ....... and everything else like success and happiness follow.

And more.....   :)

UPDATE:  Gary brought them to the office this am. :)

On 642 acres on the West side of the island of Oahu, Ko Olina Resort & Marina is the one of the elite of the family resort communities.

The entrance into the Ko Olina Community depicts the very essence of the community with a waterfall just crying out 'Aloha'! to all that pass through.

From single family homes to luxury condos and townhouses this community has everything at your fingertips for family, luxury living. Relocating to Hawaii? Just visiting? This is it!

Situated along the coast for ocean and marina views, Ko Olina Resorts & Marina Community also has the Ko Olina Golf Course for all you golfers out there. You just can't imagine the possibilities for this type of community living until you see it! 

Following are some wonderful attractions as well as the complexes located in this 642 acre Ko Olina Community:

•   Ko Olina Gof Club (Site) IS one of the Premier Golf Clubs on the island. With multi tiered greens, water wonders and NO parallel fairways this 18 hole golf course is much to be desired.
• 43-Acre Ko Olina Marina  - For the fisherman or the recreational boater the marina offers floating concrete docks and accomodates 150 ft. vessels.

* Kai Lani @ Ko Olina: Kai Lani means Heavenly Waters in Hawaiian and this is the only low density residential oceanfront property at the resort. 116 two and three bedroom units.

* The Fairways @ Ko Olina: The first 2-3 bedroom townhouse project overlooking the Championship Golf Course on the 2nd and 3rd fairways.

* Coconut Plantation @ Ko Olina: 68 Cottages and 203 Villas and this little community within a community is complete with old fashioned General Store to a vintage train station.

* Ko Olina Hillside Villas: On a quiet corner of KoOlina Resorts and Marina these 2-3 bedroom Villa's are priced between $500,00 to $600,000

* Ko Olina Kai Golf Estates & Villas: Borndering the fairways of Ko Olina Golf Course and long since sold out, there are resales available starting from the high $600,000's.

• * JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa  for the visitor: 17 stories, 387 guest rooms & 36 suites. 35,000-sq. ft., world-famous Spa.  "treat yourself to the time-treasured therapies that bring gentle healing by the sea for mind, body, and spirit"

Three to four bedroom single family homes (example of two currently on the market):

The following statistics for Ko Olina Condo's and Single Family homes are for the last six months to present.

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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Transferring to a new duty station is never an easy task for the Active Duty Personnel, spouse and their dependents. Relocating to a "new land" out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is definitely going to be a geographical change. Okay, more of a geographical shock. I know. I've been in the same position many times throughout my life.

My father was in the US Navy and we traveled all over the Continental United States, then to Yokohama, Japan, onward to Subic Bay, Phillippines and finally came to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1967 where my father was stationed at CINPACFLT, Pearl Harbor. Honolulu, Hawaii. He finally retired two years later and Hawaii became my permanent home. Our permanent duty station so to speak. And my mom was born and raised on Kauai...so she finally made it back home to the islands.

Until,..... I married a US Air Force man and we moved 7 times in 7 years. From here to Minot, North Dakota; Biloxi, Mississippi; Sacramento, California; Izmir, Turkey; back to Hawaii, Plattsburgh, New York; and back here to stay ....permanently. 

The Military Veteran makes up approximately 10% (or 34,000) of our population on Oahu and they are a driving force in our community. The knowing what it feels like to be moving to a new home gave me more of a purpose with my military clientele. I care and I know what it's like to have the family uprooted. Friends made and sadness when friends have to part. I can vividly remember each time as a child that I had to say goodbye to the few friends I had made; then as an adult saying goodbye to other military wives who had become wonderful friends....and the tug on the heart strings that are remembered to this day.

It's not easy moving across the Pacific Ocean let alone to a totally different "world" of people but you can do it with effort, motivation and someone who understands.  

The following articles will help you in your Relocation to Hawaii with things you need to consider in your move and purchasing real property:  

• *Across the Ocean to Paradise: Military Relocations Hawaii*
• Oahu, Hawaii Relocations: The Waipio Gentry Community, Oahu, Hawaii
• Hawaii Relocations: The Mililani Community on Oahu, Hawaii
• The Art of Hawaii Relocations
• The Cost of Living Factor in Considering A Hawaii Relocation
• VA Loans & Hawaii Military Relocations: This Realtors® Process
• Oahu and Surrounding Neighborhood Search: Relocations Hawaii

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Relocating to Hawaii?  Military Relocations & PCS'ing to Hawaii? It's not as easy moving to an island out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The articles I have written will give you a better idea of the neighorhoods, culture and housing situation and following are a couple of other articles that you may find useful as well. 

In Waipio Gentry, Oahu, Hawaii we have a population of a little over 11,000 residents. Though I work in Mililani I now reside in Waipio Gentry which is immediately south of Mililani and immediately east of Waikele.

Besides all the Waipio Gentry residential homes & condos and the industrial/commercial areas we also have a huge Costco Store, Car sales and several strip malls and a shopping center to serve our community.

Across Kamehameha Highway is the Patsy Mink Central Oahu Regional Park which was renamed last August 2007 for the late civil rights councilwoman Patsy Mink who passed away in 2002. This huge 269 acre park has walking paths, 20 court tennis center, 4 youth baseball diamonds, 4 regulation sized baseball diamonds, 4 diamond softball complex and the Veteran's Memorial Aquatic Center.

Personally?  We run around  the park once in awhile) with our poochie or else we go there for picnics. A couple of years ago we had a 2nd Year Birthday party for the program I volunteered for and you can have huge holiday barbeques if you like.

Take H-1 to H-2 freeway west bound towards Wahiawa
Exit 2 at Ka Uka Blvd.
Turn left at the first traffic light after exiting.
Stay on Ka Uka Blvd. until you reach Kamehameha Hwy.
Go straight through the traffic light into park.

The market in Hawaii differs by neighborhood...and that is a fact. In Hawaii Relocations: The Mililani Community on Oahu, Hawaii I showed you the market stats since December of last year until present. It showed quite a bit of inventory although the days on the market and prices did not fluctuate a lot.

In Waipio Gentry the following statistics for single family dwellings and condo/townhouses differ a little more from the Mililani area as this community is quite a bit smaller for one thing. For another the building stopped many years ago so there are less single family homes for sale.

It's not easy moving across the Pacific Ocean let alone to a totally different "world" of people but you can do it with effort, motivation and a great Realtor®! 

More Hawaii Relocation info:

• The Cost of Living Factor in Considering A Hawaii Relocation
• Oahu and Surrounding Neighborhood Search: Relocations Hawaii

Giving you the Spirit of Aloha in the Hawaii Real Estate Industry!  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

If you are planning on a Relocation to Hawaii you may want to consider the community of Mililani, Hawaii which is centrally located on the island of Oahu in Honolulu County. Mililani is a Master Planned Community and we have a population of approximately 30,000 people. The first homes went up for sale around June 1968 and our H-2 freeway opened in 1976 which lessened the time to travel to Honolulu. With three shopping centers, a 14 plex theater, 7 recreation centers (5 have pools), parks, Mililani Golf Course and activities galore we have a lot of what we need in our central location.

My parents bought their brand new Castle and Cooke home in 1971 in Mililani Town which is on the west side of the freeway. My mom still lives in that same house a few blocks from my office although the community is HUGE compared to 'way back then'. Our Mililani Town Community Association does inforce covenants and design standards so be aware there are subdivision documents to look over and abide by as a a new homeowner and resident.

In 1986 Mililani was named an "All American City" and IS the only community in Hawaii to receive this distinction and in 1990 there was a ground breaking ceremony for Mililani Mauka which was to be a much newer and much more modern side of the community on the east side of the H-2 freeway.

We have had many more milestones and tributes such as "2004 American Idol contestant,  Jasmine Trias" who was a Mililani resident and Money Magazine's 2005 article that named Mililani as one of the best places to live.  

In Be Part of the Solution For Your Market; Because "Shift" Always Happens I gave a few median sales prices statistics over the years and it was pretty general for the island of Oahu.

The following statistics will give you a better idea on how our market is doing in the Mililani Community during the past month from December 1, 2007 until today.  Our prices have not gone down but a smidgen and in fact had gone up until the last quarter of 2007.  Our market is currently stable as far as sales prices are concerned although the number of sales went down over the last year although the activity is surely picking up the last month!

The following events are planned for the Mililani Community for the months of January/February:

• Movie Night: Recreation Center 3 on Friday, January 18, 2008 with popcorn and drinks provided. Begins at 7pm and Admission is $2.00 for members with an Mililani Town Association ID and $5.00 for families.
• Swap Meet: Saturday, January 26th at Recreation Center 3 parking lot form 9am to 1pm. Swap Meet Vendor Registration is now available at the MTA front office.
• Keiki (Children's) Night! Friday February 1, 2008 at Recreation Center 3. Family fun with an evening of games, make/take crafts, entertainment and refreshments. $2.00 for MTA members and $5.00 for families.
• Teen Dance: Friday, February 15th at Recreation Center 3 from 7pm and adult supervision will be present during this evening of music and fellowship. Ages 11-15 and $2.00 per admission.

Does it sound like the community for you and your family? 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Another Hawaii Relocation tidbit of information that may come in handy if you're relocating to Hawaii and may be sightseeing along the Northwest Shore of Oahu.  

Located right past Keeau Beach Park on the Waianae Coast of Oahu is Makua Cave.  Long before it was "nicknamed" Makua Cave it was known as Kaneana(Ka knee ah na) or better known as the Cave of the Kane(Ka knee or man; male) 

At 150,000 years old and once was underwater...carved by the sea.
Sanding 100 feet high and 450 feet deep we really didn't feel it necessary to walk into the depths of the darkness that enfolded us immediately after passing the mouth of the cave.

Okay. It was  just plain spooky. I heard noises and thought it was bats but it was really little birds who made their nest in the little crevices. Then I smelled something dead. Okay. That was it..time to go!

To continue on with the "legend". For one: In ancient times it was forbidden to enter the Kaneana Cave because this was the home of the shark man of Kaneana.

Okay, so now what? I just read the plaque of the picture I took and am I safe now? I didn't go all the way in. Does that mean I should not have stepped foot in it at all? Oh, geez.

Anyway, as the legend tells it it is a story of a period in ancient times about a "shark-man" that made his home in this cave under the ocean. Kaneana. He would disguise

himself as a man to bait humans into coming into the cave. And for what you ask? Duh. Dinner time!

The alternative story is it was a "shark-woman" Goddess who lured the human into the cave with her charm. And then ate them for .....lunch. (okay I made that part up)

There are smaller tunnels inside the cave that you can venture into but when the cold air from the depths and soul of this cave hit me I thought better of it. Right. If you read correctly earlier, I was afraid before I even got to the mouth of the cave. Remember now, these ancient Hawaiian legends and stuff are not to be messed with. I learned this early on in my life. :)

Gary took this picture with his camera and I tell you what  ... I was really

In any event, it's been years since I went near the cave and it was Gary's first time there. It proved to be an interesting spectacle to look at and just to show you the size of this massive cave here's a picture of the mouth of the cave taken from the inside out. Uh....that's little ant thing is me and beyond is the ocean and faintly you can see the end of the line on this side of the island: Kaena Point.

To get to the Northwest Coast of Oahu follow the H-1 freeway that turns into Farrington Highway. Keep following this highway all the way down the coastline from Nanakuli to Maili, Waianae, Makaha and to Makua Cave and Yokohama Beach.

Are you a multi tasker? Do you like to open MANY windows in IE at one time so you can utilize and get the MOST out of your time by searching the MLS, ActiveRain, other research or socializing sites at the click of a tab? (Don't forget that you also have Outlook or your Internet based email open as well. :)\

My day is mostly spent online whether at home or at the office because the internet and my office applications ARE surely the core of my work process for my business. From the time I get up in the morning I am checking my email first, ActiveRain second. Now that I'm positively reinforced with information, positive reading and up to date happenings around the nation I can start my "work" by clicking on each of my prospects in my Client Gateway on our MLS system.

First of all, copy the page addresses (above) that you want to open at the same time you open Internet Explorer such as ActiveRain and your MLS and maybe a favorite news page. 

• On your IE top toolbar click on Tools and Internet Options. (if you're not on the internet, go to Start, Control Panel and Internet Options) 
• Insert all the web addresses you want to open on startup of the internet in the "Home page" box (right)
• Click "apply" at the bottom right
• Close the Internet Options box by clicking "OK".
• UPDATE: Though IE7 comes with tabs preset....if it isn't then (picture to right) click on the "Tab" Settings button and click restore defaults and you'll be good to go. :)

Now, click on Internet Explorer and voila!

You have all your preferred home page windows open and with a click on each preset tab (picture below) what more could you ask for! So now you're all set up you never have to worry about wasting those precious extra seconds to open another one of your favorite web pages :)

Note: Keep adding addresses as needed :)

Note Number 2:  Keep in mind this is only for the internet. If you are a TRUE multi tasker then you will have many other programs, files and so forth open as well. Such as your Email (Outlook) open, a tax spreadsheet you're working on for your business expenses, your MLS open, your other "to do's" that you're working on (maybe printing out a relo packet to send out or a listing agreement to meet with clients in a few) and so forth. There's ALWAYS plenty to do in our business....isn't there?

Hula Dancers, Food, Shows, Entertainment!

For all you folks who are coming for the Hawaii Chapter: CRS Sellabration at the Hilton Hawaiian Village from January 28-30, 2008 I have been working on this Guide to Oahu that Sharon Simms  (Who is not only attending the CRS Sellabration but having a CLHMS class on January 24 and 25 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village too!) suggested that I put together an "ActiveRain Guide to Oahu) for all the attendees who want to do extra curricular activities on the side too.

There is way too much information to put in one post so I have done a three part series and I hope all of you attending (even for those of you who just may want info for that later vacation) will find the information beneficial:

ActiveRain Guide to Oahu: Points of Interest (Part I)  The following Guides for Oahu, Hawaii should prove helpful for activities, scenic areas, dining and points of interest for the visitor. In Part I

ActiveRain Guide to Oahu: Points of Interest (Part II)  covers the sightseeing part of Oahu which will definitely be the "in thing" to do for the avid nature, scenery and picture taking lover! I chose the sightseeing trip to go around the North Shore just for the fact that most of you have heard about the famous surfing spots on the North Shore and around the time you are coming there will be winter waves breaking on the north side of our island. 

                                                                                                  Part III:

Everyone knows about our tourist industry and Waikiki is famous for picture perfect postcards with Diamond Head in the background. (In the show below the first picture of the sailing has Diamond Head in the background) Waikiki Beach, the Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium and Diamond Head Crater are all around the same vicinity and The Bus (click for info) system here is great to travel around from site to site.

Some Points of Entertainment:

• The Star of Honolulu has many different DINNER SHOW PACKAGES to pick from. So, remember, you don't have to be a tourist to go out and enjoy the finer things while in Hawaii!
• Hawaii's Whale Watching Tours (In spiritual Hawaiian custom the Whales are the essense of the ocean) and Swim with the Dolphins (Sea Life Park) 
• Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park!  Now this is a place to go for the whole family.  (provided you love to get wet!) 25 acres of speed and shotgun slides, the Cliffhanger, Water playground, Keiki (children's) cove, picnics, and more!  Just make reservations and they will do all the planning and coordinating for you!  All you have to do is show up and have fun! There are also volleyball courts, lawn games, dunk tank, horse shoe pits, private pavilions for you and your family. Weddings? No problem!
• Aloha Stadium Swap Meet and the Pearlridge Kam Swap Meet are great places for outdoor shopping for souvenirs, clothing, polynesian style crafts and much more. Way cheaper than buying in Waikiki that's for sure! Open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Food?  Check out the food sites here!

• RESTAURANT'S CYBERGUIDE is a full on guide of all restaurants on all islands in Hawaii that were recognized and most of them received awards.  So, with all the information I have given you all week you can add this one to it.  You can add this article to your list for planning your trip (or relocating) to Hawaii along with the foods you're going to try as soon as you get here!
• LOCAL KINE RECIPES has an abundance of receipes you may want to try before you even get here!

A Couple of MY Favorites:

ALAN WONG'S RESTAURANT 
1857 South King Street, 3rd Floor
Honolulu, HI 96826
(Honolulu / McCully Area)
Tel. (808) 949-2526
Famous local chef - one of the originators of Hawaii Regional cuisine. National multi-award winning restaurant. Local awards include: 1997, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006 & 2007 Hale Aina Award for "Restaurant of the Year"; 2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006 Ilima Award.

• Zippy's Restaurants    24 Locations around Oahu. A variety of food to choose from and reasonably priced.
• Loco Moco Drive Ins  Five to Seven Dollars for a plate lunch that will feed you twice!
• Tasty or Yummy Korean BBQ  Ribs, Chicken, Beef, Fish plate lunches with your choice of vegies
• Big City Diners American and Local style breakfast, lunch or dinners.
• Sizzlers Restaurants .....A friend of ours :)  Steaks, seafoood and salad bar!  Reasonably priced!
  

                              Any Questions? Give me a call!!!  I'll be happy to answer any questions!

Be Safe!

• Visitor and Newcomer Safety Tips for Hawaii!

After reading Jonathan Washburn's post on Marketing ideas  I wanted to give you an additional tip for handing out your business cards. Jon says to hand out at least 20 business cards a day.

I say, hand out 20 business cards a day but also give a bunch to your current clients to hand out to their friends and co-workers. I use a little manila envelope for business cards from the office products store Fisher Hawaii in downtown Honolulu.

They come in handy for other purposes as well. I can instruct my potential buyers that if they go to Open Houses without me that they can give my card to the sellers agent sitting the Open House and they can sign in with MY information.  

Remember, Hawaii's Open Houses are like the Sunday event going on over here. 

Actually, that won't happen too often (letting them go alone to Open Houses) because I love to show property on Sundays here. I can make showing appointments for the ones that don't have Open Houses and print the MLS listing sheets for the ones that do. We can hit twice as many homes during a Sunday than a week day. :)

Anyway, these little envelopes can hold about 10 business cards and it really looks very neat and keeps the cards in nice shape as if it's their own personal card holder. Except it's me in there instead of them :)  

I've passed these envelopes stuffed with my business card to my sellers as well. If they are pleased with my work during the sale of their home they will surely pass my card to their co-workers and friends! I also send out seasonal cards with a little envelope of biz cards to past, present and future clients. Hey, it's all relevant!

See if your local office store carries these for your future use as they are just pennies per and definitely a plus.