Your 5-Day Itinerary in Hawaii I used to live on the Mainland, so I understand that Hawaii can feel like it’s oceans away. And that may be technically true. But it’s becoming increasingly easy and fast to fly from the Mainland to Kona.  A non-stop flight from LAX to Kona takes less than six hours. Not to mention it’s only a 20-minute drive from the airport to downtown Kona.  With this in mind, even if you can only get away for one workweek, it’s worth giving us a visit. Here’s my 5-day itinerary for the best of the Big Island.  Day 1: Get Your Caffeine Fix When you’re visit ..read more

Music Lover’s Guide to Hawaii The New York Times recently profiled one of Hawaii’s most famous locals: singer-songwriter Jack Johnson. Born in Oahu, Johnson still calls the Aloha State home. And his music always captures the spirit of this special place: laidback, easy, and breezy.  If you’re planning a visit to Oahu, I definitely recommend reading the NYT profile. But when you’re thinking about the Big Island, check out my guide for music lovers.   Better Together The history of Hawaiian music goes way further back than Jack Johnson, Bruno Mars, or Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.  ..read more

Real Estate News Roundup  Once the warm weather hits, all you want to think about is toes in the sand and a cold drink in hand. I get it. It’s hard to pay attention to the news when the sun is shining. But don’t worry, I’m here to help. Here’s a quick roundup of current trends in the luxury real estate market.  Super-Luxury Home Sales The numbers are in. In the first quarter of 2023, super-luxury home sales rose 11% since December. Knight Frank tracked 417 sales of $10 million+ properties during this period. Compare this to 376 sales in the final three months of last year.  A st ..read more

Big Island Events: June 2023 It’s no secret: Hawaii is an ever-popular tourist destination. But one of the things I love about the Big Island is that it caters to locals as well as tourists, as demonstrated through frequent events to gather the community. Whether your idea of a good time is partying in the sun, appreciating local culture, or tuning your guitar, Hawaii’s got you covered this June. Here are some Big Island events you won’t want to miss.  Hawaii Songwriting Festival Held at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, the Hawaii Songwriting Festival is three days of music, learning, and ..read more

Cruisin’ to Hawaii If you’re thinking about buying property in Hawaii, a cruise is an excellent way to tour multiple islands in one trip. As much as I’m biased toward the Kona Coast, the spirit of Hawaii extends across eight major islands and over 100 islets. So it’s definitely worth navigating these waters before you inevitably fall in love with the Big Island.  Why Take a Cruise? Traveling by sea is the easiest and most enjoyable way to connect your way through the eight major islands. Yes, you can island hop by plane and ferry. But those methods come with additional hassle and require ..read more

Spa Treatment for the Primary Bathroom When you’re daydreaming about your future high-end home, you probably don’t spend much time thinking about the bathrooms. It can be easy to overlook bathrooms as merely functional. But to truly achieve a luxury lifestyle, you need to embrace bathrooms as wellness spaces. Check out my tips for giving the primary bathroom a bit of spa treatment. Features First Yes, designing bathrooms can and should be about more than functionality. But considering the main features (i.e. the bathtub or shower) can be a good place to start your design dreams. A freestanding ..read more

Plants of Paradise Like many tropical locations, Hawaii is a plant-lover’s paradise. Over 1,400 plants are native to these islands and a staggering 90% of them are endemic. In other words, when you live on the Big Island, you can create some luxury landscaping exclusive to Hawaii. Ready to join the plants of paradise? Let’s stop and smell the hibiscus.  The State Flower Although the flower is not originally native to the Hawaiian islands, the yellow Hawaiian hibiscus is the official flower of the Aloha State. Since its arrival on the island, five species have become native. And the Hawaii ..read more

Buying Property in the Aloha State The Hawaiian archipelago contains over 130 islands, not to mention countless atolls and islets. But if you’re buying property in the Aloha State, you’ll be looking at one of six major islands. If you’re struggling to narrow your search, see how the other islands compare to the island of Hawaii.  Big Island Bias Look, there’s no point denying it: I’m biased toward the Big Island. But give us a visit and I think you’ll be too.  First of all, there’s just more space. The Big Island lives up to its nickname, accounting for over 60% of the state’s total ..read more

Trophy Real Estate If you want to get technical, trophy real estate refers to roughly the top 2% of properties. This hierarchy can be organized by price, location, demand, or other influences on market value. It’s easy to classify these properties by the numbers. But sometimes, knowing you’re viewing a trophy property is as simple as stepping across the threshold.  Thinking about adding another trophy to your investment portfolio? Read on to learn why your next acquisition should be located in Hawaii.  Ultraprime Property Sales A recent study published in Forbes Global Properties loo ..read more

Big Island Barks: a Guide for Dog Lovers All the gorgeous weather and stunning seaside vistas in the world can’t replace man’s best friend. In Hawaii, you can have it all. If you’re thinking about bringing your barkiest bud to the Big Island, check out my guide for dog lovers.  Traveling With Dogs From the Mainland The combination of planes and pets can be a hassle. But don’t let your furry friends tether you to the Mainland. Bring them along! Maybe you’ve heard horror stories about a six-month quarantine. Fortunately, you can avoid this quarantine by applying for a Direct Airport Release ..read more