Elizabeth 
Buying a home in Hawaii can be a challenge, due to the high cost of real estate. But there are two state government programs that can help make the purchase of a home a little more affordable for low- to moderate-income homebuyers. (Please note that these programs cannot be used in conjunction with each other, … Read more
If you’re shopping around for a home in Hawaii, there are two real estate terms you’ll constantly encounter that you might never have heard of before: fee simple and leasehold. Fee Simple Fee simple (also known as freehold) ownership is a concept most people are already familiar with, because in most U.S. states it’s the … Read more
(Note: If this article looks familiar, it’s because it was originally published in my newsletter. I have since changed the format of my newsletter and have moved all articles previously published under the old format to my blog, where they can be more easily found.) Once you’ve figured out how much you can afford to … Read more
Because of its distinctive island geography and its method of dividing land dating back to Ali’i rule, Hawaii has some unique real estate terms. Before you start looking for a home on the islands, take some time to become familiar with these words that are commonly used in Hawaii’s real estate industry. ahupua’a (AH-hoo-poo-AH-ah) – … Read more
(Note: If this article looks familiar, it’s because it was originally published in my newsletter. I have since changed the format of my newsletter and have moved all articles previously published under the old format to my blog, where they can be more easily found.) When you’re ready to buy a home in Hawaii, there … Read more
If you’re looking for a new-construction condo, townhouse, or single family home on the Big Island, Maui, or Kauai, you’ll find them in all sorts of price ranges — from “affordable” to “the sky is the limit.” Looking for new home construction on Oahu? Read my previous article, New Home Developments In Hawaii: Oahu. Unfortunately, … Read more
I was recently asked, “What parts of Hawaii do retirees live in?” The truth of the matter is, retirees live everywhere in Hawaii, depending on where they can afford to live in, what their health care needs are, and whether they prefer an urban, suburban, resort, or rural setting. The geographic possibilities open up even … Read more
This article is the second in a series on retirement hot-spots in Hawaii. In my last article, I talked about retirement communities within the city of Honolulu. This article will focus on the rest of the island of Oahu, outside of Honolulu. After all, there’s a whole lot more to the island than just “town”! … Read more
This article is third in a series on retirement hot-spots in Hawaii. In my 2 previous articles, I talked about retirement communities within the city of Honolulu and elsewhere on Oahu. This article will focus on the islands within Maui County: Maui, Molokai, and Lana’i. If you’re looking for subsidized, low-income senior housing, read this … Read more
This article is fourth in a series on retirement hot-spots in Hawaii. In my previous articles, I talked about retirement communities within the city of Honolulu, elsewhere on Oahu, and on Maui, Molokai, and Lana’i. This article will focus on the Big Island. If you’re looking for subsidized, low-income senior housing, read this section on … Read more
In a state with such a high cost of living, it’s not uncommon for residents to delve into some form of self-employment in Hawaii . Some have a “side business” to supplement their day job. For others, running their business is their full-time day job. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income, work from home, … Read more
In less than two weeks, Startup Weekend will be happening for the first time in Hawaii. This is a very exciting news for the state’s growing number of high-tech entrepreneurs. If you’re interested in founding your own startup company in Hawaii — in the high-tech, biotech, telecom, alternative energy, agriculture, medical, or other industry — … Read more
If you’re planning a move to Hawaii, I recommend that you rent a home (rather than buy a home) for at least your first year in the islands. This will give you time to make sure you really want to stay put in that neighborhood, in that city, on that island, or even in Hawaii … Read more
Part 1: Overview Types Of Providers In Hawaii, there are 3 types of child care providers that are defined and regulated by state laws: A license-exempt provider (like a relative, friend, or babysitter) can care for up to 2 children who are not related to them. A licensed family child care home has a caretaker … Read more
Part 1: Overview Part 2: Statewide Programs Part 3: Nannies, Au Pairs & Babysitters Some families in Hawaii prefer to have their children cared for in their own home — sometimes for the sake of convenience (no drop off and pick up at a day care center) and sometimes for the sake of the children … Read more
