Who? When? How?

Aloha All,

Today instead of my personal thoughts I share with you on the Islands of Hawaii, let me bring you the actual numbers that represents the travel traffic what we're experiencing. I'm positive it?s growing by the day just looking at the traffic on the local roads, here on Oahu. I find myself driving behind slowly moving line of rental cars every day now, and that's due to the drive thru sightseeing?s - the new age (nothing in common though with the New Age) manner of exploring the touristy attractions...wherever you are.
As the local source reports, the number of arrivals ex. for the month of May heightened in comparison to last year, although the main Japanese market of visitors declined.
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reported as well that ?visitor spending in May 2007 increased 3.1 percent from last May to $914.5 million, boosted by growth in total visitor arrivals and slightly higher daily visitor spending".
Further down the numbers grid statistics are telling us that ?the total number of visitors rose 1.6 percent to 586,338, which was a record for the month of May. There were increases in visitors from the U.S. West (3.5 percent), U.S. East (6.8 percent) and Canada (8.4 percent). Arrivals from Japan fell by 10.3 percent".
Interestingly 40, 076 visitors who came to Hawaii in May 2007 flew in to the state to board cruise ships or came by cruise ships visiting Hawaii.
If you're wondering how much you'd spend on average, that number had been estimated to be around $179 per person per day, just a dollar more that same time, last year.
Good news for the Hawaii economy that the" visitor days for May 2007 increased 2.7 percent as total arrivals rose 1.6 to 586,338 visitors, setting a record for the month of May. The average length of stay was slightly longer at 8.71 days."
So, there you have it. If you'd like to join the above statistics, and you're not a fan of cruise ships, or drive thru vacation, I'd definitely recommend a long term vacation rental. A charming beach cottage in Lanikai, a luxury oceanfront villa on the North Shore, or a top Hawaii home at Diamond Head. Who? When? How? Trinity Properties is the team on the local real estate market that can make it happen for you...
To be continued,
Angelika

Endless Summer on Oahu...

Back from the weekend, I can only say again and again, Hawaii is the place to be, live, vacation and live & vacation. And I've really seen it and experienced it all this couple days.
My home place, the North Shore, once you get into the deep, ever so clear and green waters of the Sunset Beach, or Waimea Bay you may feel like there's nothing better then pretending to be a honu (turtle) and playing with the fish, not the big ones of course...
One of the best ways if you have a weekend budget on Oahu is to get a convertible and hug the road within the speeding limits of course and drive as far as your eyes can take you. It is a great joy to share that adventure with a good company if you have one, and if not let the surrounding scenery be your best travel companion. Continuously entertained by the changing and magnificent sights, I've traveled along the Windward coast, towards Waimanalo and Makapuu. I've even made a stop in Honolulu to promenade the Waikiki's crowded Kalakaua Ave.
And as it always happens to be the case I was exhilarated to be back to much more laid back, serene North Shore, the true Hawaii that is. Each opportunity as such to cruise the island brings me closer to my favortite subject of the Hawaii real estate. And I'm always mesmerized by all the great opportunities the market has to offer. Up close I've observed amazing renovations and upgrades to all the Oahu homes that are available for sale, or long term vacation rentals.
Variety is the key to the freedom of choice, when you're making up your mind to choose your home to stay. And who else if not Trinity Properties would help you with such selection.
What is your Hawaiian Vacation dream home...? Is it a cottage rental? Perhaps a luxury beach house. What if you'd like to stay in a luxury villa...? Trinity Team proved to me they have the best Hawaii Vacation rentals, and that is established by the daily demonstration and overflow of testimonials.
Here's one from today, that praises Waimanalo Villa, one of gems that Trinity Properties offers to those who embrace life and come to Hawaii.

Waimanalo Villa is the most amazing place that words can not explain, Grant took pictures with this special camera and I will ask him to copy for your office or for the owner. We are so sorry that we did not have lunch but maybe when we return we can try to fit it in. Annie is a wonderful and most beautiful person and so is Kelly, she is great. Cynthia and Claudia I am so sure that you all are that wonderful. Mahalo for the wonderful stay!. Also Jimmy was such a hand for us, he was there whenever we needed something, we really enjoyed him. It felt safe to know that he was there. He also offered to take our trash everyday, bought us treats and cleaned that pool like crazy. Mom said he is a keeper. Well mahalo once again.

Take care
Leslie, Marian and Janice

I can only say Aloha at this point because they've said it all...

To be continued,

Angelika

This & That for the weekend...

Even though we live in Hawaii, what can be translated by some, we're vacationing 24/7, we're still looking forward to the weekend as the rest of the country, perhaps the world. Most of us including myself make time on a daily basis to visit the ocean site, and enjoy its powerfully healing mana (energy). And so that's how I plan to spend this beautiful summer weekend.
But there are different celebrations around the Islands.
For example the Island of Lanai rejoice its 15th annual Pineapple Festival at Dole Park.
It will be yummy event with live music and and guess what - a pineapple-eating contest.
Can you imagine that just for $1.1 in 1922 James Dole bought the island, and in no time Lanai of roughly 141 square miles was the world's main pineapple manufacturer.
Of course throughout the years of economic changes on the Islands, Lanai has now only estimate of 100 acres of the fruit mainly purposefully preserved for its inhabitants consumption.
If you'd like to know more about the island of Lanai itself, here's a great website http://www.adventurelanai.com/ that will take you through different attraction the isle has to offer. I'm here on Oahu and every now and then like to go to the Dole plantation just to have the pineapple ice cream, but for a great tasting pineapples I send you definitely to Maui, famous for the gold and very sweet fruit....
Now if you need a great place to stay while you're here - for pineapples or other reasons - I have a great recommendations for you. My favorite real estate Team Hawaii has great choices for you, starting with Hawaii vacation homes, long term beach house rentals and if you love it here as much as I do Trinity Properties might even help you find your Hawaiian dream home to buy..how about Diamond Head Bali Estate. Check it out...I know it is so precious and divine, you can't say no...
To be continued...

A very Happy Aloha Friday for all,
Angelika

Hau'oli la Hanau

Today we're celebrating Happy Birthday of one of our very wonderful women, here in the office.
She's beautiful, gorgeous and and goes by the name of ...Caring, because she is...
Birthday in Hawaii is celebrated like everywhere in the world, but with a little bit more crush I'd say, considering that's the only place where you get a Lei instead of a traditional bouquet of flowers on your B-Day. It is actually one of a few ancient Hawaiian traditions that continue to flourish, and that's what we wish Caring, as she had been given Leis today, a symbol of love, celebration, friendship, honor. All that stands for Aloha. So with effervescent colors, invigorating fragrances of the flower leis Caring...is celebrating her birthday in Hawaii, with the orange lipstick I was asked to say..and her grand wish for today is to stay in Wailea Lani....one of the most luxurious properties you could ever imagine to be, live or vacation here in the Islands of Aloha...
Now the question is ...where is the secret admirer to make that happen....
Until then we all wish you Wailea Lani....

Aloha,
Angelika

In the Koolau Valley

You might think that Hawaii is all about beach & sand adventures, and you might be surprised to know that there is a place located at the foot of the 2,000 foot Ko'olau Mountains in the Valley of the Temples in Oahu's Kaneohe Region - the beautiful Byodo-In Temple.Built in 1968 to honor the 100th centennial of the arrival Japanese immigrant workers to Hawaii, it is the exact replica of the 950 old Temple in the city of Uji, in Japan. My very favorite part of the entire complex is the traditional Japanese garden, impeccably maintained along with the 2-acre Koi Pond. Majestic scenery for unforgettable vacation photos, a place of tranquility, reflection and meditation. I love the surrounding me smell of lavender and eucalyptus trees, the gracefully wandering peacocks and the Japanese monk with the smile of the one that reminds me Dalai Lama's.
In the Temple itself, you will be welcomed by the non-foot Lotus Buddha, largest wooden Buddha carved in over 900 years. Since it's non-denominational Buddhist Temple, it welcomes different faiths, and purposes of visit. I love going early in the morning, right at the opening around 8:30am, or late in the afternoon when all the tourist buses are gone, and so it feels the Temple reserved its essential sense of serenity just for me. Well to appreciate its beauty it's good to be selfish and explore its beauty and the surrounding when less crowded.
It might inspire you to have a garden, a temple of your own. If you've seen the movie "After the Sunset" I'm sure you resonate to the beautiful home & garden in it, and if you'd come to Hawaii for long term vacation, that would be your dream accommodation. A place to share only with your Hawaiian memories. Here comes to mind the vacation homes, villas and estates in Oahu, Maui and the Big Island that Trinity Properties offers to whomever designs their vacation here in the most exquisite way and is looking for a private sense and piece of Paradise.
A Temple of your own, perhaps Wailea Lani, or Ocean Mist, and the new addition the Diamond Head Bali Estate...Check it out, the Trinity Team will help you make up your mind...
To be continued...

Temple of the Valley...a different place

Well I just blogged away about the Kaimalino Kai one of the Kailua Bay gems, that the Trinity Team offers. You can check it out in the Real Estate Blog...and now I'm off to one of my most favorite places and actually tourist attractions here on Oahu. Look forward to tomorrow's blog and my thoughts on it....
To be continued...

Aloha
Angelika

Do you think of yourself ...A Celebrity

Well if you do, you should celebrate that status at Diamond Head Bali Estate, while you spend your vacation here in Hawaii.
My new absolutely top favorite property of the ones Trinity team has to offer. I love it !
As I'm off to check out the Kaimalino Kai home I absolutely recommend that you take a look at the Bali Estate divenely located feet away from the ocean. I wonder what would you have your Chef prepare for you in that state of art kitchen (Iwould just hire somebody to teach me cook just to be have fun with all its spacious possibilites...and party opportunity of course...kitchen parties...garden parties), or what dreams would you dream in one of the five bedrooms of this absolutely unique estate...A state of art estate it is...
Enjoy!
To be continued...

Aloha
Angelika

Summer is Here...Where are You?

If you've never been to the Islands of Aloha called dreamily Hawaii, you might think as I did before I landed myself that gift of being, living and vacationing here, that if I'm surrounded by palm trees, a change of season is not something to experience here.
As we always learn through course of events in this case I learned through the course of consecutive months, that there are at least three seasons, here on Oahu, and to satisfy some who live on the east southern shores, perhaps I should say here on the Windward side. I can even take that thought further down as to say that living here the last four years, each year had slightly different surprise for us depending on what the weather couple of El Nino and El Nina had in store for us. As Bridget Jones would say "It's a blurb - a lot's of music is on their way out". Right...Well the last weekend just proved that a perfect Hawaiian summer is here, awaiting all who dream to come here with their visions of calm turquoise green waters, warm sandy beaches and palm trees in full swing. I say what you'd truly fall for is the sweet plumeria breeze that follows you around now when the Plumeria Tree is in full blossom, as well as the tropical gardens of all of the Hawaiian flora. Refreshing and constant breeze, especially so intensely present on the North Shore make some visitors wonder if that's how windy the summer's are here. Truly depends where you decide to spend your vacation here. I travel through the Island of Oahu a lot having the great opportunity to explore its natural treasures each season. And I guess because we have it all here as far as climate, city, country side and all in between, even those who live in the neighbouring islands are always a bit jealous of the variety of the commodities that Oahu represents. As much as it applies to season it applies to choice of accommodations once you make one of the best choices in your life and give yourself a gift of spending time in Hawaii, and it is as powerful experience as the word "Hawaii" itself.
I have to use another word again and that is "truly" when I think where should you stay once you can see yourself on the plane to the Islands. I've stayed in hotels, motels and accommodations that I would classify as "other" but I've also had the opportunity to spend some wonderful time in cottages, villas and estates that Trinity Properties offers. What a treat and what a service!
Talking about combining best product with very best service. I could say there is a property for every season. Let's see...If you want to be on the immaculate beach of Lanikai in the summer you should stay in Ocean Mist, if you prefer City cosmopolitan climates you should stay in Diamond Head Ocean View. Even if you want the luxury of being in Hawaii but you're not looking into luxury accommodation while you're here, Trinity Properties would probably invite you to stay in one of the cottages, I suggest Cottage at Lanikai or Longs at Lanikai.
These are all suggestions for your vacations, but of course if you'd like to stay longer Trinity Properties have long term rentals as well. And even if you decide to buy a piece of paradise that is available to you too.
Did I mention that we have snow winter time in Hawaii? Well Mauna Kea on the Big Island, which is the world's highest mountain from base to summit (it rises more than 33,000 feet from the ocean floor -- Everest's height is 29,000 feet) will definitely present a tropical adventure while skiing. Well now I have to mention one place you'd love to stay while you're find yourself in Hawai'i (a different name for the Big Island), which is The Bluffs estate....
So, now that you know it all, where are you...?
To be continued,
Aloha
Angelika

Waimea's Hidden Getaway

I happened to be at Waimea's Beach Park last weekend, and as I was floating (or getting wiped out) in the shallow waters of the bay I looked up to see the perfect wave, a break that at this time of season, here in North Shore is astonishing. It's hard to believe when you swim in the crystal green blue waters of Waimea, that winter comes, and the quiet waters of the Pacific can be beautifully behaving badly when the surf's up to 30 feet. What a dream to gaze away in...And as things as almost always perfect in paradise there is a place embedded right at Waimeas Hills, a Hale right on the water, nourished in the backyard by the rich green gardens with tall (unsual) Plumeria trees, Apple Banana for your morning fresh Island smoothie, and the frontyard inviting you to wander barefoot from the bedroom to warm vulcanic rocks, and straight into the immense pristine ocean ahead. Could you be closer to a Hawaiian dream of a home, where you wake up into the Sunrise and wash the good and the less good of the day into the Sunset.
Well Annie & I who had the pleasure of being the first guests to the Hale at Waimea would not think otherwise...We'll definetly tell you more about it, when it comes avaialble to you, as the caretakers are putting the final touches on the Hale.
In the meantime, check on Annie's personal choices from Maui & Big Island that had been just added to Trinity Properties array of villas, cottages, and estates. I've had a five or more minutes with those Hales, which are so much more than just a house , simply a home to live in...that's what life is all about..Living It
To be continued...

Happy Aloha Friday,

Angelika

Wailea's gems...

So much was packed into one day on Maui that I cannot write about it all at once..... I left the rustic LaPerouse oceanfront setting for the newest condo - hotel offering in Wailea ... the Wailea Beach Villas. What a fabulous concept. A condo-hotel directly oceanfront in front of the Shops at Waialae. The two bedroom units are 2,000+ ft, the three bedroom condos are a minimum of 3,000 ft some with garden settings and their own private plunge pools. These have truly gracious floor plans, exceptionally roomy with high ceilings and doors. All individually and impeccably furnished and maintained. One of the great features for the Villa units is and individual garage for the unit... tremendously valuable for the owner who comes in a few times per year. Another stunning feature is the outdoor gas grill in the mini kitchen on the huge covered lanais of all the units. The view are incredible with Molokini in the distance, and the powdery beach in front of the Grand Wailea immediately next door. Look for the Wailea Beach Villa units in our inventory in the next few weeks. You'll be blown away by the level of quality of design and service. Check them out at www.trinityproperties.com

What a great trip. I cannot wait to see more of the properties and share them with you.

Also, stay tuned for more info on Fractional Ownership Management.

Warm Aloha,

Annie

Maui's Aquarium House

From Kapalua Autumn, my guide, and I ventured to the Aquarium House at La Perouse beach at the far end of Makena in east Maui. It is at the end of the road and the rustic tropical setting belies the subtle natural beauty of this handcrafted oceanfront gem with amazing grounds, lava rock pools and cascading waterfalls. This part of Maui past Makena - away from all the resorts is truly a slice old Hawaii. Snorkel, fish or kayak all day. The Acquarium House is a two bedroom, two story tree house more suited to adults than families with small children. You are at the end of the road and a world away. Look for photos of this great property on our website soon at www.trinityproperties.com. Have a great day.

Warm Aloha, Annie

Maui Wowie...continues

Great trip to Maui on Tuesday. The purpose of the trip was to check out new homes for our vacation rentals as well as fractional ownership properties for the real estate market. The Ritz Carlton at Kapulua Bay is offerering ultra luxe condo residences with full resort amenities starting in the $300,000 for a one sixth (60 day) interval. Maui has become saturated with time shares in the last few years, with walls of condos underway to satisfy the demand. The Ritz Carlton offering is completely different. You own a deed to the property and therefore enjoy the upside appreciation potential of the property, enjoy hassle free maintenance and still retain the flexibility to rent, exchange or trade your unit. This is the first project of its kind for the Ritz Carlton in Hawaii and sure to be an incredible success.

There are so many new luxury vacation homes on Maui, all at an international standard of design, amenities and fiinshes. It is easy to see why Maui attracts the most descriminating owners and guests from around the world.

Warm Aloha, Annie

Maui Wowie- Part One

It's been years since this local girl traveled to Maui, the garden isle. Flying on Go! airlines is like old times where you just walk out onto the tarmac and up the stairs. No lines at check in, short to no lines at security. No frills, no assigned seats, but friendly, helpful staff. I am plugging for all the airlines to regain some of that leisurely attitude but the pressure is on. Inter island travel had become all but prohibitively expensive until last summer when Go! introduced first $29, then the $19 one way fares. This week all the airlines rolled out a $9 inter island fare! Yes, $9 less than the price to park your car! Well, that means that Cynthia at Trinity Properties will be going to Maui and Kona and Maui to check out new fabulous vacation homes. Look for them soon in our inventory at www.trinityproperties.com
I stayed upcountry Maui in Kula with my sister on a 5 acre estate, a gentlemans' farm filled with fragrant citrus trees and surrounded by all manner of diverse crops. Mornings are glorious in Kula, cool, clear, intensely green fields topped by an equally intense blue sky. The Surfing Goat dairy is on the way down hill. Never having liked the strong flavor of goat cheese I became a total convert on this trip. Yummy cheeses made on the site. Definitely worth the visit.
Upcountry is the best!
Warm Aloha, Annie

Annie says Aloha from the North Shore...

Simply gorgeous day at Turtle Bay. My husband had a two day business meeting here and I drove up with our daughter for dinner, sunset and a swim. What a stunning drive along the Windward coast of Oahu. You simply never tire of it or take it for granted. Trinity Properties(www.trinityproperties.com) will be adding some a new vacation rental at Waimea Bay. Cannot wait to see it next week.This month there is a "blue moon" two full moons in one month. I think it makes it especially brilliant or maybe I am just paying more attention and appreciating it more being away from Kaneohe, Kailua and the vacation rentals.We are staying at the cabanas at the Turtle Bay Resort. These are approximately 30 single story ultra luxe, ultra spacious suites with fabulous baths, big cushy beds and a gracious private lanai spilling out onto the lush lawns and gardens dotted with plenty of hammocks and chaise lounges. The rugged, yet pristine beach is just a stones throw from the cabanas. Its so hard to move once you settle into one of the hammocks. Even the juiciest novel loses its appeal when there is no much of natures brilliance to captivate your senses.Our families vacationed here often before it was transformed from local style bungaloes where everyone gathered and brought their coolers and hibachis for fabulous dinners into a pricey world class resort. The south cabanas variegated into three story fabulous condos, the Ocean Villas, were owners and guests can take advantage of the resort amenities. They are filming a movie or a scene from LOST in front of the Villas tonight. I think I'll check it out.Until next time. Warm Aloha, AK