Mike's Blog - All Things Real Estate, Finance - Free Take One

Remote Island

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 06 May 2014 01:16:00 +0000

Four decades ago, when the U.S. and the Soviet Union were racing to get footholds in this region, the U.S. discovered Diego Garcia, a coral island in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

The Americans had asked the British, their longtime allies, who still had colonies in the region, to find an uninhabited island for their base.

There was just one problem -- there were inhabitants on Diego Garcia and they have been living there for more than 200 years. Correspondent Christiane Amanpour reports.

But the British didn't see that as a problem. They simply moved all the inhabitants 1,200 miles away to other tropical islands, Mauritius and the Seychelles.

Back then when the island was a British colony, Marcel Moulinie managed the coconut plantation. He was ordered to ship the people out.

"Total evacuation. They wanted no indigenous people there," says Moulinie.

"When the final time came and the ships were chartered, they weren't allowed to take anything with them except a suitcase of their clothes. The ships were small and they could take nothing else, no furniture, nothing."

The people of Diego Garcia say they left paradise and landed in hell when they were dumped here in the urban slums of Mauritius. They had brought no possessions and as islanders who had lived off fishing and farming they had no real professional skills.

No one helped them resettle or pay for the homes they lost. They were forced to become squatters in a foreign land.

Before the final evacuation, the British had cut off the ships carrying food and medicine to Diego Garcia.

Jeannette Alexis' family was one of the last to leave: "My father was told that we had to leave the island because the Americans were moving in and it wasn't safe to remain on the island anymore."

The islanders say the other force that got them out was fear when British officials ordered their pets to be exterminated. They were gassed with exhaust fumes from American military vehicles.

"You can imagine the pressure it put on the population there," says Alexis.
"We were crying, we were hanging onto our mothers' skirts crying, because although we were very young we understood that we were leaving something very valuable behind, and that was our home."

And for the next 30 years, the world never knew what happened to Diego Garcia's original people.

No outsiders are allowed onto Diego Garcia, so this secret stayed hidden until one of the exiled islanders, Olivier Bancoult, started organizing his community.

Bancoult was angry by the years of misery his people were forced to endure. Three of his own brothers drank themselves to death, dispirited by their poverty and unemployment. And one sister was so homesick she committed suicide.

"That's very sad, that's why I will never give up," says Bancoult. "All the difficulty is because of U.S. and UK, they turned peoples' life into a nightmare."

So three years ago, Olivier traveled to London to take the British government to court. His big break came when he and his lawyer, Richard Gifford, found secret documents that had recently been declassified that described the agreement between the United States and British governments to build the base on Diego Garcia.

"Here we have the legal expert in the foreign office, in which he's got a paragraph headed, maintaining the fiction," says Gifford, referring to the fiction that Diego Garcia had no native people.

These British documents reveal that colonial officials thought no one would notice if they deported the islanders.

"I find it rather shameful, yes," says Gifford. "Here we have an interesting memorandum of the British Government: There will be no indigenous population except seagulls."

Another British document confirms that "evicting the people and leaving the island to the seagulls" was done at the request of the United States. It reads: "The United States Government will require the removal of the entire population of the atoll by July."

"And the British were only too happy to oblige," says Gifford.

What did the British get in return for providing the Americans a population-free island? Polaris missiles for their submarines. The U.S. reduced the price by $14 million dollars, or $5 million British pounds.

"So five million pounds was a massive incentive compared with a very modest conscience problem," says Gifford.

Uncovering the paper trail brought Gifford and Bancoult a stunning victory. Britain's highest court ruled that deporting Diego Garcia's native population was illegal.

But the euphoria didn't last long because the court didn't propose a remedy -- neither money nor what the people wanted most - to return home and have the right to earn a living on the base.

"The position of the islanders is that they never objected to the U.S. base on Diego, but the islanders are extremely bitter that they are denied employment on the base. Precisely because they come from there," says Gifford.

The base currently employs several thousand civilian workers from other countries like the Philippines - and they don't want visitors. When the islanders asked to visit their family graves, they were told from the British government that the U.S. had to grand permission.

So last August, the islanders appealed directly to President Bush. The Bush administration, however, said it was Britain's call: "Because of the vital role the facility plays in the global war on terrorism, British authorities have denied permission to visit Diego Garcia. We concur and support the decision."

Caseem Uteem, the former president of Mauritius, had written the letter to President Bush on behalf of the islanders. He believes that both sides are passing the buck.

"That's what they're doing," says Uteem. "I think it is not only inhuman but illegal. They should never have expelled them from their land."

Neither the British nor the U.S. governments would talk to 60 Minutes about the issue, but the former commander of the base on Diego Garcia spoke to Amanpour.

"I have a great sympathy for them," says Dan Urish. "I think the British are probably legally responsible for it. Morally, the U.S. certainly has an interest in seeing that things are made right for the islanders."

Until that happens, Olivier Bancoult, Jeannette Alexis and the rest of the islanders say they will never give up. Now they are suing both the U.S. and British Governments for compensation and the right to return.

"It's an important base, I agree, but at the same time they should have realized that people are also important," says Alexis.

"The Americans and the British always talk about the champions of human rights. What they did to us they should rectify, they should look after us. You know, they should do what they preach."

What Are You Waiting For?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 23:01:00 +0000

Total output of the Sun was gathered for one second it would provide the U.S. with enough energy, at its current usage rate, for the next 9,000,000 years."

Getting Started With Solar

No Changes In How You Use Electricity

Solar electricity works exactly the same as the electricity you buy from the utility company. You turn on lights, plug in lamps and power appliances the same way you do right now. In fact, if you didn't see solar modules on the roof, you'd never notice any difference—except a lower electric bill.

Relax, It's Easier Than You Think

While the science of converting sunshine into electricity is complex, the idea is pretty simple. Solar electricity is generated by a group of solar modules called an array that's installed on your roof or in your yard. When sunlight falls on the solar modules, a DC electrical current is created instantly. The DC electricity is fed into an inverter that changes it to standard AC electricity - the same kind your home already uses.

General Explanation of Solar Water Heating

Solar water heating systems use collector (absorber) panels to harvest the sun’s energy. These collector panels are in many cases installed on the roof of your home or garage. As the sun shines on the absorber panels, water is heated in tubes within the collector panels, and then moves to a water heater or heaters, depending on the design, for storage and later use in the home. .

Solar water heating systems allow homeowners to use the solar source as their main system and their conventional water heater as back-up storage.

Optimally placed absorber panels, with conventional methods as a backup, will yield you many years of use and dramatically lower energy costs all while lowering your carbon footprint and contributing to a greener world.

DID YOU KNOW...???
The California Energy Commission estimates that the average household spends up to 30% or more of its energy bill for hot water heating, and it accounts for more than one-quarter of the total energy used in a typical single-family home. An electric water heater is the single largest user of electricity of all household appliances.

Whether you have an electric or gas water heater, the operating cost will continue to rise over time.
According to the California Public Utilities Commission, electricity rates have been increasing an average of 6% per year, over the past 35 years, and the wholesale price for natural gas has more than tripled in the past eight years. Natural gas shortages are likely to push rates even higher in the near future. With solar you will no longer have to be at the mercy of the utilities and their ever-rising rates.

The California Public Utilities Commission estimates that a typical homeowner can save 60-70% on the cost of water heating by installing a solar water heating system.

Pitcairn Lt Bligh

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:50:00 +0000

The Mutiny on the Bounty was a mutiny aboard the British Royal Navy ship HMS Bounty on 28 April 1789. The mutiny was led by Fletcher Christian against commanding officer Lieutenant William Bligh. According to most accounts, the sailors were attracted to the idyllic life on the Pacific island of Tahiti and were further motivated by harsh treatment from their captain.

Eighteen mutineers set Lieutenant Bligh afloat in a small boat with eighteen of the twenty-two crew loyal to him. The mutineers then variously settled on Pitcairn Island or in Tahiti and burned the Bounty off Pitcairn Island, to avoid detection and to prevent desertion.

Bligh navigated the 23-foot (7 m) open launch on a 47-day voyage to Timor in the Dutch East Indies, equipped with a quadrant and pocket watch and without charts or compass. He recorded the distance as 3,618 nautical miles (6,710 km). He then returned to Britain and reported the mutiny to the Admiralty on 15 March 1790, 2 years and 11 weeks after his original departure.

The British government dispatched HMS Pandora to capture the mutineers, and Pandora reached Tahiti on 23 March 1791. Four of the men from the Bounty came on board soon after its arrival, and ten more were arrested within a few weeks. These fourteen were imprisoned in a makeshift cell on Pandora's deck. Pandora ran aground on part of the Great Barrier Reef on 29 August 1791, with the loss of 31 of the crew and four of the prisoners. The surviving ten prisoners were eventually repatriated to England, tried in a naval court with three hanged, four acquitted and three pardoned.

Descendants of some of the mutineers and Tahitians still live on Pitcairn

Island; with only 50 residents, whose ancestors – crew on the HMS Bounty – were so taken with the island that they mutinied and burned their own ship. Their postage stamps are rare and expensive since collectors have to hop on a boat from New Zealand for a ten-day voyage in order to buy them.

In Sacramento’s case, prices will grow faster than just about anywhere else in the country.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 May 2013 23:55:00 +0000

Home prices in Sacramento have reached the highest levels in 11 years and are expected to grow faster than nearly every other place in America this year.
Zillow forecasts Sacramento will see the second largest rise in home prices — nearly 12 percent in 2013. In fact, with the exception of Phoenix, California occupies all the top seven spots.
A shortage of houses for sale is driving up prices and making this a hot seller’s market. A home we went to in Natomas sold for $259,000 in just 48 hours to a foreign investment group.
“Any time the value of homes go up, people that own houses are going to benefit,” said real estate investor Rich Crosby.
Sacramento home values started picking up last year and the Zillow estimate of another 12 percent increase will only keep investors in the market. They’re competing with an increase in buyers for the low number of houses on the market.
“So you have low interest rates, you have down payment assistance and you have a lack of inventory, which is causing a surge in the market,” said a realtor Michael Sandoval.
Real estate analysts say the surge is more of a bounce back from the housing crash (really).. Some Sacramento-area homes lost more than half their value. The hardest-hit neighborhoods are seeing the biggest rebound. Natomas, Elk Grove, Lincoln and Roseville top the list.
“Houses like this probably in their heyday were $450,000-$500,000. Now we’re looking at maybe $300,000, $350,000 at the most,” said Crosby.
Real estate investment companies like Rich Crosby’s are often the buyers, paying cash to rent or flip the homes. And they argue they bring up prices for the neighborhood.
“We can sell the house more than that short sale can, which inevitably brings up the value of the houses around it. It’s a win-win, really,” said Crosby.
But the investors are criticized for crowding out other buyers — even those with 20 percent down who can’t compete with cash offers. The lesson in economics 101 is simple: as long as there’s more demand than supply, home prices are expected to creep up.
In Sacramento’s case, prices will grow faster than just about anywhere else in the country.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:39:00 +0000

HUD No.13-033
HUD Public Affairs
(202) 708-0980

Treasury Public Affairs
(202) 622-2960

FOR RELEASE
Friday
March 8, 2013

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION RELEASES FEBRUARY HOUSING SCORECARD

Quarterly Servicer Assessments Show Mortgage Servicers Demonstrate Continued Improvement
in Implementation of the Making Home Affordable Program

WASHINGTON- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury today released the February edition of the Obama Administration's Housing Scorecard – a comprehensive report on the nation’s housing market. Data continue to show important progress across many key indicators—as home prices ended the year with strong gains and purchases of new homes and sales of existing homes were also strong—although officials caution that the overall recovery remains fragile. The full Housing Scorecard is available online at www.hud.gov/scorecard.
“The Obama Administration’s efforts to speed housing recovery are showing continued progress as the February scorecard indicators highlight ongoing improvements throughout the housing market,” said HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs Kurt Usowski. “House prices are steadily rising above the mid-crisis lows in markets throughout the country, while inventories of new and existing homes are further tightening, and even estimates of the 'shadow inventory' are down. That said, we still remain considerably below long-term normal levels of home sales and production.”
Included in this month’s Making Home Affordable Program Report are detailed assessments from the fourth quarter of 2012 for the largest mortgage servicers participating in the program. These Servicer Assessments – first introduced in June 2011 and published quarterly – have set a new standard for disclosure around servicer efforts to assist struggling homeowners.
“The Administration continues to improve outcomes for homeowners seeking mortgage relief by setting new standards for customer service and holding mortgage companies publicly accountable,” said Treasury Assistant Secretary for Financial Stability Tim Massad. “As a result, struggling families today have stronger consumer protections and more sustainable options to avoid foreclosure.”
Since inception of the Making Home Affordable Program, Treasury has required participating servicers to take specific actions to improve their processes through ongoing program reviews. The quarterly Servicer Assessments summarize performance in three categories of program implementation: identifying and contacting homeowners; homeowner evaluation and assistance; and program reporting, management and governance. Results for the fourth quarter of 2012 show that servicers are focusing attention on areas identified in previous program reviews and, as a result, are demonstrating continued improvement in program implementation:

Servicers are more effectively evaluating homeowners under program eligibility criteria as seen in the “second look disagree” category, which reflects the rate at which Treasury’s program reviews disagree with the servicers’ decision to find a homeowner ineligible for assistance. In the fourth quarter, the average second look disagree rate for the top servicers was below two percent.
Mortgage servicers continue to accurately calculate homeowner income, which is used to determine a homeowner’s eligibility and modified payment amount under the program. In the fourth quarter, the average income calculation error rate for the top servicers went down from the previous quarter, and three servicers had a zero percent error rate.

For the fourth quarter of 2012, two servicers were found to need only minor improvement on the areas reviewed for program performance, while seven servicers were found to need moderate improvement. Although servicer performance in a particular compliance category can fluctuate from quarter to quarter, in general, servicers continue to show continued overall improvement in program implementation. All servicers, however, will need to continue to demonstrate progress in any areas identified in subsequent program reviews.
The February Housing Scorecard features key data on the health of the housing market and the impact of the Administration’s foreclosure prevention programs, including:

The Administration's foreclosure mitigation programs are providing relief for millions of homeowners as we continue to recover from an unprecedented housing crisis. More than 1.5 million homeowner assistance actions have taken place through the Making Home Affordable Program, while the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has offered more than 1.6 million loss mitigation and early delinquency interventions. The Administration's programs continue to encourage improved standards and processes in the industry, with HOPE Now lenders offering families and individuals more than 3.4 million proprietary mortgage modifications through December.
HAMP continues to offer homeowners affordable and sustainable relief to avoid foreclosure. As of January, more than 1.1 million homeowners have received a permanent modification through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), saving approximately $546 on their mortgage payments each month, and an estimated $17.9 billion to date. In January, 69 percent of homeowners with eligible non-GSE mortgages benefitted from principal reduction with their HAMP modification. Homeowners currently in permanent HAMP modifications have been granted an estimated $9.2 billion in total principal reduction.

1917 cottage located near the village center : EAST HAMPTON NY

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 20:19:00 +0000

4 bedrooms
3 full baths
Acreage: 0.43 acres (approx.)
East Hampton, NY, United States
$2,850,000
Honey sweetens the allure of the Hamptons
or millennia, honey has been considered a "superfood" - long before the coining of that particular buzzword. From its first cultivation in the Middle East to the medieval honey-based beverage of mead, the sweet nectar has consistently played an important role in cuisine and medicine. Although it has a long and varied history, honey has, in many ways, become even more popular in the last several years. Spurred on by increasing attention to locally-sourced natural foods, boutique honey has become a growing trend throughout much of the U.S., especially in places like the Hamptons. In fact, many owners have begun to sample some of the honey made in the region, finding ways of adding it to their diets and cooking habits.
Luckily, a few local honey producers have answered the call and started to ramp up their production to satisfy the growing number of honey-hungry Hamptons' residents.
One example is the Hamptons Honey Company. Focusing on raw and natural production, this young company has helped bring high-quality honey to locals, and prides itself on its staff of well-trained, environmentally conscious beekeepers.
As the demand for natural, local honey has spiked in the Hamptons, the number of suppliers has increased. Mary Woltz, for example, initially came to the region to work for the Hamptons Honey Company, but has since left to start her own business - Bees' Needs. She works year round, turning out artisanal batches of sumptuous honey.
"My honey changes with the seasons," she recently told Hamptons Magazine. "It will be light and delicate in the spring and more complex throughout the summer. And I can tell you which hive every jar comes from."
As more residents of the Hamptons begin to appreciate the nutritional and flavor benefits of local raw honey, the community has a chance to become one of the most honey-soaked areas of the country.
Founded in 1648 by English farmers, East Hampton remained a quiet farming community until the late 19th century, when it became a resort for the wealthy upper class. It became an ARTIST COLONY in the mid-20th century, popularized by the ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONIST It has become a popular weekend destination during the summer season.
History and surviving historic sites are detailed in "Village of East Hampton Multiple Area", a New York State study..

OG Hawaii Large Lot Garden Next To Ocean

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 22:08:00 +0000

A very rare opportunity to own a piece of Old Hawaii. 91 feet from the OCEANS EDGE with 300 L Feet of Ocean Frontage. 3500 SQ Feet of high end, simple, not tacky home. One of the sellers holds an active HI RE License. This is a private conservation lot located along the shoreline - over 3/4 of an acre. Private.
$7,000,000.00

Sacramento Picked as Next Phoenix (Interesting Read)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 22:13:00 +0000

Sacramento: Home Value Forecast's Pick as the "Next Phoenix"

Pro Teck Valuation Services' Home Value Forecast Reports On Another Hard Hit Housing Market Showing Positive Leading Indicators For A Rebound

WALTHAM, MA (PRWEB) August 08, 2012

Pro Teck Valuation Services’ August Home Value Forecast Update explores which hard-hit metros may be the next Phoenix, AZ: on the rebound and good candidates for investment or home buying opportunities.
“Two previously hard-hit metro areas that stand out are Orange County (Santa Ana) and Sacramento, California,” said Tom O’Grady, CEO of Pro Teck Valuation Services. “Sacramento is particularly interesting because like in Phoenix, home prices overshot on the downside after the market peak in 2006. All nine of Sacramento’s market-based indicators are exhibiting positive changes from a year ago. For example, the number of active listings is down 39.21 percent, months of remaining housing inventory down to 3.65 months and foreclosure sales down 52.79 percent.”
To help predict the longer-term cyclical turning points of real estate markets, Home Value Forecast partner Collateral Analytics previously developed a Leading Real Estate Index (LREI) for all Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSA) in the U.S. The authors show how the LREI for Sacramento had accurately predicted the most recent upturn and downturn in the market. This Leading Index is based on a number of fundamental factors that drive real estate markets, such as employment growth, home sales activity, the unemployment rate, housing affordability index, new building permits, etc. The LREI is a “diffusion index” that measures how many components of the LREI are moving in a positive direction at any point in time. The LREI passing up through a value of 50 is a good precursor of a pending increase in home prices while a move down through 50 is a signal of flat or declining prices.
“Sacramento’s LREI has been climbing over the past two years and recently shot up to a value of 50, which means that half of its components are moving in a positive direction relative to their historical performances and that further home price appreciation is expected,” added O’Grady. “Another important factor supporting home prices in Sacramento is affordability. This month’s Home Value Forecast shows that Sacramento’s housing affordability index is at its highest level in years. Also, in many areas of the Sacramento market, we are seeing nearly every ZIP code classified as “good” or “normal” according to our most recent Market Condition scoring system, which is in contrast to the weakness in the market a year ago.”
This month’s Home Value Forecast update also includes a listing of the 10 best and 10 worst performing metros as ranked by our market condition ranking model. The rankings are run for the single family home markets in the top 200 CBSAs on a monthly basis to highlight the best and worst metros with regard to a number of leading real estate market indicators, including: sales and listing activity and prices, MRI, days on market, sold-to-list price ratio and foreclosure and REO activity.
“Our market of interest this month, Sacramento, is one of four California metros in the top 10,” said Michael Sklarz, Principal of Collateral Analytics and contributing author to Home Value Forecast. “New additions this month include Seattle, WA, Richmond, VA, and Grand Rapids, MI. All of these markets have experienced significant declines in active listing counts over the past year. This has led to most of these markets currently having balanced or tight markets based on their remaining months of housing inventory.”
August’s top CBSAs include:

Sacramento-Arden Arcade-Roseville, CA
West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Boynton Beach, FL
Baton Rouge, LA
Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA
Richmond, VA
Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ

“In our bottom CBSAs, prices in many of these metros, especially in the Northeast have held up much better since the market peak in 2005-06 compared to the current top ranked markets,” added Sklarz. “This helps explain why the relative rankings in that the bottom ranked metros are not offering the same bargains as the top ranked ones with regard to compelling prices and high rental yields.”
The bottom CBSAs for August were:

Huntsville, AL
Edison, NJ
El Paso, TX
Nassau-Suffolk, NY
Newark-Union, NJ-PA
Spokane, WA
Lake County-Kenosha, IL-WI
Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC
Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, CT
New Haven-Milford, CT

About HomeValueForecast.com
Home Value Forecast was created from a strategic partnership between Pro Teck Valuation Services and Collateral Analytics. HVF provides insight into the current and future state of the U.S. housing market, and delivers 14 market snapshot graphs from the top 30 CBSAs.
Home Value Forecast delivers a monthly briefing along with “Lessons from the Data,” an in-depth article based on trends unearthed in the data.
HVF is built using numerous data sources including public records, local market MLS and general economic data. The top 750 CBSAs as well as data down to the ZIP code level for approximately 18,000 ZIPs are available with a corporate subscription to the service. To learn more about Home Value Forecast and Pro Teck’s full suite of residential real estate valuation products visit us at http://www.proteckservices.com.
Reporters interested in national, regional or metro level housing data tailored to meet story needs, please email your inquiry to mediarequest(at)protk(dot)com.
Editor’s Note:
A Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA) is a U.S. geographic area defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) based around an urban center of at least 10,000 people and adjacent areas that are socioeconomically tied to the urban center by commuting. The term "CBSA" refers collectively to both metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) and micropolitan areas. Micropolitan areas are based around Census Bureau-defined urban clusters of at least 10,000 and fewer than 50,000 people. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) are defined urban clusters of more than 50,000 people.

August 2012 U.S. Economic And Housing Market Outlook

The Shadow

By Freddie Mac

Published: Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012 - 10:22 am

MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 8, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) released today its U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook for August showing why the so-called shadow inventory might not be as foreboding as many thought and an important reason why is the rate at which excess housing is being absorbed.
Outlook Highlights

The Freddie Mac House Price Index for the U.S. showed a 4.8 percent gain from March to June 2012, the largest quarterly pickup in eight years; the national index posted a June-to-June rise of 1 percent, the largest annual appreciation since November 2006.

Rental vacancy rates have fallen to 8.6 percent, the lowest since the second quarter of 2002. The for-sale vacancy rate has dipped to 2.1 percent, the least since the second quarter of 2006.

Nationally, the for-rent market now appears to be in relatively good balance, with the rental stock close to overall rental demand, resulting in "normal" vacancy levels.

This continuing shrinkage in excess vacant stock is important because it means that in most markets the REO homes on the for-sale market are not competing with an oversized vacant housing inventory.

Even if national indexes dip in the seasonally weak autumn and winter months, the declines probably won't be big enough to erase the good second-quarter news on home values.

Watch a short preview video and download the complete August 2012 U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook. Freddie Mac compiles data on major economic and housing and mortgage market indicators and offers forecasts based on those indicators.
Quotes
Attributed to Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac, vice president and chief economist.

"While the shadow inventory persists, there is an important difference in today's market compared with those of recent years and that's the substantially reduced amount of excess vacant housing. The housing recovery may finally be coming out from the shadows."

Get the latest information from Freddie Mac's Office of the Chief Economist on Twitter:@FreddieMac
Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation's residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Today Freddie Mac is making home possible for one in four homebuyers and is one of the largest sources of financing for multifamily housing. www.FreddieMac.com.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/08/4705993/august-2012-us-economic-and-housing.html#storylink=cpy

4/2 tad over 2000 sq ft on 5 acres of Flower Farm..East Maui APROX 700k

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 21:31:00 +0000

Hāna is a census-designated place (CDP) in MauiCounty, Hawaii, United States. The population was 1,235 at the 2010 census. Hana is located at the eastern end of the island of Maui and is one of the most isolated communities in the state. It is reached mainly via the Hana Highway, a long, winding, 52-mile-long (84 km) highway along Maui's northern shore. Leave yourworries behind and welcome yourself home to this Hana Retreat! Over 5 acres of land with a fully functioning flower farm to take advantage of the benefits of owning Agricultural land. Take pleasure in unlimited peace calm and serenity in the well appointed 4 bdrm 2.5 bath house. This home boasts oak hardwood floors throughout, koa wood cabinets, granite tile counter tops, and expansive deck and in ground pool with lush tropical landscape and waterscape. OPRAH even bought a home in Hana. Leave her alone. Enjoy nature.This is a Rain Forrest. Come and enjoy the diversity of people . Mean people stay away. Nice people are welcome.

ONELA BAY'S FINEST

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 01:51:00 +0000

About Kapalua

Kapalua is home to one of Maui's prime resort destinations. Its shoreline is made up of five bays and three white sand beaches, one of which has been crowned "The Best Beach in America." Kapalua Place is located on Oneloa Bay, an exclusive beachfront location, which is famous for its shore breaks and breathtaking views of Moloka`i and the shoreline.
Kapalua Resort offers many amenities, including spas, fine restaurants, championship golf courses, tennis courts, and miles of hiking and biking trails.
It's a vacation without ever leaving home...

3 Kapalua Place

Floor Plans & Site Plan:

• Land Area: 28,001 s. f.
• Living/Covered Area: 7931 s. f.
• 5 Bedroom, 5.5 Bath
• Additional 1 bedroom, 1 bath guest suite
w/ kitchen / living room & separate entrance
• 3 Car Garage

First Story:	3725 s.f.
Second Story:	2372 s.f.
Covered Area:	1261 s.f.
Guest Suite:	573 s.f.
Total Area:	7931 s. f

Eco-friendly + state-of-the art + Maui 3/3.5 3450+/- sq ft 3.995M

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 May 2012 22:51:00 +0000

One of a kind, this contemporary home and state-of-the art Kula estate makes a bold and very “green” statement; extraordinary. The sophisticated home, featured in the Luxury Homes and Maui No Ka Oi magazines for its Eco-friendly sustainability was designed using Ipe wood, corrugated galvalum steel siding and glass. An abundance of windows and pocketing doors capture the ever changing bi-coastal panoramas, breezes and sunsets. Clean lines, heated, polished concrete floors, Siematic Kitchen, media room, Lutron lighting system and an ecological fireplace fueled by denaturalized alcohol are a few of the interior features. A 2,300 sq. ft. building houses guest/caretaker’s quarters and state-of-the art “barn”. Pamper your horses with heat lamps, hot water wand for bathing, automatic insect mister, even an infrared camera so you may view your horses, day or night, from any computer around the world. Fully irrigated pastures border the regulation size arena with its own sound system and viewing bleachers. With all this beauty and thoughtful amenities throughout, one wonders who will feel most pampered: the owners, the guests or the horses.

Front Row Bliss on the Old Wailea Blue in the grand Wailea Golf Estates!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:32:00 +0000

Unsurpassed Hawaiian elegance is found in this magical and private single level home. Breathtaking Ocean views from almost every room where indoor and outdoor living blend seamlessly. This prestigious Island Residence, with separate master wing, boasts a clean and contemporary feel set amidst the tropical ambiance. This is one of the most private lots in the most premier gated community within the Wailea Resort.

View Mountain/Ocean

Pool Yes

Zoning 2

Monthly Maintenance Fee 400

In ancient times, Hawaiians settled in small villages along the Makena shore. They came to fish the large schools of akule that practically swam into their nets.
People from the uplands would come for the weekly hukilau, the seafood version of the luʻau.
It was just south of here that French explorer Jean-Francois de Galaup, Compte de La Pérouse, became the first non-Polynesian to set foot on Maui in 1786. The place where he landed is named after him: La Pérouse Bay.
Bordered on the north by the posh Wailea Resort area and on the south by the ʻAhihi Kinavu Natural Area Reserve, the Makena area of South Maui, offers the visitor a return to nature and much earlier days of Hawaii.
Space and freedom are the signature of Makena. It is the place where the paved road ends, the defiantly wild, rugged and magnificent place where the spirit can run free. Grand, seductive, and utterly irresistible, Makena is Maui untamed.
Founded in 1832 and built in 1855, the Keawalaʻi Congregational Church sits on a site near a lovely, sandy cove overlooking the ocean.
The walls of the church are 3-feet thick and were constructed of lava rock, using coral as mortar.
Ti plants surround the church, bowing to the Hawaiian belief that they ward off evil spirits.
The church's cemetery feature headstones contain ceramic photo portraits of the deceased.
The church is located about 3 miles south of Makena town on Makena R

Wailea is one of Hawaii's best luxury beach resort destinations; it is literally an oasis of greenery in a semi-arid climate. A series of five pocket beaches bounded by black lava points provide for great swimming conditions in the calm water. Enjoy all the white sandy beaches, which are connected by a coastal walk and landscaped minipark that stretches for two miles. Strolling along this palm-lined shore, you may see humpback whales breaching or enjoy a beautiful sunset. Ulua Beach, the middle beach at Wailea, has the clearest and best waters for snorkeling, and it is the favorite of Hollywood movie stars. While these beaches are open to the public, the rich and famous frequent Wailea's elegant beachfront hotels.

Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727 square miles (1883 km²). Native Hawaiian tradition gives the origin of the island's name in the legend of Hawaiiloa, the Polynesian navigator attributed with discovery of the Hawaiian Islands.

The story relates how he named the island of Maui after his son who in turn was named for the demi-god Maui. According to legend, the demi-god Maui raised all the Hawaiian Islands from the sea. The Island of Maui is also called the "Valley Isle" for the large fertile isthmus between its two volcanoes.

Maui is part of the State of Hawaii and is the largest island in Maui County. The island had a resident population of 117,644 in 2000—third within the state behind the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. The population is diverse, with many ethnic groups having originally arrived in the islands to work sugar cane and pineapple plantations from countries of the Western Pacific rim.

Maui is part of Maui County, the other islands comprising the county being Lanai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. The larger towns on Maui Island include Kahului, Wailuku, Lahaina, and Kihei.

History

Polynesians, from Tahiti and the Marquesas, were the original peoples to populate Maui. The Tahitians introduced the kapu system, a strict social order that affected all aspects of life and became the core of Hawaiian culture. Modern Hawaiian history began in the mid-1700s. King Kamehameha I took up residence (and later made his capital) in Lāhainā after conquering Maui in the bloody Battle of Kepaniwai in 1790 in the Īao Valley.

Captain James Cook "discovered" Maui on November 26, 1778, although he never set foot on the island, being unable to find a suitable landing. The first European to visit Maui was the French admiral Jean François de Galaup de La Perouse, who landed on the shores of what is now known as La Perouse Bay on May 29, 1786. More Europeans followed: traders, whalers, loggers (e.g., of sandalwood) and missionaries.

The missionaries began to arrive from New England in 1823, choosing Lahaina because it was the capital. They clothed the natives, banned them from dancing hula, and greatly altered the culture. They tried to keep whalers and sailors out of the bawdy houses.

The missionaries taught reading and writing, created the 12-letter Hawaiian alphabet, started a printing press in Lahaina, and began writing the islands' history, until then existing only as oral accounts.

They started the first school in Lahainā, which still exists today: Lahainaluna Mission School. The Mission school opened in 1831 and was the first secondary school to open West of the Rockies. At the height of the whaling era (1840-1865), Lahaina was a major whaling centre with anchorage in Lahaina Roads; in one season over 400 ships visited Lāhainā and the greatest number of ships berthed at one time was about 100.

A given ship tended to stay months rather than days which explains the drinking and prostitution in the town at that time. Whaling declined steeply at the end of the 19th century as crude oil (petroleum) replaced whale oil.

Kamehameha's descendants reigned in the islands until 1872. They were followed by rulers from another ancient family of chiefs, including Queen Liliuokalani who ruled in 1893 when the monarchy was overturned.

One year later, the Republic of Hawaii was founded. The island was annexed by the United States in 1898 and made a territory in 1900. Hawaii became the 50th state in U.S. in 1959.

Maui was centrally involved in the Pacific Theatre of World War II as a staging centre, training base, and for rest and relaxation. At the peak in 1943-44, the number of troops stationed on Maui exceeded 100,000.

7 Acre Parcel Created By Divine Intervention Waiting For Your FAMILY COMPOUND TO BE BUILT

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:43:00 +0000

Truly the best parcel above Secret Beach......ONCE in a LIFETIME opportunity to purchase a large 7 acre parcel with 3 home sites including 1 existing residence, 2 guest houses, pool house, horse facilities and forever views! Beautiful sunset views down the coastline over "Secret Beach" and all of the way to Makana Ridge. You must see to believe AND THEN YOU MAY STILL NOT BELIEVE YOUR EYES.

Affectionately known as Hawaii's "Garden Isle", Kaua'i depicts all the splendor, majesty and variety that Mother Nature has to offer. Kaua'i is the oldest of the main Hawaiian islands that erupted from the ocean floor about six million years ago. It is also one of the wettest spots on earth with an annual average rainfall of 460 inches. This abundance of rain eventually carved out the Waimea Canyon, affectionately known as "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific", and created some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

Kaua'i is noted for its relaxed atmosphere and genuine aloha spirit. From the Kalalau Lookout with its spectacular views of the craggy NaPali sea cliffs to the luxurious Po’ipu Beach and resorts on the southern coast and everything in between, Kauai offers it’s visitors the total Hawaiian experience.

For the adventurer there are world-famous hikes, ocean kayaking, surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving. Nature lovers can relish in the awe-inspiring beauty surrounding the Kilauea Lighthouse, Fern Grotto, and Wailua Falls. If relaxation is more your style, Kauai offers a cornucopia of tropical beaches, resorts and quaint towns filled with sumptuous eateries and shopping experiences.

This charming island is friendly, relaxing and peaceful - the perfect place to experience ancient Hawaii, its culture and history. Whether you spend a day or a week on this glorious island, the memories of Kaua'i will stay with you for a lifetime!

With white sand beaches, coconut lined coasts, tropical rain forests, misty canyons, and the majestic Na Pali Coast it's hard to imagine a place on earth more beautiful than Kauai. Known as "the Garden Island", the tropical paradise of Kauai lies amidst the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, about 20 minutes by air from Honolulu. Kauai is 33 x 25 miles and encompasses roughly 550 miles. It is the oldest and northernmost of the main Hawaiian Islands. Lihue is the county seat and location of the Kauai Airport. Population is almost 60,000 residents and the highest point is Kawaikiki Peak at 5,243 ft above sea level.

The county of Kauai Includes the islands of Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau and uninhabited Lehua and Ka‘ula. The island of Ni‘ihau is privately owned and is known as the "Forbidden Island". Public access is allowed only with permission of the owners. Its land area is 69.5 square miles.

Born over 5.5 millions years ago, Kaua‘i is the oldest of Hawai‘i's major islands. The town of Waimea was the site of the first Hawai‘i landing by Captain James Cook in 1778. Kauai has been a host to Hollywood movies including Jurrasic Park, South Pacific and Raiders of the lost Ark, just to name a few.

At the heart of the island is Mount Wai'ale'ale, one of the wetest places on earth, with an average rainfall of 444 inches per year. Average rainfall at Po‘ipu Beach on the south shore is 35 inches per year. To the northwest, lies the rugged Na Pali coast with peaks as high as 4,000 feet and deep valleys where ancient Hawaiians once lived. The north side has the upscale resort area of Princeville and a premier golf course, breathtaking beaches, and the famous Hanalei Bay. The town of Hanalei is filled with colorful shops, galleries, and restaurants.

To the east lies breathtaking waterfalls and the Wailua River. The sunny south shore is a main tourist attraction, which boasts beautiful beaches and unique towns to explore. Koloa Town, in the heart of the South Shore, was once the site of Hawaii's first successful sugar plantation. A tript o Kauai is not complete without a visit to Polihale State Park, on the West side. It is a rugged journey to get there, but well worth the trip. This is the place of Hawaii's longest stretch of beach and is surrounded by dramatic cliffs, blue sky, white sand, and crystal blue water. Paradise!

Weather
Kauai’s weather is moderate year around with average temperatures ranging from 70° to 81°F.

4/4 4300 sq ft on 6 Acres - Molokai - Private Private Private

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:36:00 +0000

Your Own Beach - 6 Acres

Located on Papohaku Beach (3 Mile Beach), this nearly 6 acre estate is the jewel of Molokai Perched on one of the State's prettiest white sand beaches, one can enjoy ocean views of Oahu in the distance with whales jumping in the foreground. The 4 bed 4 bath main home is nearly 4500 square feet with over 2000 square feet of lanai space. Details on the property include: Viking stainless steel appliances, Kiawe wood floors, African Mahogany louvered doors, granite counter tops, Bose sound system, security system, automated front gate with intercom, salt water pool with jacuzzi, Cabana with a full bar, flat screen televisions, large citrus orchard, green house, gas torches, and a pond with waterfall. There is a 1000 sq ft Ohana with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath and separate garage. Also on property is a 12.5 Photovoltaic grid tied system and well permits with desalinization plant for irrigation. Furniture is negotiable.
Molokai is not for the average Hawaii visitor. It is very quiet, very rural and very Hawaiian. Only about 8,000 folks reside here and on any given day there will be only 1,000 or so visitors on the island.

There is so little traffic on Molokai that there is not even a single traffic light. An occasional row of 3 or 4 cars constitute a traffic jam and that doesn't seem to upset anyone, there's no rush to be someplace else.

Visitors stay at one of the five condominium projects, in a beach cottage or at the island's one hotel, all of which offer accommodations at very reasonable-for-Hawaii prices.

The restaurant choices are mainly located in Kaunakakai and while there are no 4 or 5-star dining opportunities, you will be able to find good food and ambiance from picnic tables to beachfront dining.

Folks who choose condominium or beach house accommodations can acquire groceries at either of the grocery stores in Kaunakakai or one of the markets in Kualapuu or Maunaloa. Even the largest of these stores will seem petite by mainland standards.

Because everything is brought into Molokai on a barge from Oahu, the prices will seem a little high, especially for packaged or frozen goods. Choices in all things are limited, so you may not find "your" brand of a product or "your favorite" produce item. Time to simplify.

Remember, you can find everything you "need" on Molokai. However some of your "wants" may go unmet.

So... Why would anyone visit Molokai?

To find the real Hawaii, the Hawaii of 50 years ago.

Why would anyone visit Molokai?

Heck of a good question.

Most folks who visit Hawaii come for the glitz, glamour and tourist-centered activities that a tropical vacation destination offers. Many visitors are drawn to the bright lights, fancy restaurants and busy beaches of Waikiki or to the West Maui mega resorts near Lahaina and Ka'anapali Beach. Others find their way to resorts on Kauai or the Big Island, Hawaii.

All of these destinations offer paradise; warm sandy beaches, the blue Pacific Ocean and nearly perfect weather, all hermetically packaged for the visitor from the US Mainland or Japan.

Very few of these visitors ever hear of the little island anchored between Oahu, where bustling Honolulu is, and Maui the busiest tourist island in Hawaii.

On occasion someone planning a vacation to Hawaii will ask a travel agent or a friend about Molokai and will receive the typical response, "Why would you want to go to Molokai, there's nothing there."

From the typical traveler's perception, that is true, there's nothing here. There are no mega resorts. No five-star dining opportunities. No tourist-packed beaches. No shopping malls. Basically none of the things that make other Hawaii destinations soooo commercial.

What Molokai does have are precious resources that are shared with the few lucky visitors and protected by residents who refuse to allow this beautiful island to go the way of the other tourist-driven islands.

Molokai is a place where aloha is a lifestyle, not something put on for the tourists. You see it every day on smiling faces on the streets of Kaunakakai, the island's largest town and in the smaller villages around the island. You hear it and feel it, provided your heart and mind are not clouded by the harshness and hurry of life in your hometown. If you come to Molokai to become part of what is here, you will be overwhelmed by the aloha and spirituality. If you bring your demands and lifestyle attitudes, you will be disappointed and will probably not find the island to your liking.

4500 ACRES Paradise City Where The Grass Is Green and The Sky is Pretty

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:38:00 +0000

Two Bedroom / 2 Bath Plantation style home, 2750 sf, Built in 2004. Approximately 4500 acres, divided on a north to south axis by Hana Highway. Gently sloping from sea level to an elevation of 2200 feet, with a consistent view orientation to the ocean. Approximately 3 miles of ocean front property.

Hana, isolated from the rest of the island, is truly the last undeveloped tropical paradise on Maui. Picturesque views of spectacular waterfalls, the rugged Hana shoreline, and some of the best beaches on the island can only begin to describe what awaits you on this journey. The 52 mile trip from Kahului Airport will take 2-4 hours depending on how often you stop along the Narrow, Winding Hana Highway (560). Explore the various parks and lookouts as you drive through Maui’s only coastal rainforest accessible by car. The charm of Hana is the fact that little has changed over the last 20 years. Untouched by the major developments of the other side of the island, the Hana community has managed to perpetuate the small town atmosphere, Hawaiian culture and most of all, its natural scenic beauty.

No trip to Hana should be without a stop at the famed Hasegawa General Store. Established in l910, this fourth generation family-owned business has been written up in numerous magazines, newspaper articles and travel guides. The store became famous in l961, when composer Paul Weston was so impressed with the variety of merchandise carried in this little store that he wrote a song entitled Hasegawa General Store. The song became an instant hit on local radio and since then has been recorded by several local musicians.

A trip to Hana is said to revitalize many local residents from the city life of the other side of the island. The natural beauty of the Hana experience will take you back in time and give you an idea of what the rest of Maui was like 30 years ago. Unspoiled, Serene and Mystical: Hana is truly Maui’s “Last Hawaiian Place.”

96712 Property Frontage Sunset Beach (2/2) 1046 sq ft

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:50:00 +0000

Haleiwa has many famous landmarks. The Anahula Bridge is one of the most well known bridges in Hawaii. Oahu Fishing, especially Deep Sea Fishing, is still very popular in this town. You should take your time touring Haleiwa as it has many unique landmarks to visit. There are some great small bed and breakfasts and unique Haleiwa hotels to stay if you choose to do so.Great beach..
Haleiwa is a town beside the North Shore of Hawaii and is far from the hustle of Waikiki.
More than a 100 years ago, even before Waikiki built its first hotel, businessman Benjamin J. Dillingham started Hawaii’s lodging on a small strip of land between the Ocean and the Anahulu River where the famous Haleiwa Bridge is located. He named hotel "Haleiwa" which means "House of the Iwa." An Iwa is a beautiful bird, and he said, created the ambience he wanted for the hotel.
This hotel near the North Shore of Oahu is gone now, but Haleiwa continues to welcome visitors. This town in Hawaii was named a Cultural and Scenic District in 1984. Haleiwa has maintained its charm and laid-back environment. Old storefronts line the main street of Haleiwa Hawaii. This is definitely a casual kind of place.
Haleiwa offers a nice selection of galleries, surf shops and places to eat. Be sure to visit the North Shore Surf & Cultural Museum, located at the North Shore Marketplace. The museum features surfing memorabilia, including antique surfboards and photos that chronicle the history of the surfing. If you are interested in Oahu Surfing Lessons, Hawaii Discount offers them in both group lessons and private lessons.
Every summer, Haleiwa puts on the Haleiwa Arts Festival, which is a lively event featuring art demonstrations, trolley tours, and live entertainment. This unique town beside the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii will not disappoint you.

Leasehold - Hawaii Kai -

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:22:00 +0000

What does leasehold mean?

As the purchaser of leasehold property, you acquire the right to occupy and use the leased property for the time period stated in the lease agreement. In return for this right, you agree to make rent payments to the lessor and abide by the other terms of the lease.
This article is concerned with the ground lease and with those leases related to the ground lease, such as an apartment lease. The ground lease is a lease of land only, usually for a long term (55 years or more, from the original date of the lease). It is a means used to separate the ownership of the land from ownership of the buildings and other improvements constructed on the land. In many cases, a developer enters into a master ground lease with the fee simple owner, agreeing in the lease to construct a residential project within a certain period of time. The developer or cooperative Corporation, or in some cases the ground lessor, then enters into a sublease or a new lease of the land with the apartment owner. The developer may lease the improvements to the apartment owner by way of an apartment lease or sublease, or sells the improvements to the apartment owners by way of a condominium conveyance or apartment deed.
The long-term lease should be distinguished from the short-term rental of an apartment where, for example, a tenant rents and apartment from a landlord for a six months to a year and makes monthly rent payments. In the latter case, the tenant receives no ownership in the land or the unit. The tenant only enjoys the right to use the apartment during the period of the short-term rental. In contrast, the lessee of the long-term lease enjoys the right to sell the leasehold interest to a new buyer.

What is the difference between leasehold and fee simple?

FEE SIMPLE: Fee simple ownership is probably the most familiar form of ownership to buyers of residential property, especially on the Mainland. Fee simple is sometimes called fee simple absolute because it is the most complete form of ownership. A fee simple buyer acquires ownership of the entire property, including both the land and buildings. The fee simple owner does not pay ground rents, but does pay maintenance fees and real property taxes. The fee simple owner has the right to possess, use the land and dispose of the land as he wishes--sell it, give it away, trade it for other things, lease it to others, or pass it to others upon death.
LEASEHOLD: The leasehold interest is created when a fee simple land-owner enters into an agreement or contract called a ground lease with a lessee. A lessee buys leasehold rights much as one buys fee simple rights; however, the leasehold interest differs from the fee simple interest in several important respects. First, the buyer of residential leasehold property does not own the land and must pay ground rent. Second, his use of the land is limited to the remaining years covered by the lease. Therefore, the land returns to the lessor, and is called reversion. Depending on the provisions of any surrender clause in the lease, the buildings and other improvements on the land may also revert to the lessor. Finally, the use, maintenance, and alteration of the leased premises are subject to any restrictions contained in the lease.
LEASED FEE INTEREST: After a lessor leases his land to a lessee, The lessor retains an interest called the leased fee. Once, the fee owner leases the land to the lessee, the lessor's rights to the land are subject to the rights of the lessee under the lease. The lessor's rights include the right to receive rent payments, the right to enforce the lease conditions such as maintenance, and the right to recover complete possession and control of the property when the lease term expires.

PURCHASING A LEASEHOLD PROPERTY

Because it is so important that buyers understand the terms of the lease before purchasing a leasehold residence, Hawaii law requires that the seller furnish the buyer with certain information about the lease.

What information must be disclosed?

COPY OF LEASE DOCUMENTS: At a minimum, the buyer must receive a copy of the lease document or documents which contain the major provisions of the lease. The lease documents could be any one of the following:

The master lease and any amendments; or
The apartment lease and any amendments; or
For buyers of new condominium apartments, a copy of the condominium public report.

In addition to the minimum legal requirement, buyers should review other relevant lease Document. For example, the buyer of a cooperative apartment may want to review the master lease in addition to the proprietary lease on the apartment.
RECEIPT OR CONTRACT: The buyer must sign a receipt or a copy of the sales contract to acknowledge receiving the lease documents. The receipt or contract must also include a summary of the major provisions of the lease in plain language, lease rent renegotiation dates, how renegotiated lease rents will be calculated, and surrender clause provisions. Normally this will be accomplished in a separate addendum attached to the contract or receipt. Buyers also must be informed that current law does not give condominium and cooperative leases the right to require that the lessors sells them the leased fee interest in the land under their apartments. Finally, the buyer needs to acknowledge that he or she has read and understands the terms of the lease documents.

Who must disclose this information?

It is the responsibility of the seller to furnish the buyer with a copy of the lease documents and other information about the lease. The seller may provide the information directly or through an agent, most likely the seller's real estate agent. Copies of the recorded lease and amendments are available at the Bureau of Conveyances public record office in Honolulu.

When must leasehold information be disclosed?

The seller or seller's agent must provide the required information to the buyer within 10 days from acceptance of the sales contract (that is, no later than 10 days from the date the buyer and seller reached a final agreement for sale of the property).

What information about the lease should the buyer understand?

As a buyer, you should read the lease carefully and be sure you understand its terms and conditions and how they affect you and relate to your plans and goals. The best time to do this is before you make an offer to purchase your leasehold apartment unit. To obtain a copy of the lease, ask the seller, the seller's agent, or your own adviser. In reviewing a lease, it is especially important to find out the following information:
LEASE TERM: Find out the length of the lease, how many years are remaining until the lease ends, and whether their is any right to extent.
LEASE RENT: Be sure you understand how much lease rent you will have to pay (which often includes general excise tax), when it is payable and to whom, what penalties are prescribed for late payment. Lease rents typically adjust periodically every 10 or 15 years. Find out when the rent adjusts, and to what amount. Also find out whether or not your maintenance fee payments include the lease rent.
LEASE RENT RENEGOTIATION DATES: At some point the rent may adjust, but to an amount which will be renegotiated at that time. Know when the rent payments are scheduled to be renegotiated. The lease likely contains more than one renegotiation date, such as every 10 or 15 years.
CALCULATION OF NEW LEASE RENT: Understand how the new rent payments will be determined upon renegotiation, including any procedures involving the use of arbitration. The lease often contains a formula for calculated the new lease rent. This formal is generally based on a percentage of the market value of the unencumbered fee simple land existing at the time of renegotiation. If market value increases significantly, so will your future lease rent.
SURRENDER CLAUSE: Read the surrender clause carefully. It tells you what will happen to your apartment unit when the lease comes to an end. Most leases provide that the buildings on the land including your apartment, become the property of the lessor upon the expiration of the term of the lease--automatically and without any payment.
AMENDMENT TO LEASE: Leases are sometimes amended to reflect a change in the lease terms or an extension of the term of the lease. The best way to tell if their have been amendments is to examine a recent title report on the property prepared by a licensed title company.

Questions to ask before you by leasehold property

How long is the lease term? When is the expiration date, and is there an extension clause?
How much is the lease rent?
When are the lease rent renegotiation dates?
How will the new lease rent be determined?
What are the terms of the surrender clause?

What is the buyer's right to cancel contract?

The law also provides that, within five days of acknowledging receipt of the lease documents, the buyer has the right to cancel the contract and recover all deposit money. The seller and buyer may agree in writing to reduce or extent the time period required for the seller to provide the lease documents and the buyer to review them.

What is the role of the leasehold addendum at the time of signing the sales contract (DROA)?

Your Standard Sales Contract (also called the Deposit Receipt, Offer and Acceptance or DROA) may contain a detailed addendum that informs you about leases in general and specifically about your own lease. Ask the sales agent for a copy of any standard leasehold addendum so that you can review it in advance of your making an offer. Be sure to ask questions if you do not understand any part of the addendum.

Do I need expert advice?

If, after reading the lease Document and the summary of its major provisions provided by the seller, and discussing this with your real estate agent, you still have questions about the lease, you should see an attorney familiar with real estate leases. The attorney can help you understand how the lease and its consequences affects you and your use of the property.

MOST LEGENDARY VIEW IN THE PACIFIC (Kaui's Hanalei ) 2 Acres -

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:19:00 +0000

Bali Hai" THE MOST LEGENDARY( according to many) VIEW IN THE PACIFIC TOTAL LAND AREA OF OVER 2 ACRES overlooking Hanalei. Cradled by the magnificent waterfall mountains of Hanalei and the most ravishingly beautiful seascape in Hawaii, this exquisite property astounds. "Summer Break" a stunningly wrought contemporary eco home by award winning designer, Gary Tobey, fuses the relaxed living of the tropics with true luxury. Wake up to gracefully arched rainbows and the white crested surf of Hanalei Bay. Swim in the soft rain under waterfalls in your saltwater infinity pool. Entertain from your rare Labradorite granite gourmet kitchen beneath your 18 foot vaulted African hardwood ceilings. Watch the vivid fuschia sunsets from your pristine glass island home. Enjoying 2 master suites,guestroom, 3 1/2 baths and nearly 4000 feet of under roof outdoor living, this home will enchant, inspire, and nurture you. Featuring: Gourmet kitchen with 17 ft long granite counter Indoor/outdoor shower gardens Custom granite throughout; Labradorite, Rain-forest Green, Dark Italian Traver tine, Blue Wave. All counters, tubs, indoor shower and fireplace surrounds, Central air conditioning in all bedrooms. Infinity pool and spa. Custom Afromosia cabinetry, vaulted ceilings Imperial plaster. Dade Rated concrete and steel construction. The drama of this remarkable setting is matched by stars and custom lighting in the evenings. A "MUST" for your portfolio and your lifestyle. Existing home on 1/2 Acre may be purchased separately.

4/3 Lake Tahoe - Greatest Little Cottage On The Lake I've Seen

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:27:00 +0000

Owning a Lake Tahoe Home offers endless opportunities to enjoy some of Mother Nature’s greatest gifts. Whether your lifestyle preference is laid back or extremely active, Lake Tahoe most certainly caters to all. From the very young to the young at heart, all ages will find their passion in what is one of the world’s most popular mountain destinations!

Hike the Tahoe Rim Trail
Ski Heavenly Valley, Kirkwood, Northstar, Sierra at Tahoe, Squaw and More
Boat out your back door from The Tahoe Keys
Mountain Bike from one of the many Montgomery Estates access points onto the Powerline Trail
Cruise the paved bike trail to Camp Richardson, Valhalla & Fallen Leaf Lake
Climb to the top of Mt.Tallac
Fish a Macinaw from Rubicon Bay
Paddle Board out at sunset from Timber Cove
Tee-Off at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course
Snowshoe Hope Valley
Sail to Emerald Bay
Raft the Truckee River
Cross-Country Ski the many meadows
Relax, Read and Rest…

Take a trip through the fascinating past that built present-day Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe is a unique and beautiful national treasure that also boasts a rich and colorful historical past. The Washo Indians had been gathering at its shores for centuries when American explorers Kit Carson and John Fremont came upon it in 1844. The Lake Tahoe Basin was a summer gathering place for three tribes of these peaceful Indians, who considered the Lake to be a spiritual site and conducted sacred ceremonies on the South Shore.
Even today, the ancient name for the Lake lives on in a modern form. The Washoes named the area "Da-ow-a-ga," or "edge of the Lake." The explorers, however, unaccustomed to the native tongue, interpreted the phrase as "Tahoe." The name had staying power even though the Lake was christened "Bonpland" after a French botanist, "Mountain Lake" for obvious reasons and "Bigler Lake" after California's third governor before finally receiving Lake Tahoe as its official name in 1945.
The peaceful silence surrounding Lake Tahoe was broken not long after the first pioneers' arrival. By the 1860s, silver was discovered in the Sierra Nevada. Fortunes seekers scurried to the Lake Tahoe area during the California Gold Rush, hoping to strike it rich as the massive Comstock Lode discovered in 1859 in nearby Virginia City, Nevada. Would-be miners rushed to Lake Tahoe over northerly Beckworth Pass and Donner Pass, site of the famous wagon train tragedy, and Carson Pass to the south to circumnavigate the Tahoe Basin.
Soon, the influx of pioneers to the region was so great that "Bonanza Road," later to become Highway 50, was forged across the mountains. As traffic increased, way stations, stables and toll houses to collect fares for traveling Bonanza Road began to spring up.
Silver wasn't the only valuable commodity early settlers found in the area. Tahoe's timber-rich forests became a necessary resource for the increasing number of people needing fuel and to support the labyrinth of mines being constructed beneath Virginia City. But the easy availability of timber soon led to the devastation of Tahoe's forests, which were heavily logged between 1860 and 1890. The decline of the Comstock Lode probably rescued Tahoe's diminishing forests.
By the turn of the century, word of Lake Tahoe's natural beauty had reached the elite families of San Francisco. The wealthy, seeking a new scenic getaway, flocked to Lake Tahoe to stay at the area's plush new hotels. During this heyday of steamship transportation, the boats delivered mail and supplies to the hotels just as often as they hosted visitors' lavish parties.
Lady Luck arrived at the Lake and unpacked her bags in 1944, when Harvey's Wagon Wheel Saloon and Gambling Hall opened as one of the area's first gaming establishments. But competition soon sprang up and so did the need for more permanent accommodations. By the 1950s, roads began to be plowed year-round, enabling access to permanent residences. When the 1960 Winter Olympics came to Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe was put firmly on the map as the skiing center of the western United States.
Although the development of the Lake Tahoe area has come far, modern planners today use the ancient wisdom of the Washo Indians when building in the area. Realizing the need to preserve the Lake's beauty in the face of progress, California and Nevada formed the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency in 1968 to oversee environmentally responsible development in the Basin. The agency's balanced approach has enabled them to limit the construction while devising a redevelopment plan that will improve the economy, tourist access and the environment well into the next century.
Today, Lake Tahoe still retains its pioneer charm while displaying an ancient respect for nature. While hotels, casinos and ski resorts draw millions of guests each year, the area's main attraction continues to be the restful silence of the wilderness and the awe-inspring beauty of the Lake. As the Washo Indians realized centuries ago, the "edge of the lake" is a unique and special place.

Makena Road - Greatest Address On Earth

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:30:00 +0000

Rare (understatement) and wonderful this jewel on the ocean in Makena has it all. Panoramic views of the Pacific and outer islands together with lush tropical landscaping framing this stunning estate. 4 bedrooms, all ensuite, master suite with private outdoor shower, 2 powder rooms, formal dining room, exercise room, family room, gourmet kitchen, 2 pantries, large office and 800+ bottle climate controlled wine room. Outdoor enjoy a pool cabana with trellised seating for 10-12 with large BBQ, refrigerator, sink and bathroom. Black Sands gated community consists of only 7 homes.
Makena State Park comprises 165 acres (0.7 km²) in Makena, south of Wailea on the island of Maui, Hawaii.
Big Beach, also known as "Oneloa Beach" and "Makena Beach", is a popular spot for sunbathing and bodyboarding by both tourists and locals. Big Beach is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and more than 100 feet (30 m) wide. The shore is fairly protected from wind. The "Makena cloud" that stretches from the top of Haleakala to Kahoʻolawe is often overhead, cooling the sand.
Little Beach, also known as "Puʻu Olai Beach" is a small beach just North of Big Beach separated by a steep lava outcropping (the tip of Puʻu Olai) and a 5 minute hike. On Sundays Little Beach is host to celebratory drumming and fire dancing. The beach is only 660 feet (200 m) long and can seem crowded at peak times. Little Beach is one of the few Hawaiian beaches where local police tolerate nude sunbathing (another is Red Sand Beach near Hāna).
Black Sand Beach, also known as "Naupaka Beach", is one of the least used beaches on Maui. Black Sand Beach has its own road and a parking lot right on the edge of the beach, and allows easy access.

Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:53:00 +0000

Hawaii's property taxes are not used to fund education like many mainland states. The schools are funded from the state's general fund. Property taxes in Hawaii are used to fund the city and county administrations and programs and each county sets their own rates and handles the assessments differently.

County	Class	Net Taxable	Net Taxable
		Bldg.	Land
		Per $1000	Per $1000

Honolulu	Residential	$3.50	$3.50
	Commercial	$12.40	$12.40
	Industrial	$12.40	$12.40
	Agricultural	$5.70	$5.70
	Vacant Agricultural	$8.50	$8.50
	Preservation	$5.70	$5.70
	Hotel & Resort	$12.40	$12.40
	Public Service	$0.00	$0.00

Maui	Homeowner	$2.50	$2.50
	Residential	$5.55	$5.55
	Commercialized Residential	$4.20	$4.20
	Apartment	$5.50	$5.50
	Commercial	$6.25	$6.25
	Industrial	$7.00	$7.00
	Agricultural	$5.80	$5.80
	Conservation	$5.60	$5.60
	Hotel & Resort	$9.00	$9.00
	Time Share	$15.00	$15.00

Hawaii	Homeowner	$5.55	$5.55
	Residential	$9.10	$9.10
	Affordable Rental Housing	$5.55	$5.55
	Apartment	$9.85	$9.85
	Commercial	$9.10	$9.10
	Industrial	$9.10	$9.10
	Agricultural/Native Forests	$8.35	$8.35
	Conservation	$9.85	$9.85
	Hotel & Resort	$9.85	$9.85

Kauai	Homestead	$3.44	$4.00
	Single Family Residential	$4.25	$3.95
	Apartment	$7.90	$6.90
	Commercial	$7.90	$6.90
	Industrial	$7.90	$6.90
	Agricultural	$4.25	$6.90
	Conservation	$4.25	$6.90
	Hotel & Resort	$7.90	$6.90

Honolulu, Hawaii
Nominal Rate (per $100): $0.37 Assessment Level: 100 percent Effective Rate (per $100): $0.37
Considering that Honolulu's major industry is tourism, it's not surprising that the county generates most of its tax revenue from sales taxes. But it may not stay that way for long. Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris just submitted his $1.8 billion operating budget, which would be subsidized in part by a 2.7 percent increase in residential property taxes.

Best States for Property Taxes

The Tax Foundation ranked the states based on property taxes paid as a percentage of median home value for owner-occupied homes in each state. This is a good way to rank the states because it provides a standardized number for comparison. For example, let’s take a hypothetical situation:
Let’s say someone in State 1 is paying $2,000 a year in property taxes on a home worth $1 million and someone else in State 2 is paying $2,000 a year on a condo worth $150,000. The best way to compare those two states would be to figure the property taxes as a percentage of home value. The person in State 1 is paying only 0.2% of their home value in property taxes, while the person in State 2 is paying 1.33% of their home value in property taxes. When you look at it that way, it’s clear that the person in State 1 is getting the best deal, even though they are both paying the same dollar amount per year.
Using this methodology, the Tax Foundation found that people in Louisiana paid the least in property taxes. The full list of the top ten best states for property taxes along with the percentage of home value paid in property taxes is:

Louisiana - 0.18%
Hawaii - 0.26%
Alabama - 0.33%
Delaware - 0.43%
West Virginia - 0.49%
South Carolina - 0.50%
Arkansas - 0.52%
Mississippi - 0.52%
New Mexico - 0.55%
Wyoming - 0.58%

If included in the rankings Washington, D.C. would have came in at 5th best at 0.46% of home value paid in property taxes.

Worst States for Property Taxes

The Tax Foundation found that homeowners in these states paid the most in property taxes compared to home value. The percentages represent the percentage of home value that homeowners pay in property taxes.

New Jersey - 1.89%
New Hampshire - 1.86%
Texas - 1.81%
Wisconsin - 1.76%
Nebraska - 1.70%
Illinois - 1.73%
Connecticut - 1.63%
Michigan - 1.62%
Vermont - 1.59%
North Dakota - 1.42%

WOW!!!

A Perfect Fixer - Waimānalo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:06:00 +0000

I was seeking out some places in Lani Kai (make sure to check out Lani Kai)when I saw this place. Fixer - but what an awesome spot. Its only a few minutes from Lani Kai. Perfect for family. Lots of sandy beach in a rural country - tropical area.

At 2.8M this is a diamond in the rough. The million dollar question. Do you wanna do the work.

MLS#: 1104646
Price: $2,800,000

Style: Detached
Bedrooms: 5 ..
Baths Full: 5
Baths Half: 0
Sq Ft: 2805
Year Built: 1977

Subdivision: WAIMANALO
Tax Fee: 726........................................................WOW...

Peaceful beachfront retreat capturing breathtaking sunrise ocean views. Beautiful moon lit evenings with the Makapuu lighthouse beacon escorting relaxing strolls along your white sandy beach. Enjoy outdoor gatherings in your large private front yard with gated driveway. Property includes a separate two bedroom caretaker's quarters and a workshop/storage area.

Waimānalo - I like this town.
Waimanalo, Hawaii, in Honolulu county, is 9 miles E of Honolulu, Hawaii. Part of the surrounding Honolulu metro area, the town is not an isolated town. Waimanalo is home to some 3,664 residents.

The People and Families of Waimanalo

In Waimanalo, about 40% of adults are married. At the risk of over-generalizing, you could say that Waimanalo tends toward large families and full houses. Got kids? Want 'em? You might feel you need them to fit in properly in this town.

Wealth and Education

In 2000, Waimanalo had a median family income of $43,347.

Political Inclinations

George W. Bush was the top money-getter ($3,500) among 2004 Presidential candidates in Waimanalo. The Republican party stood out in its ability to raise compaign money in the town.

Waimanalo Housing

According to the 2000 census, 62% of the housing in Waimanalo was owner-occupied. Can't find a roommate? That's OK in the town, where renting little apartments isn't uncommon.

Commuting

In Waimanalo, 81% of commuters drive to work. If you like the choice of taking public transportation instead of driving, take a look at Waimanalo

The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920 as amended was authored and introduced into the United States Congress by the elected Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. The Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association and all other Hawaiian homesteads, its residents and applicant are beneficiaries of Prince Kuhio's foresight, diligence and commitment to protect the Native Hawaiian population.

This brief history of the Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association is to serve as a basis and foundation to educate its members and all homesteaders, applicants and U.S. citizens.

The Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association (WHHA) was founded in 1938 by the first resident homesteaders awarded leases by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands then under the authority of the Territory of Hawaii.

Aunty Rebecca Chun, a WHHA members who had passed on recalled during her early teen years of living across on Kaiona Beach with her family before being awarded a lease to property they now reside on fronting Kalanianaole highway. She had shared showing black and white photos of herself standing on the beach next to their "squatters" home before moving and "I've enjoyed every moment since then..." were her last words recounting the early years of the Waimanalo Hawaiian homestead.

As later homesteaders moved onto the property extended from Ala Koa Street and Kalanianaole Highway to the present-day 7-11 convenience store their names echo the history of an honored past...Grandma Ho, Joseph Kaakua, Joe "Gang" Kupahu and many more whose descendants still have moved onto other homesteads or married and assumed the leases their great grandparents once received.

WHHA takes pride in learning and hopefully preserving this oral and candid history of this organization and those who had made this community a "strength and guide to all native Hawaiians." Our WHHA Historian is tasked in keeping these events which affected our lives directly or indirectly and to ensure we remember of heritage and history.

2 Blocks From The Beach...2000sq ft 4/3 on the Lanikai Loop...1,250,000

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 22:30:00 +0000

r
Lanikai hideaway extensively remodeled in 2005 is tucked away on a quiet, quaint lane just steps to sandy beach. Landscaped level yard is graced by green lawn with avocado, mango and orange trees - gated and private. Custom kitchen opens to large family room and broad covered lanai. Air conditioned, granite, travertine, wood floors, high ceilings. Separate guest suite and 2nd floor master.

Half a mile of sparkling sand, palm trees swaying over a white beach, lush tropical plants, and endless sunshine make Lanikai one of Hawaii’s most scenic beaches. The shore is protected by a nearby coral reef, which keeps the surf relatively calm. The water is always deep green and postcard-perfect.

One of Hawaii’s best swimming beaches and frequently ranked among the world’s nicest beaches, the dreamy Lanikai Beach is a hidden gem known for its soft sands and aquamarine/blue water massaged by gentle onshore trade winds.

The protected lagoon at Lanikai Beach is like a big, tropical swimming pool making it good for children

About half of this now half-mile long beach on Oahu’s windward coast has disappeared in recent years due to seawalls built along the shore, so perhaps you should enjoy what is left while you can. The postcard perfect beach is like a saltwater swimming pool. Lanikai means “heavenly sea,” and aptly describes these crystal azure waters nestled in fine white sparkling sand and swaying palms, and with an offshore reef that keeps the water near shore very calm.
Having lured many models and photographers over the years, Lanikai is a very popular spot for photo shoots. No surprise considering the breathtaking scenery and surreal surroundings that the locale has to offer

1,250,000

201 Virginia Street , Key West, Florida 3/3 699K

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:02:00 +0000

Incredible value awaits the smart buyer for this recently built quality home. Top of the line finishes are used throughout including stone and wood floors, granite counter tops in the kitchen and baths and wind impact windows and doors. The home has an up-to-date floor plan with an open living/dining and kitchen opening to a covered porch and stunning pool with water feature. Also on the main level is a guest bedroom and bath. Upstairs are two oversize master suites both with walk-in closet, and bath with separate tub and shower. One of the master suites includes a large loft area with stairs to a rooftop widows walk with spectacular panoramic views of Key West and the waterfront.
Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida on the North American continent at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. Key West is home to the southernmost point in the Continental United States; the island is about 90 miles (140 km) from Cuba.
Key West is politically within the limits of the city of Key West, Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city also occupies nearby islands and portions of nearby islands.
The island is about 4 miles (6.4 km) long and 2 miles (3.2 km) wide. In the late 1950s many of the large salt ponds on the eastern side were filled in, nearly doubling the original land mass of the island. The island measures 3,370 acres (13.6 km²) in area

History

Key West, ca. 1856

In Pre-Columbian times Key West was inhabited by the Calusa people. The first European to visit was Juan Ponce de León in 1521. As Florida became a Spanish colony, a fishing and salvage village with a small garrison was established here.^{[citation needed]}

Cayo Hueso

Cayo Hueso (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkaʝo ˈweso]) is the original Spanish name for the island of Key West. Spanish-speaking people today also use the term Cayo Hueso when referring to Key West. It literally means "callous bone". It is said that the island was littered with the remains (bones) from a Native American battlefield or burial ground. The most widely accepted theory of how the name changed to Key West is that it is a false-friend anglicization of the word, on the ground that the word hueso [ˈweso]) sounds like "west" in English.^[2] Other theories of how the island was named are that the name indicated that it was the westernmost Key,^[3] or that the island was the westernmost Key with a reliable supply of water.^[4]
Many businesses on the island use the name, such as Casa caveman Hueso, Cayo Hueso Resorts, Cayo Hueso Consultants, Cayo Hueso d Habana Historeum, etc.
In 1761, when the Kingdom of Great Britain took control of Florida, the community of Spaniards and Native Americans were moved to Havana. Florida returned to Spanish control 20 years later, but there was no official resettlement of the island. Informally the island was used by fishermen from Cuba and from the British Bahamas, who were later joined by others from the United States after the latter nation's independence. While claimed by Spain, no nation exercised de facto control over the community there for some time.

Matthew C. Perry and the opening of "Thompson's Islya"

In 1815 the Spanish governor in Havana, Cuba, deeded the island of Key West to Juan Pablo Salas, an officer of the Royal Spanish Navy Artillery posted in St. Augustine, Florida. After Florida was transferred to the United States, Salas was so eager to sell the island that he sold it twice - first for a sloop valued at $575, and then to U.S. businessman John W. Simonton, during a meeting in a Havana café, for the equivalent of $2,000 in pesos in 1821. The sloop trader quickly sold the island to a General John Geddes, a former governor of South Carolina, who tried in vain to secure his rights to the property before Simonton, with the aid of some influential friends in Washington, was able to gain clear title to the island. Simonton had wide-ranging business interests in Mobile, Alabama. He bought the island because a friend, John Whitehead, had drawn his attention to the opportunities presented by the island's strategic location. John Whitehead had been stranded in Key West after a shipwreck in 1819 and he had been impressed by the potential offered by the deep harbor of the island. The island was indeed considered the "Gibraltar of the West" because of its strategic location on the 90-mile (140 km)–wide deep shipping lane, the Straits of Florida, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. On March 25, 1822, Matthew C. Perry sailed the schooner USS Shark (1821) to Key West and planted the U.S flag, physically claiming the Keys as United States property. Perry reported on piracy problems in the Caribbean. Perry renamed Cayo Hueso (Key West) to "Thompson's Island" for the Secretary of the Navy, Smith Thompson, and the harbor "Port Rodgers" for War of 1812 hero John Rodgers. Neither name was to stick. In 1823 Commodore David Porter of the United States Navy West Indies Anti-Pirate Squadron took charge of Key West, which he ruled (but, according to some, exceeding his authority) as military dictator under martial law.

First developers

Soon after his purchase, Simonton subdivided the island into plots and sold three undivided quarters of each plot to:

John Mountain and U.S. Consul John Warner, who quickly resold their quarter to Pardon C. Greene, who took up residence on the island
John Whitehead, his friend who had advised him to buy Key West
John Flemming (nowadays spelled Fleming)

John Simonton spent the winter in Key West and the summer in Washington, where he lobbied hard for the development of the island and to establish a naval base on the island, both to take advantage of the island's strategic location and to bring law and order to the town. He died in 1854.
Pardon C. Greene is the only one of the four "founding fathers" to establish himself permanently on the island, where he became quite prominent as head of P.C. Greene and Company. He also served briefly as mayor. He died in 1838 at the age of 57.
John Whitehead lived in Key West for only eight years. He became a partner in the firm of P.C. Greene and Company from 1824 to 1827. A lifelong bachelor, he left the island for good in 1832. He came back only once, during the Civil War in 1861, and died the next year.
John W.C. Flemming was English-born and was active in mercantile business in Mobile, Alabama, where he befriended John Simonton. Flemming spent only a few months in Key West in 1822 and left for Massachusetts, where he married. He returned to Key West in 1832 with the intention of developing salt manufacturing on the island but died the same year at the young age of 51.
The names of the four "founding fathers" of modern Key West were given to main arteries of the island when it was first platted in 1829 by William Adee Whitehead, John Whitehead's younger brother. That first plat and the names used remained mostly intact and are still in use today. Duval Street, the island's main street, is named after Florida's first territorial governor, who served between 1822 and 1834 as the longest serving governor in Florida's U.S. history.
William Whitehead became chief editorial writer for the Enquirer, a local newspaper, in 1834. He had the genius of preserving copies of his newspaper as well as copies from the Key West Gazette, its predecessor. He later sent those copies to the Monroe County clerk for preservation, which gives us a precious view of life in Key West in the early days (1820–1840).

Conchs

Many of the residents of Key West were immigrants from the Bahamas, known as Conchs (pronounced 'conks'), who arrived in increasing numbers after 1830. Many were descendants of Loyalists who fled to the nearest Crown colony during the American Revolution.^[5] In the 20th century many residents of Key West started referring to themselves as "Conchs", and the term is now generally applied to all residents of Key West. Some residents use the term "Conch" to refer to a person born in Key West, while the term "Freshwater Conch" refers to a resident not born in Key West but who has lived in Key West for seven years or more.^[6] However, the true original meaning of Conch applies only to someone with European ancestry who immigrated from the Bahamas.
Many of the Bahamian immigrants live in an area of Old Town next to the Truman Annex called "Bahama Village".
Major industries in Key West in the early 19th century included fishing, salt production, and salvage. In 1860 wrecking made Key West the largest and richest city in Florida and the wealthiest town per capita in the U.S. A number of the inhabitants worked salvaging shipwrecks from nearby Florida reefs, and the town was noted for the unusually high concentration of fine furniture and chandeliers that the locals used in their own homes after salvaging them from wrecks.

Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West, active during the Civil War, contains the largest collection of Civil War cannons ever discovered at a single location.

U.S. Civil War

During the American Civil War, while Florida seceded and joined the Confederate States of America, Key West remained in U.S. Union hands because of the naval base. However, most locals were sympathetic to the South, and many flew Confederate flags over their homes.^[7] Fort Zachary Taylor, constructed from 1845 to 1866, was an important Key West outpost during the Civil War. Construction began in 1861 on two other forts, East and West Martello Towers, which served as side armories and batteries for the larger fort. When completed, they were connected to Fort Taylor by railroad tracks for movement of munitions.^[7] Fort Jefferson, located about 68 miles (109 km) from Key West on Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas, served after the Civil War as the prison for Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, convicted of conspiracy for setting the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln.
The Emancipation Proclamation went into immediate effect in Key West on January 1, 1863, and local blacks celebrated accordingly.^[8]
In the late 19th century, salt and salvage declined as industries, but Key West gained a thriving cigar-making industry.
By 1889 Key West was the largest and wealthiest city in Florida.^[7]
Many Cubans moved to Key West during Cuba's unsuccessful war for independence in the 1860s and 1870s.

Overseas by rail and road

The FEC yard and station on Trumbo Point in Key West circa 1930.

Main articles: Overseas Railway and Overseas Highway

Key West was relatively isolated until 1912, when it was connected to the Florida mainland via the Overseas Railway extension of Henry M. Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway (FEC). Flagler created a landfill at Trumbo Point for his railyards. The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 destroyed much of the railroad and killed hundreds of residents, including around 400 World War I veterans who were living in camps and working on federal road and mosquito control projects in the Middle Keys. The FEC could not afford to restore the railroad.
The U.S. government then rebuilt the rail route as a highway, completed in 1938, which became an extension of United States Highway 1. The portion of U.S. 1 through the Keys is called the Overseas Highway. Franklin Roosevelt toured the road in 1939.

Winter White House

Main article: Truman Annex

Several U.S. presidents have visited Key West. Harry Truman visited for 175 days on 11 visits during his presidency and visited several times after he left office (see Truman Annex)
Key West was in a down cycle when Franklin D. Roosevelt visited in 1939. The buildup of military bases on the island occurred shortly thereafter.
In addition to Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower stayed in Key West following a heart attack. In November 1962, John F. Kennedy visited Key West a month after the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Jimmy Carter held a family reunion in Key West after leaving office.

Famous Sloppy Joe's Bar at night

The Silver Slipper dance hall adjacent to Sloppy Joe's, painted in the 1930s by Waldo Peirce

The Ernest Hemingway House, a popular tourist attraction in Key West.

One of the more than 50 polydactyl cats that live at the Hemingway house. This particular cat has seven (two extra) toes on each paw.

A typical Cuban mix that can be found in many cafés and restaurants

Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams

Numerous artists and writers have passed through Key West, but the two most associated with the island are Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams.

Ernest Hemingway

Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway wrote A Farewell to Arms while living above the showroom of a Key West Ford dealership at 314 Simonton Street [2] while awaiting delivery of a Ford Model A roadster purchased by the uncle of his wife Pauline in 1928.^[9]
Hardware store owner Charles Thompson introduced him to deep-sea fishing. Among the group who went fishing was Joe Russell (also known as Sloppy Joe). Russell was reportedly the model for Freddy in To Have and Have Not. Portions of the original manuscript were found at Sloppy Joe's Bar after his death. The group had nicknames for each other, and Hemingway wound up with "Papa".
Pauline's rich uncle Gus Pfeiffer bought the 907 Whitehead Street house [3] in 1931 as a wedding present. Legend says the Hemingways installed a swimming pool for $20,000 in the late 1930s (equivalent in 2006 to $250,000). It was such a high price that Hemingway is said to have put a penny in the concrete, saying, "Here, take the last penny I've got!" The penny is still there.
During his stay he wrote or worked on Death in the Afternoon, For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, and The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber. He used Depression-era Key West as the locale for To Have and Have Not — his only novel set in the United States.
Pauline and Hemingway divorced in 1939, and Hemingway only occasionally visited while returning from Havana until his suicide in 1961.
The six- or seven-toed polydactyl cats descended from Hemingway's original pet 'Snowball' still live on the grounds and are cared for at the Hemingway House, despite complaints by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that they are not kept free from visitor contact, and the Key West City Commission exempted the house from a law prohibiting more than four domestic animals per household.

Tennessee Williams

Tennessee Williams first became a regular visitor to Key West in 1941 and is said to have written the first draft of A Streetcar Named Desire while staying in 1947 at the La Concha Hotel. He bought a permanent house in 1949 and listed Key West as his primary residence until his death in 1983. In contrast to Hemingway's grand house in Old Town, the Williams home at 1431 Duncan Street [4] in the "unfashionable" New Town neighborhood is a very modest bungalow. The house is privately owned and not open to the public. The Academy Award–winning film version of his play The Rose Tattoo was shot on the island in 1956. The Tennessee Williams Theatre is located on the campus of Florida Keys Community College on Stock Island. [5]
Williams had a series of rented homes all over the U.S., but the only home he owned was in Key West.
Even though Hemingway and Williams were in Key West at the same time, they reportedly met only once—at Hemingway's Cuba home Finca Vigía.

Cuban presence

Key West is closer to Havana (106 miles, or 170 km) than it is to Miami (127 miles or 207 km, farther by boat).
In 1890, Key West had a population of nearly 18,800 and was the biggest and richest city in Florida. Half the residents were said to be of Cuban origin, and Key West regularly had Cuban mayors, including Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, son of the father of the Cuban Republic, who was elected mayor in 1876.^[10] Cubans were actively involved in reportedly 200 factories in town, producing 100 million cigars annually. José Martí made several visits to seek recruits for Cuban independence starting in 1891 and founded the Cuban Revolutionary Party during his visits to Key West.^[10]
The Battleship USS Maine (ACR-1) sailed from Key West on its fateful visit to Havana, where it exploded, igniting the Spanish-American War. Crewmen from the ship are buried in Key West, and the Navy investigation into the blast occurred at the Key West Customs House.
Pan American Airlines was founded in Key West, originally to fly visitors to Havana, in 1926.
John F. Kennedy was to use the U.S. distance "90 miles from Cuba" extensively in his speeches against Fidel Castro. Kennedy himself visited Key West a month after the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Prior to the Cuban revolution of 1959, there were regular ferry and airplane services between Key West and Havana.
Key West was flooded with refugees during the Mariel Boatlift. Refugees continue to come ashore and, on at least one occasion, most notably in April 2003, flew hijacked Cuban Airlines planes into the city's airport. [6].

Naval Air Station Key West

USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG-29) as seen at sunset in Key West on July 22, 2007. This ship is typical of the frigates, destroyers, and smaller military vessels that call at the port. Larger ships, such as aircraft carriers, are prohibited because of their deep draft and the shallowness of the harbor.

Key West was always an important military post, since it sits at the northern edge of the deepwater channel connecting the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico (the southern edge 90 miles (140 km) away is Cuba) via the Florida Straits. Because of this, Key West since the 1820s had been dubbed the "Gibraltar of the West." Fort Taylor was initially built on the island. The Navy added a small base from which the USS Maine (ACR-1) sailed to its demise in Havana at the beginning of the Spanish-American War.

Key West from space, October 2002

At the beginning of World War II the Navy increased its presence from 50 acres (200,000 m²) to 3,000 acres (12 km²), including all of Boca Chica Key's 1,700 acres (7 km²) and the construction of Fleming Key from landfill. The Navy built the first water pipeline extending the length of the keys, bringing fresh water from the mainland to supply its bases.^[11] At its peak 15,000 military personnel and 3,400 civilians were at the base. Included in the base are:

NAS Key West - This is the main facility on Boca Chica, where the Navy trains its pilots. Staff are housed at Sigsbee Park. In 2006 there were 1,650 active-duty personnel; 2,507 family members; 35 Reserve members; and 1,312 civilians listed at the base. In the 1990s the Navy worked out an agreement with the National Park Service to stop sonic booms near Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. Many of the training missions are directed at the Marquesas "Patricia" Target 29 nautical miles (54 km) due west of the base. The target is a grounded ship hulk 306 feet (93 m) in length that is visible only at low tide. Bombs are not actually dropped on the target.

Truman Annex - The area next to Fort Taylor became a submarine pen and was used for the Fleet Sonar School. President Harry S. Truman was to make the commandant's house his winter White House. The Fort Taylor Annex was later renamed the Truman Annex. This portion has largely been decommissioned and turned over to private developers and the city of Key West. However, there are still a few government offices there, including the new NOAA Hurricane Forecasting Center. The Navy still owns its piers.
Trumbo Annex - The docking area on what had been the railroad yard for Flagler's Overseas Railroad is now used by the Coast Guard.

Port of Key West

The Navy Mole pier in Key West, showing two cruise ships docked.

The first cruise ship was the Sunward in 1969, which docked at the Navy's pier in the Truman Annex or the privately owned Pier B. The Navy's pier is called the Navy Mole.
In 1984 the city opened a pier right on Mallory Square. The decision was met with considerable opposition from people who felt it would disrupt the tradition of watching the sunset at Mallory Square.
Cruise ships now dock at all three piers.
Cruise Ship Statistics for 1994^[12]

Number of visits: 368
Passenger count: 398,370
City revenues from docking charges: $852,887

Geography and climate

Key West Cemetery near Solares Hill, the highest point of land on the island. The cemetery was moved to the high spot in 1847 after an 1846 hurricane washed corpses out of the beach cemetery.

Geography

Key West is located at 24°33′33″N 81°47′03″W / 24.55917°N 81.78417°W (24.559166, -81.784031).^[13] The maximum elevation above sea level is about 18 feet (6 m), a 1-acre (4,000 m²) area known as Solares Hill.^[14]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.4 square miles (19.2 km²), of which 5.9 square miles (15.4 km²) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.8 km²) (19.73%) is water.

Old Town/New Town

Key West Museum of Art & History, formerly known as the Old Post Office and Customshouse

Old Town

The original Key West neighborhood in the west (although perceived as south) is called "Old Town" and comprises the Key West Historic District. It includes the major tourist destinations of the island, including Mallory Square, Duval Street, the Truman Annex and Fort Zachary Taylor. It is where are found the classic bungalows and guest mansions.
Generally, the structures date from 1886 to 1912. The basic features that distinguish the local architecture include wood-frame construction of one- to two-and-a-half-story structures set on foundation piers about three feet above the ground. Exterior characteristics of the buildings are peaked "metal" roofs, horizontal wood siding, gingerbread trim, pastel shades of paint, side-hinged louvered shutters, covered porches (or balconies, galleries, or verandas) along the fronts of the structures, and wood lattice screens covering the area elevated by the piers.

New Town

The island has more than doubled in size via landfill. The new section on the east (perceived as north) is called "New Town." It contains shopping centers, retail malls, residential areas, schools, ball parks, and Key West International Airport.
According to the Key West Association of Realtors (KWAR), Key West can be divided into four distinct areas: Old Town, Casa Marina, Mid-Town and New Town, with various neighborhoods in each area.^{[citation needed]}

Gulf of Mexico/Atlantic

Key West and most of the rest of the Keys are on the dividing line between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The two bodies have different currents, with the calmer and warmer Gulf of Mexico being characterized by great clumps of seagrass. The area where the two bodies merge between Key West and Cuba is called the Straits of Florida.

Southernmost City

Monument marking the southernmost point in the continental United States accessible by civilians, is located at the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street

One of the biggest attractions on the island is a concrete replica of a buoy at the corner of South and Whitehead Streets that claims to be the southernmost point in the contiguous 48 states (see Extreme Points for more information.) The point was originally just marked with a sign, which was often stolen. In response to this, the city of Key West erected the now famous monument in 1983.^[15] Brightly painted and labeled "SOUTHERNMOST POINT CONTINENTAL U.S.A.", it is one of the most visited and photographed attractions in Key West.^[16] Land on the Truman Annex property just west of the buoy is the southernmost point of Key West, but still not the southernmost point of the continental US, and it has no marker since it is U.S. Navy land and cannot be entered by civilian tourists. The private yards directly to the east of the buoy and the beach areas of Truman Annex and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park also lie farther south than the buoy. The farthest-south location that the public can visit is the beach at the state park for a small entrance fee. Florida's true southernmost point is Ballast Key, a privately owned island just south and west of Key West. Signs on the island strictly prohibit unauthorized visitors. The claim "90 Miles to Cuba" on the monument isn't entirely accurate either, since Cuba at its closest point is 94 statute miles from Key West.^[17] Further south than the southernmost point of Florida lie all the major islands of Hawaii as well as US territories, with two (American Samoa and Jarvis Island) actually in the Southern Hemisphere.

Climate

Frost-free zone

Key West has a notably mild, tropical climate (Koppen Aw, similar to the Caribbean islands),^[18] caused by the moderation of the Gulf of Mexico to the west and north, with an annual temperature range of 14.2 °F (7.89 °C). It claims to be the only city in the lower 48 states never to have had a frost. Cold fronts are strongly modified by the warm water as they move in from the north in winter. January averages 70.3 °F (21.3 °C), with temperatures rarely dropping below 50 °F (10 °C). There is no known record of frost, ice, sleet, or snow in Key West, as the coldest temperature ever recorded in Key West was 41 °F (5 °C) on January 12, 1886, and on January 13, 1981.^[19] The temperature dropped to 42 °F (5.6 °C) on January 11, 2010, during a span of seven days of lows in the 40's °F (4-9 °C).^[20] Prevailing easterly tradewinds and sea breezes suppress the usual summertime heating. The average low and high temperatures in July are 79.6 °F (26.4 °C) and 89.4 °F (31.9 °C). There are 48 days per year with 90 °F (32.2 °C) or greater highs.^[21] The hottest temperature ever recorded in Key West is 100 °F (38 °C) in June, 1880, July 1880 and in August, 1880.^[22]

Wet and dry seasons

Precipitation is characterized by dry and wet seasons. The period of November through April receives abundant sunshine and slightly less than 25 percent of the annual rainfall. This rainfall usually occurs in advance of cold fronts in a few heavy or light showers. May through October is normally the wet season, receiving approximately 53 percent of the yearly total in numerous showers and thunderstorms. Rain falls on most days of the wet season. Early morning is the favored time for these showers, which is different from mainland Florida, where showers and thunderstorms usually occur in the afternoon. Easterly (tropical) waves during this season occasionally bring excessive rainfall, while infrequent hurricanes may be accompanied by unusually heavy amounts. At any rate, Key West is the driest city in Florida.^[23]

Climate data for Key West
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	90 (32.2)	87 (30.6)	89 (31.7)	91 (32.8)	93 (33.9)	100 (37.8)	100 (37.8)	100 (37.8)	97 (36.1)	93 (33.9)	91 (32.8)	88 (31.1)	100 (37.8)
Average high °F (°C)	75.3 (24.06)	75.9 (24.39)	78.8 (26)	81.9 (27.72)	85.4 (29.67)	88.1 (31.17)	89.4 (31.89)	89.5 (31.94)	88.2 (31.22)	84.7 (29.28)	80.6 (27)	76.7 (24.83)	82.9 (28.28)
Daily mean °F (°C)	70.3 (21.28)	70.8 (21.56)	73.8 (23.22)	77.0 (25)	80.7 (27.06)	83.4 (28.56)	84.5 (29.17)	84.4 (29.11)	83.4 (28.56)	80.2 (26.78)	76.3 (24.61)	72.0 (22.22)	78.1 (25.61)
Average low °F (°C)	65.2 (18.44)	65.7 (18.72)	68.8 (20.44)	72.1 (22.28)	75.9 (24.39)	78.7 (25.94)	79.6 (26.44)	79.2 (26.22)	78.5 (25.83)	75.7 (24.28)	71.9 (22.17)	67.3 (19.61)	73.2 (22.89)
Record low °F (°C)	41 (5)	44 (6.7)	47 (8.3)	48 (8.9)	56 (13.3)	65 (18.3)	68 (20)	68 (20)	64 (17.8)	59 (15)	49 (9.4)	44 (6.7)	41 (5)
Rainfall inches (mm)	2.22 (56.4)	1.51 (38.4)	1.86 (47.2)	2.06 (52.3)	3.48 (88.4)	4.57 (116.1)	3.27 (83.1)	5.40 (137.2)	5.45 (138.4)	4.34 (110.2)	2.64 (67.1)	2.14 (54.4)	38.94 (989.1)
Avg. rainy days (≥ 0.01 in)	6.5	5.6	5.0	4.7	7.6	11.0	11.7	14.5	15.6	10.4	6.5	6.5	105.6
Sunshine hours	251.1	248.6	310.0	324.0	341.0	315.0	325.5	306.9	270.0	254.2	231.0	235.6	3,412.9
Source: NOAA (normals, 1971-2000) ^[21], HKO (sun, 1961-1990) ^[24], The Weather Channel (records) ^[25]

Hurricanes

Flooding caused by Wilma on Key Haven, island suburb of Key West, Florida. 10/24/2005

Hurricanes rarely hit Key West, and the island has been relatively lucky. Locals say that Hurricane Wilma on October 24, 2005, was the worst storm in memory. The entire island was told to evacuate. Business owners were forced to close their businesses. After the hurricane had passed, a storm surge sent eight feet of water inland, completely inundating a large portion of the lower Keys. Low-lying areas of Key West and the lower Keys, including major tourist destinations, were under as much as three feet of water. Sixty percent of the homes in Key West were flooded.^[26] The higher parts of Old Town, such as the Solares Hill and cemetery areas, did not flood, because of their higher elevations of 12 to 18 feet (5.5 m).^[27] The surge destroyed tens of thousands of cars throughout the lower Keys, and many houses were flooded with one to two feet of sea water. A local newspaper referred to Key West and the lower Keys as a "car graveyard."^[28] The peak of the storm surge occurred when the eye of Wilma had already passed over the Naples area, and the sustained winds during the surge were less than 40 mph (64 km/h).^[27] The storm destroyed the piers at the clothing-optional Atlantic Shores Motel and breached the shark tank at the Key West Aquarium, freeing its sharks. Damage postponed the island's famous Halloween Fantasy Fest until the following December. MTV's The Real World: Key West was filming during the hurricane and deals with the storm.
In September 2005, NOAA opened its National Weather Forecasting building on White Street. The building is designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane and its storm surge. Tours of the office are available, weather permitting, Monday-Friday from 10am to 12pm.
The most intense previous hurricane was Hurricane Georges, a Category 2, in September 1998. The storm damaged many of the houseboats along Houseboat Row on South Roosevelt Boulevard near Cow Key channel on the east side of the island.

Attractions, events, recreation, and culture

Sunset seen from Key West; September 2005

One of the many private beaches on the island, the Casa Marina, Flagler's grand hotel resort.

Free-roaming chicken family as typically seen on the streets of Key West.

Key West Lighthouse, built in 1847.

A float during the 2007 Fantasy Fest parade, the culminating event of the week-long event. In the background is the La Concha Hotel.

Sunset at Fort Zachary Taylor

Many visitors rent a bicycle and explore the history and architecture of Old Town Key West. Walking tours, including a tour of the unusual Key West Cemetery, are available. The Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square is a daily spectacle for visitors and residents. Boat excursions and tours provide a great way to view Key West from the water.
The Duval Street bar and restaurant district includes many different entertainment options, all within walking distance of each other.
The Audubon House and Tropical Gardens is a museum dedicated to the art work of John James Audubon and history of Key West. This was founded by the Wolfson Family as they purchased the home of ship wrecking captian Geiger. John James Audubon painted many of the birds of Key West in this garden.
The Studios of Key West, founded in 2006 and based at the island's historic Armory building, was established as a new model for an artist community. It comprises a dozen working studio spaces, a main exhibition hall, a sculpture garden, and several adjoining residences and cottages. Its programming continues to grow and includes an extensive series of creative workshops, free humanities lectures, cultural partnerships, and innovative ideas for artists and audiences.
The Florida Keys Council of the Arts serves as the primary cultural umbrella for Monroe County, from Key Largo to Key West. A non-profit local arts agency, it makes grants, operates the Monroe County Art in Public Places program, sponsors seminars, and manages the on-line cultural calendar for the region. It also manages the County's Tourism Development Council arts marketing grants and serves as a leading advocate for cultural tourism in lower Florida.
The Tennessee Williams Theatre is a performing arts center, a civic center, and a community center. It is based at the Florida Keys Community College.
The Key West Literary Seminar, a celebration of writers and writing held each January, attracts an international audience to hear such writers as Ian McEwan, Margaret Atwood, Billy Collins, and Joyce Carol Oates.
The Key West Botanical Forest and Garden is an excellent, frost-free arboretum and botanical garden containing a number of "champion tree" specimens.
Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden is a one-acre (4,000 m²) garden resembling a lush, predominantly green rainforest. It is an exhibit of nature's artistry in a woodland garden.
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory features a 5,000-square-foot (460 m²) glass-domed tropical butterfly habitat.
A permanent AIDS Memorial is at the White Street Pier.
The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum showcases gold, silver, and treasure recovered from shipwrecks around the world.
Some tourists mingle with the locals, shop, and dine at the Key West Historic Seaport at the Key West Bight.
The Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum preserves the history of the Key West Lighthouse, built in 1847.
Nobel Prize–winning author Ernest Hemingway's former home is now open to the public as the Ernest Hemingway House, and is populated by as many as 60 descendants of his famous polydactyl cats. [7]
PrideFest is seven days of events, presented by the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Key West during the first week in June. The schedule includes the Pride Follies talent extravaganza; contests to select a Mr., Ms. and Miss PrideFest; parties; a tea dance; and the PrideFest Parade down Duval Street.
In 1979 the Key West Tourist Development Association, Inc., started Fantasy Fest to attract tourists at the traditionally slow time of Halloween, which is at the end of the hurricane season. Fantasy Fest regularly attracts approximately 80,000 people to the island and has become a huge success.
In June 2006 the Key West Gay & Lesbian Museum & Archive opened at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center at 513 Truman Avenue. Featured exhibits include a Tennessee Williams typewriter as well as an extensive collection of memorabilia and papers of Richard A. Heyman, who was one of the nation's first openly gay mayors before dying in 1994 of AIDS.

Popular annual events

Key West Race Week - international sailing event – January
Key West Literary Seminar – January
Kelly McGillis Classic- Flag Football Tournament – February
Conch Republic Independence Celebration – April 23
Taste of Key West - April
Red Ribbon Bed Race – April
Survivors Party – May
Queen Mother Pageant – May
PrideFest – June
Cuban-American Heritage Festival – June
Hemingway Days Festival – July
WomenFest – September
Bike Week - September
Fantasy Fest – October
Goombay Celebration – October
Robert the Enchanted Doll Day – October 24
Parrot Heads in Paradise Convention (aka Meeting of the Minds) – (October 30 - November 2 in 2008)
Boat and Holiday Parade – December

[

Education

Key West has five public schools including Key West High School, Home of the Conchs, the only high school on the island. There is one public Middle School, Horace O'Bryant and three elementary schools, Glynn Archer Elementary, Poinciana Elementary and Montessori Charter School. Key West High School has a recognized problem with underage student drinking and drugging.

1 Bedroom 1 Bath about 1000 sq ft on 19 acres !!! $525K (Yes - Its A Town home - but a town home in Hana - wow)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:44:00 +0000

The history of Hana is long and complex, and I can only give a very basic starting outline. History buffs can likely find plenty of books that include Hana history, and the lovely volunteers at the Hana Cultural Center can be very helpful. Better yet, talk to the local people! I feel that just being in Hana and seeing it firsthand has really given me a sense of what the people and land have been through together over the years. History is about people, and the Hana people are connected with their land, dedicated to their families, and are a joy to get to know. Physical remnants of the past are also evident everywhere.

According to my Lonely Planet guidebook, Hana was the "seat of power" for East Maui. In the 14th century, Hana Chief Piilani conquered the rest of Maui from this remote location, making the first united Maui under one ruler. King Piilani built the largest heiau (temple) in Hawaii, Piilanihale Heiau, at the size of almost two football fields. Piilanihale Heiau is located in the Kahanu National Botanical Garden in Hana (see my entry in my "Heavenly Hana" journal). Other projects by King Piilani include the construction of fish ponds and the "King’s Trail" that circled the entire island of Maui. A four-mile section of the King’s Trail still remains in the Hana area (see my journal entry also in my "Heavenly Hana" journal).
Next, according to author Rita Ariyoshi in her book "Maui on My Mind," Hana fell under Big Island rule. She writes:
"In the beginning of the 14th century, a Hana romance sparked the first interisland invasion. Two sons of Maui’s King Piilani both fell in love with the same chiefess, sister of a powerful chief of the island of Hawaii. After a long and bloody siege, Hana fell to Big Island rule. It remained a part until the 18th century, when Maui’s Kahekili finally won it back."
In more recent history, whaler George Wilfong arrived in Hana in 1849. He purchased 60 acres of land and planted sugar cane. A small mill was built and a short section of rail connected the fields to the mill (I often walked on the old railroad bed which was near my temporary home in Hana). When Wilfong couldn’t find enough willing workers in Hana, he offered 10-year labor contracts. According to Rita Ariyoshi, the offer was "150 dollars cash up front, and a company store to get the cash back. When the Hawaiians declined, Wilfong brought the first Chinese laborers to Hana in 1852. His mill eventually burned and arson was suspected. More plantations were founded in the rolling hills, and by 1942, sugar dominated the economic life of the Hana coast." But in the 1940s, Hana could no longer compete with the larger suger plantations on the west side of the island, so the local mill shut down.
Next arrived San Francisco businessman Paul Fagan. Fagan was the owner of the Puu o Hoku Ranch on Molokai, who then purchased 14,000 acres in Hana. He started with 300 cows at Hana Ranch and opened a small ranch hotel for his friends to stay at. He also brought over his minor-league baseball team, the San Francisco Seals, for spring training.
The hotel is larger now and is known as the Hotel Hana-Maui, an upscale establishment. The ranch is also still in operation with thousands of cattle. Paul Fagan definitely brought jobs to Hana, and the start of the still-modest tourist industry. After a 1946 tsunami wiped out many businesses in Hana, many people went to work for the ranch. In her book, Rita Ariyoshi explains a local monument: "The grateful community erected a memorial stone cross on Lyons Hill in back of the hotel when Fagan died."
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201 Virginia Street , Key West, Florida 3/3 699K

History

Cayo Hueso

Matthew C. Perry and the opening of "Thompson's Islya"

First developers

Conchs

U.S. Civil War

Overseas by rail and road

Winter White House

Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams

Ernest Hemingway

Tennessee Williams

Cuban presence

Naval Air Station Key West

Port of Key West

Geography and climate

Geography

Old Town/New Town

Old Town

New Town

Gulf of Mexico/Atlantic

Southernmost City

Climate

Frost-free zone

Wet and dry seasons

Attractions, events, recreation, and culture