Mineko Kawamura Hawaii Real Estate Blog

Check out my real estate iPhone App

Mineko — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:54:49 +0000

If you’re looking for a new home, or just curious about the active listings in your neighborhood, you can get the latest MLS information about any active listing right on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.

Just download my free app. and you’re ready to go.

You can use a filter to narrow down your search parameters, or you can use Google maps to see active listings in a particular neighborhood. All you need to do is click on one of them to see the listing detail (including photos of the property).

If you see a property that you really like, I’m just a finger-tap away

Click on the link below to launch iTunes and download the app and enter my realtor code: 3531. Try it out and let me know what you think. I would love to hear your feedback.

3531

Mililani Hongwanji Bon Dance

Mineko — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 08:41:35 +0000

Checked out the Mililani Hongwanji Bon Dance tonight. As expected it was packed and it was awesome! Check out this video of the crowd dancing. So cool!

Happy Independence Day Hawaii!

Mineko — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:30:07 +0000

I’ve always enjoyed the Ala Moana Fourth of July fireworks show from afar. But this year we decided to brave the traffic and enjoy the show up-close. The beachfront strip was packed as tents were literally touching each other end-to-end for the length of the strip.

Ala Moana Beach Crowd on the 4th of July 2010

The traffic was a nightmare, and the parking was a mess, but it was totally worth it.

Here’s a clip of the last 3.5 minutes of the fireworks.

Hawaii’s hidden treasures

Mineko — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:56:56 +0000

Oahu may be a small island, but there are a lot of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. For example, Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu. Iolani Place is one of my favorite places to visit. I love to go there on Fridays at noon to enjoy the Royal Hawaiian Band and hula performance on lawn. Last month there were guest performers from Japan where over 250 hula dancers performed with the Royal Hawaiian Band under a big tree in front of the Palace.

Hula performers from Japan

Another place I love to visit is the Honolulu Academy of Arts. It’s one of my all-time favorite buildings, and they have something for everyone. On the third Sunday of each month Bank of Hawaii sponsors Family Sundays with free admission, and fun activities for the family.

In the photo below, kids were invited to catch koi with fishnets, and take home the fish they catch.

Catching koi with fishnets

Magic Island, before it became Magic Island

Mineko — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 09:27:17 +0000

In a recent article in Pacific Edge Magazine, “Who’s Idea Was Magic Island?” I was surprised to see a pre-1972 shoreline without Oahu’s most famous peninsula. As someone who was not born and raised here, I had no idea that Magic Island was man-made.

I took this photo from Yacht Harbor Towers and it’s difficult to tell what is natural, and what is artificial.

View of Magic Island from Yacht Harbor Towers

Good news for Hawaii!

Mineko — Tue, 25 May 2010 10:13:18 +0000

After 6 great seasons, Lost is finally over. But thankfully there’s a new series ready to take it’s place in the islands. The pilot for Hawaii Five-O, a re-boot of the iconic 70s TV show will air soon, and The Hollywood Reporter reported that “Five-0″ will be one of three new dramas that will be part of CBS’ fall schedule.

Check out the new opening credits… exciting!

Things to do in Honolulu

Mineko — Mon, 24 May 2010 12:12:35 +0000

I love checking out local events and there were many in the past weekend in Honolulu. We went to “Family Sunday,” which takes place every third Sunday at The Honolulu Academy of Arts and the 5th Annual Hawaii’s Book and Music Festival on the Honolulu Civic Center Grounds.

A Samadhi performer at the Honolulu Academy of Arts

The Academy of Arts is one of my favorite places. I love the building and small courtyards.

Book and Music Fair at Honolulu Civic Grounds

I also love the Honolulu Civic Center Grounds. It is like an oasis in town. As Honolulu is busy town, I certainly appreciate this big green lawn space with chirping birds and canopy trees. It’s so relaxing…No wonder I picked these two events to spend my weekend.

The Price of Paradise

Mineko — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:04:19 +0000

In today’s Honolulu Advertiser, there’s a story “Honolulu still tops list of costliest U.S. cities,” which confirms what most of us already know… Hawaii is an expensive place to live, and do business. Hawaii has the highest energy costs, real estate prices, and state taxes in the nation. This article reminded me of a book written almost 20 years ago called “The Price of Paradise.” Sadly, many of the problems and conditions described in this book exist to this day.

Tsunami!

Mineko — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:57:11 +0000

A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Chile put the entire State on Tsunami alert. Some people were abruptly woken by the civil defense sirens at 6am. And some people made a mad rush to gas stations and super markets around the island to pick up last-minute supplies.

People evacuated tsunami inundation zones and police closed access to coastlines. In this photo, you can see an normally busy Kalanianaole Highway eerily empty. All access to Hawaii Kai was rerouted due to the tsunami threat.

Traffic cam at the corner of Kalanialaole Hwy and Laukahi

Thankfully we can all breathe a sigh of relief, the tsunami alert was canceled as of 1:45pm. I’m glad we have this warning system, and I’m thankful that we all take tsunamis seriously (which is a way of life for residents here).

10 Rookie Home Buyer Mistakes to Avoid

Mineko — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:22:57 +0000

Some great advice in US News & World Report… the top 10 mistakes of first-time home buyers.

1. Not checking your credit report and score
2. Not getting preapproved
3. Not creating a long-term budget
4. Forgetting about the hidden costs
5. Not using professional help
6. Picking your real estate agent and lender blindly
7. Thinking you’ll get everything on your “wish list”
8. Not keeping your feelings in check before hiring a home inspector
9. Not researching your neighborhood
10. Not considering the resale value of your home

If you avoid all these mistakes, you will be in much better shape. Your transaction will be smoother, your stress level will be lower, and your expectation level will be more in alignment with your results.