The Walt Disney Company has created the most beautiful resort in Ko Olina on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.  The Walt Disney Imagineers worked hand in hand with locals to create Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa.    Once you’re on the property, you feel like you’re in another place.  When you arrive at the property, you’re greeted by name and given leis.  A cast-member will assist you with your check-in and tell you more about the resort.  Original music by Keali’i Reichel can be heard throughout the lobby, and you begin feel like your vacation has just begun.

What you’ll notice is that special care has been given to present the local Hawaiian culture very well.  There are Disney references and excellence throughout the resort, although quite subtle.  The cast-members are extremely courteous and friendly.  There are Disney characters available throughout the day for pictures, and at the morning character breakfast on certain days.

Central to the resort is the lazy river, also known as Waikolohe Stream and 2 water slides.  You can spend a lot of time relaxing and floating down the river.  There are several hot tubs, and one of them is located at the edge of the resort overlooking the lagoon.  You can also swim with salt-water reef fish in another area and visit sting-rays in another area.

The main gift shop is Kalepa’s Store.  There you’ll find many Aulani branded merchandise, food, and drink.  You can also go there and fill your unlimited use mug with soda, coffee, hot chocolate or tea.  One last thing, the store carries one of my most favorite things in the Disney Park, the Mickey Ice Cream Bar!

Aloha!

Two light switches in my bathroom needed to be replaced.  One switch controls the main light, and the second controls the vanity lights over the bathroom mirror.  Each switch needed to be opened and closed numerous times to turn the lights on.  I believe that they went bad over time, just over 10 years of daily use.  So, I visited the new Lowe’s store in Honolulu and noticed the Lutron Motion Sensing light switch.  This switch will detect motion in the room and turn the lights on, you won’t need to push the light switch.  You can set it to go off when there is no motion in the room for a  pre-determined amount of time.  I initially set it for 1 minute of no motion-detection, so when I took a bath, the lights turned off.  The time lapse was set to 5 minutes which worked okay.  The switch will work with CFL, LED, and old-style bulbs.  They’re great for places where your hands are full, the laundry room for instance when your hands are full carrying the clothes basket.  You should save on your electricity use, only time will tell.

Housing inventory has started to decrease though, and if it continues for the next few months could lead to another change to the housing market.  With limited inventory and an increase in demand during the anticipated summer months, home prices may continue increase.  Historically low mortgage interest rates will continue to aid home buyers.

I am seeing an increase in activity in certain neighborhoods.  Homes are receiving multiple offers early on.  Be persistent in your search for a home, in time, you will be rewarded.

The market has changed from just a few years ago, and will continue to change.  This is the new normal.   The best time to buy or sell a home is a personal decision.  Only you will know when it’s your time.

Housing information gathered from MLS information during the cited months from the Honolulu Board of REALTORS

Featured Neighborhoods
Aiea
Honolulu
Kailua
Mililani
Pearl City

If you need to sell your home, let me know that too.  I can start by doing a Comparative Market Analysis of your home and guide you through a successful sale.

Mahalo!

I am not the first, and most definitely won’t be the last to say how cool this upcoming technology gadget will be.  The Pebble E-Paper Smartwatch will connect via Bluetooth to your Android and iPhone.  Imagine being able to see caller-id, track your distance while running or riding your bike, as well as seeing what time it is.  This won’t be your usual watch as there will be a market of various types of apps for the smartwatch from day 1.  The smartwatch is still in its funding stage, but has met and exceeded its goal many times over.  By backing the project and depending on the amount, you will be one of the first to receive one.  I’m very interested in the seeing what kind of apps will be developed for this smartwatch.  The estimated delivery date is scheduled for September 2012.

Philips has unveiled a new super energy efficient LED light bulb today.  I have an older version and am very happy with it.  The price is a little steep, but the bulb is reported to last up to 10 years or more and will save consumers money because we won’t need to replace bulbs as often.  The color is good too.

With photo-voltaic systems gaining ground, solar water heaters, and LED light bulbs.  You can start to do your part and preserve the Earth’s environment for future generations.

Mahalo,

Jordon

I came back in the early evening with my family and found a parking stall at the rear of the parking lot.  We finally entered the store and felt the positive energy and vibe of the new store.  You’re first greeted with the fresh fruits and vegetables section, each labled with where they came from.  As you walk through the section, you see a “poke” bar.  We were given a sample which tasted great!  Next you’ll see the raw poultry, pork, and beef.  As you continue through, you’ll see bakery items.  We bought 2 cupcakes and 1 coconut cream pie.  They tasted so good!  There’s also the food bars where you can build your own meal.

As you walk through the store, you see many organic-type products.  I can’t wait to try them, it’s great to see a new mix of products coming into the Kailua neighborhood.  There’s so many things to see in this new store.  The Whole Foods Market seems to be a good fit for Kailua.

Mahalo,

Jordon