Nick Kawakami

Real Estate Service Powered by Innovation

Island Living

This is a Permanent Waikiki “Staycation” Spot!

By

Local people, for the most part, avoid Waikiki like it’s the unpopular girl at the party. No one wants to acknowledge it, and nobody wants to be seen with it! But for the past ten years, I have been performing weekly in Waikiki, and realizing that it’s actually not that bad! Yes, there are a lot of tourists and parking can be fairly expensive, but if you’re like me, it’s a really great place to escape normal island life!

Recently, I took a client around Waikiki to look for inexpensive condos that he could use for investment purposes. The whole experience got me thinking about the feasibility of having a permanent “staycation” spot, so I whipped up a quick search for properties that would fit my criteria. It would need to be affordable, relatively convenient to most of Waikiki, and in good enough shape that I would be able to use it right away! Well, here’s what I found! [Read more…] about This is a Permanent Waikiki “Staycation” Spot!

How to Prepare for El Niño in Hawaii

By

The weather’s been weird, right? Blazing hot temperatures turned into weeks of torrential rains, which turned back into a scorcher, which turned cold, which turned back hot. “Damn you El Niño, leave us alone!” Unfortunately, it’s not leaving anytime soon, so here’s some steps you can take to prepare for the turbulent Pacific winter ahead! [Read more…] about How to Prepare for El Niño in Hawaii

How Much Will You Need To Retire?

By

The good folks over at SmartAsset have recently posted interesting infographics regarding the most & least expensive cities to retire in. Not surprisingly, high-end metropolis’ dominate the expensive list, while more urban cities dominate the least expensive list. Where does Honolulu rank? [Read more…] about How Much Will You Need To Retire?

How Much Does “Town” Affect the Market? – July 2015 Market Update

By

JUNE 2015 As is the standard for summer months, July saw another strong residential market. For today’s analysis, I take a look at the numbers overall for the island of O’ahu and answer the age-old question of “how much does being ‘in town’ matter for inventory?” [Read more…] about How Much Does “Town” Affect the Market? – July 2015 Market Update

5 Things To Do On Valentine’s Day in Honolulu

By

Roses are red, violets are blue, the hardest decision, is deciding what to do! Valentine’s Day is upon us, and many wonder what to do on this day of love?! Here are 14 ideas to help you decide what to do on Valentine’s Day in Honolulu!

[section_title heading=”h2″]1. Hike[/section_title]
Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, it’s a great opportunity to go outside and play. If you’re looking at something easier, but don’t mind the crowds, Diamond Head is always a quick and easy one. My favorite hike is Hanauma Bay because it’s fairly quick and offers a seldom-seen view.

[section_title heading=”h2″]2. Breakfast[/section_title]
Before you head out on the trail (or after, depending on your wakeup schedule), hit up one of the island’s great breakfast places. My favorite is the Original Pancake House on Kapiolani, but there are numerous offerings around the island. Since it’s a holiday weekend, prepare for some lines or go early!

[section_title heading=”h2″]3. Waikiki Staycation[/section_title]
If you’re looking for a multi-day celebration, it’s always a good idea to head into Waikiki and book a room for the night. Between the nightlife and restaurants, you’ll appreciate not having to drive home after a great night on the town!

[section_title heading=”h2″]4. Beach Day[/section_title]
Again, because this is a weekend, nothing would be better than heading out to the beach and enjoying a great day in the water. This idea is great for families or groups of people, and is free! I recommend taking a bento or takeout from a place like Zippys, filling a jug of water, and wearing plenty of sunscreen! The island has plenty of great beaches on all sides, so go out and enjoy the sun!

[section_title heading=”h2″]5. Restaurants[/section_title]
The last one, and probably most obvious, is booking a restaurant reservation for the evening. A really good tip, if you don’t mind dining with others, is getting a group of friends together and booking a large group! Most restaurants are packed with couples taking up the two-top tables, so take advantage of their open large tables and have a great night with friends!

10 Best Things To Do At Punahou Carnival

By

Every year, on the first weekend in February, the high-school junior class at Punahou School organizes a huge carnival. Featuring food & game booths run by the juniors, and rides by E.K. Fernandez, the carnival attracts thousands of locals and visitors. It’s the primary fundraiser for the Punahou School financial aid program, and brings in tons of income for the local economy.

All those stats are fine and dandy, but I have my list of “must-dos” every year. Here are the top 10… [Read more…] about 10 Best Things To Do At Punahou Carnival