The Oahu economy appears to be leading the way for Hawaii.   A resent article in the Star Bulletin touted an improving Hawaiian economy that is forecasting an improvement in both employment and tourism.  This is welcome news for any state to hear at the moment.  Oahu is leading the way and is noted as having better employment figures and greater tourism numbers than other Hawaiian Islands.

One area on Oahu which is sure to see an improvement in tourism in the next year is Ko Olina Resort which has a new Disney resort opening in August or September of 2011.  The new light rail system is sure to add jobs to the Kapolei area as well.

Contact me today to learn more about Oahu, Kapolei real estate, and investment opportunities that exist here.  Click here to read the article from the Star Advertiser regarding Hawaii’s economy.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

There is good news for Oahu, unemployment numbers have dropped.  The rate dropped from 6.6% in May to 6.3% in June for the state of Hawaii, positive news in a nation that is have a bumpy road to recovery.  This is the third month in a row that Hawaii has seen a decline in unemployment figures.  In general, the island of Oahu appears to be moving forward with real estate sales values gaining slightly and development slowly improving.

A few of the highlights on the west side of Oahu include the new Disney Resort being built in Ko Olina, the new rail system and a new college being developed in Kapolei.  The lower unemployment numbers simply reinforce that the economy on Oahu is improving.

If you would like to learn more about Oahu and the opportunities that exist here please contact me today.  Click here to read a recent article from the Star Advertiser regarding low unemployment rates in Hawaii.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

So far Hawaii resort real estate sales are up compared with 2009.  Hawaii real estate data shows that resort property sales during the first quarter of 2010 is up 20% compared with the first quarter of 2009.  High end real estate sales on Hawaii appear stronger than they have been for quite some time.

The opportunity to buy resort real estate on Oahu is ripe.  Luxury real estate in resort areas like Ko Olina have more attractive values, creating an optimum buyer’s market.  The lack of activity in 2009 helped to create a demand in the marketplace as well as more competitive pricing.

The increased activity for Hawaii real estate sales is seen as a positive sign in a nation recovering from a hard-hitting recession.

Click here to read a recent article form Pacific Business Journals regarding Hawaii resort real estate sales.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

Hawaii is doing its part to make solar a possibility for homeowners.  Currently there are tax incentives in place that cover a large part of the cost of the installation of solar systems to homes and the Governor of Hawaii would like to help cover the rest of the cost through bonds.  The bonds that would be loans from the state that would be attached to the Hawaii home that used the money to install solar.

Solar energy will help Hawaii homes wean off of electricity.  The cost of adding a solar hot water system to a home is approximately $7000.  Tax credits and rebates help but still leave the homeowner owing about $2,000.  Governor Lingle’s plan would allow Hawaii homeowners to finance the balance and afford the solar system where they might not be able to otherwise.  Hawaii is thinking ahead and making an effort for the islands and the environment.

Click here to read a recent article from the Honolulu Advertiser about solar energy and Lingle’s plans.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

For those who live on Oahu it is no surprise that Hawaii is ranked as the happiest state in the nation

An annual list of the happiest states has Hawaii ranked as number one for 2009.  It certainly can’t be a surprise to people that Hawaii is the happiest state.  With a gorgeous natural, tropical, beauty that many save their entire lives to visit Hawaii represents a tropical oasis in the Pacific Ocean.  Hawaii is more than just a tourist destination however, it is also a place that people call home, it is a state that offers an amazing quality of life.

Hawaii offers sunshine, warmth, and an amazing outdoor playground.  Before, during or after work residents of Hawaii can take advantage of the lovely Hawaii weather and go surfing, running, hiking, biking or choose from a plethora of outdoor activities.  Hawaii lends itself to spending time outdoors and being outdoors leads to happiness for its residents.

For a complete list of the happiest states on 2009 click here.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

Federal funds are being used to create jobs in Hawaii

Over 1400 jobs have been created in Hawaii from federal stimulus money, good news for Hawaii and good news that the money is being put in the right place.  The majority of the jobs that have been created in Hawaii have been state jobs.  Money is also being used to stop job losses in Hawaii’s government, helping with budget cuts.

Much of the money earmarked for Hawaii is expected to create jobs indirectly, through projects like roads, highways and bridges, housing improvements and affordable housing.  On Oahu the rail transit system will create a number of jobs when it gets underway.

All in all the federal funds being used in Hawaii are making a difference, positive news in a shaky economy.

For more information on recovery dollars being spent in Hawaii see a recent article posted in the Honolulu Advertiser by clicking here.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

The rail project on Oahu is supported by Hawaiian businesses

The Oahu rail project is supported by businesses across the state of Hawaii.  The rail project is expected to reduce congestion and therefore create more traffic for businesses.  The most congested traffic in the state of Hawaii is on the stretch of roadway between Kapolei and Honolulu.  The rail project on Oahu will allow people to avoid driving, therefore reducing traffic and making their own commute much more tolerable.  Easing congestion is seen as a way to boost commerce on the island of Oahu.

Another benefit of the Oahu rail project is job creation.  This project could not come at a better time, when unemployment levels are rising.  The rail project will help boost the overall economy on Oahu.

For more information on the rail project click here.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert. Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

Oahu has state of the art fiber optic technology which enables it to succeed as a place to live and work, remaining competitive in a technologically advanced world.  According to a recent article posted on HonoluluAdvertiser.com, “Sandwich Isles Communications (SIC), a local telecommunications company that services Hawaiian Homestead communities statewide, has completed installation of its new, state-of-the-art, undersea fiber optic cable connecting the five major Hawaiian islands (Kaua’i, O’ahu, Maui, Moloka’i and the Big Island).”  This cable enables faster communication and is expected to improve the technology job sector in Hawaii.  Dedicated to keeping Hawaii on the cutting edge of technology SIC will continue to keep the islands up to date.  Oahu is a fantastic place to call home and the availability of top notch technology makes living and working there easier than ever.  If you have been considering relocating to Oahu contact John Riggins today.  John Riggins has the experience and knowledge you need to learn more about Oahu and the fantastic real estate opportunities that exist there.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins, Certified Distressed Property Expert.  Click here for access to the Oahu MLS and all available listings in the Kapolei area.

Ormat Technologies, Inc. from Reno, Nevada states that they have completed research to determine that there is plenty of reason to believe that West Hawaii’s Hualalai mountain could become a future supplier of geothermal electricity. Studies have begun and will continue for the next year to determine if there is enough heat there to supply geothermal electricity to West Hawaii. They claim that if enough heat is found, procuring the proper permits will take additional time and that they are still in the beginning stages of exploration.

Ormat has decided to begin drilling at mid-level, because drilling at high level requires exploration through great amounts of rock. In the year 2000,  a study conducted by the state of Hawaii concluded that there was a thirty-five per cent probability of heat at Hualalai mountain. Geologists determine this by studying carbon dioxide levels and the minerals present in water wells that are dissolved by hot water.

For more information about Kapolei Real Estate please contact John Riggins.

University campuses statewide are striving to keep up with the extremely large numbers of students enrolling at this time. Close to 51,000 students have enrolled at University of Hawaii campuses for the spring semester. This equals a 5.5 percent increase from last year’s enrollment and is the highest number ever in campus history. Leeward Community College is reporting ten percent more students than last year and at the University of Hawaii West Oahu there is an eighteen percent increase in the number of students enrolling for spring classes. At West Oahu, their classrooms are mostly portable and one marine biology class even has to meet in the staff lounge to help keep up with the needs of the additional students.  Other ways they are dealing with the crowding are they have rented five classrooms from Island Pacific Academy on Kapolei for evening classes.  All of these enrollment increases are believed to be due to the slowing of the economy and the difficulties associated with finding a job during the recession.

For more information about Kapolei Real estate please contact John Riggins.