Honolulu Condos

Pirates of the Caribbean 4 - The "Black Pearl" arrives in Honolulu

Here she is, matey! The Black Pearl.

The only lead star in Walt Disney Pictures' fourth Pirates of the Caribbean film likely working without a multi-million-dollar paycheck quietly cruised into Hawaii waters last week to await her next big-screen close-up in 2011.

Think she's looking a bit worse for wear in our photo above? The ship is actually in dry dock at West Oahu's Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor, where a multi-million-dollar makeover over the next few months will transform her-with some digital effects assistance-into the Black Pearl known by millions of moviegoers around the world.

Walt Disney Pictures and Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle announced last month that the latest film in the Pirates of the Caribbean adventure-comedy franchise, On Stranger Tides, would film on Kauai and Oahu this summer. Despite a lack of sails, Jolly Roger skull-and-crossbones flag or Johnny Depp in the guise of Captain Jack Sparrow on board, the ship's presence at Kalaeloa has proven as tempting as buried treasure for excited Pirates fans. Dozens of fans have flocked to the harbor each day since the Black Pearl's Feb. 14 arrival to try to see the ship up close.

This would be all well and good if the Black Pearl were on public display. It's not. Its location is actually a very private dry dock protected by around-the-clock security personnel who even warned our intrepid photographer David Croxford against getting too close for this photo. He snapped the photo through a chain-link fence.

But how do you hide a 200-ton, 130-foot, tri-mast pirate ship that, when actually docked in Kalaeloa Harbor, is clearly visible from neighboring Ko Olina Resort & Marina-also the site of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts' under-construction Aulani Resort & Spa? The answer: You don't. And you can't, really. 

The Black Pearl that's here for On Stranger Tides isn't actually a real sailing ship. It's a tall ship set constructed over the hull of another vessel, the Sunset, which once earned its keep as a service ship for Gulf of Mexico oil platforms. Fully motorized-and obviously able to handle its recent journey across the Pacific from California to Hawaii like a champ-the ship set was also used in the second and third Pirates flicks Dead Man's Chest and At World's End.

The Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides production is expected to generate an estimated $85 million in total spending while filming in Hawaii.

On board again are Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, Geoffrey Rush as Sparrow nemesis Captain Hector Barbossa, blockbuster producer Jerry Bruckheimer and screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. New to the Pirates cast and crew for On Stranger Tides are director Rob Marshall (Chicago, Nine) and actors Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane (Deadwood).

On Stranger Tides has been slated for a May 20, 2011, release. Kauai and Oahu filming locations have not been announced.

10 Fun Things About Hawaii

1. It's long...
The State of Hawaii maybe invisible on most globes but the little bits of rock which stick up above sea level to make the islands and the reefs of the most famous surfing real estate in the world are part of a mammoth geographical feature. 132 islands, reefs and shoals stretch over 1500-miles from the ‘Big Island' of Hawaii to the Midway Atolls (famous for the big battle in WWII). If you picked ‘em up and dumped ‘em on the good old US of A they'd stretch from San Francisco to the Gulf Coast of New Orleans.

2. It's tall...
Mauna Kea on the Big Island has a snow capped (and snowboardable) summit that scrapes 14,000 feet above sea level. Below sea level it goes down another 18,000 to the sea floor; which equals a total height of 32,000 feet. Making it the biggest mountain on earth. Mount Everest, in comparison, is a paltry 29,035 feet, and to make matters worse Everest has got 4-foot shorter in recent times due to glacial melting.

3. It's been surfed for a long time...
They may have a strong claim to being the oldest surfing race on earth, having invented the whole deal, but the Polynesians/Hawaiians aren't a patch on the Peruvian goat boaters that have surfed on waveski's made of reeds since year dot. But as goat boating doesn't really count then the Hawaiians can take the honor.

4. The Union Jack is on the flag...
Odd as it seems the Hawaiian flag has the British flag in its top left corner, much the same as the Aussie Flag. The rest of the flag consists of eight red, white or blue stripes that represent the eight main islands (Nihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island of Hawaii). It goes back to the early 19th century when the Hawaiians agreed to be a protectorate of Great Britain. The UK didn't run the show, they ran their own affairs, but we looked out for them against the Frenchies and the Americans.

5. We've just moved in...
The Hawaiian chain was one of the last places on earth to be colonised by mankind. Earliest evidence suggests some traces of man around 100AD, but the Polynesians didn't properly colonise the joint until 400AD. First contact with the western world was made on January 19th, 1778 by Yorkshires finest- Captain James T Cook; he first hit land on Kauai. Now home to the Irons brothers.

6. There's no shelf...
It's the lack of continental shelf that gives the waves so much power on the North Shore. As the Hawaiian Islands are all volcanic islands that have grown steadily up from the sea floor there is no shelf to slow up the waves. The Big Island of Hawaii is less than 500,000 years old, cos its so new and fresh the lava reefs there are extremely sharp as they haven't had time to erode.

7. It's far...
The Hawaiian Island's are the most isolated bits of land on Earth. It's over 2400 miles to the continental USA and the other Polynesian islands in the South Pacific. 24 miles is a long way to go in a canoe. 2400 is off the scale, especially when you consider the Polynesian explorers had no idea where they were going or if there was even anywhere to go to. They must have been so glad when they finally hit Waikiki.

8. Spelling is easy...
There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet. Cool huh? The vowels: A, E, I, O, U and the consonants: H, K, L, M, N, P, W. So that's why so many place names, like Waimea, Haleiwa etc have such a distinctive ring to them. It also shows that few surf spots go by their local names, Banzai Pipeline is hard to make from only those letters.

9. Good java...
Hawaii is the only state in the US that produces coffee beans. Considering how much coffee the Americans drink it's very odd. The Arabica beans grown on the Big Island that are sold as Kona coffee make for a damn fine brew. Coffee is also grown on the slopes overlooking the North Shore of Oahu between Wahiawa and Waialua ...

10. Lava lava lava...
Mt. Kilauea is the most active volcano in the world and has been since 1983. Which makes the mapmakers in Hawaii angry, because every couple of weeks they have to redraw the map of the island; as it keeps getting bigger. This might not be a problem soon as a huge fissure, known officially as the Hilina Slump, and unofficially as the ‘Big Crack' is opening up and a 4,760 cubic mile chunk of the Big Island is poised to fall off. Cue much tsunami action for Oz... At the moment it's moving four inches a year, but has moved up to 26-feet in one day.

On the Lighter Side - "Pirates of the Caribbean"

Next 'Pirates' movie to be shot in Hawaii:

The fourth installment of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie franchise will be filmed in Hawaii this summer, state officials said Monday.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," starring Johnny Depp, will film on Kauai and Oahu this summer, Bob Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Co., told Gov. Linda Lingle on Friday, Lingle's office said.

The film production is expected to generate an estimated $85 million in direct and indirect spending in the state, and is expected to create hundreds of jobs for local residents. The movie is scheduled to be released in summer 2011.

"We've always sought out the most extraordinary and exotic locations for the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean' films," producer Jerry Bruckheimer said in a statement, "and previously shot briefly on both Maui and Molokai for ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.' Hawaii provides an amazing range of both land and seascapes, and we're delighted to return for ‘On Stranger Tides.'"

Disney plans to open its first Hawaii resort at Ko Olina in 2011. The company's ABC network is wrapping up production on the final season of its hit TV series "Lost" after nearly six years in Hawaii.

The Chinese are Visiting Honolulu, Hawaii

For a while, we have been anticipating an increase in Chinese visitors to Hawaii, especially with more recent flights added from Mainland China.  Plus, with the rapid increase in income and improvements in lifestyle, there has been an expectation among those in the real estate business, that many may be intersted in investing in Hawaiian real estate.

So far, there has not been a rush to real estate purchases, but there has been much interest and activity among many Chinese tourists who are visiting Hawaii and Honolulu for the first time.

I ran across an interesting blog, written by a young Chinese tourist-visitor and found it very, very interesting.  Here is part of her blog, "Basking in Tropical Humulity":

It's been 10 days since I last heard a car honk. Actually, make that any kind of vehicular honk, be it an electric bike's urgent "beep beep", the angry bleat off a truck horn, or a frantic bell ringing atop tricycle handle bars.

No, I haven't gone deaf. I've been in Hawaii. Here in Honolulu, the sky is insanely blue and when people say it's "foggy" outside they refer to clouds draping over mountain sides.

With abundant natural blessings, people on the Hawaiian islands are understandably relaxed. Gone from my line of vision are the scowling faces of Beijing traffic wardens, bureaucrats, and street vendors. Instead, everyday I'm greeted with beautiful, ethnically ambiguous faces, glowing tans, and the jolly vowelled sounds of "Aloha!", "Mahalo", and "Mele Kalikimaka!"

"Chilling out" Hawaiian style didn't come to me naturally. When my plane landed, I got my Chinese elbows ready and was gunning for the aisles to race to a good spot in the immigration line. But as my fellow passengers began asking each other with the gentleness of lambs, "Would you like to go first?" I backed down with shame.

Soon, the island calm infiltrated my city skin. I, too, started waving "hello" to strangers in cars at intersections. Coming upon other tourists, I offered to take their pictures. On a grueling hike, I smilingly accepted the gift of a makeshift walking stick from another hiker, then made good on my promise of giving it to someone else when I finished.

What's happening here? Is my urban grit turning to mush with the tropical humidity? Surely, there is something unpleasant about Hawaii!

Well, yes, there are bad things about Hawaii. Foremost in my complaints is that Wi-Fi isn't free at Starbuck's like it is in Beijing. My cup of English Breakfast now only buys me the right to sit on an earth-toned sofa, listen to an ambient coffee company CD's, and pay $5 for two hours of Internet access. Two hours!

Compared with Beijing, the food in Hawaii is also expensive and not that varied. I'd be hard pressed to find hummus or chorizo here. There are plenty of good local eats, but they're usually heavy meats, piled in a heap, and served at a restaurant with the word "shack" or "station" in its name.

It's also a myth that everybody is nice in Hawaii. There are many residents who resent the outsiders who come to crowd up their beaches, compete for waves ("jocking for position" in surfer slang), and push up real estate prices. Locals wear their discontent with outsiders on cheeky car bumper stickers like, "Slow down, this ain't the Mainland" (referring to the 49 other American states) or "If you like Kauai, send your friends to Maui."

I'm fine with trading in winter winds for the ocean breeze and small inconveniences for a few weeks. Eventually, the thing that gets to me is how nobody in Hawaii ever seems to have anything to do, anywhere to be. Grown men stand around beach parks holding beers every day of the week. Supermarket cashier ladies chit chat with customers in great detail about what's cooking for dinner.

All this "laid-backness" isn't bad, but for a city slicker like me, it can make me long for the rude honk of a car horn!

-Written by Qi Zhai

Reasons for Being Grateful in Hawaii

Although Thanksgivinig for 2009 has now passed, over the weekend I read a nice column in the "Honolulu Advertiser" newspaper that I thought was worth sharing. (By the way, 'ohana refers to "family".)

'Ohana gatherings, football games, Black Friday deals and consuming a little too much of Mom's 'ono grindz are all part and parcel of Thanksgiving weekend. Of course, the most integral part of this holiday is giving thanks. There may be countless reasons why living in Hawai'i is a blessing, but these examples will provide a start:

'Ohana, being surrounded by "aunties" and "uncles," diversity, seemingly two degrees of separation from everyone else, keiki-friendly community, birthplace of the president.

Expansive rainbows, cooling trade winds, rain when the sun shines, awe-inspiring sunsets, palm-studded crescent beaches, postcard-perfect waterfalls, dramatic Na Pali Coast, sunrise atop Haleakala, twisting along the road to Hana, glowing lava flowing into the Pacific at night, sunbathing monk seals, whale watching from shore, the distinctive humuhumunukunukuapua'a, being ranked among the world's most beautiful islands.

Spam musubi, poke, loco moco, malassadas, chocolate haupia pie, shave ice with azuki beans and ice cream, hurricane popcorn, 100 percent Kona coffee, manapua, Portuguese sausage, saimin, local fruits and veggies, grilling on the beach, plate lunches with two scoops of rice and a scoop of mac salad.

Hula, world-class surf breaks, snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, stand-up paddle surfing, water sports haven, golfer's paradise, University of Hawai'i sports teams (most of the time).

Talking story, understanding pidgin, realizing questions can end with a downward inflection, pronouncing polysyllabic vowel-heavy street names, knowing the difference between mauka and makai or 'a's and pahoehoe, being asked enviously, "You live in Hawai'i?" when speaking on the phone with Mainland residents.

'Ukulele, slack-key guitar, Zippy's, Longs, more varieties of slippahs than possibly anywhere else on the planet, not needing anything warmer than a light jacket, wearing aloha shirts to the office.

No billboards, absence of honking, receiving a shaka from the driver you let in front of you, "far" meaning it's more than a 20-minute drive away, kama'aina rates, vacationing in Las Vegas, the "ninth island" and staying at the California Hotel; playing tourist in Waikíkí.

Feeling cold in 65 F- degree weather, becoming sentimental listening to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World" or Keola and Kapono Beamer's "Honolulu City Lights," being ensconced in lei up to your eyeballs at graduation, Christmas shopping in shorts and a T-shirt, New Year's Eve fireworks and firecrackers.

And our one-of-a-kind aloha spirit. Lucky we live Hawai'i indeed.

National health reform bills in the U.S. Senate and House would exempt Hawaii, protecting the state's 35-year-old Prepaid Healthcare Act, which has led to one of the lowest uninsured rates in the country and low premiums for workers.

Having moved to Hawaii from California State, I must say that I remain very impressed with Health Care in Hawaii.  Not only are my medical insurance rates lower by almost half, for equivalent care and coverage, but I find the care here to be more efficient, more comprehensive, more thorough and more preventative.

And, I might add, the cost for insurance in Hawaii is also considerably less for automobile and homeowner's.

Go figure.

Even though we have undoubtedly gone through one of the worst recessions and price adjustment cycles (translation: burst bubble) in history, and many doubt the value of their real estate today, especially those who are upside down, owing more than their home is worth, I still find this statement about real estate to be of value.  I have had it posted on my websites for over ten years.  It's good food for thought.

I am Real Estate

What is Real Estate? 

I am the basis of all wealth, the heritage of the wise, the thrifty and the prudent. 

I am the poor man's joy and comfort, the rich man's prize, the right hand of capital, the silent partner of many thousands of successful men.

I am the silent solace of the widow, the comfort of old age, the cornerstone of security against misfortune and want.

I am handed down to children through generations, as a thing of greatest worth.

I am the choicest fruit of toil.  Credit respects me.  Yet I am humble.  I stand before every man bidding him know me for what I am and possess me.  I grow and increase in value through countless days.  Though I seem dormant, my worth increases, never failing, never ceasing; time is my aid and population heaps up my gain.  Fire and the elements I defy, for they cannot destroy me; invariably I become envied.  While all things wither and decay, I survive.  The centuries find me younger, increasing in strength.  The thriftless speak ill of me.  The charlatans of finance attack me. 

I am trustworthy.  I am sound.  Unfailing I triumph and dectractors are disproved.  Minerals and oils come from me, I am producer of food, the basis of ships and factories, the foundation of banks.  Yet I am so common that thousands unthinking and unknowing pass me by.

I am real estate.

In Honolulu, Hawaii, land is precious.  This is an island, and there's only so much land.  One of the reasons we have not seen large price drops is because demand almost always exceeds supply.  That is especially true for Honolulu, where there is very little space left, or vacant land on which to build.

If you are interested in Honolulu Real Estate, especially condos, please don't hesitate to visit our Honolulu Condos website.

Mahalo for reading.

Found in an old file.  I ran across this as I was going through old files and cleaning house.  Many, many years ago, I posted it to my website.  Many real estate agents, I'm sure have seen it already, or even use the code, some with great skill.  For the rest of the general public, the code is now available for your eyes too.

Real estate advertising makes fascinating reading. It always seems to describe your dream home- until you stop by the Open House. Many real estate ads then show themselves for what they really are: exercises in creative writing with a little little adventure-action flair. At times you may find yourself to double-checking the address. This is a'"Paradise??".

Real estate agents sometimes have a tough job to do. As commissioned sales persons, they have to make the best of a less-than-perfect product. Many home features are quite subjective, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Still, some really step over the line into fantasy.

Here is a twisted look at some of the real estate terms you might encounter- and another reason to call your real estate professional if you want the truth about property you see advertised!

Perimeter Lot:  On the edge of the cliff, but it didn't used to be. Bring rope and wear a harness!
Breathtaking:  And that's just the price.' You'll need oxygen after you see the inside.
Friendly Neighborhood:  You'll love the Casserole of the Month Event . Attendance is mandatory.
Pet-Friendly Neighborhood: Bring your own guard dog. Everyone else has one.
Handyman Special:  Earth moving equipment required to get to front door.
Fixer-upper:  Quick, before it falls down.
Income Opportunity: The yard is piled high with old cans and bottles, and you get to keep any deposit money you earn!
Convenient:  Located on freeway entrance ramp.
Mint condition:  Someone has spilled mouthwash on the carpet.
Completely renovated: All cats have been found and removed; toilets now flush
Natural decor: Beach mats stapled to walls cover murals of nudes and Elvis.
Move in easy:  Front door missing.
Walkout:  Back door missing.
Tudor Style:  Has back door and front door. Windows have wood frames.
Really plush:  Wall-to-wall shag carpeting that would make Austin Powers feel right at home.
Bachelor pad:  Gold-veined mirror tiles in the master bedroom; smells gamey.
Stunning View: The sight of the neighbors below will require some recovery time, so brace yourself.
WOW!:  Inspires shock and awe. Do not go in alone!
Curb appeal:  Only the front of the house is painted. Has a porch.
Doll's house:  Shack with 6 foot ceilings on lot the size of a postage stamp.
Water Feature: You can hear the neighbor's flushing their toilet.

Lots of built-ins:  Previous owner nailed furniture to the walls.
Tenant wants to stay:  Evicting tenant is your problem.
Cute: Three tiny rooms, each with different flowered wallpaper. Hello Kitty would be right at home.
Move in Condition: You, not the house. Unless you are in top condition, you won't make it up the flight of stairs in front door.
Close to Bus Lines: No garage, and the bus line is right in front. Ear plugs are included in the price.
Make an Offer: If this sounds like a desperate seller, they are.
Development Potential: Fixing it up is your problem, owners gave up.
Motivated Seller: Seller will throw in the kids and grandma.
Expansion opportunity:  Upstairs bedroom can double as a bowling alley.
Euro kitchen:  Smells of garlic and cabernet.
Hawaiian living: Land has been claimed for traditional hunting and gathering rights. Thatch roof.
Close to beach:  Impossible to park on the street on weekends and holidays.
Picturesque setting:  View of abandoned cars and waist-high weeds on neighboring lots. See "Secluded Back Yard"
Wide-open floor plan:  Previous owner removed supporting walls.
Updated bath:  Tub no longer overflows. Hot and cold water.
Updated kitchen:  Sink no longer overflows.
Country kitchen: Neighbor's chickens wander in and out. Convenient gun rack.
Move right in:  Has been unoccupied for 5 years, except for vagrants, vandals and bats.
Security system:  Neighbor has loud dogs.
Updated security system:  Neighbor has loud dogs and open window.
Secluded back yard:  Landslide just outside the back door eliminated of all the neighboring houses.

On a serious note, real estate advertising is highly regulated but difficult to enforce, and truth in advertising has apparently not made a big impact. Many owners have an exaggerated view of their own properties and fail to see their shortcomings. And when it's your property being described, don't you want only the best features to be mentioned, and maybe even puffed up a bit?

Mahalo for reading.