About

Welome to Home Shoppe Hawaii’s Blog on Oahu Real Estate. Besides featuring great Oahu Homes for Sale, Kailua Real Estate and homes in Honolulu, Kaneohe, Hawaii Kai and the North Shore, and Oahu Luxury Homes, Home Shoppe Hawaii’s Blog reflects our passion for Hawaii Architecture and Hawaii Interior Design.

We are fortunate here, on Oahu, to have many beautifully designed and Historically Significant Homes, for sale and otherwise. We hope to show you some of these fine Oahu homes, spotlight Hawaii Architects and Interior Designers, from time-to-time, and keep you abreast of what is happening in Oahu real estate, Kailua Real Estate, Honolulu Real EstateKaneohe Real Estate and Hawaii Kai Real Estate, and North Shore Real Estate, as well as showcasing the Hawaii Lifestyle and some of the fun Activities, Places and Events on Oahu.

~Aloha~

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Entries in Miscellaneous (21)

Monday
May292017

Follow Your Path to Paradise ...

This one leads to Lanikai Beach in Kailua :)

Kailua real estate is hotter than ever. Contact Home Shoppe Hawaii to learn what’s available now in Lanikai, Kailua.

~ Aloha

Tuesday
Oct212014

Better to Buy or Rent in Hawaii? Oahu Real Estate

Is it better to buy or rent Oahu real estate?

My husband and I were faced with that question when we moved here in 2004.  Like other military reserve families, we intended to stay only for a few years… Until we fell in love, that is, and decided to never leave Oahu. We are certain that, for us, the decision to buy, over renting was a good one. This is true, even in light of the market bubble and slight downtown we had over the past 10 years, from which the market has now completely recovered. And we know many people who were in our situation who are now kicking themselves for not buying, or not buying sooner.

buy ir rent in hawaii

There are many factors to consider when determining the financial benefits of purchasing over renting. Some of the benefits of owning Oahu real estate are: potential appreciation, tax savings, and positive impact on credit scores, and also, the prospect that some day you will have the home paid off and be living for free!

A benefit of renting is the flexibility to be able to move easily, if it is not the right area for you or if your job changes.  Also, in some cases, you may be able to live in a nicer home for the same money out of pocket than you could if you purchased. On the downside, in a rental, you cannot usually make the place your own, with extensive home decor and improvements, but are under the landlord’s rules about what you can do and not do to your home. 

This calculator may help you to analyze the financial aspects of the rent or buy decision as to Oahu real estate.

BUY OR RENT CALCULATOR - This is a great tool!! Check it out.

In many cases, the decision to purchase a Hawaii home will win out over renting. If that is the situation with you, please don’t hesitate to contact Home Shoppe Hawaii to assist with your Oahu real estate purchase.

Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn, Esq. (PB) 808-721-8088

Sunday
Oct192014

The Bright Side to All of This Rain ...

We hope that everyone is staying safe and dry in the effects of Tropical Storm Ana.
Thursday
Jul172014

Kailua Real Estate | Old Kailua Homes & Businesses Kailua Beach 1958

FOR THROWBACK TH - A look at Hawaii life in Kailua Oahu, circa 1958.  

kailua homes and hawaii life 1958

For the VIDEO, SEE BELOW.

Continue Reading ...

Friday
May302014

Home Shoppe Hawaii Oahu Real Estate Presents The Aloha Project by Ryan Moss

Aloha Friends ~

People are always asking what it’s like living on Oahu, or living in Hawaii.  Hawaii life is many things to many people, but one thing that anyone - no matter your material wealth or where you’re from - can have here, in Hawaii, is access to the beauty of nature, the bounty of outdoor activites, and the warmth of the aloha spirit.

Continue Reading ...

Sunday
Mar162014

Photos of Honolulu in 1954

HAPPY SUNDAY!  Here’s a blast from the past.

Photos of Honolulu in 1954 - Waikiki, Ala Moana Beach Park, etc. ENJOY!!

Tuesday
Feb182014

House Hunters in Kailua! HGTV Films House Hunters in Windward Oahu

House Hunters from HGTV came to Oahu last week to film a new episode. They followed clients of Yvonne Ahearn, Kailua REALTOR and Principal Broker of Home Shoppe Hawaii, in their Oahu Hawaii home search, which included three lovely homes in the Windward Oahu locations of Lanikai, Kailua, and Kaneohe, in the over $1 million price range.

House Hunters films in Lanikai, Kailua and other areas of Windward Oahu. Photo Courtesy of Diane Pizarro.

Despite mostly rainy and grey days during shooting, the gracious and professional House Hunters crew was able to film not only the great features of the tropical Hawaiian homes in the show, but also the incredible beauty of Kaneohe, Lanikai and other areas of Windward Oahu.  This episode of House Hunters will also showcase, several of the active lifestyle opportunities that residents have when living in the Kailua and Kaneohe areas of Windward Oahu.

House Hunters in Lanikai, Kailua. Photo by Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn, Home Shoppe Hawaii LLC.

The Kaneohe and Lanikai, Kailua filming of House Hunters was a lot of fun for both Home Shoppe Hawaii REALTOR, Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn, and her clients. The homes toured were all beautiful, with great locations and/or views, and the clients ended up finding the perfect house for their family. We are all looking forward to the Windward Oahu, Kailua episode of House Hunters when it airs later this year.  Many MAHALOS to House Hunters’ wonderful production crew!!

 
Home Shoppe Hawaii clients with Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn and House Hunters production crew. Photo courtesy of Diane Pizarro.

Would YOU like to be featured on House Hunters, during your Oahu Hawaii home search?

House Hunters loves to follow home searches in Kailua, Honolulu, or any of the other areas of Oahu, Hawaii. Please contact House Hunters REALTOR, Yvonne Ahearn, at 808-721-8088, to purchase your Oahu, Hawaii home and learn more about this opportunity.

Saturday
Jan042014

President Obama Set to Leave Oahu After Holiday Vacation in Kailua

Living in Kailua is wonderful.  It’s also a great place to vacation. Our white sand beaches and turquoise waters are appealing to most everyone who loves a smallish beach town, with friendly people and beautiful scenery.  Even the President of the United States loves Kailua. He comes here on vacation almost every year.

President Barack Obama has spent the last few weeks in Kailua, enjoying all it has to offer. During part of this trip, he was entertaining foreign dignitaries, as well. Tonight, he is reportedly dining at Buzz’s Steak House, which has completely closed off an area which is close to Kailua Beach and Lankikai, with the motorcade and security. While the President has been in Kailua, he’s reportedly made visits to most of his usual places, like Island Snow, Lanikai General Store, and of course, the golf courses and Marine Corps Base, for a workout.

My family and several friends had the unique pleasure of shaking President Obama’s hand and chatting with him a bit on the Mid-Pacific Golf Course in Lanikai, on New Year’s Day. This was a very special experience, especially for my husband, because each time my son and I had the opportnity to encounter Mr. President in the past (2009) and (2010), my husband was working, or deployed to Iraq in the USMC. 

This is what it looks like when the President of the United States is about to shake your hand:

Our friend, Tom, got some great footage. Here is a photo of my husband (in the Scottish cap) and son (in the green) with the President. That’s my phone right in front of the President. A REALTOR can’t go anywhere, even to meet the President, without her phone! (LOL)

No matter your politics, it is a pretty cool thing to shake the hand of the President. He was very nice and friendly to us. We enjoy his visits to Kailua!

~ Aloha

Monday
Dec302013

Vote for the Best Real Estate Agents in Honolulu

Trouble viewing this? Open it online.

Dear HOME SHOPPE HAWAII BLOG reader,

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your life. Every year, thousands of people wonder who they can depend on to guide them through the tricky and stressful process of searching for a home, a seller, a loan, a refinance or even the insurance required in Hawaii.  Hawaii property management also presents the possibility of endless complications.  

HONOLULU Magazine wants the answers. They need your help. Please take just five minutes with their Online Survey to tell us which real estate agent, insurance agent, and mortgage professional you would recommend to friends or family.

WE HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER VOTING FOR THE BROKERS/AGENTS AT HOME SHOPPE HAWAII:

Yvonne Ahearn (B), Ana Kuna (S),
Travis Thurston (S), and/or Neil Ahearn (S).

Your opinion is very important to Honolulu Magazine! These votes will help shape the second Best of Real Estate issue of HONOLULU Magazine in April.  Thank you very much for your time, and thank you for reading HOME SHOPPE HAWAII BLOG.

If you have already completed the survey, thank you very much for your assistance. Otherwise, click here to take the survey now.

Sincerely,

Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn
Principal Broker
Home Shoppe Hawaii LLC 
2012 Best in Hawaii Real Estate: Top Agents
2011 & 2010 Aloha Aina “People’s Choice” Winner 

 

 

Tuesday
Dec242013

Happy Holidays from Home Shoppe Hawaii!!

Monday
Aug262013

National Mai Tai Day - AUGUST 30

Mai Tai’s could possibly be called the most famous and well-known drink of Hawaii.  And maybe one of the most delicious, after all, who doesn’t love a Mai Tai? Sweet and sensuous rum, mixed with golden glorious fruit juices and liquers, garnished with succulent pineapple. Mai Tais are great after a long, sunny day at the beach. Mai Tais are great with pupus, and great on their own.  Mai Tai’s are great to drink while (and perhaps even inspired by) watching the sun set.  Mai Tai’s are everyone’s favorite when on vacation.

Mai Tai on Lanikai Beach Kailua (c) Tomas del Amo.

“Maitai” in Tahitian means “good” and the Mai Tai has come to symbolize Tahitian-style, Tiki Bar and Hawaiian culture, reminiscent of the 1950’s and 1960’s.

In Honor of the Mai Tai, they’ve given the drink its own day … and that day is August 30. While there has been some dispute over the actual, official date of National Mai Tai Day, some say it is the 30th of August and others (notably “A History of Drinking Blog”) say it is June 30, I find the believers of the August 30 date to be the most convincing. In any event, there is no harm in celebrating Mai Tai Day on both days. 

For a little history on the drink, you should know that the Mai Tai was purportedly invented by Victor J. Bergeron is August 1944. Bergeron was the proprietor of Tader Vic’s in Oakland. There is some controversy here, too, because Don the Beachcomber, of Los Angeles, also claimed to have invented the drink, though he said he invented it years earlier, in 1933.  Both drinks taste different and have different recipes, and there seem to be many other different variations of the drink, as well.  But either way, this drink was not invented in Hawaii, but in California, though it is on just about every bar menu in the Hawaiian islands.

Since Mai Tai Day is coming up in less than a week, I thought I would share a few recipes:

Here is the old-time TRADER VIC’S 1944 MAI TAI RECIPE:

2 oz of 17-year old J. Wray & Nephew Rum over shaved ice
Add juice from one fresh lime
1/2 oz Holland DeKuyper Orange Curaçao
1/4 oz Trader Vic’s Rock Candy Syrup
1/2 oz French Garnier Orgeat Syrup
Shake vigorously.
Add a sprig of fresh mint


Here is a More MODERN MAI TAI RECIPE:

Fill a collins glass with ice.

Add:
¾ oz. Light Rum
¾ oz. Dark Rum
½ oz. Amaretto
½ oz. Triple Sec

Fill with:
½ Orange Juice
½ Pineapple Juice
Float ½ oz. of Grenadine on top

BOTH RECIPES ARE BEST ENJOYED WITH A SUNSET,
ON A HAWAIIAN BEACH.  
~ALOHA

Thursday
Aug012013

Great Solar Power Provider on Oahu - PV Services - Photonworks

I don’t usually blog about Oahu solar service providers, but the services I recieved in the installation of my solar panels and my solar energy Photo-voltaic system, here in Kailua, Oahu, were so wonderful I had to share.

We used Photonworks Engineering (http://www.photonworks.com), an Oahu solar company that has been in business over ten years. We had a relatively small, 10 panel solar PV system installed, as our energy usage was not that high.  

To give you an idea of how awesome they were: I called them one week and they came to my house with a proposal on a Friday.  A permit was obtained and the solar PV system was installed the following Tuesday, and the whole solar system was inspected by City and County of Honolulu by the next Thursday, which is today! Solar project complete, including proposal, installation, and inspection in less than TWO WEEKS!! How they got the City and County to come out here in just over a week is beyond me. I have friends who have waited months to get their solar permits closed.

Everything went great, and considering the giant tropical rainstorm we had Monday night, I am pretty certain we have no roof leaks, which seems to be a common problem with some other solar providers on Oahu. Photonworks was organized, professional, friendly, and had great overall customer service! Five Stars!! I will recommend them to anyone who asks!

Call Photonworks at 951-4100 and ask for Chris. Tell him Yvonne sent you.

~ Aloha

Sunday
Mar032013

Is Moving to Hawaii on Your Bucket List?

Making the decision to move to Hawaii was one of the best decisions my husband and I ever made.  I had previously lived on Maui and now we live on Oahu.  We’ve been here in Hawaii almost 9 years now, not including Maui time.  My own past took me to San Francisco, Portland, San Diego, and Phoenix. My husband is from Boston and he has traveled the world with the Marines Corp.  Both of us have lived in and seen some pretty great cities and towns, around the world, but Oahu, Hawaii still ranks as our favorite place to live.

Continue Reading ...

Friday
Jan252013

Honolulu Real Estate Home Improvement Cost vs. Value Report 2011-12

You may be wondering whether to improve your Oahu real estate before you sell.  Or you might be wondering what the return on your investment will be if you do a bath or kitchen remodel, or other improvements to your Oahu real estate.  Either way, you will probably be doing well.  Oahu is one of the few places where most improvements to your Oahu property will give you a great return on your investment. In fact, Oahu has probabaly the highest return for home improvements of any U.S. metropolitan area. 

Continue Reading ...

Friday
Jan042013

Schedule Some "Spa Days" for your Oahu Home in the New Year

Most people know that a decluttered and refreshed home for sale on Oahu will sell quicker and usually for a higher price than Oahu real estate that is not decluttered and staged. And basic staging is not that hard. It is usually well-worth the time and effort. There are numerous shows on HGTV that can show you how to stage Oahu real estate, and to do it on a budget.  I typically advise my clients who are selling Oahu real estate to at least de-clutter, and I help with staging if it is desired. 

Continue Reading ...

Tuesday
Jan012013

Happy New Year from Home Shoppe Hawaii Oahu Real Estate

Home Shoppe Hawaii Oahu Real Estate wishes you and your family all the best in 2013! Please let us know how me can contribute to your happiness and prosperity in the new year by serving all your Oahu real estate needs!

~Aloha~


New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Waikiki 2012

 

Wednesday
Dec262012

Oahu Real Estate | Wordless Wednesday

waikiki real estate and christmas tree in waikikiChristmas in Waikiki - Christmas Tree at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center

Tuesday
Dec252012

Mele Kalikimaka!! From Home Shoppe Hawaii Oahu Real Estate

Home Shoppe Hawaii wishes you and your family, wherever and however you celebrate the season, Peace, Joy and Aloha!!

Friday
Nov232012

Home Shoppe Hawaii Supports Small Business Saturday

Support Your Local Oahu Independent Businesses This Holiday Season and Year-Round!As most of you probably know, tomorrow Saturday, November 24, 2012, is the 3rd Annual Small Business Saturday.  This is a shopping promotion invented by American Express to help small businesses, by focusing on sending business their way, at least for a day, during the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

According to American Express, this day is, “a day for everyone – from the business owners who create jobs to the customers who buy locally – to support small businesses that invigorate the economy and keep communities thriving.”

The continued success of small businesses is important to the economy both locally, here on Oahu, and nationally. So instead of doing all of your holiday shopping at Big Box stores, why not Keep It Local and visit the independent businesses on Oahu, in your local communities of Honolulu, Kailua, Kaneohe, or Hawaii Kai or wherever you may be on Oahu?

Keeping It Local can apply to shopping for Oahu real estate brokerage services as well. Home Shoppe Hawaii is locally owned and is not affiliated with any national franchise or company — like Coldwell Banker or Century 21, who shares in every sale. When looking for Oahu real estate services, not only on Small Business Saturday, but year-around, go to Home Shoppe Hawaii, your independent, locally-owned and operated, and locally-focused Oahu real estate brokerage.

Not sure which other Oahu businesses near your qualify? Find out where to shop here.

To our independently-owned Oahu business friends and suppliers, and fellow members of the Kailua Chamber of Commerce, Home Shoppe Hawaii wishes you great success in this year’s Small Business Saturday!

______________

Please contact Home Shoppe Hawaii for all your Oahu real estate needs: Honolulu Real Estate, Kailua Real Estate, Kaneohe Real Estate, Hawaii Kai Real Estate. Yvonne Ahearn, B08-721-8088.

Monday
Jun012009

BASIC HAWAIIAN WORDS & PHRASES

 
 A Hui Hou – Until we meet again  Kane – man
 ‘Aina – land  Kahuna – priest, minister or expert any any profession
 Ali’i – royalty  Kapuna – grandparent, elder, respected older person
 Aloha – hello, goodbye, love  Keiki – child
 Aloha nui loa – with very much love  Kokua - help
 E Komo Mai – welcome  Kumu – teacher
 Hale – house  Mahalo – thank you
 Hana - work  Makua- parent
 Hana Hou – encore, do it again, repeat, once more  Malihini – stranger, tourist, foreigner
 Haole – white person, Caucasian  Mele Kalikimaka - Merry Christmas
 Hapa - mixed race  No Ka Oi – the best, none better
 Hau’oli Makahiki - Happy New Year  O’hana - family
 Hau’oli La Hanau - Happy Birthday  Ono – delicious
 Honu – sea turtle  Pau – done, finished, over with
 Lana’i – porch, patio or balcony  Pau Hana – end of the work day, work is done, happy hour
 Lei – necklace made of flowers, leaves, nuts and/or shells, used in welcoming or honoring people  Pupus – hor d’oevres, appetizers
 Lokahi -unity  Tutu – grandparent
 Luau – Hawaiian feast, party  Wahine - woman
 Kai – the sea  Wikiwiki - speedy, quick
 Kama’aina – (of the land) born & raised in Hawaii, having lived here a long time, a Hawaii resident  

HAWAIIAN GEOGRAPHY & REAL ESTATE TERMS

Many of these words are used as (or as parts of) place names, street names, housing developments, etc. Learn these and you will always know where you are going!

Aku 
– directional, away (from me)

Akau – North

Awaawa – valley

‘Aina – the earth or land (that feeds)

Ala – road or path, often used in street names, such as “Ala Moana”

Caldera – A geographic feature formed by the collapse of land following a volcanic eruption (actually, not a Hawaiian word, comes from a Spanish word)

Ewa – used as a direction, to the West or Leeward side of the island of Oahu (i.e., toward Ewa Beach)

Haku’aina – landlord, landowner

Halau – school, meeting house

Hale – house or building

Hanauma – curved bay

Hawai’i – the 50th State of the US, comprised of a chain of 7 islands; also, the largest island of the Hawaiian island chain, also known as “the Big Island”

Helu – number

Hema – South

Hikina – East

Honolulu – the capital of and most populated city in the State of Hawaii, located on the island of Oahu

Iki – small

Kahakai - beach

Kahawai – stream

Kai - sea

Kailua (Town) – city on Oahu, meaning “two seas,” not to be confused with Kailua-Kona, the city named Kailua in the Kona region of the Big Island (Hawai’i).

Kama’aina – local person, native, resident of Hawai’i

Kaua’i – The Eastern-most island of the Hawaiian island chain, known as the Garden Isle

Koko – used as a direction, to the East or Windward side of the island of Oahu (i.e., toward the Kokohead Crater)

Komohana – West

Kona – Leeward

Ko’olau – Windward, the name of shield volcano that formed the Ko’olau Mountain Range on O’ahu

Lani – heaven

Lana’i – porch, balcony or veranda - one of the Hawaiian Islands

Lua – restroom; crater

Lumi kuke – kitchen

Makai – toward the sea

Makani – wind

Mauka – toward the mountains

Malahini – visitor, tourist, foreigner

Mauna – mountain

Moana – ocean

Moku - island

Nani – beautiful

Nui – big or large

‘Ohana – a separate living unit, attached to or on the property of another home, usually for extended family.

O’ahu – the State of Hawaii’s most populated island, known as the Gathering Place, second from the left in the Hawaiian island chain

Pa’a’aina – landholder

Pali – cliff or cliffs

Pohaku – rock

Pu’u – hill

Wai – fresh water, river

Wai’ele - waterfall

Wakea – sky

Ua – Rain

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