Kauai Real Estate Update- To find out what Sold, was Just Listed and what went Under Contract last week on the island click here: Kauai Real Estate Update May 18 to 24, 2026
Poipu Beach Real Estate Update- Just Listed | Nihi Kai 502 $1,100,000 (FS)
I just listed a lovely 2-bedroom 2-bath unit #502 at the Nihi Kai Resort which is a super short walk to both Brennecke and Poipu Beach. To see this unit click here: Nihi Kai 502
For a complete list of the fee simple real estate activity in Poipu since January 1 click here: Poipu Beach Fee Simple Current Market Analysis
For the Kiahuna Plantation click here: Kiahuna Plantation Current Market Analysis
Poipu Beach Condominium Developer Files Bankruptcy
An attorney representing Meridian Pacific, the developer of Kauanoe o Koloa a 279 unit condominium development in Poipu Beach, said that a “predatory lending agreement” was to blame for the company’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 20, 2026.
This filing came 8 days before a hearing before the Hawaii Supreme Court that was scheduled for this Thursday, May 28, 2026 which was brought against the developer and the County of Kauai. In the lawsuit the Friends of Maha’ulepu are stating that the projects drainage plan would send storm water runoff into neighboring parties. The County of Kauai is a party to this lawsuit for their permitting of the current plan.
This hearing will now not be happening on May 28th.
Because Chapter 11 has been filed this does not mean the project is stopping. Filing for bankruptcy gives the filer breathing room to reorganize. One of our local news channels, Hawaii News Now, said that they received this statement from Meridian’s attorney: “The Chapter 11 filing was a difficult, but necessary, step to address financial obligations arising from a predatory lending arrangement. Chapter 11 provides the orderly framework needed to stabilize the project, protect the interests of all interest holders, and resolve the disputes in the proper forum. Our foremost concern is the impact on the Kauai contractors and local businesses who have contributed to this project. We are committed to working through the Chapter 11 process to preserve the project, benefit the community, and treat creditors and buyers in escrow fairly.”
Four out of 10 top beaches on Dr. Beaches list are located in Hawaii and the number one beach is Poipu! This is the second time that Poipu was ranked #1, the first time being in 2001.
The criteria used for judging include Public Safety, Sewage Runoff, Smell, Water Color and Water Temperature just to name a few.
Dr. Beach has been rating beaches since 1989 and his lists have been printed in publications such as Time Magazine, Newsweek, National Geographic and Sports Illustrated along with the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and the London Sunday Times.
This news is a nice marketing tool for those that own vacation rental property in Poipu. #4 was Wailea Beach, Maui, #8 Kaunaoa on the Big Island and #9 Lanikai on Oahu.
To read further click here: 2026 Dr. Beach Top Ten List
$1.48M Donated To Wilcox by Mark Zuckerberg and Dr. Priscilla Chan
A mobile MRI unit and a 3D mammography machine will be purchased with the $1.48 million dollars that was given to Wilcox Hospital by Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Dr. Priscilla Chan.
Wilcox does more than 4,000 MRI scans and 8,500 mammograms a year. Wilcox is going to renovate their MRI suite so this mobile device will allow the hospital to continue to do their scan without interruption.
To date, Zuckerberg and Dr. Chan have contributed over $4 million to Wilcox.
Friday’s 6.0 Earthquake Hits Big Island
On the Big Island a 6.0 earthquake centered just 8 miles off the west side of Mauna Loa volcano 14 miles below sea level hit at 9:46 p.m. on Friday night. The cause of the earthquake was from the stress “of the bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the Big Island”
One nearby home that made the news was shown to be shaken off its foundation, many other homes reported structural and personal property damage and some homes were completely destroyed.
The earthquake hitting on a Friday right before a holiday weekend left the people on the Big Island with no time to get plumbers and other contractors out to their homes.
Power lines, debris and massive boulders on roads and water mains lead to more problems.
NO Tsunami. Thankfully no tsunami was generated because of the earthquake.
Princeville Golf Course Housing Development Ban Kept In Place
In 2025 a real David vs Goliath story was played out in a Lihue courtroom by property owners in Princeville against the Starwood Capital Group.
Brief background: the Starwood Capital Group, who owns “Hotel 1 Hanalei Bay” wanted to develop a second hotel on the Makai Golf Course in Princeville when the “non-development” restriction expired. The fact that there was this restriction took many by surprise, but it was there in the 1972 Dedication of Golf Course Property documents that stated no development would happen on the golf course until February 28, 2026.
The restriction itself and the lifting it spurred Princeville property owners into action, they banded together and a five-year legal battle ensued against them and Starwood. At the 11th hour it was discovered by the Princeville property owners that in 1917 at least 500 cattle, horses and mules died in Princeville of anthrax and many were buried on the golf course. If left alone there is no threat, but if disturbed is would “pose a risk of harm to the public”.
The outcome of the court case in 2025 was in favor of the property owners and Starwood filed an appeal which was heard and denied last week on May 19th.
