Kauai Real Estate Update-Under Contract |4186 Upa Road $2.125M
Located minutes from Poipu Beach, this Omao retreat had a way of making people feel at home the moment they arrived. Set on nearly half an acre of lush landscaping with inviting indoor-outdoor living, it felt more like a private oasis than a house. At the properties Brokers Open, two comments came up again and again from the realtors: it was priced exceptionally well and you couldn't tell all that the property had to offer by looking at the outside of it. That combination of a wonderful and surprising property along with thoughtful pricing generated multiple offers, and I'm happy to say it's now under contract.
For a complete list of all the real estate activity on Kauai for the last week click here: Kauai Real Estate Update July 13 to 19, 2026
Poipu Beach Real Estate Update-$55K Price Improvement. $75K Pool Renovation. Exceptional Value.
A $75,000 swimming pool renovation—including new plaster, tile, and coping—has already been completed. Add a recent $55,000 price improvement, and Kiahuna Vista presents an outstanding value in Poipu's vacation rental and residential market.
This 4 bedroom 4 bath turnkey home is located on the Kiahuna Golf Course, has horizon ocean views, a private pool and spa, and is an active vacation rental. Rental income information is available upon request. To see more click on this link: Kiahuna Vista
For all the fee simple Poipu Beach activity click here: Poipu Beach Fee Simple Current Market Analysis
For the Kiahuna Plantation click here: Kiahuna Plantation Current Market Analysis
Hawaii Tourism Looks Very Different Today
COVID changed the Hawaii tourism landscape and it appears that Kauai is not suffering by the dramatic change.Here’s why: Kauai has never had a strong international tourism base; the only foreign traveler we’d get would be Canadians and that market started softening before COVID. Our tourists, and second home buyers, are largely from the West Coast with the Texas and Utah markets gaining momentum.
Since COVID Oahu has lost half of their Japanese travelers and visitors from Korea, Canada and Australia are not anywhere near their 2019 numbers. But, tourists from the mainland are up 40% in 2025 at 7.4 million compared to 10 years before at 5.3 million in 2015.And, the U.S. travelers go to different spots than foreign travelers do.
90% of the tourists to Kauai were from other U.S. states with California being the lead feeder market, by a large margin.
Southwest, Alaska and Hawaiian Increase Flights To Hawaii
Southwest, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are expanding service to Hawaii with new nonstop routes and additional flights to California. According to Alaska Airlines, the increased California service will boost Hawaii's seasonal seat capacity for them by 3% year over year and by as much as 6% during peak travel periods, reflecting continued demand for travel to the Islands. The expanded schedule also gives both visitors and Hawaii residents more nonstop options, including the return of service on several previously discontinued routes.
Here are the details:
✈️ Southwest Airlines for their March 2027 Spring Break Schedule here are the changes:
✈️ Increase to 5 times a week from Honolulu to Burbank and Ontario
✈️ Adding weekend only flights between Lihue and Kona to San Diego
✈️ Addition of a “Reverse Redeye” from Las Vegas to Honolulu which will leave Vegas at 2:45 a.m. and will arrive in Honolulu at 6:10 a.m.
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines:
✈️ Starting December 17th to March 21 2027 service starts between Boise, ID and Honolulu
✈️ Spokane, WA and Honolulu December 19 to April 17, 2027
✈️ Hawaiian Airlines is adding a third weekly flight during the holidays and spring break to Las Vegas from Honolulu.
One flight is being cancelled which is:
✈️ Hawaiians three times a week Honolulu to Auckland service.
New Bill Aims to Better Protect Kauai Homes From Fires
In the hopes to help mitigate damage to homes on Kauai caused by fires a proposal for all new construction, and any renovations that will add to square footage to a home, will be voted on August 12, 2026.
Here are the details:
Bill 2998 will require Kauai residential roof and foundation legs to be made from noncombustible material.Also required will be a minimum of six inches of metal flashing, cement or other noncombustible material installed where exterior walls connect to the ground, decking and roof. Metal mesh will need to be over ventilated opening and will be used to enclose the crawl space between the home and ground if the home is four feet or less off the ground.
The bill will also have new requirements for landscaping of any new developments of 10 or more units:Gutters, downspouts, roofs and the first 5 feet of a buildings/home perimeters must be kept clear of vegetation and debris.Landscaping within 30 feet of a home/building will have a height and spacing requirement.Some plants that have a higher water content are exempt.
Oahu, Maui and Big Island Real Estate
Looking across the first six months of the year, the statewide picture is encouraging for the single-family home market. Most islands posted gains in both the number of home sales and median prices. Kauai was the exception in sales activity, but it also recorded one of the strongest increases in median home price, showing that demand remained healthy despite fewer transactions. Condominiums tell a different story. Maui led the state in sales activity, but with the exception of Oahu, median condominium prices continued to trend lower.
Below is a graph showing the first six months of sales for Oahu, Maui and the Big Island compared to last year.
