Kauai Real Estate Update- Last week a tidy number of properties went under contract as well as sold. For a complete list of the island wide real estate activity for last week click here; Kauai Real Estate Market Update April 28 to May 4, 2025
Poipu Beach Real Estate Update- For all of the Fee Simple real estate activity in Poipu since January 1 of this year click here; Poipu Beach Fee Simple Current Market Analysis
Kiahuna Plantation Real Estate Update- Just Listed | Kiahuna #440 $360,000 (LH)
Unit 440 at Kiahuna Plantation is a ground-floor condo in a quiet garden setting, just a short stroll to the beach and athletic club. It sleeps four, has a full kitchen, updated bath, and comes with beach gear and club access. Solid rental history with future bookings already lined up.
For a list of all the real estate activity at the Kiahuna since the beginning of the year click here; Kiahuna Plantation Current Market Analysis
From The Pile Of Bills, Two That Made Waves
Last week hundreds of Bills passed the Hawaii State Legislature and are now in front of the Governor to sign which he is expected to do. Two of them are; Hawaii Property Insurance Stabilization 2024 was not kind to insurance rates which impacted association dues and brought about some assessments. This prompted Senate Bill 1044 which reactivates the existing Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to expand to the Hawaii Property Insurance Association. Through this a loan program can be created for associations to pay for deferred maintenance which has been one of the reasons why some complexes are not able to get full loan coverage.
In related news; Associations Take Action. Have you gotten notices that the association is going to inspect your unit for leaks, that you need to install a “leak detector” or they will be checking on your dryer vent? This is being done to show the insurance agency that they (the association) are taking proactive measures to prevent claims.
Green Fee On Tourists
The first ever “Green Fee” on tourism by way of Senate Bill 1396. I had blogged about this bill last week and it did indeed pass and given our Governors support of this bill I’m sure it will be signed into law. Starting 1/1/2026 the Transient Accommodations Tax will go up by 0.75% to 11%. Cruise ships will pay 11% tax when the dock in Hawaii.
Here is what Governor Green said about this bill; “From my standpoint, this is going to be a legacy item for the state of HawaiÊ»i. This will be for generations, as long as we keep it in place, and I expect we will because a lot of people have sacrificed and they want to see it work now. I think people are going to look back 10 and 20 years from now and they're going to say, ‘Oh, that's how HawaiÊ»i was able to deal with the very serious threat of climate change.’”
6,000 Gallons Of Sewage Water Spills From Coco Palms Pump Station
For the third time the Wailua Coco Palms sewer pump station failed which sent 6,000 gallons of wastewater into surrounding areas and businesses. The spill was caused by an electrical failure and, while the spilled sewage was pumped up and the area was treated with bleach and chlorine tabs, the smell has not completely. A Kauai County Engineer said they are “deploying an odor control product in the sewer system” along with taking other odor suppression measures.
A Kauai Council Chair member who lives nearby said he’s working with the Council to take more effective measures.
Kauai Real Estate Year-To-Date 2025 vs 2024
Stock market swings, global tariff concerns, and the constant hum of negative news are creating real headwinds for buyers and sellers. Even so, when we compare year-to-date numbers to this time last year, Kauai’s sales are holding steady. I stay focused on the numbers, not the noise, and so far, both segments are performing better than you might expect.
What we’ll need to watch; increasing inventory which is up statewide. We are at pre-pandemic levels which in itself is not negative, it’s something to watch to see how this inventory works into our market.
