Kauai Real Estate Update- Last week saw the implementation of worldwide reciprocal tariffs and a significant drop in our stock market. Protesting happened in all 50 states on Saturday, including a massive turnout on Rice Street here on Kauai. This is going to have an impact on real estate and, to some extent, already has. Last week out of the 28 properties on Kauai that did price changes 27 of them decreased their price.
I’ve been getting asked what I think about the real estate market in relation to what is going on. I’ve owned real estate on Kauai since 1998 and I’ve seen a lot happen, I’ve yet to see any event that will stop the overall upward trajectory of owning real estate.
For a complete list of what Sold, was Just Listed and what went Under Contract last week click here; Kauai Real Estate March 31 to April 6, 2025.
Poipu Beach Real Estate Update- Just Listed | Pili Mai 3 Bedroom $1,675,000
Pili Mai 4K is a ground-floor, single-level corner villa in PoÊ»ipÅ« Beach that combines the space of a home with the ease of a condo—3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and a one-car garage. It’s never been vacation rented and has been maintained in excellent condition as a private residence. With central A/C, custom acacia cabinetry, Bosch appliances, and two lanais, it’s equal parts comfort and function. Two notable Poipu Beach sales last week both in the Poipu Kai Subdivision; 3 Bedroom Bayview Home sold for the list price of $2,838,888 and a Crestview home that also sold at the listed price of $4,395,000. For a complete list of the Poipu Beach real estate activity click here; Poipu Beach Fee Simple Current Market Analysis
Kiahuna Plantation- Sold | Kiahuna Plantation #134 $425,000 (LH)
Located in the heart of the resort in building 20 this ground floor unit was an exceptional value with its recently installed Air-Conditioning. I loved the spacious lawn and the close proximity to the ocean. To see all the real estate activity since the beginning of the year click here; Kiahuna Plantation Current Market Analysis
50 Kauai Hikers Stranded On Kalalau Trail
The rains we had last week caused the Hanakapi’ai Stream to rise to a level that made it uncrossable for 50 hikers. The Hanalei Fire Station got reports of the hikers being stranded and when they got to the scene at 2:30 in the afternoon it was determined the best thing for the group to do was shelter in place for the evening.
The rain was coming down at 1 inch per hour in that area on Thursday and flash flood warnings were issued. All 50 people made it out safely on Friday morning.
Hotel And Condominium Small Toiletries Might Be Banned
Those small sized Shampoo, Conditioners and Hand Soap that are in Hawaii Hotels and Condominiums might not be allowed any longer if House Bill 348 passes which just passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Supported by the Surfrider Foundation HB348 would ban small single use toiletries in any rental facility that has 50 or more rentals on site and in 2028 it would apply to everyone.
With Hawaii’s limited land fill and recycling ability 36 Million Pounds of recycling went to California just in 2019.
It's also argued that the larger refillable bottles are more cost effective for the hotels, the Marriott and the Hyatt are two hotel chains that have already made the switch with wall mounted dispensers. Hawaii has around 9 million tourist a year on a statewide level and with several of these little bottles being provided in every room it’s adding up to a lot of plastic.
Maui Properties Losing Vacation Rental Status Not Clear
After the Lahaina fires in August of 2023 the Mayor of Maui proposed to reverse the ability for more than 7,000 owners of condos to vacation rent out their units. These units were to be converted back to residential status in order to free up much needed housing. When the Mayors announcement first hit it caused a massive panic for people who owned vacation rentals on all islands, they wondered would it happen to them?
Answer is; not likely. The Mayors statement was widely misunderstood—it referred specifically to properties on the Minatoya list. The Minatoya List includes condos in residential areas that were given an exemption to keep operating as short-term rentals, even after Maui County passed a law in 1989 that no longer allowed vacation rentals in those zones. These properties were already doing short-term rentals before the change, so they were allowed to continue under that grandfathered status.
For this to happen it needs to be approved by the Maui County Council who, for over a year, has opted to not vote on it. The concern; massive loss in the reduction of property tax, loss of jobs and tourism.
Enter The Opinion Of UHERO- University Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) conducted a study and found the benefits of more housing would cost Maui;
💰 $900 million a year in visitor spending
💰 Loss of GE and TA revenue $15 million a year
💰 Loss of 1,900 jobs
💰 Property Tax Classification Change (Vacation to Residential) $60 million annually by 2029
