Kauai Real Estate Update- For a complete list of everything that was Just Listed, Sold or went Under Contract on the island last week click here; Kauai Real Estate Update April 7 to 13, 2025
Poipu Beach Real Estate- What Fee Simple property has Sold, was Just Listed or went Under Contract in Poipu since January 1 of this year? Click here to find out; Poipu Beach Current Market Analysis
Kiahuna Plantation Real Estate Update- On Monday we did the Final Walk Through for Kiahuna Plantation unit #13 and I’ll be closing on that this next week. For all the real estate activity since the beginning of this year click here; Kiahuna Plantation Current Market Analysis
Zillow Banning Off-Market Listings — And Why That Matters
I got a detailed email from the CEO of Homes.com about Zillow’s new policy: starting in May, any listing being publicly marketed—but not on the MLS—will be permanently banned from appearing on Zillow.
Why is the CEO of Homes.com weighing in? Because it’s a chance to remind agents how they’re different. Homes.com doesn’t take a cut of commissions, and all leads go straight to the listing agent.
Zillow, on the other hand, is all about lead capture. When a buyer clicks “Contact Agent” on a Zillow listing, they’re usually connected to a paying agent—not the actual listing agent. That agent has agreed to give Zillow 35% of their commission if the deal closes. But that only works if the listing comes through the MLS. If it doesn’t, Zillow loses out.
With the NAR settlement limiting how commissions appear on the MLS, more listings are being marketed “off-market”—on company websites, social media, email blasts, etc.—where commission details can still be shared. Zillow is clearly trying to protect its revenue stream by discouraging this trend.
Should you care? It depends. The MLS gives your property the widest exposure. But not everyone wants the whole world to know they’re selling. In that case, a more private, off-market strategy may be the right call.
Haleiwa Joes On Oahu
I was dumbstruck when we went to dinner at Haleiwa Joe’s on our last visit to Oahu. My uncle and aunt knew about it—we had never heard of it. The parking lot is right next to a huge condominium complex, so the little pathway to the restaurant is deceiving. But once we went down the path, we were dumbstruck! The grounds are like a movie set—I was completely enchanted. This is their second location, in the Haiku Gardens, and it was breathtaking. The food and service did not disappoint. It was delicious, and the vibe of the restaurant was just amazing.
We started by splitting a spinach salad between the four of us, which was perfect because the entrées were very generous. I can highly recommend the Prime Rib with garlic mashed potatoes, the Roasted Chicken with ginger cilantro rice, and the New York Strip—which was a show in itself. They roast it in “Bulleit bourbon shiitake sauce” right at the table. Entrées range from $29.95 to $54.95, which was amazing.
We were too full for dessert—can’t report on that—but I’ll give you a pro tip: get there before 4 p.m. We arrived at 3:30 and there was already a line forming. If you show up after 4, expect a decent wait.
The Haleiwa location, I’m told, has great food too, but the atmosphere doesn’t come close to Kaneohe. Seriously, try this place out. Here’s the website: https://www.haleiwajoes.com
State Might Buy Kauai Land From Steve Case
Steve Case, Billionaire tech entrepreneur and creator of America Online ( AOL ), is in talks to sell 1,040 acres of agricultural land located just north of Lihue to the state of Hawaii. With a $39 million dollar price tag this will be the largest land acquisition in more than 10 years.
At this time over 20 people are farming the land and the state would like to see that become permanent.
Steve Case, who was born in Honolulu, bought Grove Farm for $26 million in the year 2000. The company includes 38,000 acres of land some of which has been developed into housing and a school. Grove Farm, at that time, was not doing well financially.
The matter is before the State Legislature which will decide the matter at the end of this month.
Young Brothers Looking To Raise Shipping Rates
Young Brothers will go before the Public Utilities Commission to ask for a 27% increase in their cargo shipping rates. The last time the company raised their rates was four years ago when it went up 47%. The company is holding hearings on all the islands, Kauai had it’s hearing on April 14th.
Young Brothers is pretty much the only game in town for barge services here in Hawaii and the outer islands of Kauai, Maui and the Big Island are pretty dependent the company. Pretty much everything is shipped in.
Citing projected losses of $18 million if they don’t get the rate hike the company said this would not allow them to cover expenses and to maintain service reliability.
For more information go to the PUC’s website; Young Brothers Public Hearings
