The 2025 State of the County Address will be given by Mayor Richard Bissen on March 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Castle Theater of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Admission will open at 4 p.m. He will talk about the county’s response to the wildfires in 2023 and lay out plans for housing, economic recovery, and Lahaina reconstruction, with an emphasis on retaining locals in their neighborhoods and protecting the area’s natural and cultural features. The public can attend the event for free, and parking and entrance are also free. It will be livestreamed on the County of Maui Facebook page, broadcast on AKAKŪ Maui Community Media Channel 53, and streamed on YouTube, Akaku.org, and the county website.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Expanding Farm Activities
Following county shutdowns of farms, the Maui Planning Commission suggested permitting mobile food trucks on agricultural property. Direct sales are made possible by the measure, which is backed by farmers and business executives. Proponents claim that it improves farm sustainability and fortifies the bonds between tourism and agriculture.
Read the entire article via the Maui News here.
Volcano Eruptions
Kilauea is erupting again, with lava spewing from Halemaʻumaʻu Crater at its summit inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The latest activity began Tuesday morning, sending lava up to 330 feet (100 meters) into the air in the volcano’s ninth eruptive episode since December. While the eruptions have been ongoing for nearly two months, no residential areas are currently at risk.
For Kihei people interested in the Flooding mitigation, this is just a reminder about tonight’s townhall meeting held by Tom Cook 6pm at The Malcolm Center located at 1305 1305 N. Holopono St., Ste. 5. in Kīhei.
Happy New Year!
| HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR !
The new year celebrations bring hope and beliefs in new beginnings for many. The final statistics with the overview of 2024 should be ready for discussion within the next month. For now looking back to December 2024, U.S. existing-home sales rose for the second consecutive month, up 4.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.15 million units, an eight-month high, and 6.1% higher year-over-year—the largest annual increase since June 2021, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). For Maui, new listings grew 13.4% for single-family homes but fell 7.7% for condominiums, while inventory surged 63.2% and 105.3%, respectively. Median sales prices increased 14.5% for single-family homes to $1,374,238 and 1.2% for condominiums to $860,000, with days on the market and months of inventory also rising significantly. Nationwide, the median existing home price reached $406,100, up 4.7% year-over-year, as total housing inventory of 1.33 million units represented a 3.8-month supply, still below the balanced market range, keeping upward pressure on prices. From UHERO (The Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawaii) – 4th Quarter Report “Hawaii tourism, which has flattened this year, will show modest improvement in 2025, as visitor arrivals expanded nearly 3%. U.S. mainland travel will strengthen, aided by federal tax cuts, but international markets may suffer from trade tensions and a stronger dollar. Tourism revenue will be constrained by stagnant per-person spending. Maui’s recovery continues to face challenges. Visitor numbers remain subdued, with occupancy rates at historic lows and labor force participation constrained by post-fire disruptions and outmigration. Maui has regained more than half of the jobs lost to the wildfires, but employment remains well below pre-fire levels. Rebuilding efforts will provide ongoing support, but a full tourism recovery is years down the road. On the positive side, the total number of scheduled air seats to the state for November, December, and January has increased relative to last year, indicating airlines’ confidence in potentially rising demand …. into the Winter season.” We are presently marketing a new listing at The Palms at Wailea short term property. It also has the Golf Opportunities many wish for. This nice ocean view located in the preferred interior circle is two bedrooms and two bathrooms, with the updated split system ceiling air conditioning. $1.775K. Check out that listing along with many other beach front condos and estate properties with price tags and sizes for all: https://www.mauirealestate.net… For complete information for Hawaii go to our website https://www.mauirealestate.net/ Keep informed with our blog where local information and statistics are posted: https://blog.mauirealestate.net/ Enjoy our informative radio program: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChcOyThjgwJgO5fV72YQVtg If you would like a copy of our newsletter to share let us know at dad@mauirealestate.net The Hansen Ohana ~ Maui’s Real Estate Family for over 30 years |
25th Anniversary Toy Drive
Thank you to Alma Tassi of RAM for the wonderful write up of our 25th Anniversary of our Toy Drive!
By Alma Tassi on 12/11/2024
Bob, Clint, and Donna Hansen (Maui Luxury Real Estate LLC)
When Donna Hansen started a toy drive over two decades ago at a holiday luncheon with a
small group of ladies, she had no idea what it would become. Now celebrating their 25th
anniversary, Bob, Donna, and Clint Hansen of Maui Luxury Real Estate LLC are kicking off
their annual toy drive for the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui (FCJC Maui).
Donna shares, “FCJC Maui supports those children who have faced severe trauma
including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, often living in neglectful or broken homes
where mental health challenges become prevalent.” FCJC Maui is a nonprofit organization
relying entirely on community support and is dedicated to providing essential services
including dental, medical, and mental health support.
During the holidays, FCJC Maui ensures all the kids they serve receive a gift and the
Hansen’s toy drive is a key driver of donations. Executive Director of FCJC Maui Paul
Tonneson says, “Since 1999 Donna Hansen and her ‘ohana, have provided thousands of
Christmas gifts to children in need in Maui County. The children who receive Christmas
gifts all come from low-income families, some are homeless, and many of them are in
foster care because they have been abused or neglected in the past.”
In 2023, the drive raised $40,000 and FCJC Maui provided over 2,200 gifts. Tonneson
continues, “Without their kindness and generosity year after year, we would not be able to
meet the overwhelming demand for gifts during the holidays.”
Donna admits it will be tough to replicate last year’s success with so many struggling on
the island. “It’s been a hard year for everyone, but a donation doesn’t have to be something
to be big. A small toy or even $5. It tells these kids that people care about them.” All
donations are given to Maui County children, including Molokai and Lanai.
The Hansens kick off their toy drive at a private holiday party on the first Friday in
December. It’s an opportunity to “get in the spirit of giving” and remind guests to support
these children and show them they are not forgotten. Everyone in the Hansen family gets
involved from the entertainment to the catering. They receive everything from bicycles,
skateboards, and instruments to dolls and smaller items. Even guests who can’t make the
event, still manage to drop off a check or toy later.
Year after year, the generosity blows Donna away. “It’s such a joy—when you look at the
toys and you see the magic of the toys and giving.” Toys, gift cards, and donations are being
accepted at the Maui Luxury Real Estate office at the Wailea Town Center, Suite A-106. Call
808-283-9456 to set up an appointment or schedule a pick-up. Checks can be made
payable to FCJC Maui and sent to The Hansens, P. O. Box 294, Kihei HI 96753. For more
information about FCJC Maui, visit mauicjc.org.
Hawaii Real Estate Blog 
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