If you live in Hawaii, try to keep your feet in the water and off of the gas pedal. As gas prices continue to increase throughout the country, the state of Hawaii is breaking records with its gas price at $4.51 a gallon for unleaded.

But, other states such as Alaska, Connecticut, Illinois, New York and the District of Columbia are also charging customers over four dollars for a gallon of gas. Trailing just a few cents away from four dollars per gallon are Indiana, Michigan, Nevada and Washington.

Hawaii residents have hit a high gas price before. In 2008, gas prices rose to $4.50/gallon. As gas prices throughout the country continue to rise, there will be less vehicular travel and more walking or transit transportation.

Having a vehicle that eats up your gas isn’t always a necessity. You could trade it in and purchase a more budget-friendly vehicle during the rising gas price period, or find alternative methods of transportation on and between our eight beautiful islands. Many people are investing in hybrid vehicles, like the Toyota Prius and all electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf. With the federal and state tax credits for 2011, the Nissan Leaf is extremely affordable.

Another popular move in Hawaii is to install a solar system on your home to reduce or eliminate your electric bill. The payback period in Hawaii is very fast when compared to the other 49 states. Solar also has a healthy federal and state tax credit for 2011. Whether the state tax credit will be extended for 2012 or not, is currently up in the air.

Spectacular Views!

Tucked away at the end of the cul-de-sac you will find this very loved single level home with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, a den, and large living room overlooking great views.

Lots of storage. Two car carport. Easy to view with a little notice. Convenient location!

 Contact Bob Hansen, BROKER, 808-283-9456 or

Donna D. Hansen, Realtor (S) 808-280-1650 for a showing today! 

Marriott to break ground for new hotel on Maui

A new 138-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel is expected to cost $16.5 million

By Andrew Gomes
Article from: Star-Advertiser

A decade-old plan to build a hotel near Maui’s main airport in Kahului is finally moving forward.

Participants in the venture led by Alexander & Baldwin Inc. announced that construction is slated to begin next week on a 138-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for today.

The project has long been desired by tourism officials who lament the lack of visitor accommodations near the airport, Maui’s commercial core and county government offices. But economic factors stalled development for several years.

A&B discussed the proj­ect publicly in early 2001, but after obtaining county approvals including a zoning change in 2002, the company declared in 2004 that it had deferred the proj­ect because of high construction costs.

Now A&B said the timing is right to build the hotel, which is estimated to cost $16.5 million.

“The economy is coming back,” Grant Y.M. Chun, vice president of the real estate subsidiary of A&B, said in a statement. “We are confident this hotel — long anticipated, for sure — will be a welcome and convenient option for short-term visitors from the neighbor islands, government officials desiring proximity to Wai­luku offices and, quite possibly sports event or family reunion attendees.”

Marriott expects the hotel will appeal to business guests, travelers and visitors interested in exploring Central and Upcountry Maui.

The four-story complex will include a business center, meeting rooms, a pool, fitness center, bar and lounge. The hotel also will include a guest laundry, surfboard storage and a convenience store.

The hotel will be the third Courtyard hotel in Hawaii. The others are in Waikiki and on Kauai. One is also planned for Laie. Overall, Marriott presently manages 14 hotel and time-share properties in Hawaii under the Courtyard and other brand names.

The Kahului hotel will be on a 3-acre site at the intersection of Dairy Road, Hale­akala Highway and Keo­lani Place, which leads to the airport.

R.D. Olson Construction, an Irvine, Calif.-based firm that has built Marriott hotels, is the contractor for the Maui proj­ect. A&B estimates that more than 50 jobs, including some for local subcontractors, will be needed to build the hotel.

Perfect home to enter into ownership in this popular Maui Meadows community on the quiet side of Akala Drive. A fabulous level, approximately half-acre parcel just waiting for someone to turn it into a tropical paradise. Potential to build a second story to obtain views. You will love the star filled Maui Meadows’ skies. The home has high ceilings, laminated wood flooring throughout, large mirrored closets, lots of shelved storage, plus all sliding glass doors have private lanais with their own entrances. Only minutes to beautiful beaches, world class dining and shopping and Wailea resort activities.

Located close to where dolphins and turtles enjoy our beautiful ocean waters, this peaceful sanctuary is zoned for a possible 750 sq. ft. (approximate) cottage which could easily be placed in a secluded portion of this large parcel. Don’t miss this fabulous opportunity to own in Maui Meadows.

 Easy to show.  Please call Clint Hansen, Realtor (S) 808.280.2764

First Hawaiian has ‘respectable’ quarter

CEO Don Horner says his bank’s income rose amid “progress” in the state’s economy

By Dave Segal
Article from: Star-Advertiser

First Hawaiian Bank said its net income rose 2.6 percent in the first quarter amid signs that the Hawaii economy is turning around.

The state’s largest bank in terms of assets posted earnings of $52.7 million compared with $51.3 million in the year-earlier period, according to financial results due out today.

Chairman and CEO Don Hor­ner called the quarter “respectable” and said the bank’s overall fundamentals remain solid.

“We see continued prog­ress in our state’s economy and are hopeful the impact of the March 11 tragedy in Japan will not be as severe as first predicted,” Hor­ner said. “A strong tourism sector is an important contributor to lead our economic recovery.”

Earlier this month, First Hawaiian released a first-quarter business activity report that showed retail spending by consumers increased 10.2 percent over the same period a year ago at businesses open at least a year. The bank is the state’s largest provider of merchant card terminals and debit and credit card proc­ess­ing with more than 7,500 merchant locations in Hawaii, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mari­ana Islands.

First Hawaiian’s assets last quarter increased 6.3 percent to $15.2 billion from $14.3 billion.

Deposits were up 5.8 percent to $10.8 billion from $10.2 billion, and loans and leases edged up 2.8 percent to $8.2 billion from $8 billion.

The percentage of nonperforming assets to total assets remained low at 0.2.5 percent compared with 0.23 percent a year ago.

The bank’s capital, or net worth, at the end of thequarter was in excess of $2.6 billion and remained in the top quartile nationally as a percentage of total assets.

First Hawaiian, a wholly owned subsidiary of French banking giant BNP Pari­bas, is not required to separately report its earnings, but does so voluntarily each quarter.

The Honolulu-based bank, founded in 1858, has 58 branches in Hawaii, three on Guam and two on Saipan.