Hawaii The New "It" Spot for Lux Condos

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed)
Jul 17th 2006 at 4:06PM

Hawaii has always been known as a little piece of paradise and now it seems that the real estate market is booming there like never before, especially for buyers looking for second and third homes. Condos are especially popular because they can be as roomy and luxurious as a house, but take much less maintenance. Condos also often have luxurious amenities that stand-alone houses are not able to offer. Spectacular views from 20 and 30 stories high and easy beach access are among the obvious benefits, but new buildings like the Trump Waikiki Tower will include a wine cellar, lobby bar, cafe, fitness center, spa, concierge service, 24-hour room service and valet service, all of which will be available to both condo owners and hotel guests alike. These luxury condos are selling for up to $6 million, with demand expected to grow over the coming months as new developments are added.

Tags: condo, condos, hawaii, hawaii condos, luxury housing real estate, trump

Filed under: Estates, Luxury Travel & Hotels

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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)

Julie Jul 26th 2006 5:11AM

Whoever wrote that locals are rich has OBVIOUSLY never visited our islands. We have thousands of homeless people; elderly, families with children, people who are NOT bums, but have no choice but to live on the beach because housing is so expensive! There are 150 rentals advertised per week, and 2000 people all trying to rent them! The sad part is that hardworking people can't afford a place to live thanks to all these "luxury" condos that drive up the price of rentals. Do you have any idea how sad it is to see good people with jobs having to pack up their homes and move to a tent on the beach with their children? Can you imagine what it is like for these kids to have no home and still try to get an education?? Come to Hawaii and live local....pitch a tent on a beach next to a 70 year old man who has to live there thanks to rich mainlanders because greedy jerks have to own EVERYTHING. There's your reality, brah!!! The only thing rich here is our spirit...you can't buy that, or swteal it from us!!!

patrea Jul 26th 2006 5:23AM

this is absolutely ridiculous.
when i joined the army in 1973, in kailua, we were renting a 3 bedroom house for 350.00 a month.
now? not even. i feel for the locals who cant make ends meet so people with lots of money can destroy waikiki even more than it is now, if thats even possible.
tell all the haoles who want to come, build their monstrosities that were never meant for human habitation to go somewhere else.
we dont want your desecration and lack of respect for the land and sacred places to the hawaiians.
take your rubbish, your mainland attitudes and go some other place, please. big buildings are for people who are so selfabsorbed that theya ctually believe they will be remembered for that when they die.
only what is done for Christ will last.
donald trump grow up and get over yourself. thank you,thank you.

Brant kelsey Jul 26th 2006 5:47AM

Hawaii? I was raised here: left sold real property in the late 80's North County San Diego. Now I manage, onsite, in the Heart of Waikiki. When I returned rents were $725.00 for a two bedroom 650 square feet. This, merely, 10 years ago. The catch? You needed 40 felony arrests, actual convictions weren't relevant, and no visible means of Support. The Building has no amenities to speak of, other than it's proximity to the Beach. Now, however, landscaping is upgraded, the Building has great curb appeal, and is safe, clean, quiet. Right in Waikiki. Imagin? The lowest rents are $1500.00 and $1800.00 to $2000.00 is common. Housing Boom? Trust me, that's done. I could recite to you dozens of indicators, from traffic flow during open house, to actual sales, compared with the "asking" and it goes on and on. Sour Grapes with regard the ability of locals to purchase, not a new story, Hawaii, has been, and is for all practicle purposes, a very large "Company Store". The vast majority of locals have been out of the loop, with regard purchasing, possessing real property since the 70's. Cost of living is High, Wages are low, between the military and tourism, the primary employers, there is a wealth of prospective employees to draw from, which means demands on the employee are excessive, juxtaposed with the possible upside, and extremely disposable. Thus the exodus of locals to Vegas, and other Mainland destinations, seeking affordability, as well as the prospect of actually "getting ahead." Citizens seeking a fair wage are not our only export, We export a couple thousand locals a year to mainland reformitories, as we are unable to house them here. Hawaii? More cars per capita than any other place in the World. A destination of 20 miles may not be achieved in a day, if authorities should happen to find a parcel with white powder on it. That thoroughfare, or highway is down for the day. If you are looking for a quick fix, if you are looking for an opportunity to get ahead be forewarned that you need to have a good business plan and an accountant. If you are here to marvel at, what Mark Twain says "Are the lovliest fleet of Islands set sail in any Ocean", then welcome, you May find a deeper sense of self, and a perspective that transcends the quest for the green-paper; After all it is Health, and the enrichment of self, that will see you through, providing the essential dividends of peace and happiness. Which, depending upon your character, might be achieved anywhere. There is not boom, even a deal, is my estimation is a bust. Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, to name a few, these are the islands of yesteryear, where you walked into the garden, to pick your lunch. Swam, or surfed, in uncontaminated waters. I love these islands, these waters, these mountains, the Aina and the Aloha, shared, emabraced, by those who understand. Sadly, we are a caricature of a once noble spirit and place....even the most trusted and revered, once spoiled must be let go.

June Stark Aug 14th 2006 7:27PM

As a high rise condo specialist, what I can say is that TRUMP drives the market & pricing higher - whatever arena he opts to develop in. Many of my investors simply follow the Donald around from project to project and have found that to be a viable investment strategy.

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