Addressing Hawaii's Housing Crisis & Voting for a Brighter Future - Sakamoto Properties

Addressing Hawaii’s Housing Crisis & Voting for a Brighter Future

Home » Betty’s Hawaii Real Estate Corner » Addressing Hawaii’s Housing Crisis & Voting for a Brighter Future
October 3, 2024
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Betty Sakamoto: Aloha and welcome to Betty’s Real Estate Corner, brought to you by Coldwell Banker Sakamoto Properties and Roy and Betty Sakamoto. Today in the studio, we have our daughter, Julie Sherlock, a proud graduate of Lahainaluna High School, Class of 1982. Roy graduated in 1960, so there’s an appropriate number of years between us. Anyway, we’re all fortunate to be a part of Lahainaluna High School. Lahainaluna football, Lahainaluna everything. And that matters to me.

Roy Sakamoto: Oldest school west of the Rockies.

BS: That’s true. It has a lot of history—more history than anyone can imagine. The more you’re around Lahainaluna, the bigger it is.

RS: Well, the tradition lives on. You know, it’s amazing how the roots trace back to alumni from Lahainaluna. It’s unbelievable.

BS: I agree with you. Every time we meet someone who has lived in Maui for any period of time, the odds are they went to Lahainaluna High School if they lived in West Maui. The competition between all the schools here has always been huge. Huge.

RS: First question is, what class were you in?

BS: Yes, exactly.

RS: When did you graduate?

BS: So it is a pretty fun thing. I went to Baker Victory High School in Lackawanna, New York. It was a great school and had exactly the same number of graduates the year I graduated as Roy’s class. I can’t remember the exact number.

RS: 119.

BS: Yeah, we had about 120, maybe 119, but it was right around the same. It was a great school. It didn’t have the football team that Lahainaluna has or the stadium, but it sure was a great school. Anyway, here we are, and we’re going to hopefully provide some real estate information that will interest someone today.

We brought a lot of different information on properties. We’ll hear from Julie and see what she has to say about being here. She’s back for a week and was here a while ago. She came back home shortly after the fires and was able to get together with many of her friends. They would sometimes go out in the water, just get in the ocean, and spend time together. That really made a big difference for everyone, didn’t it?

Julie Sherlock: Yeah, it really did. Just being together and being part of my community that I grew up in was really nice. It was great to be back here with them and spend some time together to help them heal through a very difficult time.

BS: Yeah.

JS: That closeness circles back to Lahainaluna. My class had 129 people, and we’re the Class of ’82. We’re still really close. Earlier this year, we took a trip to Vegas to celebrate our 60th birthdays. It was amazing. Everyone was affected by the fires in a different way.

Just being back together was really special. I know it helped them heal, but it probably helped me heal too. I wasn’t directly affected, but you feel a little guilt for not having gone through what they experienced. It was just really hard for them. So anyway, Lahainaluna is a special place and is still bringing people together to this day.

RS: Yeah, and speaking of healing, it’s a community healing. We’ve been very involved in trying to get Lahaina back on its feet. It’s a long process, but gradually, Lahaina deserves to be the shining jewel it always has been. Unfortunately, the fire has been a horrific experience.

But maybe it’s a chance to start with a blank slate and redo Lahaina correctly. Hopefully, we can do this for not only the residential areas but also the commercial areas of downtown Lahaina. Front Street has a lot of history, and we can hopefully capitalize on that history. We should emphasize Moku’ula, the former residence of King Kamehameha, and remember that it was once the former capital of Hawaii and the whaling capital of the Western world. So, there’s a lot of history here.

BS: Well, I agree. We also need to talk about housing in general. I don’t think we can solve any of these problems on the radio today, but housing for people in Maui is a major issue. It’s not just about the fires; the cost of housing keeps going up, and hopefully, there will be a way forward.

I think the current mayor and governor understand that and will be working on it, not just for Lahaina but for all the communities in Hawaii. You know, Oahu has the same problem; all the islands face the same housing challenges. It’s very difficult.

RS: Yeah, no question. We’re not unique. It’s an issue all over the world, really. There are foreign countries experiencing the same problems we have. But, coming back to Maui and the issue of affordable housing, it’s election time soon. Pay attention to your candidates running for office, get out there and vote, and listen to what they are saying about affordable housing. Lip service is great; everybody likes to hear it. But what are the candidates actually going to do?

BS: For anyone attending a meeting with candidates, I think it’s important to ask, “How are you going to address housing for the people of Maui?” This issue is not just about the fires or other problems. There is land here; we all see the land.

I know that the ownership of that land can be an issue, but I think there has to be a way for people to step in and work together to find a solution. Once someone purchases a property, there should be some sort of control to ensure that they are residents of Hawaii, that they will have jobs here, and that they will be part of the community. This is vital for our growth.

RS: Oh, absolutely. One problem we have on Maui is the water issue. No doubt, there are water issues everywhere due to global warming. I was on a Zoom call about a month ago, and there’s some great technology that was developed in Saudi Arabia. For lack of a better description, it’s kind of like a radio antenna that goes up.

It has some sensors—I’m not quite sure how it works—but they spin and capture moisture from the air. This works in Saudi Arabia, where much of it is desert, yet they can grow vegetables using this technology. Maybe it’s something we should also look into.

Maui County is aware of this. One of the gentlemen on the Zoom call was from the county. We should also consider desalination. There’s a lot of new technology out there that we need to be aware of and incorporate into our future planning.

BS: I’m sure you’re right, Roy. I think most of us believed we had all the water we needed, even though we knew we didn’t. Now it’s time to take these new, innovative ideas—wherever they come from—and see if they will work on Maui and if we can afford the expertise. There should be a way to make anything like that happen.

RS: Right. We need to expedite the permitting procedures. They are so long and cumbersome that many developers are saying, “If I have to wait three, four, or five years to get my affordable project off the ground, it’s not affordable anymore.”

BS: That’s right.

RS: We need to address these kinds of problems.

BS: People do need homes, and this issue is everywhere. It’s not just the Lahaina side; it’s all over the island. Hopefully, some of the tiny homes that have opened in Kapalua will provide housing. I think they have a seven-year plan, which will help, but I believe we need more of those. We might need more permanent housing like that because people are usually okay with something a little smaller here. So let’s all think about that.

RS: Absolutely. Getting away from modular housing, which a lot of people see as “cracker box” type housing—not necessarily, but it can look that way—there is a company that furnished the modular homes for us in Kapalua for the 50 modular homes for golf course employees.

Now, they’re opening those up to Kapalua employees in general. Daiwa House has construction companies in California, Arizona, and Texas that are on board now to help develop affordable housing. It could be like precut construction, almost like a kit home. Other manufacturers, some local, have some great house plans on order for one, along with three or four others that have some excellent plans. If we can expedite the permitting for these homes, that’s a big step forward.

BS: I think you’re right, Roy. “Expediting” is the word of the year, let’s say, because there has to be a way for someone to make a plan and build affordable housing. It can’t take three years because, again, we’ve seen people here build something, and by the time they’re ready to occupy it, they’re already so deep in costs that it can’t be considered affordable housing.

RS: Right.

BS: That’s critical.

BS: Even now, as parts of Lahaina start to rebuild, the square-foot construction prices I’m hearing are unbelievable—astronomical. It’s not like people are building huge custom homes –  three, four, or five thousand square-foot custom homes. But for 2,200 square feet, if you’re being charged $1,000,000 or more, that’s unbelievable. Sure, there’s a material shortage and a construction worker shortage, but it shouldn’t be that high.

BS: No, it should not be that high. I mean, there should be a way for affordable housing to be built at reasonable prices. And that isn’t really happening right now. I don’t know a solution to it—none of us do. But if somebody does, let’s hear about it.

RS: Well, again, here we are at election time, and it’s a good opportunity to bring it up with the candidates.

BS: Yes. So anyone getting involved politically, raises the question.

RS: Sure. Absolutely.

BS: Just raise the question.

RS: Absolutely.

BS: You know, we did bring some information on housing with us.

RS: Yeah, we are a real estate show.

BS: That’s right.

RS: Before we get into our listings and so forth, I’d like to pay tribute to a classmate of mine from the class of 1960, Lori Gomez-Karinen, who passed away recently. She was so instrumental in preserving the history and tradition of Lahainaluna. Our deepest condolences go out to her husband, Larry, and the rest of Lori’s family. It’s heart-wrenching. I’m sorry to lose you, Lori, but I know you’re watching over us.

BS: Roy, do you have the information about when the services at Lahainaluna will be happening?

RS: Julie has all the info.

BS: Oh, perfect.

JS: Yeah. I was just going to share that a lot of us called her Aunty Lori. She was my Hawaiian history teacher, and she also taught English at Lahainaluna. She meant a lot to my class, as she did to many others. She was very special and always had a smile on her face.

I think she always had a flower in her hair, too. She was the most beautiful woman. This weekend, there will be a celebration of life for her at Borders Field at Lahainaluna on Friday, October 4th, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There will also be an additional service on Saturday at Sacred Hearts Church in Kapalua from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

She’ll be laid to rest afterward. She was just so special to all of us at Lahainaluna. Rest in peace, Aunty Lori Gomez-Karinen.

BS: It’s interesting to think that she was Roy’s classmate and also meant so much to our daughter, Julie, here. Julie, what year did you come to Lahainaluna?

JS: I think it was 1978, and I graduated in ’82. She was so warm and welcoming to me during a time that was a bit challenging, transitioning as a sophomore in high school. She was a very special lady.

BS: Very special.

JS: I’m very thankful and grateful.

RS: You know, she grew up across the street from me on Lahainaluna Road, and we were in the class of ’56 together at King Kamehameha III School.

BS: Wow.

RS: Yeah.

BS: I had forgotten about grammar school.

RS: There’s a long history with Aunty Lori. You’d see her at football games, out there leading the big football players and singing the alma mater. She really cared deeply about Lahainaluna and all the traditions associated with it.

JS: And the Borders, too.

BS: And the Borders. She wanted everyone to know the alma mater. If you’re living here in Lahaina, you should know it.

RS: No question.

BS: I have to admit, I don’t really know it, but this year will be my year to learn it.

RS: Okay.

BS: Okay, you’re going to have to help me, Roy. Both of us.

RS: Yeah. But what a great lady. Our loss is heaven’s gain.

BS: We will be there Friday night for the celebration at Borders Field, and hopefully, anyone listening will remember and come. It’s going to be a significant moment for Lahaina, for Lahainaluna, and for all the young people. To this day, she matters to every class. Every class has mattered to Lori and her family.

RS: Aunty Lori.

BS: Aunty Lori.

RS: Absolutely. Yeah. Anyway, it’s a big weekend ahead for Aunty Lori.

BS: Big weekend. Well, shall we go ahead and look at some of these properties?

RS: Yeah. The overall market right now is quite interesting. Interest rates are headed down, and there are some great 30-year mortgages available. It’s a great time to buy. For those of you sitting on the sidelines, wondering how low interest rates or prices will go—why wait? Every day that goes by, you’re missing out. Talk to your favorite realtor. We’re always here to help. My number is 808-870-7060, and Betty is 808-870-7062. Even if you’re upcountry or elsewhere on Maui, we can assist. Coldwell Banker has offices upcountry in Pukalani, Kahului, Kihei, and Kapalua.

BS: We probably missed a few locations.

RS: Well, we also cover the Big Island, Kauai, and Oahu. So wherever you’re looking for real estate in Hawaii, we can help.

BS: Absolutely. There are so many options. I was just looking at properties, thinking about how many people are just looking for a home right now. Maui Lani Terraces is a great property, and the lowest price I’ve seen there is around $350,000 for a studio apartment. It’s very livable, and you can walk almost anywhere from there. Mihaela Stoops has at least one of those listed.

RS: Yeah, it’s a great property, well located. There’s no reason someone shouldn’t consider buying it.

BS: Right, it’s ground floor, easily accessible, and anyone can live there. It’s a great option. It comes with a parking stall, has a little bit of everything, and, even if it needs some work, it’s a small space that can easily be fixed up to your liking. The unit is G108, listed by Mihaela Stoops. Her phone number is 808-357-4000. She’s with Coldwell Banker Island Properties.

RS: She’s a great realtor. Another interesting listing is a three-bedroom, two-bath home in Olowalu, priced at $1,198,000. It’s just under 700 square feet but offers great value. Raymond Chin from our office has the listing.

BS: Mihaela also has a unit at Maui Eldorado. It’s been a favorite of ours forever. It’s still leasehold, but it’s a large studio apartment, unit K210, listed at $585,000. You can walk almost anywhere from there. Even though it’s leasehold, it’s worth considering, whether you plan to live there or use it as a rental.

RS: One thing we should mention is that Coldwell Banker offers a great rental program—both long-term and short-term rentals. So, if you’re interested in finding a rental or have a property you want to rent out, give us a call. Again, my number is 808-870-7060, and Betty is 808-870-7062. Or visit our website, SakamotoProperties.com, courtesy of Meyer Computer, where you can find all the Maui real estate information you need.

BS: I don’t think any of us are really watching the time today, but it’s now 12:27, so we’re going to wrap up soon. We have about three minutes left. Is there anything else we should share?

JS: We’re down to two.

RS: Love one another. Life is short, and you never know what will happen. God forbid anything like the Lahaina fire ever happens again—on Maui or anywhere else. I heard recently that it was the fifth-largest disaster in U.S. history.

BS: Really? I hadn’t heard that.

RS: Yes, 102 fatalities so far.

BS: Wow.

RS: So, spread the spirit of Aloha.

BS: Spread Aloha.

RS: Live Aloha.

BS: And live it every day.

JS: And love your parents because I love these two. So happy to be here. Aloha to everyone.

BS: It’s been a lot, having Julie, Roy, and myself here. Julie’s dad.

RS: Danny Couch is ready to join us.

BS: Danny Couch is coming up next, very soon.

JS: Lots of love and Aloha to everyone out there.

BS: And remember, we love Hawaii. Thank you, Danny Couch always.