Betty Sakamoto
Aloha! Welcome to Betty’s Real Estate Corner, brought to you by Roy and Betty Sakamoto Coldwell Banker Kapalua. We’re having a great time these days at Coldwell Banker. It’s a strange and busy period—some people are extremely busy, while others are not. Overall, most people are quite busy right now. There are many new listings, and it has been pretty fun.
Roy Sakamoto
Yeah, it’s been interesting to see how Lahaina is recovering from the fire last August. I believe Lahaina is turning the corner; we’re making progress, although there’s still a lot to be done. Overall, the general attitude is more positive, and I’m optimistic about the good things ahead for Lahaina.
BS: I kind of agree. I think reopening the businesses would help a lot. You attended that meeting where a whole group came together to discuss what should happen, and you visited the Front Street properties. I’m not sure if we’ve discussed that on the radio before, but what happened there was pretty amazing.
The group consisted of people who truly cared about Lahaina. Could you tell us a little about how it went and what happened? At one point, Roy seemed like an outsider, even though he was born and raised in Lahaina. Over time, he made it clear that he was actually born in Lahaina.
He was. It was during the war, and the only hospital was being used by servicemen. So when his mother went into labor, they took her to Lahainaluna High School, where the boarding department was being used for patients. Little did she know that her husband, who was out playing baseball at the time, had broken his leg and ended up in the same room as Roy’s mother.
But he was truly born in Lahaina, and I don’t think anyone else claimed that except Roy. Eventually, they decided that maybe he was the only one who really deserved to be there, even if it was a bit humorous. It turned out to be a great thing.
RS: I was born at Lahainaluna High School, in one of the dorms. My mom went into labor, and my dad broke his leg, so they ended up sharing a room.
BS: Yeah, quite a story. They probably didn’t spend much time thereafter. Or maybe they did.
RS: I don’t remember.
BS: Yeah, no, I suppose not. But tell us a little about it.
RS: This was back in October. We had a focus group that met at the Westin for two days. We held intensive sessions discussing the future of Lahaina and how we envision it being rebuilt. We focused on the general theme rather than the nitty-gritty details of each lot or store. It was good.
It was my first opportunity to visit Lahaina after the fires, and it was very, very sad. Landmarks were gone, and you had no real idea what street you were on because the intersections had no street signs or recognizable landmarks. You might think you’re at a certain intersection, but you’re not quite sure. There were piles of ashes all around and cars scattered on the roadway.
It was quite interesting, though very, very sad. During this focus group, we determined that the future of Lahaina should concentrate on its historical significance—such as Mokuʻula Island, the former capital of Hawaii—rather than focusing on things like $20 Puka shell necklaces. While I’m sure those will return eventually, our emphasis should be on preserving and highlighting Lahaina’s historical value.
However, the main focus should be on concentrating on the historical significance of Lahaina and emphasizing places like Mokuʻula Island and the surrounding areas. We understand that the natural springs have come back to life after the fire, which could be a positive sign for the future of Lahaina. It might be a real sign of hope, even if it’s a bit of a stretch.
BS: Explain the Mokuʻula island. I would think that a lot of people listening now might not know what you’re talking about.
RS: Mokuʻula Island is located diagonally across from 505 Front Street, where the Malu’ulu o Lele ballpark and tennis courts are now. Historically, it was an island in that area, surrounded by water, and was reserved for King Kamehameha. It has significant historical importance. The Waiola Church next door also adds to the historical context.
The cemetery contains the graves of many ancient Hawaiian royals. Visiting the cemetery is very sobering and provides a deeper understanding of the history of Lahaina. Additionally, while the Banyan tree is a great landmark and well-known, it doesn’t carry the same historical significance. It remains a notable feature, but its importance is more about its status as a landmark rather than historical context.
I’m happy to say it’s coming back. It was pretty scorched, but the courthouse next to it is still standing, though barely. It’s quite damaged. However, there are plans to restore the courthouse, aiming to preserve its historical architecture. There’s a lot of history involved, including its significance as a whaling capital, which is quite substantial.
BS: I think there is so much history in Lahaina that isn’t immediately apparent to the average person. As you mentioned, many people focus on things like puka shell necklaces or small stores that sell such items. While there is certainly a place for that, I’m not saying there isn’t, there is still so much more historical significance and depth to explore. I think if everyone considers what visitors want to take home with them, it’s possible to create something meaningful, whether it’s related to Mokulele?
RS: Mokuʻula.
BS: Mokuʻula. I believe that it will all have its place. I think it will lead to a whole new set of items that people will take with them.
RS: I found out something I wasn’t aware of. Back in the fifties, there was an effort to name Lahaina as one of the historical sites in the world. I’m not sure if it was a United Nations designation or something else with significant importance, and I’m not clear on how far the process went. It would be great to restore something like that and have it designated as a historical site, perhaps by the United Nations or another organization. It’s something to look forward to and strive for.
BS: Maybe what just happened makes it even more so. Because it is huge.
RS: Tourism is a big part of our lives here in Hawaii, particularly in Maui. We have great beaches, golf courses, but visitors are now looking for more than just those attractions. If we had something with historical significance that they could visit and learn about, I think that would be really important. It would also help the overall economy.
BS: Well, when you were there, I remember you came home with tears in your eyes as you talked about the royalty buried there—something you never fully knew about despite having lived here all your life. I think that realization alone was a huge moment for us, recognizing that this significant history was happening.
RS: Yeah, absolutely. I knew the cemetery was there; it was a place to run through on the way to the ballpark. I never stopped to read any of the tombstones—just ran through it. But it was very sobering to go through and learn more about who is buried there. I can’t remember the names right now, but it was very worthwhile just to see.
BS: What was left there? The tombstones are still there.
RS: Right.
BS: Okay. That’s great by itself.
RS: Right.
BS: That much survived.
RS: It would be great to go with a native Hawaiian who is familiar with the area because some names don’t mean much until they start talking about them—princes, princesses, and what they accomplished. It’s truly a powerful history.
BS: It’s amazing. But it is something we should all think about. Maybe we should make a point of learning a bit more so we can share it better. What you went through there was absolutely amazing.
RS: Yeah, you know, it’s funny. Years ago, Peter McKenney, a good friend of ours, and his wife Luana lived right next to Puamana. Luana’s family is part of the Farden Family of Puamana fame and Hawaiian entertainment. The Farden family was once number one in Hawaiian entertainment and music.
BS: They also traveled, didn’t they? Farden family.
RS: Yes. Anyway, Peter came to me about a movement to put in a strip mall across from where the Episcopal Church used to be and across from King Kamehameha III School. He said, “We’ve got to stop this. We’ve got to stop the strip mall from coming in.” That was the first time I got more information on Mokuʻula.
Peter sat down and patiently went through it with me, and we were able to muster enough support. Alan Arakawa was the mayor of Maui at that time. We visited Mr. Arakawa at his office and explained that this parcel of land should not be used for a strip mall. We suggested that the county should acquire it and hold it for the future restoration of Mokuʻula.
So, thank goodness the county did step forward. They bought the property, which has been used as a parking lot until Mokuʻula is ready to be restored. Hopefully, the friends of Mokuʻula, who have been kind of quiet lately, can be reinvigorated to help restore Mokuʻula. There’s also a strip parking lot used by Maui County that is available. I think that’s the future of Lahaina.
BS: I think you’re right. A lot of people would support that financially if needed. There’s got to be a way for it to happen.
RS: Yeah, my understanding is that many international foundations would support an effort like this. I’m not sure who they are, but perhaps we’ll get more involved in this.
BS: Well, maybe if the United Nations stepped up and worked with everyone on making it a historical site, the whole area could become much more valuable to someone interested in preserving it.
RS: Oh, certainly.
BS: Yeah. Well, you think we’re you should maybe remember a little real estate here.
RS: But it’s not just real estate that’s been busy; there’s also been a lot happening with the restoration for the citizens of Lahaina. It’s been great. The 50-home project is kicking off, with a grand opening scheduled for August 13th at Kapalua. This project will include 50 modular homes: 22 two-bedroom units, 15 three-bedroom units, and 15 four-bedroom units.
BS: So, people will need to work for the golf courses and will have to move into these homes. However, there won’t be 50 homes available at the start; the project will open up gradually.
RS: We’re working to finalize the details. The housing is being funded by the owner of the Kapalua golf courses, with no public money or other charities involved. He is covering the cost of the housing for his displaced employees, which is the top priority. The homes will be fully furnished.
BS: Fully furnished appliances.
RS: The units will include split air conditioning and modest rents. While they won’t be free, the rents will be fairly affordable. Depending on how many of the 50 units are occupied by golf course employees, we hope to find a way to open up any remaining units to the general public or potentially other displaced employees. We’re still working out the details. On August 13th, we’ll have the governor, the mayor, and the president of Daiwa House from Japan, which is supplying the modular homes.
BS: They’ve done modular homes, which were also used after the major earthquake in Japan.
RS: The big Fukushima quake, what, 13 or 14 years ago? They put their factory to work 24/7 and manufactured 10,000 modular homes in three months.
BS: It’s amazing. We have Dr. Norm Estin on the phone, and he’s going to fill us in on a few things. Are we set for him? Are you ready, Roy?
RS: Yes.
BS: Great. Dr. Estin?
Dr. Estin: Good morning, Betty and Roy from Doctor’s On-Call Urgent Care with a little medical update.
BS: Thank you. Sorry that we took so long.
Dr. Estin: Thanks for filling us in about that great project. It’s terrific to see everything moving forward to take care of Maui’s employees and residents who were innocent victims of this tragedy. It’s great to see this progressing so well.
Medically, things are going great. In terms of what’s been on everyone’s mind the last few years, COVID, we still see some cases. They’re mild but frequent, and people are recovering very quickly.
If you feel like you have congestion, a cold, or anything that seems like a sinus infection, check with your provider or come into Doctors on Call to see what’s going on. We don’t need any more vaccinations right now until the fall. A new vaccine for the latest COVID variants and mutations will be available then.
So that’s good news for all of us. Secondly, a new flu vaccine will be available in the fall, incorporating the latest updates to help protect us against severe flu. We don’t know what the next flu season will be like, but it’s always advisable to get vaccinated. Like most vaccines, it doesn’t provide total protection from getting sick, but if you do get sick, it helps prevent severe illness and reduces the risk of hospitalization.
Thirdly, we’ve received reports from meteorologists that this will be the warmest summer on record for Maui and Hawaii, much like it is around the world. There is a heat dome over central California, causing temperatures to reach 110 to 120 degrees. We’re already experiencing temperatures in the eighties on Maui, which is unusual for early June, and we might see temperatures in the nineties or even over a hundred this summer. While there’s not much we can do about the heat, if you’re exercising or planning to be outdoors, it’s best to adjust your activities accordingly.
Either in the early morning or late evening, but certainly, not in the middle of the day. The emergency room has already seen an increase in cases of heat exhaustion and dehydration from exercising during the hottest part of the day.
Finally, there’s the avian flu, which has been widely reported in the news. Here’s a brief background: This virus, known as H5N1, was first detected in poultry in Asia in 1996. Since then, it has spread globally to poultry and other animals.
Various animals have been affected, and some have been culled. Recently, there have been reports of H5N1 affecting cattle on the mainland. It’s difficult to contract this virus from animals; it requires close, prolonged contact.
Currently, it mainly poses a risk to people who work directly with infected animals. While there have been a few cases on the mainland, we have a surveillance system to monitor any potential spread. The concern arises if the virus evolves to spread easily between people.
At this point, there are no specific recommendations for the general public, other than to avoid exposure to sick or dead birds and to consume only pasteurized or properly cooked food and dairy products. There are ongoing efforts to develop specific vaccines, but no immediate actions are required for us. Fortunately, we’re currently in a good position here on Maui. That’s all for today from Doctors on Call.
BS: Perfect. Thank you so much for calling, Norm.
RS: That’s great.
BS: Hopefully, we’ll see you later today.
Dr. Estin: Very good.
BS: Aloha.
Dr. Estin: Thank you.
RS: Thanks.
BS: Thanks. Okay, here we go again.
RS: Very interesting, though.
BS: Yeah. There’s so much going on in the world today that’s worth everyone paying a little bit of attention.
RS: Yeah, and about the heat dome, I’ve heard about it. I understand California is really baking. I heard on the news that Las Vegas was well over 100 degrees.
BS: But you don’t have to go outside in Las Vegas.
RS: Well, yeah, but early June is pretty early for that. So, yeah, the world is changing, and we had some freak coincidences that led to the fires in Lahaina.
BS: Absolutely.
RS: Throughout Maui, Upcountry also had a very drastic fire. There were quite a few fires in Kihei as well. We all need to be wary and avoid tossing any lit cigarettes or other incendiary items out of the window while driving.
BS: Remember, we all know things that can start a fire, and I think we need to rethink our habits. I don’t have a list of ideas with me, but we all need to be extremely careful. We can’t have another fire like that. I think the wind and other factors contributed to the situation. The fact that there were three fires burning simultaneously, and it was unbearably windy, made it extremely challenging, no matter where you were.
RS: Well, you know, talk about a perfect storm—this was it. The combination of wind, dry grass, and brush was just devastating.
BS: In crowded areas.
RS: Yeah.
BS: Many people.
RS: But we’re going to come back.
BS: We’re coming back. Many people didn’t leave their houses until the very last minute because they had no idea it was happening. Maybe someone called them or someone came home from work and was racing them out the door. Meanwhile, they were still thinking nothing was wrong. We’ve heard so many horrible stories.
RS: Oh, absolutely. And you know, it’s funny. This is Betty’s Real Estate Corner, but we didn’t talk about real estate at all.
BS: Come to our office.
RS: Or call us or visit our website. We’re easy to find at SakamotoProperties.com. This goes back to when Betty and I had Sakamoto Properties for over 40 years. Now that we’re with Coldwell Banker, we still have our dedicated website, thanks to Meyer Computer. So, visit our website to access any of the listings on Maui, or call me at 808-870-7060 or Betty at 808-870-7062.
BS: Perfect. And here we are. Danny Couch is back, and we all love Hawaii. Let’s pray for everything good for Hawaii and Maui forever.
RS: Absolutely.
BS: Aloha!
RS: Aloha!
