Well, it's been over 10 years since I did a blog article on why it's not good to use Zillow when you're looking for real estate here in Hawaii. My name is David Buck. I'm a full-time real estate broker. I've been practicing here since 2001 and born & raised in Hawaii. What Zillow doesn't know is what's actually going on on the ground.

Recap: Reasons Not to Use Zillow in 2014

Back then, we covered the three reasons why not to use Zillow, Realtor.com and Trulia. I'm going to do another segment later on why not to use Realtor.com. Since then, Zillow has bought Trulia and they're basically one and the same. But for purposes of this today we're going to talk about three additional reasons why not to use Zillow when searching for real estate here in Hawaii. If you want to stick around to the very end, I'm going to have some great recommendations for you on what to do going forward and why not to continue to use Zillow.

Okay first I'd like to recap the original three reasons I wrote about why not to use Zillow. The first of which is Zillow and Realtor.com and Trulia at the time were set up for advertising purposes. Zillow has gotten a lot better at that. Their business model has other revenue streams that I'm going to get into in a little bit.

The second reason why is you cannot filter between fee simple and leasehold ownership and to this day you still cannot do that on Zillow which is a huge failure on their behalf in my opinion because I get calls all the time from people that see something on Zillow and normally when it looks too good to be true it's because it's leasehold where you don't know the land interest underneath the building where it lies on. Some examples are down here on the Gold Coast here at Diamond Head or there's a bunch of them in Waikiki. However, yeah if you see something that looks too good to be true on Zillow you can't filter out all that leasehold stuff that you don't want to see. If you want to be able to do that you definitely want to use a local real estate broker. That's a little spoiler alert here.

The third reason why you didn't want to use Zillow back then was because you couldn't tell the difference between if something had an accepted offer on it or not. Now they have gotten a lot better with that. Yeah so in fairness to Zillow you can actually tell now the difference between whether or not something has an accepted offer on it. Forever I get calls from people saying hey I see this property but they didn't realize that they had an accepted offer. Zillow is now getting a direct feed from the Honolulu Board of Realtors so you can tell when it says active in theory. It should be available but not always guaranteed but if it says active under contract that means that they do have an accepted offer on it.

3 More Reasons Not to Use Zillow in Hawaii

Now, let's dive into the three additional reasons why you don't want to be using Zillow for your real estate search here in Hawaii.

1. Valuation

The first off is the obvious one which most people around the United States already know about is valuation. So first off I want to tell you about a first-hand story on our own property where Zillow basically sent us worth a million or two million more than it was worth. What Zillow failed to notice was although this is a beautiful view on the same street right around the corner you can have a view more like this that buyers are willing to pay one to two million dollars for. Something that Zillow won't know by being boots on the ground here in Hawaii.

I've been practicing real estate here for 24 years and I have never overvalued something by a million or two million dollars or undervalued it by a million or two million dollars. That is way off the mark. To further compound on this hypothesis that Zillow has no clue what they're doing when it comes to valuation their CEO Spencer Radcliffe years back sold this home for like 40% less than what his estimate was worth and that made all the headlines and all the news and he was the first to come forward and said that your best to use a local real estate broker to find out what the value of your property is.

Next off during COVID I'm not sure if you remember but Zillow started getting into the eye buying business model where they're buying houses to flip quote unquote. I knew this is a bad idea going to it at a family member that invested in Zillow because of you know they're huge on the stock exchange. Once again they have no clue how to value a property so they end up taking a bath of nearly a billion dollars with their Zillow offers program. In one quarter alone they lost 300 million dollars in overpaying for property so they you know after bleeding through a billion dollars they shortly thereafter harpoon that program and they're no longer getting into the business of buying homes.

2. No Merit on Realtor Experience

Now, the second reason you don't want to use Zillow when searching for real estate here in Hawaii is for most people it's the most valuable asset that they're going to be buying or selling. There's really no merit as to who you get paired with so what happens for many many years once they got out of advertising Zillow started basically (I fell prey to this victimhood, I no longer give them money) it's just a matter of who spends the most amount of money with Zillow is the person that they'll hand off to on the other end of the line. That's what started happening and on top of that they're selling that to multiple realtors all over Oahu so like say if you're a consumer you went to Zillow like I have got interest in that property and you click I want more information you're at one point getting bombarded by three or four different realtors it's probably driving you crazy and to compound that there was no sense of merit to that it's basically whoever spent the most amount of money I know some people first hand they're spending 10, 20 or 30 thousand dollars a month. There's agents with no experience in selling real estate. I would think if your investing your money in your biggest asset, you would want someone with experience that really knows what they're doing. Like I said, I've been in the business 24 years and I don't think you want to just click on and work with a Realtor who has the biggest advertising budget versus someone that actually knows what the heck they're doing.

3. Zillow is the Antithesis of "Buying Local"

Okay, now the third reason you don't want to be using Zillow today is Zillow is literally the antithesis of buying local and the reason I say that is Zillow rolled out a program several years back called their flex program. Basically, what they're starting to do now (which everyone in the real estate community had a sixth sense that they were going to be doing years back) is they're entering the real estate game. So, with this Zillow flex program they're parting with a real estate broker and what they're doing is they're charging anywhere between 30 to 50 percent of a commission goes back to Zillow so what does that mean that means just like number two there's no guarantee on who you're going to get and how experienced they are and if they're skilled at their job. Then, up to half of that money is going to go to Wall Street so it's going to go to Zillow.

To compound that us as brokers, we have to take out errors and admissions insurance in case something ever goes wrong in a transaction. Ie -in case we get sued. Zillow has no liability in this game so they're taking half of the money outside of the state of Hawaii and it's going to pad the pockets of Wall Street. It's not going to go back into the community here in Hawaii. That's going to be the third reason why you don't want to be using Zillow today.

To summarize things in the current environment - who are the winners and who are the losers? Well, the winners are going to be Wall Street and Zillow and the losers are going to be local real estate brokers here in Hawaii that aren't giving half of their money away to Zillow and the consumer like I said at the end of the day,  the consumer loses because they are not getting the best broker to be paired with number one and number two money is getting shipped outside of Hawaii and not getting invested back in the community.

The Solution

Now, to cover that final solution that I talked about in the beginning (you may have connected the dots and figured out by now), but rather than starting your real estate search with Zillow you want to pair with a good real estate broker that's licensed and experienced here in Hawaii.  Not just the first person that shows up and that pays Zillow the most amount in advertising or is willing to compromise their morals and give half of their hard earned money to Wall Street into Zillow. 

I do recommend working with a local real estate broker and if you want to work with me, I'd be honored. Our local website HawaiiHomeListings.com has the ability to filter out all that leasehold stuff so you're not looking at stuff that looks too good to be true. You'll know what the actual status is of a listing and you're going to get good data. Even though Zillow has a direct feed from the board of realtors, here's a first-hand experience I experienced yesterday:

I have a client looking in Waipio Gentry, I type that in the search bar on Zillow and guess what comes up? I get a property in Upcountry Maui? I'm not looking for Upcountry Maui. I'm looking here on Oahu but Zillow doesn't know that. It's best to partner with a broker here that knows what the heck they're doing. Then, on my website we've got every neighborhood broken down by the Honolulu Board of Realtors and every condo complex on the island. If you want additional information or how to set those searches feel free to reach out and give me a call at 808-371-3509. Mahalo and have a great day.

Trump Tower Waikiki: The Surprising Buyer’s Market in Luxury Real Estate

The iconic Trump Tower Waikiki, now rebranded as Kala’i, has quietly become one of Hawaii’s most compelling real estate opportunities — for buyers, that is.

As of mid-2025, the building features 31 active listings, but only 2 condos are selling per month. That translates to 15+ months of inventory, far exceeding the buyer’s market threshold defined by the National Association of Realtors.

What’s more shocking? 18 out of the 31 listings are underwater based on their original sales prices from 2009–2011. Some sellers are facing losses of up to $1.8 million.

Why Are Prices So Low?

• The property was largely sold to Japanese investors in pre-sales.

• A strong dollar and weak yen have triggered international sell-offs.

• Restrictions on Airbnb and short-term rental management limit cash flow potential.

• Many units are due for renovations — now underway via hotel program upgrades.

Despite these challenges, the upside is clear. This property offers a luxury second-home lifestyle, with proximity to Waikiki Beach, high-end shopping, and top-tier amenities — at prices you couldn’t find even 15 years ago.

What Sellers Can Do:
If you’re a seller, consider alternative strategies like a non-distressed auction platform to beat the 300+ day average time on market. It’s a fresh approach that’s working where traditional listings fail.

Conclusion:
If you're eyeing a rare opportunity in the Hawaii luxury condo market, Trump Tower Waikiki might be the ultimate contrarian buy.

In the heart of Ewa Beach, the final phase of Hoakalei's master-planned community introduces Kekainani — a collection of high-end homes with show-stopping ocean views and elegant interiors. This new development within Hoakalei Kuapapa is more than just a neighborhood... it's a lifestyle. 

Three Stunning Floor Plans
Kekainani offers three distinct layouts to fit different lifestyles:

• Naupaka: A five-bedroom, five-and-a-half bath masterpiece featuring 4,159 sq ft of living space. With two covered lanais, a gourmet kitchen, and expansive ocean views — including a peek at Diamond Head — this model screams grandeur.

• Pohinahina: This spacious five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home balances luxury with functionality. Featuring a covered courtyard lanai, dual desks for remote work, and a primary suite with oceanfront soaking tub views, it's perfect for families.

• Ilima: The only single-level option, Ilima offers three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths. High ceilings, water-facing primary suite, and an elegant mudroom make it ideal for those looking for comfort without stairs.

What Makes Kekainani Unique?

• Unobstructed ocean views

• 2,436 - 4,000 sq ft of interior space

• Luxurious finishes and customizable upgrades

• Ideal location for surf lovers and sunset watchers

Is Kekainani Right for You?

Whether you’re upgrading your primary residence or investing in a premium vacation home, Kekainani delivers high-end living in one of Oahu’s most desirable locations. Contact us for more information on Kekainani or other new homes on Oahu.

The June 2025 local market update for Oahu is here, and it’s full of surprises.

Local Neighborhood Update for Homes

According to David Buck of Harcourts Island Real Estate, Kalihi to Palama saw an incredible 300% spike in single-family home sales — going from just 4 to 16 in one year. While that sounds extreme, it highlights how quickly demand can shift in localized markets.

Meanwhile, the North Shore reported the biggest jump in home prices, with median values climbing a massive 69% year-over-year, up from $1.25M to over $2.1M.

Local Neighborhood Update for Condos

The condo market painted a different picture. Despite a headline-grabbing 100% increase in Oahu condo sales, the number tells a modest story — from just 1 to 2 units sold in a neighborhood. More broadly, 15 of the 21 neighborhoods actually experienced a decline in condo sales.

Even condo pricing isn’t consistent. Wahiawa stood out, showing the highest condo price appreciation — a 34% rise from $228K to $305K.

As David emphasizes every month: real estate in Oahu is deeply local. Whether it’s townhouses, condos, or single-family homes, trends differ block by block.

To understand how your neighborhood fits into the larger picture, don’t rely solely on headlines — reach out for a custom analysis.

What’s Going On in Black Point?
Black Point, a secluded and prestigious community nestled between Diamond Head and Kahala on Oahu’s southeastern shore, is making headlines for an unusual reason—there isn’t a single home for sale right now.

The “We Need Inventory” Spotlight
David Buck of Harcourts Island Real Estate recently shared this insight during his weekly “We Need Inventory” series. While the broader Oahu market is seeing rising inventory, especially in condos, Black Point stands apart with zero active listings.

Why the Scarcity?
Black Point is a tiny, exclusive pocket of luxury real estate. Homes rarely change hands, and when they do, they often sell quickly and quietly. In fact, only three homes sold recently:

• The lowest-priced sale: just under $2M for a cozy 2-bedroom bungalow inside the gated area.

• The highest-priced sale: $6.6M for an oceanfront estate facing Hawaii Kai.

With an average sales price of nearly $4 million, it’s clear that homes here are not only luxurious but also highly sought-after.

A Neighborhood With History
Black Point isn't just exclusive—it's iconic. It’s previously been home to Hawaiian legend Duke Kahanamoku and actor Tom Selleck, among others. Its prime oceanfront location and tight-knit community make it a legacy destination for elite buyers.

What This Means for Sellers
If you or someone you know owns property in Black Point and has even considered selling, now might be the ideal time. With no competition on the market, seller leverage is at an all-time high.

📞 For inquiries, contact David Buck at 808-371-3509

Oahu's real estate market saw two very different stories unfold in June 2025—one of resilience in the single-family home sector, and another of growing opportunity in the condo market.

Single-Family Home Market Shows Growth

Sales of single-family homes increased 12% from the previous year, with 289 homes sold compared to 258 a year prior. However, the median price crept up just 0.4%, reaching $1,125,000. Notably, homes are taking longer to sell—now averaging 24 days on the market, up from just 15 last year. Inventory is also growing, with 861 homes available versus 653 the year before—a 31.9% increase. Still, the months of remaining inventory sits at 3.7, indicating a relatively balanced market.

Condos: A Buyer’s Market Emerges

Condo sales were flat, rising just 0.8% year-over-year. However, median prices fell 3.8% to $510,000. Perhaps the most striking stat: inventory for condos surged by 47%, from 1,729 to 2,542 active listings. At least that's better than the 60% increase we saw a few months back. The days on market for condos jumped from 26 to 40 days, and the months of remaining inventory now sits at 7—well above the 6-month threshold that the National Association of Realtors defines as a buyer’s market.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

Buyers have more options and greater bargaining power—especially in the condo segment. For sellers, particularly those with single-family homes, demand is still strong but patience is required as properties take longer to move.

Conclusion

Oahu’s market is changing. If you're thinking of entering or exiting the market, now is the time to align with an expert who can help you navigate the shifts.

📞 Ready to make a move? Contact David Buck at 808-371-3509 to get insights tailored to your neighborhood or condo complex.

Kakaako is undergoing a major transformation in 2025, and this update gives you the inside scoop on the biggest developments you need to know about.

The centerpiece? A new pedestrian bridge across Ala Moana Boulevard is now open, offering easier access to the oceanfront and elevating the area’s walkability.

You’ll also find a growing skyline featuring:

• Victoria Place: Already completed and known for its privacy and lack of retail.

• The Park Ward Village: Is getting the final touches with a crane.

• Kalae: Set on the former Ward Warehouse site, fronting Ala Moana Blvd.

• Launiu: Rising across Ward Avenue on the old Bank of Hawaii lot.

• Alia: A high-end project by the Kobayashi Group.

• Kaliu at 728 Ala Moana Blvd: Offering wide ocean and Diamond Head views.

• Ilima & Melia: Twin towers coming soon above Ward Center.

This surge of high-quality developments by names like Howard Hughes Corporation and Kobayashi Group is redefining Honolulu’s luxury living. If you’re in the market for a sleek, amenity-rich condo in the heart of the city, Kakaako is where it’s happening.

Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing, staying informed is key—and this video is your go-to guide. Looking for more info on new construction in Kakaako, give David a call at 808-371-3509.

If you're a veteran or active-duty service member eyeing a move to Hawaii, your VA loan benefits might be your greatest asset. In a recent 4th of July real estate breakdown, expert David Buck shared key updates and insights on the VA loan landscape across Oahu.

Assumable VA Loans: A New Trend
VA loans with locked-in low rates from years past are now being offered to buyers as “assumable” loans. That means military families could inherit sub-3% mortgage rates—a rare deal in today’s market.

Hawaii's High BAH Rates: A Powerful Wealth-Building Tool
Hawaii boasts some of the nation’s highest Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates. When paired with 100% VA financing, this gives service members a real opportunity to build equity instead of renting or living on base.

Million-Dollar VA Loans: No Cap, No Problem
Since 2020, VA borrowers in Hawaii are no longer limited by loan caps, enabling qualified buyers to finance homes above $1M with zero down. High-value neighborhoods are increasingly seeing VA-financed homes in the $1.5M–$2M range.

Top Neighborhoods for VA Loans on Oahu
According to MLS data, areas like Ewa Plain, Central Oahu, and Metro Honolulu lead the island in VA transactions. While regions like North Shore and Diamond Head saw fewer deals, they still offer unique lifestyle perks.

More Than Just Data—It's About Lifestyle
Beyond numbers, the video captures the beauty of Hawaiian life. Scenes from Waikiki’s canoe regatta and veterans' events on the 4th of July remind us that Hawaii isn’t just a place to invest—it’s a place to live fully.

Thinking About Buying or Selling in Hawaii?
David Buck has over 24 years of local real estate experience. Whether you're PCSing in or preparing to list a VA-financed home, he’s ready to guide you.

📞 Reach David at 808-371-3509 for a personal consultation.

Aloha, this is David Buck and I can't believe it's been over a decade since I did my third HGTV episode of Hawaii Life and we're back at the same picnic bench here in Maunalua Bay where I did an episode with Keala and Dan Lee. In that episode we started off here and they're talking about their housing pains and what they're looking for. They're living in a little 500 square foot single family home.

The Lee's 572 sq. ft Kapahulu Home

Yes we do have homes that small on this island and I later on went to sell that for them.

Not Cobra Kai

What this is not going to be today is something like Cobra Kai where it's going be a huge success on YouTube (although I love for that to happen) or get a Netflix spin off off of this. However, I think for those of you that enjoy real estate and looking at people looking at homes, I think you'll get a lot of kick out of this. What we're going to do today is what I've done for a few other HGTV episodes is cover what happened back then and what prices have come to today with over a decade of appreciation.

We're gonna start this off this episode with the summary of the homes that we looked at. We saw three properties that is very unique in this episode in the sense that they weren't all in one neighborhood. They were all over the island and just to take a step back they had a budget of like $600,000 to $750,000 looking for a three bedroom two bath and most importantly you're gonna want to stick around to the very end because there's something really cool I'd like to show you of where Dan and Keala are in their lives now. We'll also cover some of the things that happened during the episode that we weren't allowed to share on air.

Kuliouou Beach Park Intro Summary

We are back at Kuliouou Beach Park and this is where I did the summary of the properties that is going to be showing Keala & Dan. What's super unique about this episode is the variety of the properties that we were looking at. First we saw a single family home that's almost a hundred years old in Punchbowl. Then, second we saw a condo right around the corner here in Hawaii Kat at Kaimala Marina and then third we drove all the way out to Ewa Beach to see a newer construction home in Hoakalei.

This is where we did that summary Kuliouou Beach Park a beautiful place here in East Oahu and now let's go take a revisit at some of the homes that we look at and see what's happened between now and them as far as pricing goes.

Punchbowl Home on Lusitana Street

Okay so the first home we filmed with Keala Dan was this home 1911 Lucitana Street here in Punchbowl Crater. This home is now over a hundred years old and back then they're asking $719,000 and it ended up selling for $700,000. It was a big house it was almost 3,000 square feet under roof. Okay, so back in 2014 the median sales price for a home here in Punchbowl was $732,500 and now just this during this past six months it was at $960,000 so that's going to be a 31% increase over just over a decade. Maybe that's not the best return on money but it did go up in value. Once again it's a hundred year old house and Punchbowl does have a lot of older construction.

Kaimala Marina Town Home in Hawaii Kai

The second home that we looked at was actually a condo out in Hawaii Kai, Kaimala Marina. The second property I showed Keala and Dan was here at Kaimala Marina in Hawaii Kai. This is direct waterfront on the marina and was a three bedroom three bath and at the time they're asking $678,000 and it sold (over asking) for $680,000. Fast forward to today there hasn't been a sale in the last year but the last two sales of that size on the water average $1,150,000 and today there's one in the market for $1,488,888. Now, based on the average sale price of those last two sales that's a 69% increase. That's not a bad return on money for roughly a 10-year hold.

Hoakalei Ka Makana Home

The third and final property which is going to be out at Hoakalei in Ewa Beach this is gonna be a newer construction home which is quite unique and different compared to anything else we've seen. Okay now the third home I showed Keala Dan back then was this home here is probably in my opinion the most beautiful of all three properties we looked at. This was  91-1825 Waiaama Street here in Hoakalei Kamakana. Back then, the home was listed at $699,000 as a three bedroom three bath with over 1800 square feet of living area sold at $670,000. Then, what we'd like to do is we go through and look at what's happened in the market since then so back then the median sales price was $700,000 which seems pretty cheap compared to today and now the median sales price over the past six months here in Ka Makana were $1,237,500 that's a 77% increase just over the past decade. 

A lot has changed since. Back then, there was only one phase of Hoakalei here at Ka Makana and since then there's been three more developments. The first of which is gonna be Kipuka which is the only gated community. Then, there is Kuapapa which was done after that. There's a number of nice golf course homes I've been selling in both of those developments and then the final phase there's one that's going on currently so Kekainani is gonna be directly on the ocean here in Hoakalei. I'll take you through a spin there just to give an idea of what those homes look like. They're selling directly on the ocean with unobstructed views and they're gonna be a much higher price point as I mentioned. The median price here in Ka Makana now is like just over $1.2 million. Whereas those Kekainani ones are gonna be around $2-3 million starting. But, they're newer construction on the ocean.

Ke Kainani in Hoakalei

The fourth and final phase of Hoakalei that I mentioned is Ke Kainani. They definitely saved the best for last. This is directly on the ocean here and there's three model homes that are now set up and it's an incredible product that they're turning over. Like I said, save the best for last. They are very grand high-end model homes that they have here and I'm sure the finished product is be really nice so if you have questions about anything here in Hoakalei at Ewa Beach, I'm here to help at 808-371-3509.

Okay now that we summarize Hoakalei, let's get back to  that special treat I want to show you  and see what Dan and Keala ultimately did with their decision.

Reunited with Dan and Keala Lee

David: Alright so here we are 10 years later I'm with Keala and Dan and a lot has changed in your world. Did you guys have fun when we did that episode?

Dan: Oh totally.

David: Yeah okay well a couple things have a lot to change in their world to be honest first we'll talk about real estate then we'll talk about fun.

Keala: Okay

David: So, of all the three homes we looked at that day which one you think... I'll just refresh your memory.  What do you think went up the most in value the first one we was Punchbowl and then we did one at that Kaimala Marina in Hawaii Kai and then the third one we did was Hoakalei out in Ewa Beach. Which one do you think went up the most in over a decade?

Dan: I'm betting on Hawaii Kai.

David: That's a good that's a very good bet and you're very close.

Keala: I'm betting Punchbowl.

David: Yeah but ..You also you got a 30% chance. Yeah so basically so basically Punchbowl actually went up the least.

Keala: Oh wow.

David: So the Punchbowl Home only went up 31% considering a 10 years of ownership but if you can remember how old that home was?

Keala: Yes.

David: But it's a killer location. It's close to Downtown. I was doing the math. It's probably over a hundred years old now.

Keala: Oh wow.

David: Dan you were close. Kaimala Marina now this is I what I did was just run numbers. That's a three-bedroom on the water and I looked at that and that went up about 69%. Yeah and then what's shocking to me was the Hoakalei home in Ewa Beach was up 77%, which is just wild because typically when I'm talking real estate here in market cycles normally the west side of the island is the last to appreciate and the first to depreciate in a correcting market.

I think what's going on there as we went through COVID and so many more people want to be in single-family homes these days than they do in condos. It was a new product at the time, so that's my hypothesis on that.

Keala: It's a beautiful home. Yeah yeah.

David: Now to the fun. I just remember you did the coolest activity of all the episodes I did in all the shows. I saw you got to play James Bond and get on with the jet pack.

Dan: I remember it was going underwater in a jet pack or something like that.

David: Yeah well you're above water right?

Keala: He was underwater more than he was above water.

Dan: That's all I remember.

David: I was so jealous like how come I can't do that? But, I'm not the star, you guys are the stars. Then, I'm like, Keala how come you're not doing that?

Keala: So that adventure was actually my idea and I was so excited and really looking forward to it and I have an adventurous spirit but day before filming we actually found out we were expecting our first child and it was interesting filming knowing this but at the same time it was still brand new. We didn't been to the doctor yet and so we just weren't ready to announce it.

David: Yeah so basically she told the production crew but didn't tell me (spoiler alert) her cousin. Yes. We're related. We're cousins. We'll share that with you now.

Keala: It was so early on that we just didn't feel comfortable like me going on a jet pack in the water but it was very exciting to watch you enjoy my idea.

Dan: You're welcome. Very cool.

David: Very cool. So similar to that episode it's been just over 10 years what many people don't know... I see you sweating. I'm sweating. They film these episodes in the summer but air them in the winter. So like when you see people sweating out here it's we're just turning July right now. Yes. It's hot outside.

But yeah the most fun thing we got some pretty cool. Do you want to share anything?

Keala: Yeah we have two little friends now that have joined our family.

David: So a lot has happened in 10 years. Care to share a little bit more?

Dan: Oh yeah. Hey girls get over here.

David: Look at these cuties.

Keala: This is our 10 year old and our eight year old. You want to jump up? Did you want to jump up?

David: Can you say aloha?

Girls: Aloha.

David: How do you say aloha in Fijian?

Keala: How do you say hello in Fijian?

Girls: Bula. Bula. Bula. Okay. Okay.

Everyone: Aloha and Bula.

David: So we talked about all the three properties that we saw in that episode. But to find out what decision they ultimately made. Because I didn't test you coming into this because you don't track all the markets on the island. But to see what decision they ultimately made you probably want to check out that episode. And the kids are going to watch it tonight.

Keala: We're gonna watch it tonight with the girls.

If you’re eyeing a condo in Kakaako, Honolulu’s trendiest neighborhood, prepare yourself—not just for the sticker price, but for the monthly maintenance fees. In his latest market breakdown, David Buck from Harcourts Island Real Estate reveals the surprising costs hiding behind those ocean-view windows.

Currently, there are 355 condo listings in Kakaako (excluding parking and storage units), and their maintenance fees range dramatically:

• 139 condos have fees under $1,000/month

• 161 fall between $1,000 and $2,000/month

• 34 are between $2,000 and $3,000/month

• 25 units exceed $3,000/month

The Extreme Ends of the Spectrum

The Block at Waimanu offers studios with fees as low as $179/month—perfect for budget-conscious buyers. Meanwhile,  grand penthouse #3800 at Anaha sets a sky-high bar with a monthly fee of $11,229.

David estimates most buyers can expect to pay somewhere between $1,000 to $2,000 monthly in maintenance. So, if you're considering a move to Kakaako, factor these numbers into your financial planning.