JUDY HOWARD – Page 3 – Living in Waimea, Hawaii

Waimea’s Schools

Posted on March 5, 2020December 15, 2020 by JUDY HOWARD

Waimea’s schools are limited, which should not be surprising considering Waimea’s population size. They suit the average student well. There is a public elementary school, https://www.waimeaelementary.org, a public intermediate charter school, https://sites.google.com/a/wmpccs.org/wms/home, a Hawaiian immersion school that offers grades K-12, https://www.kalo.org, a private elementary school (Waimea Country School), https://waimeacountryschool.org, and Hawaii Preparatory Academy https://www.hpa.edu, and Parker School, https://www.parkerschoolhawaii.org, both private, both offering K-12.

I know of people whose children have attended the public schools and gone on to become doctors and veterinarians. I know more people whose children have attended the private schools and have gone to professional careers. The education necessary to get into top notch colleges and beyond is available, but I would not rank Waimea Schools as high in terms of educational opportunities.

Waimea can be, after all, a “windy, cold, little mountain town”, as one of my clients recently described it. While there are many people who find Waimea to be one of the most desirable places to live, it is a matter of individual taste. And, with respect to schools, focus on the “little”. Given the population of potential students we have to draw on, it should not be surprising that resources are limited and even the private schools can’t afford to be all that selective about who they admit, or that generous in what they offer.

I have a friend who has taught in Waimea schools for many years, who told me that kids with special needs are better off in the public school system. Exceptionally bright or ambitious kids are going to need supplemental educational opportunities to keep them engaged and on track to meet their targets, regardless of which school they attend.

As with most things, it pays to spend time digging deep to make sure Waimea is for you! http://yrh.ewp.mybluehost.me/2019/04/13/moving-to-hawaii-will-i-be-disappointed/

Kohala Ranch Market Activity Report, Listings

Posted on September 28, 2019November 2, 2020 by JUDY HOWARD

Here for the Ironman? You’re likely to wonder about Kohala Ranch. It’s a beautiful place, and one that triathletes pass during the cycling part of the race. Read on for information about Kohala Ranch listings and market activity.

The top gate requires a card, the bottom gate is manned and requires a card or your name must be on a list kept by the guard. You can call a Realtor to escort you in to see property, but here are links to Kohala Ranch listings and market activity, to start you off.

First, here’s a report of listing and sales prices. This is for residential listings in Kohala Ranch. I would be happy to refine the report to provide you with more specific information, just let me know. https://myreport.trendgraphix.com/Post2WebResponsive.aspx?Id=d728bf66-d9a0-4d5b-a07b-2edbd021969d

Now, here’s a link to current listings: https://judy.hawaii.elitepacific.com/results-gallery/?hood=3374513&sort=importdate&status=A . The lot prices are low, but building costs are pretty high, and the design guidelines require that you build a substantial residence. If you can find a home you love, you’ll probably save money compared to buying a lot and building a new home.

Year-round training opportunities, or just sit back and enjoy the gorgeous views!

The Pros and Cons of Living on the Big Island

Posted on August 6, 2019December 15, 2020 by JUDY HOWARD

There are pros and cons to living on the Big Island. I read an article in the New York Times this morning that prompted me to write a client who is considering moving here. The article concerned water shortages: http://A Quarter of Humanity Faces Looming Water Crises https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/06/climate/world-water-stress.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

Long, long ago, I practiced water law in Colorado. I remembered being appalled when I understood how reliant they were on non-tributary aquifers, which they planned to consume at the rate of 1% of the available water per year. There was never a plan for what they would do when the water ran out.

I then thought about the Big Island’s fresh water aquifers, which are replenished by plentiful rainfall, which, in turn, is filtered before it enters the aquifer by the lava it must seep through. In parts of the Island, the aquifers remain full, but many people move to Hawaii to enjoy the warm, dry weather. In those parts of the Island, the water supply is more precarious. There are limits of how much water can be transferred from the wet areas to the dry areas, so there are limits to how much the dry areas can be developed.

We also have some of the world’s most beautiful coastlines and beaches, wonderful weather, a huge variety of micro-climates, thriving local food producers-from meat to honey to goat cheese to wonderful strawberries and vegetables, etc.

But the best thing about the Big Island is the people! We are diverse, and we live on an island. We cannot share this island if we are not respectful of one another. People here smile at each other, help each other, and know how to get along with people they may not agree with. This is definitely not a place for racists, and especially not white nationalists!

I wish our State and County political leaders were far better at anticipating needs, protecting assets, and making sure that every resident is given a fair opportunity at a good life, but that may come with time. In the meantime, the wonderful, self-reliant people of the Big Island make life work despite their clumsy political representatives.

Many people just don’t belong here. For them, some of the CONS are that they feel isolated, their family and friends don’t visit often enough, they can’t get in their car and go on a road trip, travel to and from Hawaii is expensive and inconvenient, goods and services are quite limited, and everything here costs much more than it does on the mainland, if you can get it at all.

All of those objections are absolutely valid, and the Big Island will never be a good fit for folks who would prefer to live in a community with people who think, look, and act like they do, or who love to jump in the car to shop, go to a movie or on a road trip.

Getting anything (like an appliance, or even a car) fixed here is a major undertaking. Replacing broken appliances with anything but the most generic brands and models is time consuming and expensive. Even buying the right ingredients to make your favorite dishes can be almost impossible. Medical care is iffy. The basics are pretty well covered, but anything more than that will probably require a trip off-Island. The public schools try hard, but they are under-funded, under-staffed, and hampered by the same silly federal requirements as the public schools on the mainland. The private schools are expensive, isolating, and don’t have particularly high academic standards.

This probably isn’t the best place for people who want the very best education for their children, or who have complicated medical problems. Likewise, anyone who loves urban life would be miserable here. But if you’re reasonably healthy, are willing to extend the same respect to others that you would like to receive, and love being outdoors, active, and eating great, fresh food in a clean and beautiful environment, the Big Island may be for you! I’d be happy to share more information about the pros and cons of living on the Big Island-just get in touch!

Bringing your pets

Posted on June 1, 2019November 2, 2020 by JUDY HOWARD

Bringing your pets with you, whether to live here permanently or on an extended visit, is not simple, but it can be done. I waited about 11 months, spent more money than I ever want to total, and went through quite a bit of work to bring in Kate, who was born in Oklahoma.

I don’t regret a moment of the hassle it required, or the money, but if I hadn’t been set on getting another kelpie, it would have been a foolish thing to do.

Puppies are more challenging to import than adult dogs with a history of rabies vaccinations.

Bringing in an adult pet, up to date on rabies vaccinations, is not too bad. But a puppy has to be 4 months old before it can receive its first shot, and then the shots must be spaced at least a month apart, and the blood for the titer should not be drawn until so many days after the last shot, and on and on it went. (Kate was about 5 weeks old when I bought her.).

I have clients who are flying in with their dog and cat from California in a week. I haven’t discussed the process with them yet, but I gather it has been one of the least challenging aspects of their move, because their pets are adults, and have received rabies shots annually. With a record of rabies shots, few vet visits would be required-perhaps only one to draw blood for the rabies titer, and a second for a certificate of health right before the flight. They also have a shorter trip, which should help. They, like Kate, will fly directly to Kona, where a vet will meet their pets and complete the paperwork necessary for their release to my clients.

Many owners in the Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea Resorts bring their small dogs with them when they come to stay.

Quite a few people who own second homes at the Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea resorts bring their small dogs with them every time they come. Not all condominium projects allow pets, but many do, especially single, small-ish dogs. Once you’ve got the system established, it can be pretty easy to bring along your small dog.

Do it yourself, or hire help?

Because I was relying on Kate’s very kind breeder to do the leg work in Oklahoma, I hired a local pet importation coordinator to make sure all the paperwork was completed properly and on time. I don’t think I would do that again, unless I was very, very busy.

There is no doubt in my mind that going through the process of getting your pets certified as rabies-free is far better than consigning them to quarantine once they arrive here, but it does require checking off a number of boxes. Here is a link to the Hawaii Department of Health, Quarantine Branch, setting out the requirements: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/ai_aqs_info.htm. It sounds like it has become easier for animal owners to comply with the requirements since I brought in Kate, which is a good thing! http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/aqs-info/

If you want to wait until you arrive to adopt a pet, there will be many lovely animals in need of a new home.

If you don’t have a pet yet, and are considering a move to Hawaii, there are lots of dogs and cats in need of good homes here. There are humane society shelters in several locations on the Big Island, and I have adopted some wonderful pets (including a very silly lamb) from the Waimea Shelter. The breeding of the dogs may sometimes be a bit questionable, but hybrid vigor is on display, and it’s fun to try to guess the breeds of one of our local dog’s ancestors. If you get really curious, you can submit a swab for DNA analysis.

I brought in Kate specifically to work sheep, but I have two dogs that I took in just because they needed new homes that actually do a much better job with the sheep than Kate is ever likely to. Breed matters, but frequently mutts can be a delightful surprise!

Vacation rentals can still be a very smart investment.

Posted on May 30, 2019December 15, 2020 by JUDY HOWARD

Investing in a vacation rental on the Big Island can be a very smart move. In fact, they may be a better investment than ever! Now that the county has restricted the areas in which homes may be offered as vacation rentals, homes in the remaining areas may increase in value as a result of their revenue-generating potential. Click here for more information on the new law

So far, there is no evidence of a price jump, and there is widespread confusion about the new vacation rental law. Eventually the dust will settle, and people will begin to understand where vacation rentals are still permitted.

Homes located in resort-zoned areas may be used as a vacation rentals. They must be registered with the County and comply with County and State laws, including the payment of appropriate taxes, but they do not need to apply for a special use permit.

If you’re considering purchasing a second home in Hawaii, purchasing one in the Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani, or Waikoloa Beach resorts that can be used as a vacation rental makes a great deal of sense. Here is a link to current listings in Mauna Lani; and Mauna Kea: These are only some of the current listings, but will give you a taste of what is available.

The Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea resort areas have the advantage of better water rates than the Waikoloa Resort, and many people have a definite preference for one resort of another. Also some homes are likely to yield a better return on investment than others. This is in part due to the wide variation in dues and fees. There is no substitute for careful research.

Investing in a vacation rental on the Big Island can be a very smart move because the number of available units has dropped as a result of the recent law. You know what they say about supply and demand!