KE Team Hawaii Real Estate Blog: Kailua-Kona Market Trends & Insights
December 2025 Hawaii Big Island Style Newsletter
Aloha from the Big Island, and happy holidays. As we wrap up 2025, this month’s update brings together island life, family, community, and the real estate trends shaping Hawai‘i as we head into a new year. Christmas in the islands may look different without snow, but the spirit is unmistakable, from festive gatherings to the […]
How Hawai‘i County Assesses Real Property Taxes: What Every Property Owner Should Know and New Changes (2025 update)
By Kai Ioh and KE Team Hawaii. Kai Ioh is a luxury real estate advisor based in Kona, Hawai‘i, specializing in resort and ultra-high-net-worth markets across the Big Island. Key Takeaways Hawai‘i County uses a mass appraisal system, not individual appraisals, to assess over 141,000 parcels each year. Assessed values reflect market conditions as of January […]
Maui’s Bill 9 Explained: What Hawaii’s New Vacation Rental Law Means for the Big Island and Beyond
Kai Ioh | December 2025 Maui County just took a decisive step that every Hawaii property owner should be paying attention to. Earlier this month, Mayor Richard Bissen signed Bill 9 into law, following final approval by the Maui County Council. The goal is clear and direct: restore housing availability for residents by phasing out […]
Compass 2026 Housing Market Outlook: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
By Kai Ioh | December 2025 After years of pandemic-fueled disruption, the U.S. housing market is entering a new phase. According to the 2026 Compass Housing Market Outlook, we are finally seeing the start of a “rebalancing” moment, one defined by stabilizing prices, improving affordability, and shifting regional momentum. The report itself is 66 pages, […]
Broke 80 After 10 Years | Big Island Golf Life
Kai Ioh | December, 2025 I hated golf until I moved to Hawai‘i and had no intention of playing the sport. But Hawai‘i’s golf environment changed me. Maybe it’s the views, or maybe, as I’ve seasoned and matured, I’ve come to appreciate the unpredictable, humbling, and occasionally brilliant nature of this game. There’s something about […]
New Big Island STVR Law (Bill 47): What Homeowners Need to Know
Kai and Emil | Updated Dec 21, 2025 Hawaii County has taken a decisive step in reshaping the rules for short-term vacation rentals (STVRs). With Bill 47 signed into law on June 23, 2025, homeowners across the Big Island need to prepare for a major shift that takes effect December 20, 2025. This law governs […]
December 2025 Market Update & 2026 Forecast – Kona and Big Island, Hawaii
National Real Estate — Kailua-Kona — Big Island Resorts — Private Clubs As we wrap up 2025, we’re seeing something we haven’t seen in a while: a market that feels… somewhat balanced. After three years of volatility, we now have more inventory, fewer bidding wars, and more realistic pricing in many regions. Demand picked up […]
What a 50-Year Mortgage Could Mean for Hawai‘i Buyers & Investors
50-Year Mortgages: What Hawai‘i Buyers & Investors Need to Know Emil Knysh | Dec 2025 A practical and balanced breakdown for first-time buyers, second-home owners, and investors. As affordability continues to challenge homebuyers nationwide – and especially in Hawai‘i – the idea of a 50-year mortgage has re-emerged in policy discussions and media outlets. Supporters […]
Hawaii Real Estate 101 : Escrow Explained for Mainland & International Buyers
“What’s Escrow?” A Must-Know for Buyers & Sellers from Non-Escrow States and outside the US. If you’re from New York, Texas, Illinois, or overseas, like Japan, you may be surprised by how real estate transactions work in Hawaii. That’s because Hawaii is what’s called an “Escrow State.” Unlike states where attorneys handle closings, Hawaii uses […]