Mar
12
2012
It is kind of amazing to think that a city as spectacular as Waikiki is in fact only one mile in size. Anyone looking to be in the center of the action should definitely consider purchasing real estate in this city. They would be in great distance to entertainment, world shopping, great restaurants, and some of the greatest sceneries in Hawaii.
Waikiki has a royal history, literally. Most of Hawaii’s royalty called Waikiki home at some point in their lives. That was when the city spread as far as Manoa Valley and was the center of Oahu’s government. The area was originally swampland, but was transformed into taro plantations, and the rest is history.
In the 1700s when the Big Island’s King Kamehameha planned to unite all of Hawaii’s islands, he and his army came directly to Waikiki Beach. He then conquered Oahu’s previous Chief Kalanikupule’s army driving them inland.
Today the only battle that happens on Waikiki is for the perfect spot under the sun on the world renowned beaches. If the beach does somehow manage to get old, Diamond Head is just a short hike away and has amazing views all own its own. There is no shortage of restaurants and great spots for someone who enjoys the nightlife. There is also not a shortage of new faces as Oahu, mainly Waikiki, gets an average of over 6 million visitors a year.
Currently 19,400 people have purchased Waikiki real estate. It is easy to understand what attracts people to this area of the island. Not only does the ocean sparkle but the entire community. Most residents are an average of 40-years old, slightly more men than women, and typically single.
The area also has great schools for those with families. There is Waikiki or Liholiho Elementary School, Washington or Kaimuki Middle School, and Kaimuki or Kalani High School.
While most people may think condos are the only real estate options in Waikiki that is simply not true. Buyers have options of a variety of homes that are available throughout the city.
Waikiki does have a more expensive price range from anywhere between $899,000 and well over a million; however, it is possible with a thorough search to find a condo for as little as $200,000.
Feb
28
2012
Of the eight main Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, is by far the most diverse. From the dry, almost desert like conditions on the leeward side of the island to the rainforests on the windward side, the Big Island offers real estate for any taste.
The Big Island is divided into 9 regions, all under the municipality of the County of Hawaii. From the northernmost tip of the island, moving clockwise, these districts include:
• North Kohala
• Hamakua
• North Hilo
• South Hilo
• Puna
• Kau
• South Kona
• North Kona
• South Kohala
Because of its diversity, when choosing real estate on the Big Island, it’s best to first determine the type of environment in which you want to live. Cool, sometimes windy weather and wide-open green pastures and paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys) are found in Kamuela. Dry, hot weather is typical in Kailua-Kona. If you love rain, Hilo won’t disappoint, as it’s one of the wettest spots on earth. Then there are all the other areas on the island, each unique.
Big Island Hawaii real estate prices vary as well. Single-family homes range in price from $39,900 for a small cabin in Southpoint to over $39 million dollars for a breathtaking estate in the Kukio area of Kailua-Kona.
Shopping for a condo on the Big Island? If you have a tight budget check out Hilo where you can pick up a top-floor condo, fully furnished, for $14,900. Luxury condo buyers will love the exclusive villas at Hualalai that are listed at $5,799,000.
Whoever first claimed that land is valuable because we have a finite supply obviously never visited the Big Island. Every time one of the island’s active volcanoes spews lava that reaches the sea, the island grows. If you’re in the market for a parcel of Big Island vacant land, you won’t be disappointed. Developers can pick up almost 64 oceanfront acres, designated for seven homes, on the Kohala Coast for $21,500,000. If you just want a piece of paradise on which to build a house, consider Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, in the southern part of the island. Here you can purchase a vacant lot for as little as $4,500. If you want to live closer to the action, there’s a new subdivision in Kailua-Kona, Wainani Estates, with parcels from $114,500.
The Big Island of Hawaii is large enough to fit all of the other main Hawaiian Islands between its shores, with a total landmass of 4,028 square miles. Here you will find Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest mountain, when measured from the sea floor. It is also home to Ka Lae, the southern most tip of the United States and Hilo, one of the wettest spots on earth.
As a resident you can ski Mauna Loa and make it to Hapuna Beach to sunbathe in the same day. Life in Hawaii is special and life on the Big Island is amazing.
Jun
7
2010
- Image by christopherdale via Flickr
The Oahu real estate market continues to be volatile, with some indicators pointing towards a recovery along with the rest of the economy and others showing more negative news. According to a May 13, 2010 article in the Honolulu Star Bulletin, “Oahu remained well below the national rate of foreclosures in April, but the Big Island and Maui markets took large hits. There were 1,474 Hawaii properties that received foreclosure notices last month, according to RealtyTrac, an online foreclosure marketplace.” The article by Gene Park went on to say that “Hawaii’s April foreclosures, which equated to one in every 348 households, added up to a higher rate of foreclosures, which was one in every 387. Oahu fared the best, with one in every 580 homes. But Maui and the Big Island saw a high rate, with one in every 187 and one in every 179 homes, respectively.”
This conflicted information regarding Oahu homes for sale was also reported in a May 6, 2010 article from the Honolulu Advertiser. This piece found that “Buyers continued to rush back into O’ahu’s housing market in April, but median prices fell a bit and ended a three-month run of price gains for single-family homes and a two-month rise for condominiums.” The article went on to say that “The Honolulu Board of Realtors announced that the median price for single-family homes sold last month was down 6.2 percent to $563,000 from $600,000 in the same month last year. The decline occurred despite sales surging 52.9 percent to 286 last month from 187 a year earlier. For condos, the median price slipped 2.2 percent to $308,000 from $314,950. There were 390 condo sales in April, a 48.3 percent gain over 263 a year earlier.”
One instance of the conflicted information in the Oahu real estate market was reported in a May 26, 2010 article from the Honolulu Advertiser. This article said that “A federal report suggests that O’ahu home values aren’t as positive as indicated by local sales data, though the market appears to be on a path of improvement. The Federal Housing Finance Agency yesterday reported that O’ahu single-family home values in the first quarter were down 4.5 percent compared with the same quarter last year.”
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Feb
11
2010
Waikiki is well-known for sparkling blue ocean waters and white sand beaches, and is frequented by tourists even after summer. What truly makes Waikiki unique as a premiere tourist destination is the city’s regular list of events throughout the year, all of which are tourist-friendly. Besides sunbathing and swimming, a lot of tourists also visit this place for events such as surfing competitions, canoe races and of course, Hawaii’s ever famous hula dancing. Because of these very interesting events, Waikiki is able to attract a great number of “week-enders” and guests, and also the reason why condominiums here are quite expensive as compared to the stereotype beaches in the United States mainland.
Since Waikiki condominiums have excellent location in almost every aspect, they have very commanding price tags. Here you can find the most luxurious and world-renowned beach destinations in the United States, which easily explains the exorbitant prices of accommodations. Try getting a place that is directly in front of the Waikiki beach and you’ll find out that the accommodations are priced even higher! Waikiki condo owners/tenants have a very convenient access to the best dining places, shopping outposts, fashion centers, local entertainment and other tourist attractions as well. Not only that, owners/tenants also enjoy exclusive access to luxurious amenities like penthouse swimming pools, cable TV, private parking spaces and top-notch recreational facility and so much more.
Other places worthwhile of your time are Pacific Monarch, Waikiki Sunset, Waikiki Shore, Waikiki Beach Tower, Waikiki Banyan and 444 Nahua Street Condominium Suites.
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Dec
3
2009
- Image by hjl via Flickr
Part of every tourists’ experience in Honolulu, the Waikiki International Marketplace gas been an island tradition for decades. Sporting the slogan “get lost on a shopping safari under canopies of banyan and palm trees,” the marketplace is a collection of over 130 carts, shops, and artisan workshops in an ambient open-air setting that is located at the heart of Waikiki. Nestled in between a number of Waikiki condos for sale, the International Marketplace is the must-see place for special gifts, souvenirs, and hard-to- find gadgets and gizmos unique to Hawaii. A number of merchants sell handmade items like jewelry, wood carvings, and tapestries that tourists often take home with them as a memory of their vacation in the islands.
Besides being a cornerstone of small merchant shopping in Waikiki, the International Marketplace also serves as a place of communication and trade. A number of local craftspeople enjoy talking about their crafts and tourists enjoy taking pictures and learning more about Hawaiian culture through the art and gifts on sale from each seller. The marketplace also includes an international food court that offers a variety of local and international cuisine and usually free Hawaiian music and entertainment during the week.
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Nov
30
2009
- Image via Wikipedia
If you’re looking for the perfect holiday destination, then Hawaii is the place.
Hawaii is a group of islands, where each island has something special to offer. Hawaiian Islands are surrounded by the clear blue ocean, which is perfectly warm and suitable for all kinds of water activities. The Hawaiian weather also doesn’t disappoint. The warm trade winds come in from the north east leaving a rainier side of the island while the other side is dryer and calmer. The result of this is a right mix of temperature that is not too hot or too cold.
Since weather is not an issue, there are a lot of things tourists can do in this paradise. Water sports enthusiast can go snorkeling, kayaking and diving. Because of the islanders understanding of their environment, they are careful to nurture the extensive coral reefs, which provide homes for the exotic marine life.
This, in turn, brings a perfect experience for divers, whether they are experienced of novice. Snorkeling beginners are lucky that their first snorkeling experience will be nowhere other than in the beautiful oceans of Hawaii. If you’re interested in availing of snorkeling classes, these can be booked before or during your stay through your hotel.
For those who are not keen on water sports or activities, there are also land activities available for you to experience. There a number of hiking trails, which you can explore on your own or tour with one of the islands’ tour operators. Hiking is one great way to see the island.
If hiking isn’t your forte and sight seeing is all you want, you also have the option to avail of the helicopter tours. These tours will give you a chance to see the entirety of the island’s beauty. Moreover, you will also get a glimpse of what else the island has to offer.
The Hawaiian Islands have been forever associated with romance, thus, it’s a popular wedding destination for engaged couples. Many of the islands’ hotels banked on this image and created various wedding packages, where soon-to-be married couples can choose from. These wedding packages entice a lot of couples since it takes away the burden of planning and organizing from them. Moreover, Hawaii’s weather is almost perfect all year round, thus couples are assured of the perfect weather any day and any time of the year. Couples also have a variety of options like if they want the wedding to be outdoors or indoors; all the options are there!
Whatever you are looking for in a perfect vacation, Hawaii has it! Many people believe that everyone should experience the Hawaiian Islands at some point in their lives. So what are you waiting for, book your holidays at Hawaii and enjoy!
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Nov
30
2009
- Image via Wikipedia
In the next 10 years, the demand for psychologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Since there are more individuals and students who are affected by family violence, crime, alcohol, drug abuse, there is a growing trend of student seeking school psychologists for counseling. Because of this demand, the career opportunities in this field are growing. Beginning your profession as a school psychologist is a great way to jump-start your career. Interested and determined students that are in pursuit of this career path are ensured of a bright future ahead of them.
Education Requirement
Depending on which US state you are in, the minimum requirement to be a qualified school psychologist varies. Most states accept a master degree in psychology or counseling while states like Hawaii and Maine require a minimum of doctorate degree to be qualified. Other states like Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania accept a bachelor’s degree in psychology. To ensure that you are qualified and accepted in most states, it is better to go for a master in psychology or counseling degree.
Earning the psychology degree can be done through various educational channels. You may choose to attend a campus-based university or enroll in one of the online psychology degree programs offered by your university. Online psychology degree has advantages over traditional campus-based degree program in terms of flexibility and convenience of learning. This type of learning channel is perfect for working individuals who are interested to further their career in psychology and become a certified school psychologist. The online course will not interrupt your current working schedule and at the same time maintain your current life style.
Nature of Work
The main responsibility of the school psychologists include the following: consulting with teachers regarding classroom behavior problems, administering standardized tests and developing special programs for the intellectually and emotionally challenged students. Also, a school psychologist isn’t limited to just one school, most of the time psychologists would have to divide their time between several schools in one geographic area. If therapy is needed, the psychologist will have to refer the child or individual to a mental health facility in the community for treatment.
Other responsibilities include teaching lessons on parenting skills, substance abuse and various topics important to healthy schools. School psychologists may also need to research on the effectiveness of the school’s academic programs and behavior management procedures.
Career Advancement
If you’re already a practicing school psychologist with a master degree, further your education to the doctorate level. This will increase your competitiveness and competency in your field. This will help move your career patch to a management level position. While your experience will help you move to a higher level in your career, you may also choose to switch to another related field in psychology; you may be a consultant to several large organizations where psychology expertise is needed.
Summary
The high demand for school psychologists has made the profession one of the important positions in schools and learning institutions. This has created many career opportunities for those who are interested in this field. Securing a master degree in psychology or counseling can ensure you that you will be able to start your career as a school psychologist.
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Nov
30
2009
- Image by ttarasiuk via Flickr
The Argosy University, founded in 2001, unified Hawaiis’ finest and medical universities – the American School of Professional Psychology, University of Sarasota and the Medical Institute of Minnesota – into one institution. The merging of these medical and business schools brings a great opportunity for incoming students, who truly know their vocation and, at the same time, explore the possibilities of their future.
The university has four colleges. They are the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, College of Business, College of Education and College of Health Sciences. Across the United States, there are nineteen locations that serve Argosy students. These campuses are found in various islands in Hawaii, Atlanta-Georgia, Chicago-Illinois, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles-California, Nashville-Tennessee, Orange County-California, Phoenix-Arizona, Salt Lake City-Utah, San Francisco-California, San Diego-California, Sarasota-Florida, Schaumburg, Seattle, Tampa-Florida, Inland Empire, Twin Cities and Washington, D. C. The university also offers online courses for interested students, who wants to study in Argosy but is limited geographically.
For students at Argosy University – Hawaii, they can pursue degrees in Psychology, Counselor Education, Marriage and Family Therapy, Education, Business, Criminal Justice, and Liberal Arts. In addition, the university also offers various programs that open up different educational opportunities for university students. University students can pursue a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctoral degree or other professional certification through the university’s courses and internships.
Recently, the Argosy University – Hawaii announced a new program, the Doctor of Education in Counselor Education and Supervision program. The program is open for students who are seeking graduate level degrees in this field. Students eyeing this program should prepare to enter the world of academics, research and clinical studies in Counselor Education.
The main Argosy campus of Hawaii is located on the island of Oahu. The university also has satellite campuses on Hilo and Maui islands. University services are, however, limited in satellite locations.
Currently, the majority of the student body of Argosy University – Hawaii consists of students who are pursuing graduate level degrees. Included in this population are a large number of professionals who seek to further their education and career in the corporate world.
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Nov
29
2009
- Image by Discount Vacation Rentals Online via Flickr
The wedding industry has become one of Hawaii’s largest businesses and economic drivers. With a constant flow of newlyweds from the Mainland United States, Japan, Korea, and abroad, there are literally dozens of weddings each day in the island state. While the majority of couples-to-be look forward to traditional weddings in chapels and other religious places, a growing trend is the use of Hawaii vacation rentals as host sites for lavish wedding ceremonies. Because vacation rentals are often located in more remote and scenic areas way from the crowds of tourist areas, they are often more personal and make for even better wedding photos. In fact, there is nothing better than getting married on the sandy shores of the islands, sun setting in the background, and palm trees waving in the air above.
Several vacation rentals are large enough in area to accommodate extravagant weddings, both indoors or out. Some of Hawaii’s best wedding planners are able to arrange scenic weddings paired with superb receptions on the grass lawns of some of Hawaii’s best vacation homes. With the proper catering, proper floral design, and proper arrangements, a unique and special day can become an even greater memory by utilizing the area’s best free resources: good weather and scenery.
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Nov
26
2009
Relationship statistics tell us that 93% of those in relationships report them to be unsatisfactory and that most do not know what to do about it. Those who turn to psychologists or other mental health professionals specializing in relationship therapy do so with the expectation of improving their relationship. The data tell us more often than not, their expectations will go unmet. In fact, the majority of couples seeking successful relationships have accommodated to a cultural standard that is less than what they want.
Therapists continually work towards improving their skills in this area. Yet they find themselves increasingly frustrated by the less than stellar outcome statistics that are reported.
The Settle for More model of relationships offers mental health professionals a new perspective, conceptualizing relationships in a way that will expand your existing ability to quickly and efficiently identify key issues, address and move through client/patient presenting problems, avoid the ubiquitous he-said/she-said trap and being placed in the position of adjudicator. Participants will learn to:
- identify the causes of failure in their client’s relationships
- increase client insight that translates positive response and action by both parties
- assess and communicate to couples the probability of therapeutic success and how improve that probability
- quickly and effectively move couples from adversarial to a cooperative dynamic.
Settle for More, the book co-authored by the presenters, has been described as “must-reading for everyone who is married, divorced, or contemplating marriage, as well as professional marriage counselors who want to greatly improve their skill” (Nicholas A. Cummings, Ph.D., Sc.D.). It has also been described as “An insightful perspective on human relationships that goes far beyond today’s chaotic television ‘free-for-alls.’ One CAN have a more satisfying and rewarding life…” (Pat DeLeon, Ph.D.) The Merrill’s workshop expands on the model found in their book.