Have you ever seen “this house is close to everything” or “centrally located” in advertisements for Kauai real estate listings?  Well, on Kauai, I have several listings but the only two that I advertise with that particular tag line are in Lihue.  
                                                    
What exactly does that mean?   Lihueis our County seat and you will find County and State government offices, our main hospital, Costco, our main shopping center; Kukui Grove, Home Depot, Wal- Mart, restaurants, lots of shopping, great schools and several good golf courses and beaches, not to mention our airport and Nawiliwili Harbor!

Since we are on an island with only 60,000 people and limited to approximately 50 square miles of land, it makes sense that we have only one central area for business.  However, that doesn’t mean that businesses and restaurants don’t exist all around the island; they do.  We just don’t have room for more than one major district like Lihue.  But don’t be fooled, Lihue is far from what other cities are like.  We are rural through and through, island wide.  Both of my listings noted here are in uniquely rural spots in the Lihue area, making them very desirable. 

 

The Menehune Bluffs Estate is listed for $1,499,000 (MLS 218279) is in a gated community with an incredible rural feel with privacy and gorgeous views.  Recently appraised for $1,700,000.  Seller wants out and is pricing aggressively!

 

 

This Lihue Riverfront home is listed for $950,000 (MLS 217179) is on the water; the Huleia River that opens out to the harbor and the ocean and offers beautiful kayaking to the Menehune Fish Pond.  It is a distressed property!  Make an offer!

Who looks for houses which are centrally located?  Pilots, medical personnel, business people, families, or those who want to be close to everything and enjoy what our “city” has to offer yet still be in beautiful rural surroundings.  I get asked this question a lot:  “how close is the airport to here?”  If you are in Lihue, it’s within 5-7 minutes from any given start point throughout Lihue.   

Lihue Statistics: 

Population: 5,674

Elevation: 206 feet

Median Age: 44 years

Size: 6 square miles

Average Rainfall: approx. 30 Inches a year  

The December 7, 2009 issue of Time Magazine just confirmed what we always knew:  Hawaii residents top the nation for the "happy factor".

According to the article, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted two nationwide surveys (1993 to 2001 and 2003 to 2006), asking 2.4 million people about their overall mood. The researchers were looking for something they called "frequent mental distress" and asked respondents to tell them how many days in the preceding month their mental health had been less than optimal. Frequent mental distress (FMD) was defined as having 14 or more bad days out of 30.  Apparently, 9% of Americans suffer from FMD, with Kentucky, West Virginia and Mississippi leading the "sad" states.  But in both surveys, Hawaii averaged only 6.6% of people suffering from FMD, making it the happiest of states in both surveys!

The article ends with this quote, "Never mind the Dow and the S&P; the true national indicator may be the FMD."

And that news just confirms what the locals always say: "Lucky you live Kauai."

I am always telling people that I think that it is a golfer’s “heaven on earth” to be able to live here on Kauai and play golf everyday at Wailua.  This municipal course has an oceanfront location, lush, green fairways, and is playable almost every day of the year.  The best part is that is it only $60.00 a month if you buy a resident card for unlimited play for residents if you walk.  Otherwise, it is $18.00 for the cart for 18 holes and the cost can be shared by 2 riders.  If you are 65 years old then the local monthly card rate goes down to only $40.00.  What more could any golfer want?  For complete course details and photos check out their Web site at http://www.kauai.gov/default.aspx?tabid=66 .