Just completed a week at Ke Nani Kai in west Molikai. Thought I would try something new in Hawaii. The week was fantastic and very laid back. I can understand why the locals are not interested in development and I witnessed a lot of signs on the east side of the island for native rights.
Molikai has the highest unemployment of the major Hawaiian islands. I find the Hawaiian people perhaps the most gentle and polite people I have ever met.
The resort is in a cluster of three that was undergoing development just a few years ago. While the pool area is maintained, the remnants of a recent golf course alongside the fantastic beach area of west Molikai is now overgrown with weeds and other vegetation. Restaurants and golf facilities are now abandoned. The area, which has tremendous potential, contains the best beach area I have seen in Hawaii. There is no one for miles on the pristine beach with the exception of the odd surfer. All golf facilities, stores, clubhouse, etc are now abandoned. The resort area is like a ghost town.
The resort area contains some owners who reside year round while most of the remaining condos are vacant. Some owners reside in the condos for a few weeks or few months of the year but live on the US mainland.
I attended an open house for one condo--a two bedroom condo in the Ke Nani Kai complex. The owner's asking price was in the $230's range. The assessment just came in last week at around $200 000 and I was told by some resident owners that you could pick a condo up for probably $150000 or so.
Water rates for the condos are astronomic. The water line for the development was apparently sabotaged and the developer just pulled out. Residents now receive water from a private supplier at a cost that prohibits living in the complex.
While it is such a shame that this has happened, I understand the thinking. I spoke with many locals who would like to see small development to improve the job situation. It is too bad that the resort area could not be owned by the locals, developed for tourism by the locals and that the spin off in the economy could not be enjoyed by the locals.
Perhaps a little development in an area that is suffering from a disastrous economy could benefit everyone. It is such a crime that something with so much potential that once blossomed is in so much decline.
Perhaps I am way off base and don't understand the issues. Any comments?
Molikai has the highest unemployment of the major Hawaiian islands. I find the Hawaiian people perhaps the most gentle and polite people I have ever met.
The resort is in a cluster of three that was undergoing development just a few years ago. While the pool area is maintained, the remnants of a recent golf course alongside the fantastic beach area of west Molikai is now overgrown with weeds and other vegetation. Restaurants and golf facilities are now abandoned. The area, which has tremendous potential, contains the best beach area I have seen in Hawaii. There is no one for miles on the pristine beach with the exception of the odd surfer. All golf facilities, stores, clubhouse, etc are now abandoned. The resort area is like a ghost town.
The resort area contains some owners who reside year round while most of the remaining condos are vacant. Some owners reside in the condos for a few weeks or few months of the year but live on the US mainland.
I attended an open house for one condo--a two bedroom condo in the Ke Nani Kai complex. The owner's asking price was in the $230's range. The assessment just came in last week at around $200 000 and I was told by some resident owners that you could pick a condo up for probably $150000 or so.
Water rates for the condos are astronomic. The water line for the development was apparently sabotaged and the developer just pulled out. Residents now receive water from a private supplier at a cost that prohibits living in the complex.
While it is such a shame that this has happened, I understand the thinking. I spoke with many locals who would like to see small development to improve the job situation. It is too bad that the resort area could not be owned by the locals, developed for tourism by the locals and that the spin off in the economy could not be enjoyed by the locals.
Perhaps a little development in an area that is suffering from a disastrous economy could benefit everyone. It is such a crime that something with so much potential that once blossomed is in so much decline.
Perhaps I am way off base and don't understand the issues. Any comments?
