Field notes
The local details that actually move a Hawaiʻi Island deal — what it costs to sell, how lava zones shape insurance and price, and how the island’s homes really get their water and power. Written by a licensed broker, not a content mill.
Buying
On Kauaʻi, whether a home can legally rent nightly comes down to one map and one certificate. Here's what the VDA and a TVR permit mean for price — and how to verify before you buy.
June 18, 2026 · 9 min read
Selling
Big Island property tax is low — and almost nobody understands why their neighbor pays a fraction of what they do. It comes down to class and the homeowner exemption, and both change when you sell.
June 16, 2026 · 9 min read
Buying
The nine USGS hazard zones decide more than risk — they shape insurance, financing, and price across Hawaiʻi Island. Here's how to read them like a local.
June 12, 2026 · 12 min read
Buying
On much of Hawaiʻi Island, 'what are the utilities?' is a real question. A broker's guide to catchment water, the 2050 cesspool deadline, and solar that helps or hurts a sale.
June 5, 2026 · 12 min read
Selling
Commissions, conveyance tax, escrow, GET, and the HARPTA withholding that surprises mainland owners. Here's the real math on what you keep when you sell on Hawaiʻi Island.
May 21, 2026 · 11 min read