Happy Holidays from Kauai, chosen this month by National Geographic Travel as one of the 40 best travel destinations in the world for 2017. Kauai, chosen for its beauty, discovery and breathtaking views from every area of the island, is one of only three listed from the United States. Those of us who live here heartily agree. We are proud that an unbiased source substantiates the local opinion.

Lihue was also named one of Expedia’s Top 20 best sunset destinations. Everyone who has visited Kauai knows that there are beautiful sunsets no matter where you go here, but Lihue got the top mention.

Weather-wise our summer was beautiful without the very hot temperatures of the past two years. In the fall there was enough rain to keep our island green and flowers beautiful, but few washout days for golf and other outdoor activities. The Prince Course remains closed. The Coconut Wireless reports that it may open in April. I don’t believe the website has any official update.

The Garden Island continues to remake itself; a new shopping center, the Kilauea Lighthouse Village, has broken ground. You will have to wait until my next newsletter to get a list of new stores. A grocery store and a savings bank are already tenants to be.

The Market at Kilauea will be a 10,000 sq. ft. neighborhood grocery acting as the anchor store. It will concentrate on locally grown and prepared foods. The space left by the closing of C.J.’s is due to be opened as an Italian restaurant in the spring. An entire remodel is going on right now. In Kapaa, a Ross’s (Dress for Less) store is going into the vacant area where Long’s used to be.

Want to buy a hotel? It was recently reported in Pacific Business News that the St. Regis in Princeville is for sale. The St. Regis which is owed by a California public employees union is managed by Starwood which has been sold to Marriott. Watch this one to see what upscale chain takes over.

There is a big increase in construction at the south end of the island. Kukui’ula, a very high end destination, has seen a large boost in homes and cottages after years of slow growth. Private homes and new luxury condos are also being built on the Kiahuna golf course in Poipu.

With all of these developments it is no wonder that the Kauai economy is booming. The Garden Island recently reported that our unemployment rate was at 3%, the lowest in 9 years. Many of the new jobs are, of course, in the construction industry.

Residential real estate has been steady. Hawaii Information Service which tracks sales reports a 5% drop in sales volume on island from 10/31/16 to 11/1/16. However, the number of sold properties increased by 34 %. Clearly buyers were taking advantage of good investment opportunities particularly on the North Shore. Properties built in the first decade of the 21^st century had high price run ups and then dropped back. As new buyers come in, they are now getting excellent buys.

For buyers on the fence, take note that the time for waiting has ended. We are seeing record numbers of visitors. Christmas isn’t even here yet and parking lots are much more crowded than usual. Airlines report near capacity flights, and this week Hawaiian Airlines announced plans to serve European cities.

I know that many of my readers have dreamed of having a second or even primary home here. If you want to make that a reality or even explore the possibility, please get in touch. Next year will mark my 14^th year in Kauai real estate. I know this island well and know where the opportunities are.

You can explore real estate through my website www.joewilliamshawaii.com. Or you can e-mail me or call. I love to “talk story” about our piece of paradise.

Best wishes for the holidays. Mele Kalikimaka and Hau’oli Makahiki Hou.

Mahalo,