Highlighted News Stories for August 2023.

REALTORS® Give $1.5M to Aid Maui Wildfire Recovery.

“Unity and community spirit are invaluable, especially when facing such trying circumstances,” says the president of the REALTORS® Relief Foundation. Amidst the devastating Hawaiian wildfires, REALTORS® are uniting to assist those who have lost homes and loved ones. The REALTORS® Relief Foundation is contributing $1.5 million to aid Hawaii REALTORS® in housing displaced victims. They’re also urging NAR members to contribute. These wildfires, triggered by hurricane winds, ravaged Maui’s western coast, resulting in tragic loss of life and property. Over $6 billion in damage is estimated. Real estate groups are stepping up to help the affected communities, with the REALTORS® Association of Maui actively supporting agents and residents. The recovery process will be long, and the real estate community’s ongoing support will be crucial as Maui rebuilds its homes and lives.

(We, at MREA, encourage you to support Maui in any way you can. One option is https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/strengthening/maui-strong-fund)

Maui County Buys Trask Office Building for $3.8 Million.

Maui County has purchased the David K. Trask Jr. building in Wailuku for $3.8 million to reduce annual rent expenses. The sale, funded by a transient accommodation tax increase, aims to cut the $2 million spent on yearly rent. The building at 2145 Kaohu St. will house various county departments and tenants, including the Hawai’i Government Employees Association and Berding & Weil law offices. The purchase follows the former owner HGEA’s desire to sell the property, with the sale approved by the Maui County Council in May. This acquisition helps the county save money and provides proximity to the Kalana O Maui county building.

Note: Parts of this post were written using ChatGPT, with stories gathered from NAR REALTOR® Magazine and Maui News.