Buying a home is the biggest purchase most people will make in their lives. It’s important to go into the process armed with as much information as possible.

There are thousands of websites, books and even cable channels devoted to educating homebuyers. Most of that information is aimed at a national audience. With this guide to home-buying and the Hawaii Homebuyers Fair this Saturday, we hope to add to your Hawaii-specific knowledge.

The Hawaii Homebuyers Fair will be held at the Hawai‘i Convention Center on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fair, which is sponsored by the Star-Advertiser and Sunetric, is free to the public. For more information, visit hawaiihomebuyersfair.com or call 538-6397.

This special section includes articles on Oahu’s hottest markets for new home development and a Q-and-A with the executive director of a nonprofit that helps educate Hawaii residents on buying a home.

There are a variety of new home options on Oahu.

Kakaako is booming with nine condominium towers under construction now or soon to be under construction. Those towers will have about 4,000 units ranging from penthouses with ocean views fronting Ala Moana Boulevard to affordable housing with income limits for buyers.

The state and city have been pushing development in Kaka­ako as a way to bring housing closer to the two main employment centers: downtown and Waikiki. With the addition of an elevated rail line, the neighborhood is being designed as a place where you can live, work and play without having to get in your car.

Kapolei, Oahu’s second city, continues to grow with 550 new homes being built this year. The city is adding more shopping and employment opportunities every year and will also benefit from the new rail line that runs from East Kapo­lei to Ala Moana Center.

Waikiki is the heart of tourism in Hawaii, but it is also home to thousands of year-round residents. At least two new condo proj­ects are underway in Waikiki, giving homebuyers the option of owning a new home in the center of all the action.

David Butts
Star-Advertiser business editor

———

ALOHA

Aloha and welcome to the Hawaii Homebuyers Fair!

It is a pleasure to co-sponsor this inaugural event. At the Hono­lulu Star-Advertiser, we strive to keep our community informed. And there are few areas in our daily life where being well informed is more helpful than in home-buying and homeownership. It is a fact that for most people, buying a home is the single largest financial investment they will ever make.

That’s why homebuyers and homeowners need to be especially well informed. And that is the purpose of this fair: to give people the best, latest and most Hawaii-focused information on buying a new home.

So visit the booths, take part in the workshops being offered, talk to the experts and learn everything you can about home-buying, homeownership and home renovation. You will find Realtors, mortgage companies, renovation and home improvement specialists, and nonprofit assistance providers all in one place and ready to answer your questions.

Aloha,
Dennis Francis
President and publisher

———

Welcome, homebuyers and homeowners!

Thank you for joining us at the first annual Hawaii Home Buyers Fair hosted by the Hono­lulu Star-Advertiser. Whether you’re considering purchasing your first house or you’re seeking ways to improve your current homeownership, the Hawaii Homebuyers Fair provides invaluable resources and support to help you succeed as a homeowner.

With visions of master-planned communities moving forward and transforming neighborhoods like Kaka­ako, staying informed on upcoming developments and how these changes affect homeownership will be key to realizing your dream home. From real estate agents to Sunetric solar installers, the participating professionals at the Hawaii Home Buyers Fair are here to guide you through your homeownership journey and answer all your questions. We encourage you to stop by the wide range of service providers’ booths and workshops to find out more about the exciting opportunities available for homebuyers and homeowners.

For those of you interested in home solar solutions, please visit one of our solar consultants at our booth or workshop to learn how you can significantly reduce your electricity bill, add value to your home and provide clean energy for future generations.

Mahalo,
Aaron Kirk
Sunetric chief operating officer