Raised in Hawai'i, Shaun Fleming has taken the world and her community by storm with her award-winning art. 

Shaun specializes in woodwork, furnishings, cabinetry, and inlaid boxes. Her signature is marquetry, a specific art that uses tiny pieces of wood to create detailed imagery. She has created works that depict native Hawai'ian birds, flowers, and sea life. Inspired by the land around her, she adds a distinct embellishment with the use of exotic woods such as koa, mango, wenge, walnut, and mahogany. 

She is a trailblazing self-taught artist whose art reflects her years riding the Hawaiian waves and being immersed in her rich and beautiful culture. Conscious art connoisseurs value her pieces throughout the world. Each piece contains genuine depth

Living steps away from some of the bluest and clearest water in the U.S. can be a big lure for those trading in our timecards for a lounge chair by the pool. Retiring on Maui isn't a new idea for most people, but finding somewhere to do it that doesn't break the bank is! So spend the rest of your days only worrying about which beach you'll choose to spend the afternoon, if you want your tropical cocktail on the rocks or blended or where to watch the sunset. 

These are the best days of your life, and they should be treated as such! You can work with any realtor on our team at Island Sotheby's International Realty to find the perfect beachside digs that you can call home. 

Whether you're looking for that convenient ocean access of Lahaina, hoping

The homebuying journey can be intimidating and daunting for everyone, especially first-time buyers. With such a saturated market, choosing a mortgage lender can feel overwhelming and complex. 

 Finding the right lender for your situation and goals is arguably one of the most critical steps to prepare for your home buying journey. Taking the extra time to field your options and set clear expectations can make the process financially better and emotionally easier.

Let's start with the basics. What is a mortgage lender? According to Investopedia.com, a mortgage lender is a financial organization or mortgage bank that gives and supports home loans. Lenders have particular financing guidelines to prove your creditworthiness and ability to repay a

Welcome to Molokai where time slows down, the terrain is rugged and the history is rich. If you’re looking for a path less traveled, Molokai needs to be on your bucket list. You feel as if you are stepping into a time machine and have traveled back to old Hawaii. With dirt roads leading you through most of the island, small mom and pop shops the only source of “shopping”, and untouched wilderness on every corner, Molokai is a raw Hawaiian gem. 

Whether you’re hiking through a desolate forest or taking a mule ride through Kalaupapa, Molokai embodies the beauty of a truly remote getaway. No sounds of rushing highways or thousands of people crowding the shoreline. Just you and the peaceful sounds of “The Friendly Isle”. 

Kalaupapa National

The Maui County Real Property Tax rates have been updated for the upcoming fiscal year. Property is classified based upon its highest and best use. Properties receiving home exemptions, condominiums, permitted bed and breakfasts and permitted transient vacation rentals are exceptions. Condominiums are classified upon consideration of their actual use (Non-owner-occupied, Commercial, Short-term rental, Timeshare, Owner-occupied).

• July 1—Tax year commences. Taxes are calculated based upon January 1 assessed values and fiscal year tax rates.
• July 20 — First half of fiscal year tax bills mailed.
• August 20 — First half of fiscal year tax payments due.
• September 1 — Deadline for filing dedication petitions.

Wayfinding and navigation are some of the essential parts of the Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures. Polynesian voyagers were one of the first people to travel long distances in early ages, so navigation was crucial and an integral part of places like Hawaii's historical and cultural heritage. 

"Before the invention of the compass, the sextant and clocks, or more recently, the satellite-dependant Global Positioning System (GPS), Pacific Islanders navigated open-ocean voyages without instruments, using instead their observations of the stars, the sun, the ocean swells, and other signs of nature for clues to direction and location of a vessel at sea," Hokule'a.com. 

 As recently as 50 years ago, the deep knowledge of navigation and wayfinding

Astronomy is a part of Hawaii’s deep-rooted history. Without it, the islands of Hawaii would not be inhabited. Throughout the Pacific, there are islands that would never have been discovered without the ancient practice of navigation and the study of stars. 

We spoke with Dr. Roy R. Gal, Associate Astronomer at the Institute for Astronomy, the University of Hawaii at Manoa to get his insight on the significance of the stars in Hawaii.

Dr. Gal studies how galaxies like our own Milky Way evolve over time, and how this varies in different places in the Universe. He uses telescopes from all over the world, including Mauna Kea, to look at far-away galaxies. 

“We see galaxies as they were a long time ago, and trace the changes over time - much like

Photo: Dante Parducci

Island Sotheby's International Realty's Ryan MacLaughlin, R(B) and Alex Cortez, R(B) represented the buyers in the significant sale of 4585 Makena Road, Kihei Hawai'i.

Sold for $25,000,000, this 7 bedroom, 8.5 bathroom Makena Estate offers sophisticated, contemporary flair and over two acres of manicured tropical landscaping, making it both an ideal private retreat and a home for those who love to entertain. 

Photo: Dante Parducci

This significant sale finalized in late May marks the highest on Maui in the last five years. Nothing surprising for our seasoned realtors as both Ryan and Alex also represented the sellers of the previous highest sale in the last five years, 4508 Makena Road, which sold for $24,600,000 in

The Hawaiian islands are home to some of the most famous stories of astronomy, wayfinding, and navigation. Ancient Hawaiians were skilled in using the natural world around them to guide their everyday lives. They sailed all over Polynesia using the night sky as their compass and the ocean as their guide. Today, traditional voyagers still use celestial navigation and wayfinding to honor the ways of the first Hawaiians. The most magical part? We can still explore the same skyline that Hawaiians were studying and using to navigate more than 500 years ago.

While Maui is now home to growing small cities like Kahului or Kihei, most of the island becomes a glowing light show when the sun sets. Looking up at the night sky with a warm cup of hot cocoa, some