Stock markets around the world took a significant hit today . China was down 9% and markets in Europe and the US fell in sympathy and due to concerns over economic weakness.

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And there is a lot of it this morning! Durable goods orders, specifically for airplanes, fell 7.8% in January.

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Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, or as he is better know, IZ, left us too soon. But his music and attitude and Aloha live on. "Hawaii Aloha" is one of the islands' prettiest songs.

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According to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism , the state economy in 2007 will look a lot like the state economy in 2006.

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This is a theme that we'll be certainly hearing more about here on Maui over the next several years.

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While we invariably get nervous when too many folks are too sanguine abut anything, the worldwide economy continues to perform very well.  According to today's Wall Street Journal:

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Wailea Ekahi received two new listings this week. Units 54A and 54C, both large two-bedroom units with ocean views, are asking $1.625 and $1.85 million respectively. The units are owned by the same seller and they would consider a reduced price for a bulk sale. That brings the total number of units for sale in Ekahi to sixteen.

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As you drive down the Piilani Highway from Kihei into Wailea, you have probably noticed the new development makai of the highway. That is Kanani Wailea. The thirty-eight separate dwellings appear to be single-family homes in close proximity to one another. Instead what they are are detached residential condominiums. That's right, with the convenience of condominium living (a community pool and spa, association dues that takes care of landscaping, insurance, water, gates etc.) one can get the benefits of a single-family home (two-car garage, no shared walls, large floorplan). Kanani Wailea offers four floorplans, all at least three-bedrooms and 1950 square feet of interior living space plus garage, lanai etc. The largest units are four bedroom and four baths and 2300 square feet of interior living space. All units have granite countertops, volume ceilings, central air, Wolfe/Sub-Zero/Bosch appliances and Leicht cabinets. Almost all the units offer ocean views with some being spectacular. This complex was sold out on a pre-construction basis almost two years ago. Now, several units are available on a resale basis. We believe two of them are "deals." This complex will be finished in April and looks better each week as more units get completed  and the lanscaping begins to grow.

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Today on MSN.com, one of the headline stories is about enjoying Maui's Romance. In the article they give some good advice, like the Road to Hana in a Mustang convertible, insuring one adopts "island time" and heading to the beach in the morning. We find nothing to quarrel with in any of that advice. But the authors make a claim that Homoa Beach in Hana is the island's most romantic. is it? Perhaps. Homoa is truly stunning. But other beaches on the Valley Isle, Big Beach, Kapalua Bay Beach, Secret Beach and Baldwin all deserve at least a mention! One of the many joys of Maui is that one can go to a different beach each day for a month and always have a spectacular day.

Sick of the airport, trying to park, finding transportation at the other end of your inter-island trip or just hate to fly? Well, another option is coming soon. The Hawaii Superferry is scheduled to commence service among Oahu, Kauai, the Big Island and Maui in July of this year. This diesel-powered catamaran will be roughly as long as a football field and half as wide. The ferry will transport people, automobiles, trucks and goods among the islands. Initially, the ferry will leave Kahului at 10:30 and arrive in Honolulu at 1:30. Fares can be found here. By 2009, there will be second ferry and a second round trip between Maui and Oahu.

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