Kona Kohala Blog

How about a double dose of good news for a change?  First, for those interested in condos in Hawaii, the Kona Board of Realtors is actively working with the various condo association management companies to correct some very faulty information that has been costing consumers money.

When applying for financing of a condo, the lender looks the number of owner occupied units versus those in short term rental programs.  In the past, this number has been determined by looking at the tax records and any unit with a tax address other than Kailua Kona was deemed to be a rental.

The Kona Board has intervened and instead of just looking at tax records, they now go to the association and its board of directors.  Because condo by-laws require owners to register occupied units, for various reasons some concerning safety, the board of directors knows that actual owner units rather than rental units which the tax records don't necessarily show.

Our first success through the Kona Board's efforts was the Kona Pacific Condominiums.  It had been reported that only 30% were owner occupied, however, after talking to the association's board, it was determined that the real number was over 70%, many as second homes that were not rentals but owner occupied units.  This can make as much as a 2% difference in financing since they are no longer classified as investor units.

The other good news, really good news, is that there is a pizza place in town that rivals my own which I consider to be the best in the world.  Normally, we don't go out for pizza because ours is so great, no you can't come over for dinner but you can get one that's just as good at Pizzeria Zacchini.

After numerous recommendations from many friends and clients we happened to be near Costco and hungry after a long day and decided to try it.  I may never make pizza again.  We had a fresh, loaded with croutons and aged parmesan cheese Caesar salad that was soooo refreshing followed by the best ever vegetarian pizza ever created outside my kitchen.  The secret, as always, is in the crust and Ms. Barbara Zacchini's crust rivals mine, incredible.

You can check this one out on line at www.pizzeriazacchini.com.  It's so good it's worth driving out to the Koloko Industrial area to taste.  Anytime you're at Costco forget their pizza and swing by Pizza Zacchini, you'll be ever so happy you did!

How's that for good news?  Lower costs and killer food.  aloha