10 Celebrities Living the Hawaii Life 20 Photos
Drawn to the world-famous beaches and secluded hideaways, these VIPs — including Obama, Oprah, and Rihanna — love to escape the red carpet for Hawaii’s island paradise. Take a look inside these exclusive residences with million-dollar ocean views, sprawling beachfront grounds and floor-to-ceiling star appeal.
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About the Show
Most people only dream of living in Hawaii, but the real estate brokers at Hawaii Life can make that dream a reality for anyone. From Oahu to Kauai, to Maui and The Big Island, there are properties to suit any lifestyle from ultra-affordable, to totally outrageous. We follow everyday families as they turn their fantasy of a Hawaii Life into real life.
Episodes
See Episode GuideA Military Family Searches for Their First Home on Oahu
Air Force Intelligence Officer Clint Kinchen and his wife Kallie have been lucky enough to have moved from their hometown in Louisiana to Okinawa and now to Oahu on orders form the military. But now that they have two young kids, they're ready to find a place to settle down. With the help of Hawaii Life agent Amie Bennis, the Kinchen's are hoping to find a home in a family friendly area with space for Clint's retired mom, who has moved in with them, to help raise their young family in paradise.
A Young, Active Couple House Hunts in Oahu for a Home Where They Can Start a Family
Shavonne and Thi Truong dreamed of honeymooning in Hawaii, but disappointingly the newlyweds never made it. A few years later, the couple received amazing news that the Army stationed them in Oahu. Having never even been to Hawaii, Shavonne and Thi packed their bags and reported for duty. The Truongs immediately fell in love with Oahu's sunshine, but ultimately it was the active and healthy lifestyle that sold them. Now, the couple is working with Hawaii Life broker Erik Hinshaw to help them find a home that will keep them close to the beach where they can enjoy fishing and swimming with turtles as well as be a great place to start a family.
Single Mother of Three Looks for a Smaller Condo on Oahu as her Grown Kids go off to College
Kailani Taylor, a single mother of three, has lived the majority of her life on Oahu. Now that her children are getting older and her twins are going off to college, Kailani wants to downsize to a new home that can better serve her as she enters a new chapter in her life. She also wants a place that will keep her and her son close to the beach. With the help of Hawaii Life agent Amie Bennis, Kailani looks at condos in the heart of Honolulu and a home in a quieter town of Makakilo.
Maui Native Moves Back Home After Spending a few Years on the Mainland
Peter Niess was born and raised on Maui and loved growing up on an island where he could live a life that most people only experience while on vacation. Peter went to college on the mainland but couldn't stay away from Maui's picturesque scenery and year-round outdoor living. Peter is now back on Maui pursuing his career as an architect and working with Hawaii Life agent, and childhood friend, Tony Sayles to purchase the home of his dreams that can comfortably accommodate his bulldog, 3 cats, 3 chickens, and tortoise. Because of the low inventory of homes on Maui, Peter's open to putting his architectural design skills to good use and possibly constructing his dream home.
Couple Searches for Their Dream Home on Maui That Would Double as a Bed and Breakfast
Oregon-based couple, Lisa and James, decided that they wanted to make a permanent move to Maui when they first vacationed there, swam in the ocean and stuck their heads underwater to hear the whales singing. With James' work as a real estate appraiser and Lisa's work as a writer and performance artist, the two can do their work easily from Maui with business trips back to Oregon every so often. With a healthy budget of close to a million dollars, they're looking for a place with Hawaii Life agent Todd Hudson that would be their dream home and could double as a bed and breakfast.
Young Family Looks to Make Roots in Waikiki
Sick of indoor-life in the land-locked state of Kansas, Zach and Amy Riehemann were motivated to change their life and relocate to sunny Oahu with their two young sons, Jax and Brody. Seeking a condo that will work as their children grow up, they work with Hawaii Life broker Cathy Possedi to find them a spacious unit with family-friendly amenities, while still being close to one of the most desired spots on Oahu; Waikiki Beach.
Oklahoma Minister Moves his Wife and Five Daughters to a Family-Friendly Home on Oahu
Jon Elliff is a Baptist minister who, after being inspired by a vacation in Hawaii, decided with his wife Becky to move his family to Oahu. With their five daughters, Jon and Becky are working with Hawaii Life broker Kelly Lee to find a house that gives them space for their family as well as a short commute to the beach and Jon's church. With big demands in their tight price range, Kelly shows the Elliffs several different Oahu neighborhoods to give them a sense for the value of their dollar.
A First-Time Homebuyer Searches for a Condo on Oahu
Helicopter pilot Julie Fung's high-flying job has taken her all over the US for work, but she's always wanted to fly the friendly skies above Hawaii. When a job opened up with a helicopter company on Oahu, she immediately applied and made the big move. Now she's finally ready to put down some roots on Oahu and buy her first condo with the help of Hawaii Life Agent Alison Wisnom. Julie's hopes are sky-high though and her lengthy wishlist does not match her tiny budget for a place in Honolulu, one of the most expensive cities in the world.
A Military Family Searches for Their First Home on Oahu
Air Force Intelligence Officer Clint Kinchen and his wife Kallie have been lucky enough to have moved from their hometown in Louisiana to Okinawa and now to Oahu on orders form the military. But now that they have two young kids, they're ready to find a place to settle down. With the help of Hawaii Life agent Amie Bennis, the Kinchen's are hoping to find a home in a family friendly area with space for Clint's retired mom, who has moved in with them, to help raise their young family in paradise.
A Young, Active Couple House Hunts in Oahu for a Home Where They Can Start a Family
Shavonne and Thi Truong dreamed of honeymooning in Hawaii, but disappointingly the newlyweds never made it. A few years later, the couple received amazing news that the Army stationed them in Oahu. Having never even been to Hawaii, Shavonne and Thi packed their bags and reported for duty. The Truongs immediately fell in love with Oahu's sunshine, but ultimately it was the active and healthy lifestyle that sold them. Now, the couple is working with Hawaii Life broker Erik Hinshaw to help them find a home that will keep them close to the beach where they can enjoy fishing and swimming with turtles as well as be a great place to start a family.
Single Mother of Three Looks for a Smaller Condo on Oahu as her Grown Kids go off to College
Kailani Taylor, a single mother of three, has lived the majority of her life on Oahu. Now that her children are getting older and her twins are going off to college, Kailani wants to downsize to a new home that can better serve her as she enters a new chapter in her life. She also wants a place that will keep her and her son close to the beach. With the help of Hawaii Life agent Amie Bennis, Kailani looks at condos in the heart of Honolulu and a home in a quieter town of Makakilo.
Maui Native Moves Back Home After Spending a few Years on the Mainland
Peter Niess was born and raised on Maui and loved growing up on an island where he could live a life that most people only experience while on vacation. Peter went to college on the mainland but couldn't stay away from Maui's picturesque scenery and year-round outdoor living. Peter is now back on Maui pursuing his career as an architect and working with Hawaii Life agent, and childhood friend, Tony Sayles to purchase the home of his dreams that can comfortably accommodate his bulldog, 3 cats, 3 chickens, and tortoise. Because of the low inventory of homes on Maui, Peter's open to putting his architectural design skills to good use and possibly constructing his dream home.
Couple Searches for Their Dream Home on Maui That Would Double as a Bed and Breakfast
Oregon-based couple, Lisa and James, decided that they wanted to make a permanent move to Maui when they first vacationed there, swam in the ocean and stuck their heads underwater to hear the whales singing. With James' work as a real estate appraiser and Lisa's work as a writer and performance artist, the two can do their work easily from Maui with business trips back to Oregon every so often. With a healthy budget of close to a million dollars, they're looking for a place with Hawaii Life agent Todd Hudson that would be their dream home and could double as a bed and breakfast.
Married in Maui and Moving There From Washington
Russ and Lauren Gibbs currently live in rainy Washington state but have been in love with Maui ever since they were married there. Realtor Kevin Spaise will help their dreams come true, showing them three amazing one-of-a-kind Maui properties. Russ is a kitesurfer looking for a home next to some great windy spots. With their standards set high, the Gibbs hope to find a property that matches their Hawaiian dreams.
Alaska Family Moves to Kauai
Amy and Erik Paul are relocating their family of eight from a large house in Alaska for Erik's new job in Kauai. Realtor Tiffany Spencer shows them three properties including a vacant property where they can imagine the home they want to build for their six children. Realizing there is less space available than up north, the Pauls must decide if they can see a fit for their large family in Kauai.
Goodbye Snowy Canada, Hello Sunny Big Island
Nancy and Vrejj Biegler along with their two children have moved from snowy Calgary to the Big Island and are now looking for their dream home. They're looking at three properties: two in the dry area of Waikoloa and one in the wetter tropical climate of Waimea. They'll have to decide which version of the Big Island is right for them. With all the opportunities for snorkeling and diving available to them, the Bieglers know they're not in Canada anymore!
A Family Moves From Pittsburgh to Princeville in Search of a Laid-Back Lifestyle
JT and Doreen are leaving Pittsburgh for a more laidback lifestyle in Princeville, Kauai and turn to Hawaii Life broker Roni Marley to help them find their piece of paradise. Their main requirements are privacy and a good kitchen, as Doreen would like to bring her cupcake business right along with them. Will any of the houses Roni shows them provide the perfect combo of a baker's dream kitchen and the level of seclusion they're looking for?
Family Moves from New Hampshire to Kauai to Live the Classic Hawaii Life and Hit the Water Everyday
Jill and Chris Caisey are ready to leave New Hampshire to fulfill their master plan of moving with their kids to Kauai to live the good life. Hawaii Life broker Roni Marley shows them several plantation-style properties with good proximity to the beach to complement the outdoor lifestyle they seek. They're willing to spend $500,000 for the right place in Kapa'a or Kilauea as long as it means no more wetsuits when playing in the ocean.
Young Couple Leaves the Hustle and Bustle of Honolulu to Seek the Quieter Parts of Oahu
Gilbert and Sheila live in Honolulu but are tired of the hustle and bustle of the big city. They want to move somewhere more peaceful and start looking for a plantation-style house in Oahu that's close to the beach with enough storage for Gilbert's fishing and kayaking equipment and a yard for their dog. Hawaii Life Broker Sandra Sagisi is on the case, but in Oahu's competitive market, Gilbert and Sheila's $400-600,000 budget is a challenge for Sandra to overcome as they look in the areas of Waipahu and Ewa Beach.
A Busy Business Traveler Searches for a Home Base on Maui
Texas native, Beth Cantor has an exciting job as a roving human resources director that requires her to travel all over the western hemisphere. After a recent three-month stint on Maui, Beth instantly knew it was the place where she wanted to call home. She fell in love with the culture, the aloha spirit, and the relaxed lifestyle that she needs after her business travels. With the help of Hawaii Life agent, Amanda Kittle, Beth is looking for a condo in Kihei, close to her friends, and hopes to find a killer view that she can enjoy during her rare days off.
Soon-to-be-Wed Couple Looks for a Place to Call Home in South Maui
Recently engaged Wayne Westcott and Sue Nuckols have lived most of their lives in the South and are proud of their Southern roots, but when they came to Maui for the first time, they knew it was where they wanted to start their new life together. With the help of broker JB Guard, they're searching for a house they can make their own and where they can have their grown children come to stay in their own piece of paradise.
Baltimore Couple Moves to Hawaii to Start Exciting New Careers on the Big Island
Chris and Nina Lambert are moving from Baltimore with their two dogs to begin a new life on the Big Island. Nina was offered a position as a director of Marine Life, while Chris is taking the opportunity to fulfill his life-long dream of becoming a pilot. Their biggest requirements are ample yard space for their four-legged family members and a two-car garage to protect their four-wheeled possessions. With a budget of just $375,000, finding both of those items will be a challenge for Hawaii Life agent Kristi Cotton.
Couple Moves from Buffalo to the Big Island Hoping to Find a Change of Pace Living Off the Land
Partners Grace and Cecile, a physician and chef, move from Buffalo to the Big Island for a change of pace and a new lease on life. Grace's new job requires her to be in both Waimea and Hilo, so they're looking for a two bedroom home in-between. A nice kitchen is a must, and Cecile wants to grow their own food and maybe even raise some farm animals, so a yard with space for a garden is high on the list of priorities. With a budget of $350-500,000, they turn to Hawaii Life agent Adam Veloria to help them find their dream home.
Former US Air Force Physician Relocates his Family to Kauai for a Laid-Back Lifestyle
After serving seven years in the US Air Force as a physician, Chris Black and his wife Sharon decided to make their dream of living on Kauai come true. After landing a job at a clinic in Kapaa, looking for a house was the next natural step. The Blacks love the laidback, hang-at-the-beach lifestyle and want their kids to be able to experience all of the outdoor fun that the tropical climate of Kauai has to offer. With a healthy budget of $600-800,000 they have their pick of a house, a condo or a plot of land on which they can build their dream home.
Single Mother Looks for a Home on Kauai
Rebecca Hart fell in love with Hawaii more than 10 years ago when she came to Oahu for college. After graduating, she knew she didn't want to return to her home in Minnesota, and after traveling the world, she is ready to plant her roots in Kauai. Very successful in her line of work, Rebecca works long hours as an autism specialist for the board of education and loves the fact that Kauai offers her a blissful getaway on the weekends from her often stressful career. Rebecca is a single mother to her 5-year-old daughter Kailani and loves the quality time Kauai allows them to spend together. With the budget of $400-600,000, Rebecca turns to Hawaii Life broker Miriam Permutter to help her and her daughter find a place where they can do yoga and plant their own garden.
Family Moves from New Hampshire to Kauai to Live the Classic Hawaii Life and Hit the Water Everyday
Jill and Chris Caisey are ready to leave New Hampshire to fulfill their master plan of moving with their kids to Kauai to live the good life. Hawaii Life broker Roni Marley shows them several plantation-style properties with good proximity to the beach to complement the outdoor lifestyle they seek. They're willing to spend $500,000 for the right place in Kapa'a or Kilauea as long as it means no more wetsuits when playing in the ocean.
