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 Local Family Looks to Return to the Beach by Buying a Home Near Maui's North Shore
Kaleo and Sarah Amadeo are Maui natives that live on the island of Maui with their four young children. Kaleo is an avid surfer, paddleboarder, and all-around "water man" and is looking to relocate his family back to neighborhoods along Maui's scenic North Shore. After meeting with experienced Hawaii Life agent Georgie Hunter and explaining their need for space and beach access, the Amadeos look at a diverse variety of properties, from a fully finished move-in ready homes, to fixer-uppers that will offer them a better value for their dollar.
After Struggling to Find a Home Years Ago, a Hawaii Local Resumes His Search for the Ideal Property
Christian Slocum was raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, but moved to Maui nearly a decade ago to open two photography stores on the island. Christian was used to a lot of space on the Big Island, but he instantly fell in love with how accessible everything in on Maui-whether he wants to surf, dirt bike, or just watch a sunset - it's all just a short drive away. Three years ago Christian contacted his friend, Hawaii Life Agent Amanda Kittle, to help him find a home. Unfortunately he grew frustrated with the lack of inventory and he put his search on the back burner. Now, Christian is ready to finally purchase the perfect home that fits his wish list - one with a great kitchen, a yard for entertaining, and a separate space to set up his own photography studio.
Family Moves from California to the Big Island
Ken and Sandi Twist and their two children are relocating from the California coast to the Big Island. With realtor Jan Nores, the Twists tour three unique properties showing off the potential of outdoor living on Puako Beach Drive, a small community they've fallen in love with on their frequent visits. The Twists must decide which home will best fit their family as they grow and get the most out of their new lifestyle.
Upsize and upgrade from Washington to the Big Island
Kristen and Tony Arrindell moved from the beautiful but wet state of Washington taking jobs at a hospital on the Big Island because they realized how much better they feel in the sun and warmth. Now they are looking for a home to accommodate their twin toddlers. Realtor Jene Green shows them three homes near Kona that also keeps them close to to their favorite hobby: motorcycling the coast. The Arrindells must pick a home that will give their family the room to grow as well as fit in their budget.
Lifestyle upgrade from Colorado to Kauai
Jen and Carl Sokia, along with their two daughters, are looking to escape the Colorado winter for the tropic warmth of Kauai. Carl just took a job in the North Shore community of Princeville so realtor Tiffany Spencer shows the Sokias three properties in that neighborhood. The Sokias love the amenities of the nearby resorts, and have a tough decision between three properties with 3 very different price tags!
Indianapolis Couple Drops Everything and Moves to Kauai
When Jennifer Beyers got a job offer at a hospital on Kauai, she and her husband Brady packed up their large home in Indianapolis to live their dreams in Hawaii. They know they'll have to downsize from their 3500 square foot mainland for something half the size, but Brady and Jen are happy to trade the space for their new island life. Jennifer must be less than thirty minutes from the hospital in Lihue, which could be a challenge for broker Miriam Perlmutter.
From Oregon to Maui for Scuba Diving Fun
Haley Van Noord is moving to Maui from rainy Oregon. Haley is an avid scuba diver, so realtor Tobi Fisher shows her three Maui properties near some of the best beaches and dive spots. Haley must decide on a property that gives her access to the outdoor activities she loves while still fitting in her price range.
A View From the Big Island
Chris and Annette Hodges live a comfortable life in Atlanta with their three children. They are a very active family and have always dreamed about moving closer to the ocean so they could enjoy snorkeling and sailing all year round. They have finally taken the plunge, and with the help of Hawaii Life broker Beth Robinson, they are looking for a house on the Big Island. For the Hodges, location is key - they must have a beautiful view of the ocean. And with three kids, they also need plenty of room to spread out. With a budget in the million-dollar range, the Hodges have their choice of houses or plots of land where they can build a home of their dreams.
Shipping Out to Oahu
David and Valori Lundstrom and their two teenage sons have been living in Colorado since 2005 all the while trying to find a way to make Oahu their home. The Lundstrom family has spent lots of time exploring the different islands of Hawaii but feel particularly drawn to the lifestyle and pace of Oahu. David and Valori own and operate three shipping stores in Colorado, and when they were presented with an opportunity to open a store in Hawaii, they knew it was a sign for them to make their dream of living in Oahu a reality. David and Valori and their boys are ready to leave behind the cold Colorado winters for a life of beautiful sunsets and whale watching.
Big Move to the Big Island
Sam and Kathryn Schartz love being active with their 4 kids and really enjoy outdoor living, even in the cold weather of their hometown of Pleasantville, Oregon. They have visited Hawaii many times and it was on one of their trips that the couple realized that instead of vacationing on the Big Island, they could make this paradise a permanent home. The Schartz's are working with Hawaii Life agent Adam Veloria to help them find a home so that they can transition from dark days and cold winters to a lifetime of beach living on the Big Island. For Sam and Kathryn being able to provide their children with a lifestyle that connects them to family and nature is the true meaning of living the Hawaii Life.
A Home with a View on Hawaii's Big Island
Lewis and Kirsten Paragona have lived their whole lives braving the cold New England winters in the suburbs of Massachusetts. They lived a hectic life of caring for their two daughters and managing their high stress careers. Retiring to Hawaii is something Lewis and Kirsten always planned on, but they've decided that waiting for retirement is too long. With their oldest daughter going off to college next year, no time seemed better to start making their Hawaii living dreams come true, so the Paragonas set out on a search for a home with a view on the Big Island. The slower pace of life on the Big Island and the commitment to family is something that the Paragonas crave, and they're ready to make the sacrifices in their career and give up the harsh northeast winters for days of constant summers.
A Home with Character on the Big Island
Living an active lifestyle is somewhat of an understatement for partners John and Jason. John is a triathlete and Jason is an avid surfer. When John and Jason met four years ago, they both already had a connection to Hawaii and could've only dreamed of one day living and working on the island that they both loved. Recently they decided that their lives had reached a point where they could make a full-time move to Hawaii and the Big Island fit all their wants and needs. John, who is a physician was recently offered a job on the Big Island, and Jason, who is an artist, can work from anywhere and hopes to open an art gallery on the Big Island. With their careers in place, John and Jason are looking for a home with outdoor space and character and are ready to make the transition into living a life full of sunshine and surf on an island that has everything their hearts desire.
Island Hopping and House Hunting
Veronica and Scott Rahn have always been big travelers. They've visited most of the 50 states, but nothing ever compared to Hawaii and it wasn't long before they decided to make it their permanent home. Although the Rahns know what they want from their home - open floor plan and lots of outdoor space - it's the location that they're not settled on. So they turn to Hawaii Life agent Jene Green to show them around the Big Island and broker Monica Hayward to help them explore Kauai to ultimately decide which island suits them best and begin living their Hawaii Life.
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.
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.
