A super-motivated buyer contacted me (multiple times).  They want to buy a unit at the Ilikai, with water views (i.e., Harbor or Lagoon side).  They prefer a 2BR.  But if you have a 1BR for sale, I’d suggest you contact them anyway and see what happens (nothing to loose by talking to them).  They are very familiar with the building and thus, certainly know what they want.  They can close quickly.  If you own a unit and want to sell and they decide they want to buy, then seriously, what is the point of realtors (with all due respect)?  Consider saving thousands of dollars in realtor commissions by selling directly.  If you are an interested Ilikai owner, you can contact them (the buyer that is) at hark.joe@gmail.com or Joe at 480-684-2544.  This is their work number for their fitness business so please leave a message if no answer.  This potential buyer has contacted me multiple times already, so from what I can tell, they really want to buy a unit at the Ilikai.

Please help!  Need to find a 2BR at the Ilikai to rent from about mid-November of this year through about mid-March.  The dates are flexible.  Highly reliable tenants.

Please e-mail me at olga@ilikaiowners.com and we can discuss.

Thank you, Olga

Hello Ilikai bargain hunters!  An Ilikai owner is looking to sell their rattan furniture.  Specifically, he is wishing to sell one couch, two large chairs, a coffee table, and two end tables – for $100!  The pieces are of good quality and in good condition.  The owner lives at the Ilikai, so it would be easy to see the furniture, if you are interested.  E-mail me and will connect you to the person who is selling the furniture.

Classifieds: Looking for a home swap of Riviera Maya Mexico with the Ilikai

Specifically, they are looking for a home swap for summer 2011.  They have  beautiful 2/3 bedroom apartments, oceanfront, all newly decorated and recently built in Puerto Aventuras in the heart of Riviera Maya Mexico, one-hour drive from Cancun.  They are a family of four (two adults and two young children).  They have stayed at the Ilikai before and love it, that is why they would be interested in a home swap of their Riviera Maya Mexico home with an Ilikai homeowner.  They will gladly provide photos and additional information to those interested.  For more information, please e-mail them at jkwolf@mac.com.

I live on another side of the Ilikai, so don’t get to witness these events.  But I’ve read written accounts of those by Ilikai owners.  Quite graphic descriptions, with comparisons to fraternity and sorority type of parties.  Apparently, noise and other related issues are becoming a contentious area.

P.S.: For those not familiar with The Ilikai and Waikiki Edition history: Since they were built, for over 40 years, they were one entity, part of one and same The Ilikai Hotel, until a couple of years ago.

It is amazing how Hilton manages to downplay negative publicity in the media.  E.g., they had drownings in that area, including at the Lagoon, in the last several years.  Yet the media coverage of this was next to none.

Likewise re this strike.  Here is an article in yesterday’s Star Advertiser about the Hilton strike. But no updates in today’s paper.  In the newspaper and other media Hilton presents it like it is no big deal.  They gotta be kidding.  That strike is massive, all day long.  The loud chanting etc started before 6 AM on Thursday.  You could hear it probably a mile away.  All day long.  Yesterday the strikers started just past 6 AM and finished at midnight.  It is amazing to read that the Hilton management says that they would not give discounts to their guests.

An update as of October 18: Today the Hilton workers continue their strike.  Their contract with Hilton expired this past summer.  Their concern is what they see as Hilton’s effort to lock them for several years into a “recession contract.”  They are also pointing out that the Hilton company got $180 million in federal stimulus money.

For The Ilikai: it was very loud for us on Thursday, but not any more because the strikers are on the other side of the Hilton complex.