On our densely populated island, many small older residences are in need of updating and modernizing. And with the highest real estate costs in the country -- $660/square foot, versus the national median of about $233 – it’s critical to maximize every inch of those...
Remodel or rebuild? It’s a question that occasionally confounds homeowners with older houses whose bones just aren’t “quite right.” Remodeling involves changing the structure or layout of a home, removing walls or changing the flow or structure of a building. Rebuild,...
Oahu’s temperate climate and extraordinary beauty often present homeowners with unique opportunities for outdoor living. But these opportunities are often accompanied by challenges like inclement weather patterns, erosion, sound and privacy issues, among others. “With...
Spacious… inviting… filled with light. Nestled against the Koolau Mountains in Waimanalo, the home is expansive and welcoming, bright with natural light that streams in through gable-end windows, wide sliding glass doors, and high windows that surround the living room...
It isn’t really surprising that the vast majority – 92% -- of senior citizens hope to spend their golden years in their own homes, in familiar surroundings with people they love. But the U.S. is short of aging-ready homes, with just 40% of American houses considered...
It hardly seems possible, but Graham Builders hosted its very first “Building Your Home for Life” seminar in 1996. Over the past 27 years, hundreds of Oahu homeowners have been able to take advantage of the construction and renovation information shared at each free...
In Hawaii, it almost always makes more financial sense to build new than to buy. Even so, average costs for new builds in the Aloha State can range from $300 to more than $600 per square foot. “If you’re planning to build, you’ll want to maximize your budget, and...
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino Evan Fujimoto, president of Graham Builders, recalls an experience that points to the “power of architecture” and the impact it can have on local families. In the 1990s, a Kaneohe ohana on a modest budget and with a challenging project site...
Thinking about building or renovating a home on Oahu? You might be considering the traditional design-bid-build method of construction, for which you’d hire an architect to create a design, and then solicit bids from building contractors and subcontractors. But if...
If you’re like most people, you’re probably hoping to age in your own home, in familiar surroundings with people you love. “Most seniors want to live in their own homes for as long as possible, participating in favorite activities and living independently,” says Ryan...