Jason Wong’s Hawaii Real Estate Blog

You’ve spent millions curating your perfect island sanctuary. You’ve staged the interiors, perfected the landscaping, and designed a property that stops traffic. But when the Hawaiian sun goes down, who is actually watching your asset? Aloha, I’m Jason Wong, Principal Broker at Island Dragonfly. In this video, we dive deep into high-end real estate security,…

The water in Hawaii might be a perfect 77 degrees, but the real estate insurance market is boiling over. 🌊 If you are looking to buy a condo or invest in Hawaii real estate, you cannot afford to ignore the “Climate Penalty.” Recent data shows some Hawaii condo associations have seen insurance premiums jump anywhere…

If you own real estate in Hawaii but you don’t live here full-time, there’s a single piece of paper that can keep tens of thousands of dollars in your pocket at closing instead of in the State of Hawaii’s general fund for a year or more. That document is Form N-289 — the Certification for…

Can you legally Airbnb your property in Hawaii — or could one wrong assumption turn your dream investment into a costly compliance problem? In this video, Jason Wong, Principal Broker of Island Dragonfly, explains one of the most misunderstood questions in Hawaii real estate: whether a home, condo, or investment property can legally be used…

Hawaii’s new building code could cost you tens of thousands if your contractor is still quoting the old version. Here’s what changed — and what to ask before you sign a build contract on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, or Big Island. In 2020–2023, all four Hawaii counties officially adopted the 2018 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code)…

Buying property in Hawaii from Japan can feel exciting, emotional, and complicated all at once. Many Japan-based buyers love the idea of owning a Hawaii home, condo, vacation property, or long-term investment—but the financing question often becomes the first major hurdle. In this video, I explain the key questions Japanese buyers should ask before purchasing…

Inherited a home in Hawaii but live overseas? Don’t lose 22% of your sale price. Here is the exact legal roadmap to selling Hawaii real estate as a foreign executor. If you are an executor or heir living in Canada, Asia, or Europe, selling Grandma’s Waikiki condo isn’t as simple as hopping on a Zoom…

Hawaii real estate is no longer just about ocean views, square footage, and curb appeal. Today’s most thoughtful homeowners, buyers, and investors are looking deeper — at resilience, sustainability, water independence, and how a property performs in real island conditions. In this video, I explore Rainwater Harvesting 2.0 — a smarter, more modern approach to…

Are you securing your slice of paradise? When you own a luxury property in Hawaii, peace of mind is the ultimate amenity. In this video, Jason Wong—Founder and Principal Broker of Island Dragonfly LLC—breaks down the future of perimeter security for high-net-worth estates across Oahu, Maui, and beyond. From virtual 3D fences using LiDAR technology…

The “Three Little Pigs” got it wrong. The pig who built with wood wouldn’t have lost his house — if he’d used Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). I’m Jason Wong, Principal Broker at Island Dragonfly LLC and a top producer since 2004. In this video, I break down the engineered wood that’s quietly reshaping how we build…