Posted on: Friday, October 11, 2002

Homes, sweet homes for your daydreams

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

Whether you're searching for the home of your dreams or perhaps some decorating inspiration, the 2002 Parade of Homes will offer dozens of ideas with 27 entrants throughout the Big Island, Kaua'i and O'ahu, including home sites from Kapolei to Hawai'i Kai.

The free event, presented by the Building Industry Association of Hawaii and the Bank of Hawaii, takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow, Sunday, and Oct. 19 and 20. The Parade of Homes enters its 46th year as a showcase of the newest homes and neighborhoods in Hawai'i, and allows residents to view the latest in home construction and design.

"Each entrant is a masterpiece in itself," said chairwoman Lynne Kaneshiro. "It's unbelievable, the quality and creativity involved."

New this year is a vacation ownership category that Kaneshiro said was crucial to incorporate into the event since such developments have witnessed an average growth of about 10 percent a year over the past decade.

"It has taken off everywhere else in the world, and it's starting to take off here, so I think it's going to be a great business," said Kaneshiro, also president and CEO of Island Title Corp.

While there is only one vacation ownership entrant this year — Lagoon Tower at Hilton Hawaiian Village — Kaneshiro said she expects the category to attract more developers in next year's showcase.

BIA-Hawaii president Craig Watase said parade-goers also can expect to see more space, a common theme among the homes, as growing and extended families look for more room.

"The developers understand that the people want their interior space to feel larger," Watase said. Developers are catering to this with nine-foot vaulted ceilings in many homes, as well as separate living spaces both upstairs and downstairs, such as Schuler Homes Inc.'s Opus model at Kapolei Knolls and Woodbridge by Gentry in 'Ewa Beach.

"The other thing is, the interior designers continue to amaze me," said Watase, who said he was impressed with the use of different types of wallpapers, carpeting, and details like fabrics and pillows.

"Husbands, beware if your wives see this," Watase said, laughing. "If you're not buying a home, you're destined to do some home improvement."

The official guidebook, with maps and information on each development, is available at all Bank of Hawaii branches. A limited supply is available at Inspiration Furnitures, Furnitureland, Z-Interiors, CS Wo Gallery, Homeworld and BIA-Hawaii. For more information, call 847-4666, ext. 206.