Sales of previously owned Neighbor Island homes fell sharply in August as demand continued to weaken for residences that are still mostly priced higher than a year ago.

Maui's condominium market saw the greatest slump with 66 sales, down 65 percent from 187 in August 2005. The median sale price was $488,750, up 33 percent from $366,500 in the same comparable period, according to the Realtors Association of Maui.

The highest-priced real estate was Maui single-family homes, which last month sold for a median $749,000, up 12 percent from $670,000 a year earlier.

The median is a point at which half the sales were for more and half for less.

There were 95 Maui single-family home sales in August, down 26 percent from 129 a year earlier.

The Big Island saw the only year-over-year price decrease, as single-family homes there sold in August for a median $370,000, or 14 percent less than $429,500 a year earlier, Hawaii Information Service reported.

There were 169 Big Island single-family home sales in August, down 34 percent from 256 a year earlier.

Big Island condo sales were down 35 percent to 52 last month compared with 80 in August 2005. The median price was $401,450, up 2 percent from $394,950.

On Kaua'i, single-family homes sold last month for a median $740,000, up 15 percent from $644,500 a year earlier. There were 35 sales, down 38 percent from 56 in the same comparable period, according to Hawaii Information Service.

Kaua'i condos sold for a median $499,000, up 7 percent from $467,500. There were 29 sales, down 52 percent from 60 in the same period.

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com.