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Embracing Spooky Season
BEYOND CANDY AND COSTUMES — IT’S A COMMUNITY CONNECTION
As the scent of pumpkin spice fills the atmosphere, there’s an undeniable feeling of excitement in our home. October isn’t just another month on the calendar; it’s the kick-off to the holiday season and a cherished tradition we eagerly await. The days leading up to it are filled with planning, decorating, and brainstorming costume ideas. One thing we love about the spooky season is dressing up as a family. Sometimes, we choose a theme that unites us in a shared adventure, while other times, we let our imaginations run wild.
Fun Fall Festivals 2023 Aloun Farms 21st Annual Pumpkin Festival This must-visit fall festival promises a day filled with family fun amidst acres of vibrant pumpkin patches. From pumpkin picking to hayrides, the event offers an array of activities for all ages. Get lost in a corn maze, munch on seasonal treats, and enjoy live entertainment! The Aloun Farms Pumpkin Festival is a seasonal tradition that celebrates the joys of harvest season in the heart of Hawaii. Waimanalo Country Farms 2023 Fall Harvest Festival The Waimanalo Country Farms Fall Festival offers seasonal activities for the whole family, including hayrides, pumpkin patches, craft vendors, sunflowers, and animal visits. With its stunning natural backdrop and warm community spirit, it’s the perfect way to embrace the beauty of fall and prepare for Halloween! Ghoulishly Good Laughs 3 HALLOWEEN JOKES TO HAUNT YOUR FUNNY BONE What do you call a friendly vampire? A fang-tastic friend! What kind of music do mummies listen to? Wrap music! How do you fix a broken jack-o-lantern? With a pumpkin patch!
the monthly hale
OCTOBER 2023
From classic monsters and characters to beloved
superheroes, every costume is a testament to our creativity and a reflection of our personalities. It’s a chance to become someone — or something — else for a day, to escape the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary.
In the Mitchell household, we love trick- or-treating! The streets come alive with the laughter of children in costumes, the flickering glow of jack-o-lanterns, and the
warm greetings of neighbors. It’s a time when the community comes together, and even the most reserved homes open their doors to share in the festivities. The simple act of going from door to door, uttering the magical phrase “trick or treat!” and receiving a handful of candy is a source of pure delight for the kids. Halloween offers a unique opportunity to connect with our neighbors. In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to forget the importance of community, but this fun holiday reminds us of the bonds we share with those nearby. To all our friends, Happy Halloween!
-Sachi Mitchell
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W Client
When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, it poured so much dust into the sky that the sun over Eastern Washington went dark. Ash drifted overhead, traveling into neighboring Idaho and forcing temperatures down by as much as 15 degrees F. 3 REASONS 536 WAS THE WORST YEAR IN HUMAN HISTORY
“We had a great experience working with Jason and Sachi. Together, they make a stellar team — responsive, flexible to our needs, honest, and easy to work with. The transaction and buying process went smoothly and was stress-free. When we
Locals spent a few weeks scared and shivering under dull skies. They had no way of knowing it, but they were experiencing a tiny fraction of the horror humans felt back in 536 — a time that Harvard University historian Michael McCormick once called “the worst year to be alive.”
For decades, the year 536 was a historical mystery. Records showed that it was a terrible time, stricken by the triple threat of:
1. Unexplained, unending darkness 2. Unseasonably frigid weather 3. Crop failures and famines
purchased the home from out of state, Sachi was kind enough to do a thorough video walk-through
Those horrors and the economic and political instability they brought ravaged the globe from Ireland to China. Although 536 was arguably the worst year, things didn’t get better for more than a decade. In fact, they got worse in some areas! In 541, the Plague of Justinian — the first bubonic plague pandemic — appeared in Egypt and spread through Europe, killing roughly one-third of the continent's population. For decades, archaeologists and historians have puzzled over the tipping point in 536. “What went wrong,” they wondered, “to make the sun go dark and trigger snow in summer?” It was a head- scratcher until 2018. That year, researchers finally solved the mystery with help from, of all things, a Swiss glacier! The glacial ice was riddled with volcanic glass. Further study revealed enormous volcanic eruptions in 536, 540, and 547 likely caused “The Dark Ages.” It wasn’t just metaphorically dark — it was literally dark thanks to ash blotting out the sun and coating people’s homes, skin, and clothing.
The Oahu single-family home market maintained a 12-month rolling average of over 200 sales, with 232 properties sold last month, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 16.5%. However, the condo market's 12-month sales average fell below 400 sales for the first time since January 2021. 376 condos were sold last month, marking a 24.2% dive in sales volume compared to September 2022. In September, the median sales price for single-family homes dipped by 4.5% compared to the previous year, reaching $1,050,000 by month-end. Meanwhile, condos experienced a 6.0% year-over-year increase, with a median sales price of $532,500. “As the third quarter ended, average U.S. mortgage rates held above 7%, reaching the highest level in more than 20 years,” said Fran Villarmia-Kahawai, president of the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®. “While the interest rate has presented some challenges, we continue to see strong demand from buyers and sellers who receive offers more than the original asking price.” Approximately 9% of single-family home sales closed at full asking price, while 38% sold above the original asking price. Meanwhile, 22% of condo sales received the full asking price, and 20% of condo sales closed above the original asking price. SEPTEMBER SALES VOLUME IS DOWN BY DOUBLE DIGITS, PROPERTIES SPEND APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS ON THE MARKET HOUSING SN OAHU HOME SALES SLOW AS MO
Scientists have traced the 540 eruption to Ilopango, a volcano in El Salvador that’s currently inactive, but they’re still hunting for the source of the 536 eruption. As we write this, volcanoes in Iceland and Alaska are the most likely candidates. We’ve already survived a pandemic this century, so for everyone’s sake, let’s hope both regions stay quiet until at least 2100. We all deserve a break! 2
THEMITCHELLGROUPHAWAII.COM
What Our
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Candy Costume Gourds Halloween Haunted Moon Raven Tricks Vampire Werewolf Witch Zombie
of the home. After the close, Jason was always available to help and answer questions. I highly recommend them to represent you in your buying or selling adventure!” –Sheri Matsuda The referral of your friends and family is the greatest compliment you can give us. Mahalo for your trust! ts Are Saying
Text your answers to Sachi at 808.286.7633 . The first person to text with the correct answers gets a $5 Starbucks gift card.
HOMEMADE PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
APSHOT RTGAGE RATE RISES
INGREDIENTS
• 2 shots espresso (or 1/2 cup freshly brewed coffee)
$1,050,000 MEDIAN SINGLE-FAMILY PRICE
SINGLE-FAMILY MARKET
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 3 tbsp pumpkin purée
232 CLOSED SALES
16.5%
• 1–2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Whipped cream for topping (optional)
376 CLOSED SALES MEDIAN CONDO PRICE $532, 500
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small pot on medium heat, heat milk until simmering but not boiling.
CONDO/ TOWNHOUSE MARKET
24.2%
2. Make your espresso (or coffee) and pour into a large mug or Mason jar. Add pumpkin purée, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla and stir until well combined. 3. With a milk frother, froth the heated milk until foamy. Then, pour into your pumpkin espresso mixture and top with whipped cream. For decoration, you can sprinkle more cinnamon or pumpkin spice on top!
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808.824.4088
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THEMITCHELLGROUPHAWAII.COM THEMITCHELLGROUPHAWAII@GMAIL.COM
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Spooky Season Has Arrived!
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Step Into 536: ‘The Worst Year to Be Alive’ What Our Customers Are Saying
Word Search Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte 4 Kids in the Kitchen: Wholesome Family Bonding
COOK WITH YOUR KIDS TO MAKE MEALTIME MEANINGFUL!
No. 2: Cooking creates an adventurous eater. Imagine seeing something like asparagus or artichoke on the plate in front of you for the first time and being told you must eat that weird- looking thing. That's how many children experience food for the first time, which can feel like a scary experience. Kids who help cook in the kitchen are much more likely to try new and adventurous foods because they're exposed to them and other ingredients over a period of time. They touch, slice, smell, crush, and season the foods before they ever eat them. So, by the time it hits their plate, it's not so scary!
As a parent, it can be incredibly challenging to nail down the perfect weeknight dinner menu that makes every hungry mouth in your home happy. This is especially true when you have picky little ones who demand waffles for dinner or dinosaur chicken nuggets seven nights a week. You may feel like your days as a short-order cook are endless, but we're here to tell you about a simple trick to making healthier meals everyone in your family will enjoy.
The trick is quite simple: Have your kids cook with you! Cooking with your kids has multiple benefits that stretch far beyond the kitchen
table, but the immediate reward is that you won’t cook alone anymore! Next time dinner time rolls around, grab your little sous-chefs to lend a hand so they can enjoy these three benefits. No. 1: Cooking teaches life skills. It may seem far off, but one day, your child will have to cook for themselves and eventually their own children, too. By teaching
No. 3: Cooking promotes healthy development.
Time spent in the kitchen isn't all about eating, either. While cooking, children stir, mix, measure, roll, squeeze, spread, observe, learn, and count. These activities all help develop fine motor, hand-eye coordination, math, and science skills, not to mention creativity!
them the basics of cooking now, you're providing them with a skill they’ll need to be capable adults.
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