Book a Consult with Lane Here
Combine business and pleasure to optimize your portfolio and meet like-minded folks in paradise. Combine with the tax benefits and make it a net-net zero expense!
***Free for current investors over $1M invested in our investor club deals or FOOM Mastermind members***
Check out our next Hawaii Retreat as a group here.
Hang-out with Lane and talk business
Included:
- Lane will personally pick you up from the Airport (HNL) and drop you off at your hotel – minimum 2-hour consultation
- Discuss the state of the market
- Portfolio troubleshooting
- Open access to ask all “at the bar” questions
- Join an investor meeting (book 1 month in advance)
- ReiAloha.com
- Hawaii Direct Investors Club – Accredited and Sophisticated Investors
Other Benefits:
Tax savings for a weekend (single x 4 days): $800 Flight + $1,000 Hotel + $400 Food = $2,200×35%=$770 potential savings*
Tax savings for a weekend (Family of four x 4 days): $3,200 Flight + $1,800 Hotel + $1000 Food = $6,000×35%=$2,100 potential savings*
Pricing
$1,200 – 50-Min Consult
$1,000 – Lane will arrange an investor meeting to further legitimize your trip^*
^ The IRS case law suggests “sandwiching” business around travel with weekend days as off-days*
*Consult your tax professional or for more ideas. Remember the rule: necessary and legitimate business expenses, pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered
Local’s picks:
$$$ Food:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tonkatsu-ginza-bairin-honolulu?osq=tonkatsu
https://www.yelp.com/biz/yanagi-sushi-honolulu
https://www.yelp.com/biz/kabuki-kapiolani-restaurant-honolulu?osq=kabuki
https://www.yelp.com/biz/yohei-sushi-restaurant-honolulu?osq=sushi
https://www.yelp.com/biz/izakaya-torae-torae-honolulu?osq=sushi
https://www.yelp.com/biz/izakaya-kei-aiea-6?osq=izakaya+kei
https://www.yelp.com/biz/gyu-kaku-japanese-bbq-honolulu-4?osq=Gyu-Kaku+Japanese+BBQ
$$$ Drink:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-leather-apron-honolulu?osq=bar
https://www.yelp.com/biz/sky-waikiki-honolulu?osq=skybar
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-hi-brau-room-honolulu?osq=bar
$$ Food:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/gyotaku-japanese-restaurant-pearl-city-pearl-city?osq=gyu+taku
https://www.yelp.com/biz/gen-korean-bbq-house-honolulu-4
https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=monkey+pod&find_loc=Honolulu%2C+HI&ns=1
https://www.yelp.com/biz/ichiriki-aiea-2
$$ Drink:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/home-bar-and-grill-honolulu?osq=bar
For the drinkers… https://www.hawaiibevguide.com/hawaii-producer-spotlight/
South East (Honolulu):
Hanama Bay – Snorkeling
Waikiki – Tourist area with great proximity to the beach
Ala Moana – Largest Mall in State
Diamond Head Hike
Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial
Waikiki Aquarium
Honolulu Zoo
Waiola Shave Ice
A breathtaking drive past Hanauma Bay will take you to East Honolulu and to one of nature’s stunning creations. Halona Blowhole is a lava rock formation and sea cave scenic lookout located along Oahu majestic southeast shoreline. When the waves roll-in just right a spout of water will burst from the ocean and up through the rocks into a jet stream. This popular lookout is also a wonderful place to go whale watching in the winter and it also overlooks a tiny, yet famous beach. Halona Cove, also known as ‘Here to Eternity Beach’, which hosted a very well-known kiss between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in the classic 1953 film. The beach is located down and to the right side of the lookout.
Every Friday night, the Hilton Hawaiian Village, hosts a spectacular fireworks show fronting the hotel along Waikiki Beach and near the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. Visitors and locals alike will gather along the beach and shore to take in the sights and sounds of this colorful presentation. Grab your spot on the sand or nearby early, as the area fills quickly and by 7:45 p.m. the show begins.
Food: Alicia’s for poke/Hawaiian food, royshawaii.com
My friend gives Standup paddle board yoga in Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki – let me know and I can connect you guys!
North:
Turtle Bay
Large Shore
Polynesian Cultural Center
Food: Ted’s Bakery – Good food and pie, Matsumoto Shave Ice
West (Ewa):
Ko-Olina
Paradise Cove Luau
Dump your kids at this friendly Disney Resort – https://www.disneyaulani.com
Food: Monkey Pod
East Side (Kailua & Kaneohe)
Lanikai Hike – Sunrise Video
Kailua Beach Park
Ko’olau Mountain Range
Food: Kokonuts Shave Ice (Obama’s favorite)
Leonard’s malasada truck near the old K-Mart in Waikele off H-1
Boots and Kimo’s on the Windward side (Macadamia nut pancakes
Other Islands and more Resources
What Lane would do in Oahu
Being a cheapo looking to the get the best bang for my buck I would skip the $300 dollar a night resorts with $100 resort fees.
Go on Airbnb or VRBO and book a $150-250 a night home near Waikiki and just walk to the beach. The cool thing is that a lot of these places will have boogie boards and kitchen to use.
Get a car rental but be careful not to keep valuables in sight. Some people target tourists (Don’t get a Mustang). Here is a guided audio tour.
Maui
The best dessert in all of Hawaii – https://www.yelp.com/biz/tasaka-guri-guri-shop-kahului
Resources to plan your own
http://www.visitacity.com/en/oahu/attractions-map
https://www.yelp.com/c/honolulu/hawaiian
- Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head hike, Sea Life Park, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Hanauma Bay Snorkelling, E Noa Tours
- Diamond Head Beach Lookout: 200,000 years ago, a volcanic eruption solidified into a towering outcropping above Honolulu. This beautiful lookout stands at the base of Diamond Head and provides views of Molokai on clear days.
- Secret Beach at Sherwood Forest: The official name is Waimanalo Bay, but “Secret Beach” fits the bill—this pristine shoreline is not often visited by tourists, and the ironwood trees that surround it are referred to as Sherwood Forest. Although the bus can’t stop here, it will take a beautiful drive through so you can see where the forest meets the ocean.
- Snorkeling with Sea Turtles: A stop at Sea Turtle Beach gives you the opportunity to observe the island’s native population of green sea turtles. But don’t stop there… Suit up with the full-face, super-premium snorkel gear provided by Aloha Circle Island, and claim your chance to swim with these creatures in their natural habitat… Under the Sea.
- Macadamia Nut Tropical Farm: Peek behind the royal curtain of the king of nuts at this macadamia nut plantation, where guests follow the legume from flower to harvest and learn how Hawaii pioneered the nut industry. Everyone will receive FREE all you can eat macadamia nuts and Kona coffee.
- Fumi’s Kahuku Garlic Shrimp: The shrimp served at Fumi’s farm are fresh and are actually farm-raised in ponds right on their property. Enjoy their famous shrimp sauteed with butter and garlic, or tons of other options that don’t include seafood. (Food cost not included in Groupon)
- The Halona Blowhole: When once-molten rock meets the churning surf, the Halona Blowhole erupts a spray of water up to 30 feet high. Nearby, the Halona Beach Cove offers a romantic backdrop seen in the 1953 film _From Here to Eternity.
- Dole Pineapple Plantation: The huge country store offers a wide variety of Dole Plantation gifts, local favorites, foods and refreshments including the world-famous DoleWhip Ice Cream. All of Dole’s Hawaii pineapple crop is consumed right here in Hawaii. Don’t miss your chance to grab some to bring home or send as gifts; it’s the only place to get the real thing!
- Booze Cruises
- Farmers Markets
- O‘AHU FARMERS’ MARKETS FARMLOVERS MARKET AT HALE’IWA Waimea Valley 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy Thurs 2 pm – 6 pm www.Farmloversmarkets.com 808-388-9696 Haleiwafarmersmarket@gmail.com Managers: Pamela Boyar & Annie Suite
- FARMLOVERS MARKET AT KAILUATOWN Kailua Elementary School 315 Kuulei Rd, Kailua Sunday 8:30 am – 12 pm www.Farmloversmarkets.com 808-388-9696 Kailuatownfarmersmarket@gmail.com Managers: Pamela Boyar & Annie Suite
- NORTH SHORE COUNTRY MARKET Sunset Beach Elementary School, Haleiwa Saturday 8 am – 2 pm www.northshorecountrymarket.ngo 808-234-9421 nscmkt@gmail.com Manager: Carol Simmons
- FARMLOVERS MARKET AT KAKA’AKO Gateway By Ross 333 Ward Avenue Saturday 8 am – 12 pm 808-388-9696 www.Farmloversmarkets.com Manager: Pamela Boyar & Annie Suite
- ARMLOVERS MARKET AT PEARLRIDGE 98-1005 Moanalua Rd, Aiea Saturday 8 am -12 pm www.Farmloversmarkets.com 808-388-9696 Pearlridgefarmersmarket@gmail.com Managers: Pamela Boyar & Annie Suite
- HALEIWA TOWN MARKET Behind North Shore Mkpl on Cane Haul Rd Sunday 10:30 am – 2 pm www.hfbf.org/market 808-848-2074 Farmersmarket@hfbf.org Manager: Megan Kono
- HONOLULU FARMERS’ MARKET Neal Blaisdell Center 777 Ward Ave, Honolulu Wednesday 4 pm – 7 pm www.hfbf.org/market 808-848-2074 Farmersmarket@hfbf.org Manager: Megan Kono
- KAILUA FARMERS’ MARKET Behind Longs Drugs 609 Kailua Rd, Kailua Thursday 5 pm – 7:30 pm www.hfbf.org/market 808-848-2074 Farmersmarket@hfbf.org Manager: Megan Kono
- KAPIOLANI FARMERS’ MARKET Kapiolani Community College 4303 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu Tuesday 4 pm -7 pm, Saturday 7:30 am – 11 am www.hfbf.org/market 808-848-2074 Farmersmarket@hfbf.org Manager: Megan Kono
- MĀKEKE KAPOLEI Kapolei High School, 91-5007 Kapolei Pkwy. Kapolei, HI 96707 Thursdays, 3 pm-6:30 pm 808-697-3709 Email: makeke@wcchc.com Manager: Alicia Higa
- MĀKEKE WAI`ANAE Waianae Mall, 86-120 Farrington Hwy. Waianae, HI 96792 Saturdays, 8 am-12 pm 808-697-3709 Email: makeke@wcchc.com Manager: Alicia Higa
- MILILANI FARMERS’ MARKET Mililani High School 25-1200 Meheula Parkway Sunday 8 am – 11 am www.hfbf.org/market 808-848-2074 Farmersmarket@hfbf.org Manager: Megan Kono
- Farm Tours
- O‘AHU FARM TOURS GREEN ROWS FARM 41-756 Mahailua Street Waimanalo, HI 96795 415-717-0309 www.thegreenrows.com
- THE RED BARN FARMSTAND 66-320 Kamehameha Hwy Haleiwa, HI 96712 808-753-4350 www.redbarnfarmstand.com
- KAHUKU FARMS CAFÉ & TOURS 56-800 Kamehameha Hwy. Kahuku, HI 96731 808-628-0639 www.kahukufarms.com
- KAHUMANA ORGANIC FARM & CAFÉ 86-660 Lualualei Homestead Rd. Waianae, HI 96792 808-696-2655 www.kahumana.org
- KO HANA RUM Manulele Distillers, LLC 92-1770 Kunia Road #227 Kunia camp, HI 96759 808-649-0830 www.kohanarum.com KUALOA RANCH 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy. Kaneohe, HI 96744 808-237-8515 www.kualoa.com
- WAIHUENA FARM Farm Tours & Weekly CSA 59-414 Kamehameha Hwy Halewia, HI 96712 808-638-0570 www.waihuenafarm.com
Plan Your Travel for a Tax Write-Off by Mark Kolher
In my opinion, travel is one of the most underutilized tax deductions by small business owners today!!
Making sure our travel has a ‘business purpose’ is critical and a perfect opportunity for business owners for a great tax write-off. In fact, even properly planned holiday travel can potentially generate significant tax deductions while we are visiting family or going to our special/romantic locations around the U.S. and the world. Even if we gain a few pounds, we might shed a few tax dollars.
Unlike meals and entertainment, which are limited by 50%, travel expenses are 100% deductible. These include airfare, hotel, rental cars, valet, taxi, trains, tolls, etc. You would be shocked to know how many new clients’ tax returns come across my desk every year with literally zero travel deductions. Consider the 5 following ideas that you might be able to coordinate with or plan ‘in and around’ your personal travel.
- Company Annual Meeting. If you have a corporation, this would be considered your Board of Directors Meeting and Shareholders Meeting. If you have an LLC, elect a Board of Advisors to assist the Manager or Managers of the Company. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss the operations of the company over the past year. Profits, losses, acquisitions, new ventures, goal setting…utilize the advice of your board members and make plans for the next year.
- Visit a client. Wherever you are traveling to, is there a customer or client in the area? Could you cultivate a new relationship or strengthen a current one. Schedule meetings each day you are traveling, at least for a few hours, and keep notes of what you accomplish and why the meeting was important.
- Visit a vendor. Is there a vendor or supplier, sub-contractor or affiliate you could meet with where grandma or grandpa lives? Could you negotiate new pricing, tour a facility, talk about networking and how you could work more closely together. The tax write-off may even be simply a bonus when you consider the business you could generate with a strategic meeting that produces more revenue for the business.
- Attend a conference or workshop. Look at possible workshops in the local area where you are visiting. Consider classes tax, legal, business, marketing, website, SEO, customer relationship, or technical training based on your type of business. At the very least, visit a local real estate or investment club meeting if possible. The training could be fantastic and justify a great write-off to boot.
- Check on your rental property. I’ve said it time and time again. At least consider and/or attempt to purchase rentals where you travel. More specifically, could you buy rentals where the extended family live. Have them help manage your properties or simply work on them while you are visiting. Sometimes, it’s a great excuse to get out of family functions to have to leave and work on the ‘rental’- just saying.
The list goes on and on; it just doesn’t make sense for any business owner to not have at least some travel expenses.
Keep in mind that travel days include the ‘day’ you get there, the ‘day’ you do business, and the ‘day’ you travel back home! Thus, a properly planned 3 day trip, with a legitimate business purpose, could be coordinated with some personal relaxation or fun and still be a 100% tax write-off.
With all of these strategies, moderation is key. Make sure that you are doing business each day ‘you aren’t traveling’ and keep records of what you are doing, who you are meeting with, and how it relates to your business. As usual, the more money you make in your business, the more opportunity we have to be aggressive and take a larger deduction. Don’t get greedy. Keep your receipts, records and discuss the expenses with your CPA at the end of the year in order to report a well-balanced tax return. As I have said many times before…Pigs get Fat and Hogs get Slaughtered.
Here Are the 10 Best Hotels in Hawaii That Are Free With Points
- Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa using Hyatt points
- Aston Islander on the Beach using Capital One Venture miles
- The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort using Marriott points
- Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa using Chase Ultimate Rewards points
- Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort using Hilton points
- Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach using Marriott points
- Hilton Waikiki Beach using Hilton points
- Kaua’i Marriott Resort using Marriott points
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kailua-Kona using IHG points
- Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach using Citi ThankYou Premier points
1. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
The Grand Hyatt Kauai is the quintessential Hawaiian resort with white sand beaches, perfect pools, and 50+ acres of gardens – on the Garden Island, no less!
These pretty rooms fetch a pretty penny – as much as $850 a night! But you can stay completely free with 25,000 Hyatt points a night instead.
Kauai is one of the lesser-developed islands, so it really feels like you’re getting away when you stay here. The landscapes and oceanfront are stunning and wild.
And 75% of travelers agree! It has an overwhelming number of 5-star reviews. Folks love the pools, grounds, and ambiance.
2. Aston Islander on the Beach
Aston is a Hawaii-only chain hotel with locations across the islands. They tend to be well-located or slightly off the beaten path. I stayed at an Aston hotel in Kihei (on Maui) and loved walking to the town center past fresh fruit carts to enjoy a meal of fresh fish tacos and only one Mai Tai.
Folks really do love the relaxing atmosphere, staff, and rooms at the Aston Islander on the Beach.
Their prices tend to be cheaper than larger chains, and they have a boutique hotel feel, which can be a nice change. For example, I found rooms for $199 per night, plus taxes
3. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
Want to stay on the Big Island to explore Hilo, the coffee plantations around Kona, and amazing waterfalls just off the main highway? Of course you do!
Do you want to pay nearly $500 a night to stay at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort? Of course not!
Guests rave about Hapuna Beach, the swimming pools, and staff.
4. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
Next, we venture to Maui and the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. Folks love having 40+ acres on renowned Ka’anapali Beach, and more than half the guests leave 5-star reviews about their stay here.
The hotel is a short walk to Lahaina town center. And you’ll have plenty of beachfront and pools for relaxing in the Hawaiian sun.
Rooms here can go for ~$450 a night, or you could pay 20,000 Hyatt points for each night.
5. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Multiple swimming pools, oceanfront, and easy to walk to Waikiki Beach and spots in Honolulu.
The grounds are sprawling, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you entertained. Guests say it’s the perfect place to spend a few days and have everything you need nearby.
Rooms here vary from $200 to $400+ per night, depending on the season and occupancy level. And most award nights are open for ~60,000 Hilton points.
6. Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach
If you want a pristine hotel right in front of Waikiki Beach, consider the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach. People who stay here love the location, rooms, and old-world charm.
While there’s a $38 per night resort fee, rooms here typically go for $400+ a night. And you can use 60,000 Marriott points to cover the room rate.
7. Hilton Waikiki Beach
If you prefer a Hilton hotel that isn’t a huge resort, consider Hilton Waikiki Beach. It’s only 1 block from the beach, and folks like having easier access to sites in Honolulu, like Diamond Head, Honolulu Zoo, and dining options downtown.
Rooms going for ~$280 per night this winter. Or, you can use 50,000 Hilton points per night.
8. Kaua’i Marriott Resort
Back to Kauai, and the Kaua’i Marriott Resort in Lihue! This is a proper Hawaiian-style resort, with sprawling pools, beach access, gardens, 5 restaurants, and an on-site fitness center.
Folks ranked it the #3 hotel in town, and like the free shuttle to the airport (which is only minutes away), the jacuzzi, and huge family pool.
Nights here early next year going for ~$475 per night. Or, you can use 40,000 Marriott points and pay the $35 per night resort fee, which is a much better deal.
9. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kailua-Kona
If you’re driving around the Big Island and want a great place to stop and explore, Kona has cute restaurants, shopping, and activities.
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kailua-Kona is walking distance to plenty of spots downtown. And the location and spacious rooms earn it nearly 5 stars on TripAdvisor.
Rooms here are ~$250 a night over Valentine’s Weekend in 2019.
10. Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach
The Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach deserves a spot on the list because it’s a fantastic value with Hyatt points – you only need 12,000 points per night to stay.
Room rates are sometimes cheap enough that you can do well to save your points and take a statement credit instead. Rooms for ~$259 a night this winter.
Plus, folks really like the staff, location, and rooms here.
