HIS Alert – Scheduled Maintenance

Scheduled Maintenance 

Date:  4/11/09 – 4/12/09 (Saturday night to Sunday Morning)
Window Length: 12 Hours

Start Time:  10:50 p.m. HST
Location: DR Fortress
Systems: SQL servers
Purpose for Maintenance: SQL Servers hardware migration

…………………………………………
 
Details of Maintenance: 
HIS will be performing Hardware Migration for one of our SQL Servers at DR Fortress.  We’ll be installing new hardware.
 
Impact to Customers: 
All Research, IDX, and public site customers will be running in Read Only mode. No new listings, photos, prospects, calendar entries, or other data entry process will be allowed during the maintenance window.
 
Progress update will be provided on the Research login page.
 
We thank you for your patience and apologize for any inconvenience this maintenance may cause.

VOW Feed Upgrade

Now Available:  Virtual Tours and Photo Descriptions

In an effort to provide your customers with the fullest experience possible when they visit your website, we have executed another VOW feed upgrade.  Effective immediately, you will have access to virtual tours and photo descriptions for all listings that appear in the feed.*  
 
To get you started, we will be generating a full dump of all Active and Contingent listings every day.  This full dump file will be available to you from 3/26/2009 to 4/10/2009.  Here are the specifications on the new data files that will be added to the VOW feed that will contain virtual tours and photo descriptions for the listings:
 
Full Dump File (only available 3/26/2009 – 4/10/2009)

• This Full Dump text file will be named photoToursAndDescFULLDUMP.txt and will be put into your ftp directory as a separate file.  You can use this file to populate your existing database with the virtual tours and photo descriptions of listings that are currently Active or Contingent.  After applying this full update, you can use the photoToursAndDesc.txt file that will be generated daily to keep your tours and photo descriptions up to date.

Daily incremental Update File

• There will be a separate text file generated in the VOW feed that will be named “photoToursAndDesc.txt and will contain any photo’s descriptions and any virtual tours for listings if available.
• These descriptions and tours will be given for all listings that are included in the feed on a given run.  Meaning all listings that are in the VOW feed should have a matching record in the new photoToursAndDesc.txt file if that particular listing has photos or a virtual tour.
• This new photoToursAndDesc.txt file will be included in the data .zip files that are currently in the feed for each island.  The zip files are named “vowfeedKauai.zip” for Kauai data or “vowfeedHawaii.zip” for Hawaii data.

*Provided this information is available.

REsearch Versions: Breaking Them Down

What, you may ask, do the versions within REsearch mean?  For instance, for REsearch Version 4.2.1, what do the numbers stand for?  Here is a quick guide to understanding the versions within REsearch.

• First digit signifies major releases where large foundational changes of REsearch are made.
• Second digit signifies enhancements and improvements made to the software.
• Third digit signifies bug fixes and minor enhancements or fixes.
• Fourth digit, if present, will signify any minor corrections such as spelling errors or data fixes (things that don’t require coding).

New Camera Icon in REsearch

REsearch Version 4.2.1 Special Announcement!

Due to popular demand for a new camera icon in REsearch, we held a poll to decide which camera was most well-liked, and we have a clear winner!  Without further ado, we are pleased to announce that starting today, you will now see this as the new Camera Icon within REsearch: In the next few weeks keep your eye out for updates and information on REsearch Version 4.3! As always, if you have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact me:   Erin Shaw Marketing Coordinator Hawaii Information Service Direct: (808) 599.422 4 ext. #159 Toll Free: 1.800.628.3121 ext. #159 E-mail: erin@alohaliving.com

Problems with Internet Explorer 8

Recently we have had a number of agents who after upgrading to Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) they are experiencing errors like drop down menus not working or Internet Explorer shutting down unexpectedly.  To fix this problem, simply follow this link to uninstall IE8 on XP and Vista: http://techie-buzz.com/tips-and-tricks/how-to-uninstall-ie8-in-windows-xp-and-windows-vista.html.  For more information on this issue or to download IE&, please go HERE.

Training Update

Hawaii Information Service is currently updating and improving its training program to be more current, efficient, and accessible. An online training program is in the works and will be open for enrollment in April 2009. Thank you for your patience.

REsearch 4.2.1 Release TODAY 3/18/2009

REsearch Version 4.2.1 Release
New Functions, Features and Fixes From Version 4.2

With each new version of REsearch there will likely be changes, fixes and additions made based on internal testing and user feedback.  For this reason and in order to provide you with the best possible tools, we will be doing a smaller version release after each major one which will include solutions to many of the bugs and requests we have received since the last major version release.  Some big, some small, the list of items that have been revised in REsearch 4.2.1 is below.
 
 
Home Page 

• Fixed issue with re-arranging columns on Home Page causing IE to lockup
• Added complete address and proper formatting of phone numbers on the My Account section of Home Page

• Corrected misspelling of ‘Commercial’ under the ‘Edit Type’ section of the Home page
• Fixed Java Script Error received when clicking on ‘Prospect Name’ on Home Page
• Corrected Quick Farm server Errors
• Added ability to Minimize and Maximize Home Page RElements.  You can now minimize My Account and Market IQ, and it will save that way every time you login

• Per request changed Market IQ on Home Page to Show from Beginning of Year to End (1/1/08 to 12/31/08) for current year you are in (currently 1/1/09 to 12/31/09) instead of “Last 365 Days”

Documents and Listings

• Expanded our auditing of listings without photos
• Corrected issue where ‘Transfer Listing’ wasn’t accepting a full date (e.g. 03/11/2009)
• Fixed issue where Shortsale, Foreclosure, and REO disclosures where not showing up in Exhibit A PDFs
• Fixed issue with Building Sketches not showing for Site Condos
• Corrected error which caused new BOC documents to not appear

Searches and Data Fields

• Corrected Fields ‘Yes/No’ fields to function correctly (permit addition, permit alteration, permit curb, permit demolition, permit electric work, permit fence, permit new building, permit other work, permit plumbing work, permit repair, permit shell only, permit sidewalk, permit plumbing, permit repair)
• When customizing categories on search screen, can now highlight the whole name to delete it

• Fixed problem with Garage Field not giving results in searches

Maps and Condo Guide

• Update Plat Map for 4-5-2-35
• Fixed issue with Mapping Rubber Band Tool not working properly
• Added ‘Map Not Available’ message for properties that do not have a Tax Map yet
• Added more photos to the Condo Guide Docs
• Updated Condo Guide Copyright Disclaimer

Miscellaneous

• Fixed annoyance in which you could no longer click the name of the ‘Display Format’ to turn it on or off

• Made some changes on backend to help speed up the loading time of REsearch
• Corrected ‘Page Cannot Be Displayed’ error received when printing Market IQ results
• Changed name ‘Display’ (for Display Format) to ‘Format’

• Updated Pikake PH II subdivision name to show correctly; was Pikake Ph Ii
   
   

As always, if you have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact me:
 
Erin Shaw
Marketing Coordinator
Hawaii Information Service
Direct: (808) 599.422 4 ext. #159
Toll Free: 1.800.628.3121 ext. #159
E-mail: erin@alohaliving.com

REsearch 4.2 News Bulletin: Notes on Short Sale, REO & Foreclosure Listings

How Do I Search for Multiple Words in the Remarks Field?
 
To search private or public remarks using wildcards you need to add the word “OR” if searching more than one word as shown below:

*reo* OR *foreclosure* OR *short sale* OR *bank owned*
You can also enter multiple words from the “add fields” tab by selecting remarks – private and adding in multiple words the same way:

*reo* OR *foreclosure* OR *short sale* OR *bank owned*
 
 
How Do I Update My Listing Form for a Short Sale, REO, or Foreclosure?
If your listing is a short sale, REO, foreclosure etc. please make sure to update your listing using the boxes on the top, right hand side of the listing form.  To do this simply open the form, check the appropriate boxes and re-save the form so that the changes will be made within REsearch.  Properly updating these types of listings will make it easier for you and your colleagues to search for them.
 
If you are listing a Short Sale property,
-Please include the language “Potential Short Sale” in the Private Remarks.
-Please remove any confidential information or disclosures or references to Short Sale in the Public Remarks.
-Please do not also check off the “Foreclosure”, “REO” or “None of the Above” boxes.

And lastly, if you are listing an REO property, please do not also check off the “Shortsale”, “Foreclosure” or “None of the Above” boxes.

Erin Go Bragh (Ireland Forever)!

March into Spring with St. Patrick’s Day

As March rolls around and the weather starts to get warmer and the days begin to get longer, the next stop on the holiday circuit is St. Patrick’s Day.

One would think that with a name like Erin (another name for Ireland), I would be a regular participant in the Irish inspired festivities each March 17th, but not so. You may be surprised to know that I am an 1/8th Japanese, and while that may not seem like much, growing up in Hawaii and around my Japanese grandmother, I associate much more with my Asian background than my European one. I have been to Japan several times, and actually the majority of my family still lives there!

With that said, I figure what better time than now to embrace my Irish heritage, drink some green beer, and maybe inspire a little bit of luck for 2009 – Erin Go Bragh! A few facts you may or may not know about Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day:

• Ireland has been inhabited for 9,000 years and its people are of Gaelic ancestry.
• Ireland is well known for their writers such as William Butler Yeats and Oscar Wilde.
• St. Patrick’s Day is an annual day of feast celebrating Saint Patrick, and falls during the Catholic time of lent on March 17th, although the church has been known to move the date when the 17th falls during Holy Week or on a Sunday.
• Legend has it that Saint Patrick used the 3 leafed shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish.
• The very first St. Patrick’s day parade was held in Boston on March 17th 1761. The St. Paddy’s day parade in New York City is now the largest one in the world, and has been held consecutively for 248 years this year.
• Originally, Saint Patrick was associated with the color blue, not green, but it likely changed because Ireland is more associated with green than blue.

Not a fan of Guinness and Leprechauns? March is a veritable pot of gold when it comes to the number of great activities going on here in Hawaii. Here are a few of note:

State-wide:

• March 3rd is Hinamatsuri, a Japanese day celebrating Girls Day. Also called “Dolls Day,” traditionally Japanese families set up a display of dolls representing the Emperor, Empress and their attendants and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian period. Legend has it that the dolls have the ability to capture and keep evil spirits, and in ancient times, the dolls would be sent down the river in a boat to take the bad spirits with them, away from the household. Now, the day is often celebrated with the giving of small envelopes of money, flowers and sweets to celebrate the girls in your life.

Oahu:

• Taking care of your health is vital, and any chance to better understand how you can care for yourself is well worth your time. March 8th you are invited to the Native Hawaiian Health Festival Ho’ike’ike being held on the Great Lawn at the Bishop Museum. From 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. there will be health screenings, speakers talking about health issues, cultural demonstrations, Hawaiian foods, entertainment, and a chance to learn about traditional Hawaiian cultural practices such as lomi lomi massage. For more info go to http://www.hawaiimaoli.org.
• Put on your green (unless you want to get pinched!) and head down to Murphy’s Bar and Grill for a St. Patrick’s day block party on March 17th starting at 6 p.m. on the corner of Nu’uanu and Merchant streets. Enjoy their great food, a nice, smooth Guinness, and live music from Henry Kapono and the Piranha Brothers. For more info go to http://gomurphys.com/ or you aren’t feeling the Downtown scene, go to http://www.irishpubhawaii.com/index.html.
• Looking for a charming weekend activity? Cruise out to Wahiawa for the 55th annual Kunia Orchid show on March 20th-22nd. Browse the beautiful blooms, stock up on your orchid supplies, and enjoy the food and culture of this county fair style event. Located at Leilehua High School in the Gymnasium from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information e-mail kuniaorchid@altavista.com.
• Prince Kuhio Day Celebrations – Saturday, March 28th, 2009
  • The Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole Commemorative Parade will take place in Waikiki beginning at 4 p.m. and will travel along Kalakaua Ave. from Saratoga Rd. and ending at Kapi’olani Park.
  • A Ho’olaule’a, or celebration, will be held at Kapi’olani Park from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Come and enjoy Native Hawaiian craft booths and demonstrations as well as great food and entertainment. Admission is free and the event is open to the public, so we’ll see you there!
  • Cap off a wonderful day with a moonlight concert to be held at the Kapi’olani Bandstand. Local entertainers and Hula Halau (groups) will be featured in the show that will begin at 6 p.m. Also free and open to the public.
  • For information on all of these events go to http://www.hawaiimaoli.org.

Kauai

• Join renowned local musicians, composers and kumu hula as they share their gifts at an informal Hawaiian music jam known as E Kanikapila Kakou. Every Monday the community is welcome to join them at the Island School Main Hall from 6-9 p.m. The evenings are wonderfully fun (according to my parents and grandparents who go regularly) and a chance to visit with friends and to enjoy the culture and arts of Hawaii. Play an instrument or like to sing or dance? Part of the Kanikapila is dedicated to learning from the great talents being featured each night. For more information e-mail Carol at giac@hawaiilink.net.
• Support a good cause by attending the annual Island School auction; a major fundraiser for the school’s financial aid program and other operating needs. In keeping with the schools mission to “go green” and promote a sustainable environment and education for its students, the theme this year is Blue Planet and is being held Saturday, March 14th at the Kauai Marriott. Get dressed up and enjoy an evening complete with a silent auction, dessert auction, almost live auction as well as a rousing live auction – all full of great items to bid on. Ticket prices also include a buffet dinner, wine and beer bar, and entertainment by the Brothers Cazimero to name a few things. For tickets call (808) 246-0233.
• March 22nd pull on your cowboy boots and hat and head down to CJM Country Stables in Poipu for a day of all girls rodeo events. Sure to be a day of excitement, be there at 10 .m. to watch as Kauai’s wahine participate in barrel racing, roping, pole bending and goat tying! Call (808) 639-3091 for more info.
• Prince Kuhio Day Celebrations – Saturday, March 28th, 2009
  • To kick off the Prince Kuhio celebrations, join the Koloa Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Club at Prince Kuhio Park in Poipu for kanikapila music and a hula show by Na Hula O Kaohikukapulani, as well as performances by the Makaha Sons. Concert will be held March 21, 2009 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Contact Ruth Potts for more info at koccpkconcert@live.com.
  • March 22nd – 29th take part in the week long festivities celebrating the birthday of Prince Kuhio on Kauai where he was born. Many of the events will take place at the Grand Hyatt Resort and Spa in Poipu and are focused on teaching and perpetuating the Native Hawaiian cultural practices and culture which Kuhio was so dedicated to. For more information visit http://princekuhio.wetpaint.com/?t=anon.

Maui

• Want to organize your way to harmony, prosperity and health? Come to the Feng Shui For Hawaii seminar on March 3rd – 5th to hear author Clear Englebert speak about the different types of Feng Shui, the dynamics of it and how to apply it to your home and your life. Sponsored by the Maui Friends of the Library, the programs are going to be held from 6:30 until 7:45 p.m. at the following Maui public libraries:
  • Tuesday, March 3rd: Kahului Public Library
  • Wednesday, March 4th: Makawao Public Library
  • Thursday, March 5th: Wailuku Public Library
  • For more information call Kahului Public Library at 873-3907
• Witness the budding of new local talent and a special performance by Ten Feet at Hawaii’s very first youth band talent competition, Band Champ. High school students from Lahainaluna, Baldwin and Maui High will square off in this semi-final competition for an electric guitar as well as Maui’s top spot in the state finale competition. The overall winner will receive $5,000, a recording contract for a single and the chance to open for a Tom Moffatt concert. Come see them now so you can one day say “I knew them when….” March 6th from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center Castle Theater. For more info go to http://www.bandchamp.com
• St. Patrick’s day green takes on new meaning March 17th at the Maui Ocean Center at Ma’alaea Harbor by dedicating the day to learning more about green living. Presentations will cover ocean, land and energy resources and the conservation of them. Visitors will also have a chance to see the new wind turbines that the Maui Ocean Center has recently installed in its own effort to be more “green.”
• Take a step back into the 80’s with Journey at their one night concert at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, March 24th. Armed with their new lead singer Arnel Pineda, the group will be sure to keep you believin’ in the power ballads that have made them famous over the past three decades. Show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets range in price from $55 to $125 and can be purchased at the box office or via www.ticketmaster.com. Questions? Call the MACC at 242-7469.

Big Island

• Preservation of our resources here in Hawaii is vital, and it takes all of our helping hands to make it happen. Venture outside for a work day in the native, old growth Niaulani Forest in Volcano National Park, to help care for the beauty and diversity of the rainforest’s inhabitants. Can’t make it March 15th? These work days are held the 3rd Sunday of each month from 9 a.m. until 12 noon and are a great opportunity for individuals, families or groups to connect with Hawaii’s unique natural landscape. Visit www.volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
• Let your self control melt away and indulge your senses at the 8th Annual Kona Chocolate Festival March 31st through April 4th at the Sheraton Keahou Bay Resort and Spa. The week will be chuck full of all things chocolate (and therefore yummy!), local entertainment, seminars about chocolate and vanilla, a silent auction and a gala on the 4th, with a portion of the events proceeds going to well deserving programs in Kona…how sweet is that?!? Craving more information? Go to http://www.konachocolatefestival.com or call 808-987-8722 for more info, to register as a chef and to purchase tickets.
• The oli, or Hawaiian chant, along with mele (songs, poetry), was and still is used in the Hawaiian tradition to perpetuate the Hawaiian language, culture, and history. Both oli and mele are limited to a five-note tonal range and were used to convey all elements of life in ancient Hawaii. Also an art form, this very beautiful tradition of story telling is usually only seen today in hula performances. March 21st from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. join Loke Kamanu who will teach you about the basics and backgrounds of four distinct oli. The class costs $62 and includes a chant CD. There is financial aid available, so be sure to call 808-967-8222 or go to www.volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
• Always wanted to participate in the Iron Man? Start training now for the 12th Annual Lavaman Triathalon happening Sunday, March 29th at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. This 51.5K course takes you on a swim through Anaeho’omalu Bay, biking across the lava fields along the infamous Iron Man course, and finally on a run starting in the lava fields and ending by the sea where a huge party awaits the finishers. It may not be THE Iron Man, but it is one step closer! For more information go to http://www.lavamantriathalon.com.

To see all of the great new March features go to www.alohaliving.com!