Report: Obamas May Be Buying 'Magnum, P.I.' Home In Hawaii

[big_dog]

The luxurious beachfront Hawaiian home made famous by the ’80s television series — the backdrop for Tom Selleck’s adventures as a skirt-chasing, freeloading private investigator — was sold this week in a mysterious transaction that involves a prominent Obama friend and one of his major donors. And while the White House isn’t confirming anything, there’s a lot of talk among residents of Waimanalo, the beachfront area of Honolulu where the property is located, that they‘re expecting to see Obama and his family hanging out there once he’s done with the White House.

According to a report from Fox affiliate KHON, a group called Waimanalo Paradise LLC purchased the property, located along the southeast coast of Oahu, on Monday for $8.7 million. Waimanalo Paradise’s contact is reportedly Seth Madorsky, a lawyer in Chicago and Obama donor. The property was then sold to another limited liability corporation based in Colorado, according to a report from ABC affiliate KITV. The deed and the mortgage are both signed by Judy Grimanis, KHON reported. Grimanis is an executive assistant at The Vistria Group, a private-equity firm in Chicago run by Marty Nesbitt, a frequent Obama golf and travel partner in Hawaii. Nesbitt is one of Obama’s top 10 golf partners, having played with him 18 times during his presidency, according to records compiled by POLITICO.

A receptionist at the firm said Grimanis is Nesbitt’s assistant. Her name is also the same as that of a person who worked for Obama fundraiser and current Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker’s companies. None of the documents mention Obama, and the search for clues to confirm the home’s real purpose has turned into a sleuthing exercise worthy of … well, a private investigator. The White House declined to comment and referred all questions about the sale to Nesbitt. A senior administration official told POLITICO only that “the president is not a party to this transaction.” A receptionist at the Vistria Group said Nesbitt was out of the office Thursday, and referred questions to Grimanis, who passed them along to Madorsky, the donor.

In a statement late Thursday, Madorsky suggested that Nesbitt was the buyer of the home — but didn’t address what might happen to it in the future. “Marty Nesbitt has authorized me to advise you that I represented him in connection with the purchase. Marty did not have any partners or co-investors in the transaction,” Madorsky said. The home — dubbed “Robin’s Nest” on the ‘80s hit TV show — is the fictional abode of novelist Robin Masters, who allows private investigator Thomas Magnum, played by Tom Selleck, to live on the property and drive his Ferrari. In real life, the three-acre oceanfront property, named “Pahonu,” was built in 1933 and features five bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, a gatehouse, a boat house, a four-car garage, a men’s and women’s bath house, tennis courts, 500 feet of beach frontage and a turtle pond, according to Zillow.


Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/obama-purchase-magnum-pi-home-116233.html#ixzz3Ut1DfSxf

[Brother Buzz]

1. Works for me, especially if Robin Masters throws in the Ferrari to sweeten the deal

[AngryAmish]

58. "Works for me." was the tagline on Hunter, not Magnum

[Brother Buzz]

60. Hi, Higgins!

[Hekate]

2. Waimanalo used to be more rural than rural. Guess it grew up after I moved away. Beautiful place.

I'd be glad to think of the Obamas having a permanent place in the Islands.

[KamaAina]

50. The mauka (inland) part of it still is.

Obviously, this house is on Waimanalo Beach (one of the two longest in the islands; the other is on Moloka'i), along with quite a few other pricey ones.

edit: As for the Obamas having a permanent place in the islands, a branch of the presidential library snaps to mind, either along Ala Mona near the planned new Bishop Museum or on Punahou's college-like campus.

[Hekate]

64. Bishop Museum is a treasure. So they are moving and expanding?

I don't know how Punahou's board would feel about a Presidential Library on the grounds. They are a private school for K-12, and although it would be an honor, it would draw the public in too much.

Says the person who has never been on the campus! I graduated from Kailua High School, myself, and it doesn't get much more public school than that.

Anyway, I agree a branch of the eventual Library in the Islands would be such a good idea. I hope they do that.

[KamaAina]

67. Never been on the campus?

Not even for Punahou Carnival?!

One of the few pluses to my first apartment in Honolulu was that it was just a block away.

[Hekate]

68. When I lived in the city as a young adult I was too busy...

Between classes at UH and work at Ala Moana Shopping Center (Liberty House), and no car, I really had little time for anything else. I'm sure I would have gone to the carnival if someone had told me about it! (That sounds sadly as though I was kind of in a rut, doesn't it?)

[KamaAina]

69. Someone would have had to tell you about it?!

Are you sure you're kama'aina? :-P (For those of you just joining us, that means "local person", which I was when I delurked after Nineleven(TM).)

[Hekate]

71. It's been a long time since those days!

But yeah, I was stone broke in college and barely broke surface. I look back on it and realize I didn't budget for anything like fun.

I do remember getting a little politics in after graduation: When I was hapai with my first I worked on the successful project of turning the Old Stadium into a public park instead of more apartments, and later on supported young professor Neil Abercrombie in his very first campaign to represent the Makiki-McCully-Manoa district in the state legislature.

I returned to grad school here in SoCal when I was in my late 40s. My husband was supporting me and I didn't worry where my next meal was coming from. It was a subject I loved and most everyone was in my age range. I had an OUTSTANDING experience, up to and including parties and drinking. Better late than never!

I'm hoping to return for my high school reunion this October. Honestly I have mixed feelings about it at this point, but I also know I will kick myself if I miss it.

Me ke aloha!

[madville]

3. Maybe the Secret Service

Can buy Rick's tiki bar for when they are off-duty

[Spider Jerusalem]

4. I think that they're probably going to be hiring Mormons and Muslims for the presidential detail

after that incident with drunkenly crashing into the White House gate recently...

[metalbot]

5. Well, they only get 10 years of secret service

So private security is clearly in the works one way or another.

[Spider Jerusalem]

7. Lifetime SS protection reinstated as of 2013:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Former_Presidents_Act#Secret_Service_protection

[Thinkingabout]

19. Yes, probably a good thing.

[Stellar]

21. Glad to hear that.

With all of the death threats against this President and family, I'm definitely glad to hear that.

[Cha]

22. Ha! I just saw Larry Minetti in an old episode of Hawaii 50 the other night.. singing in bar.

[underpants]

51. In 2007 he was headlining at a casino in old Vegas

Last time I was there. My buddies and I went to the old strip and there was his name as the headliner.

Apparently he also owned a restaurant at the Plaza.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Manetti

[Cha]

74. Cool! Life after Magnum PI ain't so bad!

[tracks29]

6. If anyone deserves a few years sitting around a nice house in Hawaii it's Obama

[Rex]

9. He won't be sitting around, he will be taking the ferrari out to solve crimes.

Having witty banter with Higgins.

[MADem]

43. OK, who gets to play Higgins? Biden? Kerry? nt

[freshwest]

26. Agreed!

[Rex]

8. Do I smell a reboot/spin off?

He'd have to grow a mustache.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

11. .

[Rex]

15. He looks all badass there with his hairy chest/stash combo and the portable phone.

Gonna hop in the chopper with TC and kick somebodies butt on the island! Gets in some real shit, Rick and TC get out the big guns and go military style.


Mind blown!

[MADem]

47. They do--!!!! Only...without PANTS! nt

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

53. OK one more: "So that means 'Hail To The Chief' won't be replaced with

https://m.

"

[Rex]

54. They can! Can we vote for that somewhere!?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

55. Oh per post 49 I forgot to add. But to answer your question. It wouldn't hurt to

start a petition.

[Rex]

57. Obama's last two years with that playing...he could run out and do a combat roll

up to the podium. Optional flowery shirt and mustache! Swagger all over the room and make the reporters swoon. Manly hairy chest is optional too. He is the POTUS, he gets options.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

59. Yeah but somewhere in CNNFOXMSNBC it wouldn't be the right kind of chest hair or

compare it with other presidential mustaches and chest hair.

[Rex]

61. HA! True! And they would be outraged at the way he treates poor Higgins.

His chest hair is too course or too fine. His stash is too thin or too thick. However, at least it would get them to talk about something beside Beengawdzy.

[Bosonic]

42. done & done

[MADem]

44. Jesus, he looks like he's channeling OLD ALEX TREBEK there!!!!

Answer in the form of a question!!!!

[Hekate]

65. NOOOOOO! That soup-strainer adds years to his age! Let Axelrod have it! nt

[MiniMe]

10. I don't think they would move until the kids are out of school.

I am happy if he retires there, but I think the kids would come first for the Obamas.

[madville]

28. I bet they are on the first plane out of town

As soon as the inauguration is over lol, I sure would be, there are probably great private schools in Hawaii

[treestar]

30. Yes they already said they were staying in DC

with the right wingers of course trashing them for that.

[Revanchist]

34. Unless they get a place to stay in D.C.

They'll have to change schools anyway, their father's birth state is as good of a place as any.

[MADem]

45. Rumor is NYC until the last kid graduates, then HI...

That's just rumor, though....forays to HI on the holidays. Chicago house on the market...!

[eShirl]

52. They can still vacation there in the meantime. n/t

[Aristus]

12. Repuke Tom Selleck won't like that...

He'll just have to deal.

OTOH, the knowledge of this might make it easier for him to pull those weary, earnestly-sincere, flag-salutin' faces he does on "Blue Bloods". I won't watch that piece of shit. The promos alone are intolerable...

[yeoman6987]

32. It is a good show. Very liberal sometimes.

Of course the house has nothing to do with Tom Selleck or Blue Bloods. At least BB will be going into Sixth Season next year.

[Aristus]

33. Really? It seems so right-wing in the promos.

All "We-are-the-heroic-thin-blue-line-and-we-are-brothers" stuff, the flag waving, the rah-rah stuff that appeals to teabaggers.

It would be funny if the producers did those promos to lure in the teabaggers, and then hit them with some liberal stuff!

[yeoman6987]

37. Liberal with gay rights. They seem to be pro gay.

Of course they are pro cop too, but if a cop screws up they get the punishment from Sellecks character and a wrath with it........except his family. Lol. I mean they hear a lecture from Selleck but certainly not fired....they are the main actors after all.

[Paladin]

63. Donald Bellisario, the "Magnum" producer, would hate it, big-time.

Given what a right-wing military jock-sniffer he is ("Magnum P.I.," "JAG," "NCIS&quot . And you're right---"Blue Bloods" lays the Big Irish Cop Family Protecting The Insufficiently Grateful City thing on with a trowel.....

[Ilsa]

72. I heard TS say years ago on TV that he left the GOP.

He said he votes Independent, which I suppose means either party or the Independent party. Did he recently say he'd returned to gop?

[Aristus]

73. I don't know. I just know he's a fairly pro-gun guy.

He supported the Republicans for quite a while from what I remember.

[dissentient]

13. lol, funny if true. I remember that home well from watching the show back in the day...

Higgins was funny...

[Nuclear Unicorn]

14. Sometimes I wish I was older so I could get in on some of these threads. nt

[Go Vols]

18. Sometimes I wish I was younger,

the '80s seem like last week to me.

[freshwest]

27. The show was great for its era.

[Cha]

23. I wish I were younger sometimes so I didn't know wth they're talking about lol

[MADem]

46. You could get the box set and spend a summer playing catch-up!

http://www.amazon.com/Magnum-P-I-The-Complete-Series/dp/B00DYQ1G78

Watch a few episodes a day, with friends...wear Hawaiian shirts (be mistaken for Quagmire if you don't grow a giant Moose-stache) ... if you're real brave, get a pair of those Magnum short-shorts!! Bring chest hair back into style...!!

Hell, everything old, soon enough, is new again....

[Starry Messenger]

16. This makes me so happy I hope it is true.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

17. Wow! If I had the ability

to buy a place like that I'd guess I could afford to have groceries delivered and never leave that little slice of heaven,,,,,,,,,, for any body or anything. Never!

[freshwest]

29. If I had that, it'd be covered with fruit and nut trees and vegetables and I'd never leave home!

I'd be too busy tending it. He deserves it after all of this.

[bullwinkle428]

20. If true, this is a GREAT choice, as far as security concerns go.

'Nuff said!

[mahina]

35. Wish I could agree.

[Cha]

24. We'll see.. I've heard NY too.. One thing.. the Obamas might spend some vacation time there but,

after his presidency he will be doing worthwhile.. the whole family will.

[d_r]

25. that house

needs some serious work. I hope the Obama's bought it, I would love someone to fix it up.

[geek tragedy]

31. Starring David Axelrod as Higgins. nt

[NBachers]

41. Wait 'till the episode when old Uncle Joe Biden comes to visit- hilarity will ensue.

[mahina]

36. Seriously doubt the Obamas will be spending time here.

There's only one road and it drives right by the house. The mountains behind the house are not securable.

They would be exposed and it would be really stupid. My bet is that somebody name dropped and that is what we're hearing. So what, if he's friends with them? He's friends with lots of people. They stay in secure and low profile places, not where they would be a roadside attraction and very much at risk.

[Hekate]

40. Hi, Mahina. I'll accept your take on it, but it sure sounds gorgeous.

[Xithras]

62. The bigger problem would be the beach, I think.

As I recall (and judging by your name, you may know better than I), all beaches in Hawaii are public. Looking at Google maps, the house sits only a few feet from the beach, meaning the public would be able to get VERY close.

Probably not a good thing...

[hunter]

38. I'd be happy to look after the place whenever they are away...

[Hekate]

39. I don't recall Magnum PI's house, but the ones in The Descendants w/ Clooney are the real deal...

Since Pahonu was built in 1933 I expect it to have that real Island flavor. It sounds gorgeous.

[Inkfreak]

48. But could he pull off the mustache??? That's a tough one...

[PoliticAverse]

49. Obama isn’t buying 'Magnum, P.I.' house

The White House on Friday said that President Obama and his family are not responsible for the purchase of a multimillion-dollar Hawaii home used to film the 1980s TV series “Magnum, P.I.”

From: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/236438-obama-isnt-buying-magnum-pis-house

[Hekate]

66. LOL. This thread is in full swing -- nobody will stop the fun of speculation.

[Starry Messenger]

70. Ah poop!

It was fun to think about though.

[NaturalHigh]

56. I hadn't thought of that show in years until you posted this.

Foremost in my mind is whether or not they buy the Ferrari.

[Kingofalldems]

75. My goodness, all that typing for nothing.

The whole story is a crock.

[PoliticAverse]

76. Hawaii's "Magnum, P.I." home sold to Obama's close friend

HONOLULU (AP) — A sprawling beachfront home used in the filming of the 1980s television show "Magnum, P.I." has sold for $8.7 million to a close friend of President Barack Obama.

An attorney for Marty Nesbitt said Thursday that his client bought the property. Seth Madorsky says Nesbitt didn't have any partners or co-investors in the deal.

The 3-acre property is in Waimanalo, next to the town of Kailua where the Obama family has spent the winter holidays in recent years.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Friday that Obama was not behind the purchase.

Read the rest at: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/11ec78e7b2a9496eb4bf82db5df5ae3c/hawaii-property-where-magnum-pi-filmed-sold