Area 1 Ala Moana / Kakaako District

Ala Moana is at the edge of the Waikiki district and therefore attracts a large number of visitors. Luxury and high-end apartments are found here, many with spectacular ocean, park, and city views. Residents can enjoy the walking convenience to Ala Moana Center Oahu’s largest regional shopping center; Ala Moana Beach Park, a boat harbor, restaurants and megaplexes. Surrounding communities are Kapiolani, Ward/Kinau. There are a few pockets of older single-family homes here and some of these are simply breath taking.  However, there are far more condos in this area down on the lower-flat part of the map.  These residences are primarily low rise and high-rise condominiums. Kakaako, close to Downtown Honolulu, was mostly industrial, however in recent years the re-development of Kakaako with planned parks, the new medical school and bio-medical center, condominiums and multi-use living projects well underway.

(Area 2) Makiki / Manoa District

Makiki is another popular choice for those wanting a short commute to downtown Honolulu, Waikiki, and the University of Hawaii. The low land area of Makiki is predominately condominium with a few single family homes mixed in. Choices of condominium styles (walk-up, low rise, high rise) abound and so does the price range. The hillside neighborhoods of Makiki Heights and Tantalus have single-family homes in the higher price range. Quite a few public and private schools, two hospitals and churches are found in the area. Part of Manoa’s appeal is its tree-lined streets with traditional and New England style architecture. Manoa extends deep into the lush valley from which emerges another desirable neighborhood, Woodlawn. As its name implies, this section is woodsy and the homes are often set amidst green lawns. This area is home to several restaurants, grocers and neighborhood shopping centers. The University of Hawaii is in the lower section of Manoa, but it too gets frequent Manoa shower mists that come, even under sunny skies.

Area 2 Waikiki District

This world famous beach resort is only 2 miles long but it is the center of the state’s billion-dollar tourist industry. There is a high concentration of movie theaters, nightlife, restaurants and hotels. It is a densely populated condominium area but many of the residential type buildings are as pleasant and quiet as you’ll find elsewhere. There are also a smattering of single family homes in this area as well.  The busier condominiums are those in which hotel operations or short-term rentals are permitted. This is the one district where rentals can be obtained fully furnished, down to the plates and linen. A quieter end of Waikiki is near Kapiolani Park and the slopes of Diamond Head crater, a tree-lined area often referred to as the Gold Coast. Oceanfront or ocean view apartments are at a premium here. A number of the buildings are cooperatives rather than condominiums.

Area 3 Kaimuki District

Kaimuki, located mainly on the slopes of Diamond Head, is an older established area particularly appealing to residents whose families have lived there for generations. Its residential and business community is over 100 years old. The majority of single-family properties are at least 5,000 sq. ft with some properties subdivided into areas as small as 2,400 sq. ft. Chaminade University (private), neighborhood shopping centers, restaurants, private and public schools, parks and grocers service the needs of the population. There are also some condominiums in this area.  Although the elevation is high in these hillsides they are generally sunny and dry. Nearby in the arid neighborhoods of St. Louis Heights, Wilhelmina Rise and Maunalani Heights you’ll find a mixed style of older and newer homes, many with city and ocean views.

Area 3 Waialae / Kahala District

Kahala takes on the look of a nicely defined suburb with regional shopping center Kahala Mall and the Kahala Mandarin Hotel (formerly the Kahala Hilton). The lots in Waialae average 7,000 to 8,000 sq. ft. Many of the 10,000 sq. ft. and larger lot homes in the area have swimming pools, wider streets, deeper front lawns and have consistently been on the higher end of Oahu’s price scale. The beachfront properties of Kahala, Diamond Head, and Black Point are some of the most expensive in the nation. For those desiring more view, there is the hillside neighborhood of executive homes called Waialae Iki. Other options are the golf course homes in the Kai Nani area and the homes on a peninsula called Wailupe. Other residential alternatives for the area are two high-rise condominiums and four nearby townhouse projects.

Area 3 Hawaii Loa Ridge District

Hawaii Loa Ridge is an exclusive, gated hillside community of large homes offering buyers a community clubhouse and tennis courts. Many have spectacular views of the ocean, Diamond Head crater to the west or Koko Head crater in the east because the developer established protected view corridors for the lots. All the custom homes must first obtain the approval of the developer’s review board and meet their minimum requirements. Within this gated community is another newer gated community, The Pointe. These are premier view lots on the west slope and residents have part ownership of the elegant Pointe Club clubhouse.

(Area 3) Hawaii Kai / Portlock District

Hawaii Kai itself is a master planned community begun in the 1960s by the renowned American industrialist, Henry J. Kaiser. Once regarded as a “country area” for farmers, Hawaii Kai has become one of the premier suburbs of Oahu. The variety of housing styles and price ranges appeals to a diverse group of residents. It’s about 12 miles from downtown Honolulu with easy access to the H-1 Freeway. It is close to Kahala and Kaimuki neighborhoods on one end and to Waimanalo and Kailua on the other end. The Hawaii Kai community enjoys a good variety of beaches, golf courses, tennis courts, movie theaters and restaurants. In fact, other popular community-based businesses and services such as supermarkets, fitness centers, playgrounds, medical facilities and dry cleaners are located in Hawaii Kai so residents do not have to go far for their day-to-day needs. For recreation, the many wide streets encourage biking and jogging. Nearby is Sandy Beach for experienced body surfers; Hanauma Bay, a nature preserve; and Maunaloa Bay for water skiing, boating, or canoe paddling. The single-family homes are in a variety of price ranges but generally begin above the affordable range for Oahu. The Hawaii Kai high-rise condominiums have commanded higher prices than condominiums in other Oahu regions. The Portlock district offers premium luxury beachfront homes.

Areas 4-12 are coming soon!  To do a search of Oahu Real Estate in the mean time, click here for a list by Area and Zip Codes, it is very easy to use!

Gayle and I would love to assist you in the search for your home.  Please call upon us anytime and we will give you our 200% effort...because there are two of us...:-) :-)