Honolulu District, Honolulu Neighborhoods

Welcome to Great Hawaiian Homes.  In our ongoing series of Oahu's neighborhoods, we are proud to present Honolulu.  After reading about Honolulu's Neighborhoods, you can do a property search by clicking on our logo (Just Below) and putting in the criteria for your search.  Gayle and I will be more than happy to speak with you at any time and set up showings of properties you are interested in.  Please remember that we give our buyer clients a Rebate of 20% of our Commissions as our way of thanking you for your business.  Cheers - Mike

 
OAHU, The Gathering Place, is the third largest Hawaiian island and home to Honolulu, the state capitol. Honolulu was proclaimed the state capitol by King Kamehameha III in 1850 and began operating in 1905 as the County of Oahu before being renamed the City and County of Honolulu in 1907. It is the only American city founded by a monarch or ruler and is the site of the only palace in the United States.     The city and county of Honolulu encompasses all of Oahu and is governed by an elected mayor and nine city council members each representing a specific geographic district on the island. These districts are grouped together under larger regions commonly referred to as: Honolulu, East Oahu, Windward, North Shore, Leeward and Central. Within these regions are various towns, communities and neighborhoods each with their own distinctive characteristics.
According to the 2000 census Oahu had a population of 876,156, which at the time represented approximately 72 percent of the people of the state. The 2000 census also shows there was a total of 460,542 housing units in the state. Today, Honolulu's median resale value for a single family home is $630,000 and $330,000 for a condominium.
When planning a trip around the island or when relocating to Hawaii, it can be useful to know that the local residents have a special language for indicating direction. For example, mauka [m-ow-ka] is toward the mountains, makai [ma-k-aye] is toward the sea, Ewa [w is usually pronounced as "v"] is in the direction of Ewa town, Diamond Head is toward that famous Waikiki landmark, and Koko Head is toward the location of that crater which is location out next to Hanauma Bay. There are two mountain ranges that divide the island, the Koolau and Waianae mountain ranges. The highest peak of the Koolaus is the Pali.  The Pali lookout offers wonderful views of Kailua, Kaneohe and the Windward coast. Take the Pali highway from Honolulu and watch for the signs.
Information about other districts and areas on Oahu... 
Moanalua / Salt Lake District   Moanalua is an established community of single-family homes situated in either the valley or along the hillside. Foster Village has two recreation centers, each with its own swimming pool and playground equipment. Nearby are Aloha Stadium, a large retail discount shopping center and Tripler Army Hospital. Salt Lake is only a ghost of its former self; it was filled for land development and a golf course. The community is predominately medium to high-rise condominiums with some single-family homes surrounding the golf course. All of these communities are within a short distance of the airport, Hickam Air Force Base, the downtown business district, and the Pearl Harbor Navy Base.  
Downtown / Nuuanu District   There are several condominiums on the edge of town near Chinatown and one in the heart of the business district. Most of these condominiums offer mountain or ocean views. The slopes and hillsides of Nuuanu have older single-family homes, some with city views and most on lots of 5,000 to 8,000 sq. ft. Several large estates can be found on the lush hills of Nuuanu and Pacific Heights offering panoramic city and ocean views. A handful of quality condominiums as well as eateries, private and public schools, churches and hospital abound in the area. The consulate homes of Japan, China, Korea and the Philippines can also be found in the Nuuanu area.
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, and Kinau. There are a few pockets of older single-family homes here but 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.
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.
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. 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.
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. 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.  
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.
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.
 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.

If you are thinking of a new home in or around Honolulu, or anywhere on Oahu, Gayle Fujita Ramsey (RA) and Michael Ramsey Fujita (RA), Vice President of Realty Executives Oahu, are two of Honolulu's finest Realtors and invite you to call at (808) 630-1828 or email at Mike@GreatHawaiianHomes.com.  They often work with mainland buyers who are pre-transfer or pre relocation.  Honolulu homes for sale and Honolulu condos for sale can be see by clicking the logo above.  It will take you to http://www.GreatHawaiianHomes.com .  GreatHawaiianHomes.com has a wealth of information about buying real estate in Hawaii.  Below is a list of what you can expect from Michael Ramsey Fujita and Gayle Fujita Ramsey when you work with them as your buyer's Agent:

• Our services are FREE to you because the Seller pays all Real Estate Commissions.

• We Rebate our Buyer Clients 20% of our commissions!  This is given to you as a credit at closing.  You may apply the money to the Principle of your new home use it toward closing costs, part of the down payment or for new things for your new home. 

• When choosing a new home, it will be helpful to know if the list price is Fair Market Value, Priced Over Fair Market Value or a Real Bargain!  Our high tech approach to valuation will give you this information before we even visit the property for the first time.

• We will go through the Purchase Contract and ALL Addendums with you before you sign anything.  You will also find a great deal of information about the Purchase Contract and its Contingency Descriptions.  This way, if you choose to become familiar with this document, you can.

• We will give you recommendations on Real Estate Professionals whom are available to you.  We maintain NO affiliation with any of these Professionals; they are simply the best at what they do in our opinion.

• Buyer's Agent.  Every buyer needs a buyer's agent that is dedicated to THEIR best interest.  As Realtors, and members of the National Association of Realtors and the Honolulu Board of Realtors, we are duty bound and Licensed by the State of Hawaii to Protect your Best Interest at ALL Times.

• We work with Mainland Buyers from time to time.  This is easily accomplished by use of Posted Video Tours of homes they have selected to see more of from our emails, emailing of documents, faxing of documents by way of our Toll Free Fax Line, and by excellent communication skills.  We have and can also email pdf Slideshows of homes for Mainland Buyers directly to their inbox.

• Once we have fully explained the various contracts to you and you make an informed decision as to your acceptance or rejection of them, we will do the face to face negotiating with the Seller's Agent for you to be sure you are getting the best terms the Seller will give.  We do our best to keep your transaction as stress free and pleasant as possible.

• Not only will we walk through every home together, we will review all inspection reports generated during your transaction.  It is important that you know exactly what you are buying and its condition, even inside the walls!

• We are proud to have represented a great many families in their purchases of new homes.  You will have the full benefit of our years of experience as Realtors acting as Buyer's Agents.  We promise not to hold anything back from you...ever.

• Our website at http://www.GreatHawaiianHomes.com is a big advantage to buyers.  It explains the buying process in detail and many clients have to us for assistance because they like our website so much.  It is very down to earth, just like us.  Let's chat over coffee...

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