Kohala Brims with History

The “Old Hawaii” feel of Kohala is a 30 minute drive or less from the Kohala Coast resorts and beaches, but is a genuine and cherished characteristic that makes this area so appealing.

Tourists (prospective real estate buyers!) venturing to the charming North Kohala towns of Hawi and Kapaau for last week’s Kamehameha Day parade and ceremonies at the statue learned that each of the place names we use to describe neighborhoods refers to an event in the journey a young ali’i (chief) made on his way to uniting the Hawai’ian islands.

Royal Views

Views fit for royalty from this 10 acre lot under $500K

The birthplace of Kamehameha the Great is at Kokoiki, more or less where Highway 270 turns the corner between the small, exclusive Puakea subdivisions (Ranch at Puakea, Puakea Bay Ranch and Puakea Ranch) and the town of Hawi. Build your home enjoying the same views as the newborn from a lot at Puakea Bay Ranch (MLS# 234304) where 10-acre lots are available under $500,000.

Organic Farming

$100K price reduction on a Hoe’a home which allows organic farming only

Turning the corner towards Hawi, visitors are always surprised that the landscape is suddenly green. The area known as Hoe’a is still a fertile agricultural center for the region. A 3,000 sq. ft. home on 7 acres (MLS# 229683) with CC&Rs stipulating that any farming must be organic is priced at only $1,299,000 after a recent reduction.

Hawi Fixer-Upper

Walk to town from this Hawi fixer upper listed at $299K

Hawi itself comes next. If you want to walk to town, there is a new listing ready for renovation on a charming little street called Banana Ranch Road for only $299,000 (MLS# 235243).

Oceanfront Ranch

Privacy or a small ranch, you choose…

Kohala Elementary and High Schools are appropriately located on a street called Honomakau which exhorts students to look fearlessly to the future. A small farm, horse property, or just privacy and views would be possible on a 17.5 acre oceanfront parcel at the end of this road, offered for $1,815,000 (MLS# 227114).

Ainakea Short Sale

Short Sale could be good for investor or future retiree

The Statue of Kamehameha is draped with dozens of lei in the annual ceremony in the town of Kapaau. Many residents of the moderately-priced Ainakea subdivision walked to town to watch the festivities. An investor or future retiree should snap up this 3BR/2BA Ainakea home (MLS# 234751) listed as a short sale at only $235,000 as the sellers would be happy to rent back!

Oceanfront Ag Land

This Ag land sits on a small peninsula

Continuing East is the neighborhood known as Halaula. The surf spot known as Lighthouse was used in Kamehameha’s Day and another oceanfront parcel of land for sale consisting of 9 acres of Ag-zoned land surrounded by 18 acres designated for conservation is only $1.3 million (MLS# 230624).

I’ve already written a blog post about the Halawa area where Kamehameha spent part of his youth and returned for R&R as a warrior and later king. No homes are currently on the market there, but three parcels ranging in size from 3 acres to 21 acres afford unobstructed ocean views and easy access to the water at Kapanaia Bay.

2 Luxury Estates

The next bend in the road takes you to Makapala. Two luxury estates are on the market here:

An Architectural Record home on over 70 acres meandering to the oceanfront listed for just under $10 million (MLS# 229636).

And a 6,000+ sq. ft. home on 12.7 acres planted in citrus orchards new on the market at $2.3 million (MLS# 234529).

2 Moderately Priced Homes

Last stop before Pololu Valley would be Niulii, and the road down to the ocean Keokea Park has two modestly priced listings:

A charming 2 bedroom cabin nestled above a gulch for $459,000 (MLS# 232963) which you could easily expand into a pod-style home.

And a starter home so close to the water you can hear the waves for only $385,000 (MLS# 232767)!

Thanks for accompanying me on this tour of historic North Kohala real estate!

Pololu Valley Sunrise

A hui hou,

Beth Thoma Robinson, R(S)
Direct: 808.443.4588 
Email: beth@hawaiilife.com

Related posts:

1. Big Island Properties For Sale in North Kohala
2. Historic Homes For Sale Near Hawi, North Kohala
3. North Kohala Real Estate Makes a Comeback

Tsunami season is upon us. Thankfully we were not inundated with water this past weekend. Prayers and thoughts go out to those in Chile where the earthquake that created the Tsunami originated.

I met with clients on Saturday at our Waimea Starbucks—which was closed in anticipation of their employees’ needs. I found it fascinating that the town was full of tourists. Their hotels had told them to come to Waimea where they would be safe.

People come to Hawaii for the warm sandy beaches and sunny weather. But when Mother Nature decides otherwise, flood areas near the beach can be quite disconcerting.

I live and work the Waimea real estate market, and know the ins and outs intimately. One of the interesting things about our Big Island “culture” is that many people who own homes or condos near the beach use them as weekend getaways—while they live full-time in Waimea town. Located around the 2,500 foot elevation, not only is Waimea safe from Tsunamis, but also offers cooler weather, and lush green scenery…not to mention a community that is not dependent on tourism for it’s economy.

Related posts:

1. Want to Know What’s Happening In The Big Island’s Waimea (Kamuela) This Labor Day Weekend?
2. Tsunami In Hawaii – U.S. Is Prepared
3. Things I Love About the Big Island’s Kamuela (Waimea)

Hawaii basically has just two seasons, winter and summer.

The weather is slightly cooler during the winter, though still quite tropical and warm. There is more rain during the winter, but sunny days are also common.

During winter you may need a sweatshirt or light jacket to keep warm during some brisk nights, but during the days temperatures are still often balmy and tropical. Temperatures in Hawaii are usually in the 70′s and 80′s during the daytime, all year around.

Due to the prevailing northeasterly trade winds, some areas of the Islands are wetter than others. Weather patterns in the Hawaiian Islands may also vary a bit depending on the locations of particular mountain ranges and other geographical features.

In general, the eastern (windward) sides of the islands tend to get more rain showers, as do the north shores. The west and south shores tend to be drier and hotter.

No matter what time of year it is, sunny conditions can almost always be found somewhere on the west and south shores, while the east and north shores are also sunny most of the time though usually a bit cooler and breezier.

Higher elevation areas can be much chillier, such as the Upcountry region on Maui, Kokee State Park on Kauai, and of course atop the Big Island Volcanoes of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea where snow is common.

However, most visitor accommodations are near sea level, and vacationers usually just visit the higher elevation areas and then return to the warm tropical weather near the coast.

Ocean temperatures in Hawaii are pleasant all year around. The water is about 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and dips only a few degrees during the winter months. This is warm enough for an enjoyable swim without any need for a wetsuit.

Many surfers wear a “spring suit” – a short, thin wetsuit – during the winter months, especially if they are in the water a long time. However, many surfers choose to surf without a wetsuit, even during winter.

Related posts:

1. When To Visit the Hawaiian Islands
2. Overview of the Hawaiian Islands – The Aloha State
3. Hawaii Has Weather Too!

“Hottest” Neighborhoods – Hawaii’s Five Hottest Neighborhoods in terms of real estate values are Wahiawa, Mililani, Ewa Plain, Aina Haina–Kuliouou, and Kapahulu–Diamond Head. The Top Five Condominium Areas are Kalihi-Palama, Kaneohe, Moanalua-Salt Lake, the Ewa Plain, and Waipahu.

“Coldest” Neighborhoods – Hawaii’s Coldest Five Neighborhoods are Waialae/Kahala, Pearl City-Aiea, Moanalua-Kailua, the Windward Coast, and the North Shore. The Coldest Five Condominium Areas are the North Shore, Wahiawa, Makaha-Nanakuli, Kapahulu-Kuliouou, and Ala Moana-Kakaako.

Here is a Summary of What The Article Says:

• Dual Market – The current sales slump is primarily in the high-end luxury segment of Hawaii’s real estate market – about three-fourths of home sales are less than $800,000, and three-fourths of condo sales are under $400,000.
• Selling Your Home – Be realistic when setting the price if you are eager to sell your home.  Make sure you beat the prices of similar homes in your area, and make sure your property is in good condition.  In the current market fewer people interested in fixer-uppers.
• Price Declines – During the last year, some Oahu neighborhoods have seen price declines of up to 37% from the previous year, and sales declines of more than 34%.  Many local economists see this as a cyclical process, as median prices in Hawaii more than doubled between 2000 and 2007.
• Inventory – There is a relatively high inventory for Hawaii homes above $1 million, but homes in the $500,000 range have normal inventory levels. Currently there are relatively low levels of inventory on Oahu, about the same as the previous year, and this will serve to protect prices from any further steep declines.
• Hawaii is unlike many mainland areas where massive overdevelopment has caused a glut of available homes.  Many home Buyers in Hawaii bought their homes to live in them and this signals a long term commitment that will tend to protect prices.
• Buyers in Hawaii are generally more conservative in terms of their intent and financing, which will also help keep Hawaii real estate prices from further steep declines.
• Honolulu Most Stable – Homes in neighborhoods near Honolulu – such as Nuuanu, Manoa, and Aina Haina – have maintained their value better than most other locations on Oahu.
• Interest Rates – The low interest rates that are currently available are helpful to Hawaii’s real estate market, though more stringent lending requirements – including higher FICO credit scores and bigger down payments – have made it much harder to qualify for a mortgage.
• Refinancing – Some Hawaii mortgage companies have seen Refinancing loans increase by more than 30% in the first quarter of 2009. However, Refinancing requirements have also become more stringent due to declining property values.

Related posts:

1. Aina Haina Real Estate – One of East Oahu’s Hottest Neighborhoods
2. Honolulu Now Middle of the Pack for Nation’s Foreclosures
3. Home Prices Are Rising on Oahu

When the driver of the rental car shuttle at Kona airport gives his little “welcome to the Big Island” speech, he will undoubtedly tell you that Hawaii Island is like a microcosm of the planet, with 10 of the world’s 14 or 15 identified climatic zones.

Those of us who live here can attest that it is also an island of microclimates, as the mountainous topography and variety of winds sometimes create little pockets where the weather differs significantly from locations a few miles on either side. “How much rain does it get here?” is one of the questions Big Island real estate agents hear most often.

Hilo on the Big Island’s East side is the wettest city in the United States, receiving at least 100 inches of rainfall in even its driest years. The Kohala Coast gets only a tenth of that rainfall, which is why the resorts are located there in the abundant sunshine (the eternal green of the golf courses, the palm trees and tropical flowers are the result of ample irrigation). Kona coffee depends on afternoon rains that are typical of the summer months, whereas the green of the Hawi to Pololu area in North Kohala is thanks to spring rains carried on the prevailing trade winds.

Under the shelter of Mauna Kea, upcountry Waimea (Kamuela) is split into a dry side and a green side. Due to its elevation, Waimea residents can be identified by the fact that they own lots of hoodies and indulge in leather jackets in the winter and some homes even have forced air heating.

Big Island Rainfall Map

I mention that areas have different seasonal patterns, because seasonal weather is especially important in deciding which district of the Big Island is right for you when you are looking at buying property here for part-year use, or for agricultural uses. And just using the averages does not really convey what it is like living in a given location. For example, Seattle has a reputation for having a rainy climate, but its annual rainfall of 36 or 37 inches is less than in many places without the reputation such as agricultural Sonoma, California. The difference is in the number of days the weather is damp. The psychological experience is very different when you have clouds and rain almost every day, versus a pattern of sunny days and evening squalls, or a couple of wet winter months followed by beautiful summers.

The compact size of the Big Island also is an advantage when it comes to weather. Visitors staying in the dry Kohala Coast resorts are often astonished when they turn the corner into Hawi and see green pastures and lush tropical valleys with waterfalls reminiscent of Kauai. Conversely, when those of us living in Hawi or Kapaau, or Waimea tire of winter rain, all we have to do is drive 20 minutes to bask on a sunny beach!

Additional Resources:

• Hawaii County Databook
• Weather comparisons for Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island

Related posts:

1. Rainfall and the Different Climates on the Big Island
2. Green Side Real Estate Sales Still Strong In Kamuela, Big Island
3. Waimea, Big Island Is Tsunami Safe

The cover story in this morning’s West Hawaii Today is about viewing the current activity at Halemaumau Crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Like many people, the presence of an active volcano was the reason I first visited the

Cinder cone on Mauna Loa, Hawaii

Big Island some thirty years ago. At that time Mauna Loa was erupting, and my partner and I made reservations with the Park Service to spend the night in cabins on a 3-day hike to the summit, where we could stay up late on a crystal clear night watching the glow and pops of molten lava in the crater below.

Although every visitor dreams of seeing a lava flow up close and personal, every prospective buyer of Big Island real estate hopes NOT to see lava flowing to their doorstep! Last week, I wrote about vog conditions resulting from the current eruption pattern, so it seems appropriate to tackle the more fundamental potential risks of living on an island with active volcanoes.

Although scientists studying the eruptions of Kilauea and Mauna Loa are learning more each day about the nature of volcanic activity, the predictive power of their theories is weak, both on the when and the where of a lava flow that could significantly affect inhabited areas. However, since most parts of the Big Island have not had lava flows for hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of years, the U.S. Geological Survey feels confident enough to map Lava Hazard Zones based upon the likelihood of areas receiving a near-term flow of lava. Lava Zone 1 is the most hazardous (a few areas on the flanks of the active volcanoes where most recent outbreaks have occurred) and Lava Zone 9 is the least hazardous (in North Kohala which is also the lowest vog zone).

Big Island Lava Flows since 1800

The orange squiggles in the map above show lava flows in the last 200 years or so. The lines around the middle on the left side of the map are all the lava you see in Kailua-Kona and driving up from the Kona airport to the Kohala Coast resorts. From a practical point of view, the Lava Zones are 3 and 4, which means that you will not have any premium on your insurance as the chances are negligible of you seeing a lava flow from your lanai.

You will also notice a heavy pattern of lines going to the center right of the map which is Hilo Bay, along the border between lava zones 2/3 and the sheltered zone 8. Notice that although the current eruption is at Kilauea, it is Mauna Loa, silent for 25 years, whose next eruption concerns scientists and should be of concern to homeowners in the zones considered most likely to be affected. If you own property in areas shown as Lava Hazard Zone 2 in Puna, Ka’u and South Kona districts, you will pay a higher homeowners insurance premium.

How much do Big Island residents worry day-to-day about the potential dangers of the next eruption? Certainly no more than California residents worry about living on the San Adreas fault. Definitely less than residents of the Gulf Coast worry about hurricanes. Even less than the typical Midwesterner or New England native thinks about blizzards and ice storms.

And neither earthquakes nor hurricanes nor snowstorms give Mainland residents a good reason to take a long weekend vacation. Whereas we might spend the night near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, drive down to look for glow after dark, perhaps watch one of the many cultural programs or take a class at the Volcano Center for the Arts!

Additional Resources:

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Official Website
• Island of Hawaii Lava Hazard Zones Map
• Volcano Art Center

Related posts:

1. Kilauea Volcano – A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight
2. A World of Climate Zones on the Big Island
3. Stories of Hawaiian Lava

Oahu is about 44 miles long by 30 miles wide, and the island’s prominent geographical features are two parallel mountain ranges: the older Wai’anae Mountains on the west side and the deep-furrowed Ko’olau Mountains on the east side. These mountain ranges are aligned perpendicular to the northeast trade winds, creating a wet windward side of Oahu (the eastern side) and a much drier leeward side.

There are at least 100 white-sand beaches, from the world famous Waikiki Beach in Honolulu to the Pipeline where the world’s best surfers challenge the giant winter waves.

About 400,000 people live in Honolulu, the state’s capital which is also the largest city in the island chain and the 11th largest in the country. Honolulu is also the best place in the Islands to live if you want a serious career in banking, commerce, law, politics, or business.

As a general rule, the farther you get from Honolulu, the lower home prices become. Above Waikiki are many nice Honolulu neighborhoods with a mix of modern homes and older plantation-style homes. These areas—such as Kamehameha Heights, Pacific Heights, Nu’uanu, Makiki, and Manoa Valley—offer nice views and a peaceful atmosphere removed from the hustle and bustle of the city and highways yet still just a short commute to town.

South of Waikiki are the very desirable neighborhoods of Diamond Head, Black Point, and Kahala where the homes are quite expensive and most of the homes have ocean views.

Beyond Kahala on the southern shore is Aina Haina which offers a hodge-podge of architectural styles, and the planned community of Hawaii Kai, which is popular among newcomers and offers a mix of hillside homes, condominiums, and marina townhouses on Koko Marina. Development continues in this area leading to concerns about adequate infrastructure.

Following along the south coast on Kalaniana’ole Highway leads to the popular marine preserve of Hanauma Bay, a major visitor attraction, and also Halona Bay where Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster had an amorous encounter in the movie From Here to Eternity. Rounding the bend to the east side of the island you will come to Sea Life Park and the windward community of Waimanalo.

North of Waikiki the housing is less expensive in Pearl City, Aiea, Salt Lake, and Waipahu where there is government subsidized housing and also military housing. Some would consider this area a bit crowded.

Farther to the northwest is the commercial hub of Waikele and the planned communities of Mililani and Kapolei with many single family homes and close access to shopping centers. There are many high density developments throughout this area but for the most part they are clean and safe, offering good opportunities for first time home buyers and middle income families. There are many community parks, and the schools are usually considered fairly good even though they may be somewhat overcrowded.

On the other side of the deeply-furrowed Ko’olau Mountains is the town of Kaneohe overlooking Kaneohe Bay. Nearby is the town of Kailua bordering beautiful Kailua Beach. This is the northeast side of Oahu—the windward side. These suburb areas tend to be mostly Caucasian and the home prices are mid-range with above average schools. The commute to Honolulu from here is not too bad due to the access provided by the Pali and Likelike Highways.

Further north on the windward side the Kamehameha Highway traverses the coastline beneath the deeply furrowed and stunningly beautiful Ko’olau Mountains. There are many old plantation-style homes along this stretch of the northern shore which is relatively quiet compared to Honolulu and its environs.

Of course there are also many nice beaches in this area also, and beach towns such as Kahalu’u, Waiahole, Ka’a'awa, Hau’ula, and La’ie provide housing for many newcomers as well as long time locals.

The tourist town of Haleiwa is often visited by surfers who come from around the world to try the famous waves of nearby Sunset Beach and Banzai Pipeline. The nearby area called Pupukea has many small estates that look over this north shore wonderland.

On the Leeward Coast, a drier side of Oahu, are towns such as Makaha and Waianae with populations generally more local than other areas. Bordered by the Wai’anae Mountains, these areas offer perhaps the least expensive housing, with many smaller and older homes. There are also many nice beaches nearby.

Related posts:

1. Where to Find Oceanfront Condos on Oahu
2. Overview of Honolulu
3. Two Oahu Beaches Make Top 10 List in America

If you are new to looking for real estate in Hawaii, the term “vog” may be new to you, even if you live in an area on the Mainland where you are well acquainted with “smog.” “Vog,” a term meaning “volcanic smog”, was coined in the early 1980′s as the longest recorded eruption of the Kilauea volcano took its current form. (I had to look it up, “smog” itself is a contraction of “smoke” and “fog” first used in the U.K. to describe the result of industrial air pollution mixing with moisture in the air). In a very similar way to the formation of smog from industrial or vehicular emissions on the Mainland, particulates spewing into the air from the volcano’s eruption create conditions that limit visibility and pose potential health hazards.

Vog not only affects the Big Island, where the source is located. Depending on the prevailing winds, I’ve had friends in Honolulu complain about vog obscuring the sunset, even as I watched a perfect one along the Kohala Coast, and other friends gave up their winter home property in Hana on Maui because of the husband’s respiratory difficulties.  Which brings me to the health effects.

In the past six months or so, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions have increased with Halema’uma’u crater adding to emissions from the Pu’u O’o vent. Typically you might notice itchy eyes, nose, throat or skin when sulfur dioxide levels are high. Children, and people with other respiratory conditions such as asthma, are considered at risk when emissions are elevated.

Although we were dismayed by the temporary loss of our clear skies and beautiful vistas in Kohala, from a health perspective we are less bothered than people living nearer the Volcano. Particulates can travel quite some distance, but the SO2 levels diminish as they travel away from the source. Similarly, our flower and produce growers in the Northern districts of the Big Island do not have nearly the problems with acid rain on their crops as those in the south Kona and Ka’u districts.

The southern districts are also more likely to have homes on rainwater catchment for their drinking water. Acid rain can affect the quality of catchment water. A USGS fact sheet is available describing vog and its effects in more detail and you can check on emissions levels at the source on the Volcanoes National Park website.

To put “vog” into perspective, my brother is here visiting and we were speculating about how the vog compared with the smog we experienced as kids in Colorado, especially when winter temperature inversions trapped auto emissions in the Denver metropolitan area. The government AirNow website is a resource to check the air quality where you live.

Today looks pretty good all over the U.S. including Hawaii. The only alerts are in Bakersfield and Fresno, California, where ozone looks to be the problem. For detailed information specific to the Big Island, Oahu and Maui, check out Hawaii daily air quality data.

You can also download a brochure prepared by the County of Hawaii on Emissions from Kilauea Volcano at www.lavainfo.us.

Related posts:

1. Paniolo Life on the Big Island of Hawaii
2. Big Island is Hawaii’s Most Affordable Island for Homes and Condos
3. Lava Zones on the Big Island

Buying a piece of Honolulu real estate is best if you want a serious career in banking, commerce, law, politics, or business.

As a general rule, the farther you get from Honolulu, the lower home prices become. Above Waikiki are many nice Honolulu neighborhoods with a mix of modern homes and older plantation-style homes. These areas—such as Kamehameha Heights, Pacific Heights, Nu’uanu, Makiki, and Manoa Valley—offer nice views and a peaceful atmosphere removed from the hustle and bustle of the city and highways yet still just a short commute to town.

South of Waikiki are the very desirable neighborhoods of Diamond Head, Black Point, and Kahala where the homes are quite expensive and most of the homes have ocean views.

Beyond Kahala on the southern shore is Aina Haina, which offers a hodge-podge of architectural styles, and the planned community of Hawai’i Kai, which is popular among newcomers and offers a mix of hillside homes, condominiums, and marina townhouses on Koko Marina. Development continues in this area leading to concerns about adequate infrastructure.

Waikiki
Waikiki is a cosmopolitan melting pot of hotels, parks, gourmet restaurants, fast food outlets, lively dance clubs, countless shopping opportunities, nightlife, and something for just about everyone.

Just ½-mile wide by 1½ miles long, Waikiki has more than 25,000 residents, 70,000 visiting tourists, 500 restaurants, more than 1,000 shops, and more than 190 hotels and vacation condominiums, and hundreds of entertainment venues.

Waikiki is also lined with white sandy beaches and relatively calm water. This world famous beach resort area is the center of the Aloha State’s billion-dollar tourism industry.

Throughout Waikiki there is a mix of residential condominium buildings and hotels including such historic landmarks as the Royal Moana Hotel built in 1901, and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel built in 1927 and known as “The Pink Palace of the Pacific.”

The east end of Waikiki near Kapi’olani Park and Diamond Head Crater is generally the quieter and more desirable section with a mix of low rise condominium homes and single family residences. This tree-lined area at the Diamond Head end of Kalakaua Avenue is often referred to as the “Gold Coast.” The homes and condominiums there—in the neighborhoods of Diamond Head, Black Point, and Kahala—are some of the most expensive homes in all of Hawai’i.

Makiki/Manoa
Makiki is central to downtown Honolulu, Waikiki, and the University of Hawai’i—Manoa, causing this area to be popular among students as well as professionals working in Honolulu.

The lower area of Makiki is comprised primarily of condominium’s with a few single family homes mixed in. There is a wide variety of condominium styles (walk-up, low rise, high rise) that vary significantly in price range.

The lush hillside neighborhoods of Makiki Heights and Tantalus have single-family homes in the high price range that offer dramatic views of the city extending all the way to Diamond Head and the ocean beyond. Like most Honolulu neighborhoods, there is an eclectic mix of modern homes and old plantation-style homes.

Manoa extends deep into the lush valley, and many of the homes along these tree-lined streets display a traditional New England style architecture, providing a very quaint neighborhood feel throughout the community.

This area also has several restaurants, shopping centers, and the University of Hawai’i—Manoa. There are several public and private schools, two hospitals, and also churches. Manoa’s beauty is in large part due to the amount of rain it receives, so make sure to have a good umbrella.

Ala Moana/Kaka’ako
Ala Moana and Kaka’ako are located at the very edge of the Waikiki district and therefore attracts a large number of visitors. Many of the luxury high-end condominiums in the area offer spectacular ocean, park, and city views.

Nearby is Ala Moana Shopping Center, Oahu’s largest regional shopping center, and also Ward Centre, so residents and visitors have many shopping, dining, and entertainment options. They also have easy access to Ala Moana Beach Park which provides a wonderful place to walk, jog, swim, and enjoy your days.

Nearby communities are Kapi’olani, Ward, and Kanau where some older single-family homes are scattered amongst the many low rise and high-rise condominiums.

Downtown / Nu’uanu
Honolulu is the state capital and the center of business and commerce. The downtown district is comprised mainly of commercial buildings and a few quality condominiums near the ocean just outside of the business district and Chinatown.

Most of these condominiums offer wonderful ocean or mountain views. There are also many wonderful dining, shopping, and nightlife options in Honolulu’s business district.

On the slopes and hillsides of the Nu’uanu area are primarily older single-family homes built on 6,000 to 8,000 square foot lots. Some larger estates on the lush hills of Nu’uanu and Pacific Heights carry high price tags and offer breathtaking panoramic city and ocean views. There are also numerous private and public schools, shopping centers, churches and a hospital.

Moanalua / Salt Lake
Moanalua is an established community of single-family homes in the valley and along the hillside. Aloha Stadium is nearby and is the home to concerts, fairs, and athletic competitions like the world famous Pro Bowl. Two hospitals and numerous public schools, churches, and shopping centers are also located in this area.

The community of Salt Lake is predominately medium to high-rise condominiums with some nicer single-family homes surrounding a golf course. This region is considered the most affordable place to live in the Honolulu (Metro Oahu) district and is a mix of military and local residents.

All of the communities in this region are just a short distance to downtown Honolulu, The Honolulu International Airport, Hickam Air Force Base, and the Pearl Harbor Navy Base.

Related posts:

1. Overview of Oahu – The Gathering Place
2. Luxury Real Estate Along the Honolulu Marathon Course
3. Trump Tower Waikiki #2602 For Sale in Honolulu

If you’ve thought about improving your health, relocating to Hawaii is a great start. You only live once and you deserve it.

Related posts:

1. Forbes Ranks Honolulu as 3rd Safest City
2. Favorite Things To Do in My Favorite City in Hawaii – Honolulu
3. Overview of Honolulu