Oahu is a beautiful island, some say the most spectacular beaches are here, especially Kailua, Waikiki, Makaha and along the North Shore. And when you envision living an island lifestyle you might think of living on a beachfront property.
But there are pockets of real estate in Honolulu that are not on the beach – nonetheless falls in the luxury homes category – that may surprise you with their own unique charms.
Koko Kai
When visitors head out on the drive from Waikiki to snorkel at Hanauma Bay, they marvel at the poetically inspiring half crescent of a large bay called Maunalua Bay to their right. As they drive along, nearly reaching Hanauma Bay they see what looks to be two mountains. They are part of the same ancient volcano. The one on the left is Koko Head Crater and the one on the right closer to the ocean is actually part of Koko Head and holds a smaller crater called Monoula Crater. The base of the crater is generally known by most residents “Portlock.“ But there is a gem of a neighborhood tucked in here If you follow the crescent of Maunalua Bay to the very end of landfall snugly set against the base of the crater you will be in the uber luxurious Koko Kai neighborhood. Homes here on the promontory called Kawaihoa Point, border the ocean or are set up high enough for a commanding view of the ocean and bay all the way to iconic Diamond Head. As befits the setting, properties here boast some of the most beautiful and “ island-style-elegant estate homes on the island. If you make your home on the point, you will also have a front row seat to the Na Wahine O Ke Kai, or Moloka’i Hoe, the women’s and men’s Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe races from Moloka’i held each fall. They paddle very near the rocky ledges here as they race for the finish line in Waikiki.
Napali Haweo
High up on the backbone of Kamehame Ridge at the very end of the Hawaii Kai basin Napali ( the cliffs) Haweo ( loosely translated as “place of honor“) rises up toward the heavens. Aptly named, inspiring views here can stretch in one direction over the next valley called Kalama Valley to Sandy Beach and Makapu‘u Point or look over Hawaii Kai to Maunalua Bay and beyond out to the ocean. On a clear day you can look straight into the big blue Pacific and see Moloka’i and possibly Maui. Homes here are relatively newer as the area was not developed until well after mid-1970‘s. Many have been updated and some are new. They are largely architect designed and are on the larger side of Hawaii homes. A family or a couple desiring a friendly neighborhood to enjoy their island lifestyle would feel at home.
Kai Nani
This is the crown jewel of the Waialae-Kahala area. With relatively few homes in this small enclave of large lots, every home was sited and designed to showcase the fantastic location. Exclusivity does not mean a lack of variety of vistas and or architectural styles. Some border a hole of the Waialae Golf Course famous for the Pro-Tour Sony Open. Others are direct ocean and one the “Sony Tutu House” has both. International captains of industry, CEOs, and a retired admiral have all made their homes here. As there are only a very few homes, offerings available to purchase are rare. This is very refined living Waialae-Kahala style. Those desiring a close proximity to the prestigious Waialae Golf Club would find heaven here.
Maunalani Heights
Long a kama’aina ( literally child of the land, but used as Hawaii born person) favorite, Maunalani Heights is a very settled neighborhood with incredible views to Waialae-Kahala, the back of Diamond Head Crater, Waikiki and of course a panorama of ocean. One must start at the base of this ridge in the cool old town of Kaimuki and travel up Wilhelmina Rise or Sierra Drive to get to Maunalani heights. Wilhelmina Rise is a steep road rising straight up whereas the Sierra Drive route is a switch back. First you climb through an older area with very small houses. Then the houses get a little larger most with a single car garage which tells you about the age of these homes. Finally the yards and houses get larger, the driveways longer and there are more trees and landscaping. You will notice that some of the streets have English names like Lurline, Monterey Drive, Matsonia, Mariposa, which were named for ships of the Matson Navigation Company who was a developer here. If you are driving on Wilhelmina you will pass a lovely wooded park and playground. At the top is Maunalani Circle and Mana Place. These homes are most elegant, some preserving original details dating to the 1930’s. Some have large property by Honolulu standards. A gracious, quiet and beautiful area, most people raise their families here and never want to leave.
Tantalus
Tantalus to people raised on Oahu is like the great beyond.White and yellow ginger perfumes the twisty drive ( perfect for your Porsche) and the air is cool and fragrant in the wooded beauty. So where is it ? If you look up from Waikiki you’ll see a deep valley called Manoa Valley. Forming the left flank of this valley is Round Top. You will have to drive further up the road of the same name up into Tantalus Mountain to find your rain forest jungle dream. Lush and verdant, everything grows here. The estates and homes in Tantalus are usually tucked down a long drive or perched on the mountain with views from Diamond Head to Ewa, or into Nu‘uanu. It is the most beautiful place to watch the sunset from your aerie here among the birds. Or stay a bit longer as the lights come on to twinkle in a wash of starlight. People desiring privacy and who dream of the perfect tropical paradise will be drawn here.
Honolulu’s most famous luxury real estate can be found in Kahala, Diamond Head and Black Point.