- Condos account for about two-thirds of Honolulu’s residential real estate. Since the 1960s, condo living has been the dominant housing choice here. With a large tourism industry needing workers, the State government based in Honolulu, and most of Hawaii’s finance and business sectors concentrated here, nearly 70% of Hawaii’s population resides on Oahu. Limited land, a push to preserve nature, and efforts to improve affordability make vertical building the practical solution.
- Honolulu condos for sale range from studios under $200,000 in a few older buildings to penthouses exceeding $20 million in ultra-luxury properties Ilima and Park Lane.
- Most condo buildings enforce a minimum 30-day rental period, with many requiring longer terms per their house rules. Only a small number permit short-term vacation rentals. Learn more on our condo hotels for sale page. Popular investor condo hotels include Ilikai, Waikiki Sunset and Waikiki Banyan. Lifestyle-focused condo hotels include Ritz-Carlton Waikiki and Ka Lai Waikiki.
The 3 Regions Honolulu condos are grouped into three main areas:
- Metro Honolulu: Covers neighborhoods like Waikiki, Kakaako, and Ala Moana. Over 90% of Honolulu’s condos are here.
- Diamond Head: Features 16 oceanfront condos along the Gold Coast, built in the 1950s and 60s at the base of Diamond Head near Kapiolani Park. Modern setback rules make these irreplaceable, driving their value.
- Hawaii Kai: The easternmost part of Honolulu, with a mix of high-rise and low-rise condos, some on a scenic marina in a townhouse style. See our blog post on marina-front properties.
Popular Neighborhoods Honolulu’s condo neighborhoods each have a distinct character, shaped by location, surroundings, or developer intent. Here’s a look at three key areas:
- Waikiki
Waikiki has over 130 condos - more than any other Honolulu neighborhood. It’s the hub for condo hotels like Ilikai, Ritz-Carlton and Waikiki Beach Tower. Most buildings are older, but newer popular residential options include The Watermark (2008), Lanikea at Waikiki (2005) and Allure Waikiki (2009). These require a minimum 30-day rental term per tenant. With great beaches, shopping, and dining, Waikiki suits those who want urban energy.
- Kakaako
Kakaako, between Ala Moana and Downtown, is Honolulu’s fastest-growing neighborhood, adjacent to Ala Moana Beach Park. Two master plans - Ward Village by Howard Hughes Corporation and Our Kakaako by Kamehameha Schools - are adding over 20 new condos, plus wider sidewalks, shops, and restaurants. Kakaako has the most luxury condos in Honolulu, including Hokua (2006), Waiea (2016), Victoria Place (2024), Alia (2027), Kalae (2027), Launiu (2028) and Ilima (2030).
- Ala Moana
Known for Ala Moana Shopping Center and Beach Park, Ala Moana traditionally had older condos along Atkinson Drive. That shifted with One Ala Moana (2014), a luxury tower on the Kapiolani Blvd side of the shopping center, and Park Lane Ala Moana (2017), an ultra-luxury project on the Ala Moana Blvd side. Since more developments have taken place and / or are in the works such as Azure Ala Moana (2021), Sky Ala Moana (2021), Renaissance Residences (2021) and Muse Honolulu (2028).
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