See our
aerial video of Kaneohe Town homes.
Kaneohe is the largest and most urban town on the Windward side of Oahu. It has a number of neighborhoods in a wide variety of geographic landscapes, from lush valleys nestled right against the Koolau Mountains, country farms, waterfront neighborhoods along Kaneohe Bay, and a bustling town center. Because Kaneohe literally borders the mountains, it gets a lot of rain, which keeps the vegetation green and beautiful. The rain also creates waterfalls that flow from the top of the Koolaus and can be seen from many vantage points in Kaneohe. Although the town borders Kaneohe Bay, there’s not much of a beach area here. However, the Kaneohe Bay Yacht Club, Heeia Pier, and boat access ramps along the bay allow anyone with a boat to access the water. Kayaking and paddleboarding are also popular activities for residents who want to take advantage of their close proximity to the ocean.
About Kaneohe Town Kaneohe Town is appropriately named, as it’s the town center. A 2-miles stretch of Kamehameha Highway, the main drag, is lined with shopping centers, offices and commercial buildings. Other towns on the Windward side have a cozy, small town feel, but Kaneohe is decidedly busier and more urban. Car dealerships, grocery stores, drug stores, and fast food restaurants dominate the shopping centers, which are designed more like strip malls than small town shopping centers. There are a number of local restaurants and businesses that neighbor the big name stores, and the are nice options when you’re looking for something unique, with a local flavor. A medium-sized shopping mall, Windward Mall, is located at the northern end of Kaneohe along the Kamehameha Hwy., featuring national department stores like Sears and Macy’s, surf shops, Hawaii-centric shops, boutiques and a theater.
Kaneohe played a major role during World War II and experienced significant damage, so the town had to be completely rebuilt. Most of the homes and commercial buildings that are here today were built between 1970 and 1999, though some were built as early as 1950. For this reason, many of them look very similar. Real estate in Kaneohe Town consists of small to medium single family homes, with 1 to 4 bedrooms. Houses in Kaneohe Town are located off a number of streets that intersect with Kamehameha Hwy. Most of the Kaneohe Town homes are considered to be established, in good condition but not ultra modern. Many have undergone renovations to the interior spaces (floors, kitches and bathrooms), and some have been expanded, with additional rooms, a second floor, or an ohana unit (usually a studio or 1 BR where an aging parent, adult child or other family member can live). While there may not be a lot of diversity in the original designs of the houses here, with renovations and simply adding your own style to the interior design, it’s not hard to make a Kaneohe Town house your home.
Most houses in Kaneohe Town are on lots in the 4,000 - 7,000sqf range with a smaller portion on spacious lots, which is a special thing on Oahu. Because rainfall is plentiful, there is lush vegetation all over. In many yards, you’ll find lilikoi (passion fruit), guava, bananas, other fruit and tropical flowers growing throughout the year. Even on lots that are not as spacious, the green grass, trees and foliage add a nice touch to any property.
Buying a home in Kaneohe Town can also be a great investment. With
Kaneohe Marine Corps Base on the outskirts of the town and a number of military bases on island, rental housing is in high demand. Kaneohe is convenient for soldiers in the Marine Corps, but it’s also an easy commute over the H-3 to
Pearl Harbor and
Hickam Air Force Base. The Windward side is a top place to live for lots of folks in the military, so fi you decide to rent out your Kaneohe house or the ohana unit that isn’t occupied, it won’t be hard to find a renter.
Kaneohe Town is a great place to call home because it is surrounded by such beauty - mountains on one side, ocean on the other - and it conveniently offers residents easy access to just about anything they may need or want. It’s also an easy commute to Honolulu for work. And despite the traffic and noise you’ll find on the main roads, as soon as you turn off of them, it’s quiet and serene.
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