Hawaii Kai Townhomes & Marina Condos You Need to See 🏝️

Aloha, this is David and today we're going to do a tour on the townhomes here in Hawaii Kai because we did a video a little while back about some of the high rises which you see directly behind me but now I want to cover all the townhomes here in Hawaii Kai. There's some incredible projects some of which are gonna be directly on the marina such as Kuapa Isle here behind me is the Moorings and Gateway Peninsula out the back.

We're going to cover these in no particular order, kind of alphabetical in a sense, and we're gonna be starting with Colony at the Peninsula, which is on the other side of the marina here. So I hope you enjoy this tour of townhomes here in Hawaii Kai.

Colony at the Peninsula

The first project we're going to cover today is Colony at the Peninsula. I wouldn't necessarily call these townhomes, but the reason why I have an asterisk here and we're throwing them into this video is because on my previous video we only did high rises which are seven or more stories. The Colony here at The Peninsula is only a four-story building and then you've got the parking underneath and I watched these go up there built. I was a firefighter here in Hawaii Kai between 19, excuse me, 2000 and the year 2007. And so I watched all these get built from scratch. Stanford Carr was the developer and there are three buildings that were built here.

These buildings were built after the main part of The Peninsula, which is behind this gate behind me. There's two entrances to the peninsula, one here off the bridge and then you're going to have another off Lunalilo Home Road. And I'm going to get to the peninsula in another segment here, but back to the Colony of the Peninsula. There's three buildings. They have a mix of one, two and three bedroom units. I love them. They're high ceilings. They have nice lanais. Some of them do overlook the road here and some of them can overlook the fire station on the other side. I watched them all get built up from the ground up, but in addition to that, some of them could have really nice views of Koko Crater here out the back. So this is the Colony of the Peninsula.

Colony Marina

Next up, we have Colony Marina, which is built in 1969. There's 26 units and it's wide off Kawaihae Street, so it is a little bit of a busier street and then it's right across the streets on Keokea Place across from Marina Palms that we're going to cover later. Colony Marina is kind of similar to Marina Palms in that they're two-story units. But we're going to come back to this common theme throughout this video is one of the huge perks about living in Hawaii Kai and particularly a property like this is there is a canal where the marina is directly behind here and on the backside of this property. Colony Marina was built in 1969, 26 units, they do have covered parking unlike Marina Palms across the street. So you do have covered parking here and you also have some little courtyard and enclosed patio areas as well. So Colony Marina here in Hawaii Kai and we're on Keokea Place.

Gateway Peninsula

Now, we have Gateway Peninsula in Hawaii Kai and the addresses start right here off Kawaihae Street at the entrance to Hawaii Kai and you've got 201 through 215. They're all going to be odd numbers. What I love about these Gateway Peninsula units is you can have a boat dock right out your back door, which is incredible. I've had friends that have lived over the years and when you're on the second stories there you can see right over Kalanianaole Highway here across the street of the ocean and where Hui Nalu launches their canoes. You can take a stand at paddleboard right underneath this bridge here.

As far as common areas go, Gateway Peninsula does have a swimming pool that's right here off the highway that you're going to enter off the driveway around the corner. And the reason why it is called Gateway Peninsula is it's literally at the Gateway to Hawaii Kai. You've got Mount Terrace there, then across the street we've got Napua Point that we're going to talk about later. Love the American flag. Gateway Peninsula was done in 1972. They're two level units but what you can see they do have covered parking. There's carports where you can park. They're not attached directly to your unit, but what's nice is when you walk into your unit they have like little courtyard areas.

During one of my episodes on HGTV, we filmed at one of those units around the corner That was on the canal over 10 years ago. I put a little video together all I'll pop in here to give you an idea of what that episode was about and what some of the real estate we covered and what prices went for then and what they go for now. Back to Gateway Peninsula, it’s another killer town home location here in Hawaii Kai built in 1972 a one more thing. When these were built, they were originally leasehold condos, so the fee purchase became available from Kamehameha schools back in like the early 2000s. The HOA chomped at the bit and they bought it in bulk and then each of the individual owners bought them. So pretty much all the resales you see hitting the market at Gateway Peninsula are going to all be fee simple.

Hawaii Kai CP

Alrighty, so the next project we're going to talk about is Hawaii Kai CP and CP is an acronym for Condo Project. This is a little sleeper project. They're all on Kawaihae Street. Not many people are aware of this because there's no sign out front. So we're up on Kawaihae Street, which you may recognize from some other clips. So the huge bonus about these Hawaii Kai CP units that you'll see in MLS, they come up very seldomly because people like to hold on to these. There's no true, they almost have their own, they have their own address, but there's no true maintenance fees. So you'll have like two plexes, four plexes. Most of them are built in the 60s. What I love about it is the setup on these is they have no maintenance fees, like I mentioned. They just kind of work with their neighbors on the roofing and the painting. Once again, this is the lifestyle, we're trying to capture here in Hawaii Kai, all these papayas and plumerias. One of the really cool things, you see across the road or the canal on that side, those are all Hawaii Kai CP units. They're all directly on the water and most of them have their own boat docks. I've got friends that live in these and they just really love them. Owners can have all the one-man's and all the toys you get to keep out on the water to go for a little spin in the marina or out to the ocean. Once again, Hawaii Kai CP here in Hawaii Kai.

Kaimala Marina

Next up is Kamala Marina at 444 Lunalilo Home Road and it’s adjacent to the Esplanade. It's built in 1972. There's wood frame construction and there's a mix of one, two and three bedroom units. It is directly on the marina, which is nice. However, not all the units in here front of the marina. But what's nice is there's an ample amount of boat docks, so it's not super hard to get a boat slip here, even if you're not directly on the water. Wood frame construction, but it's a little sleeper here. There's not going to be any covered parking but there's a fair amount of guest parking here.

Kalama Kuu

Next up we have Kalama Kuu. This is going to be the only town home project in Kalama Valley, which is going to be the furthest neighborhood east in Hawaii Kai. These were developed in 2002 by Schuler D.R. Horton and preceded two other projects that were on the other side of the ridge here at Moana Kai and Nanea Kai.

Here at Kalama Kuu there's a mix of two, three, and four bedroom units and most of them are going to be attached units such as this and they stretch all the way out the back towards Hawaii Kai Golf Course and then they do have a detached single family home product in here. I've sold one of those actually that particular unit if you want to watch a video of that I'll throw in the links here but this is Kalama Kuu here in Kalama Valley built in 2002 by D.R. Horton.

There's 64 units total here at Kalamaku'u and there's guest parking in the front. And so once again, Kalama Kuu here off Mokuhano Street in Hawaii Kai's Kalama Valley.

Kalele Kai

Next up we have Kalele Kai. This is going to be another killer project that's directly on the marina in Hawaii Kai. This was built in 1973. There's 216 units with a mix of two and three bedrooms and they're spread out over several buildings one two and three and then what's really unique or interesting about these is I'm calling this town homes even though it's kind of like a mid-rise. These are only these are six stories. So, they didn't make the cut on the video that I did of the seven story or more high rises here in Hawaii Kai.

We're covering Kalele Kai now and what's unique about Kalele Kai is directly on the water they have these gigantic town homes that are attached on the front and they're super nice They're roughly around 2,000 square feet and these the interior of these condos what I love about them is they're super high ceilings. The two bedrooms are very spacious. They're like 1400 square feet with lanais. When I was a firefighter here, we did tours of this project quite often and it was a really well-run facility there's a swimming pool here in the middle. Like I said, it's directly on the water and from a convenient standpoint You have Hawaii Kai Shopping Center right next door and there you've got Safeway, Longs Drugs, all kinds of good restaurants, Island Brew coffee shop and more. I highly recommend Kalele Kai here in Hawaii Kai and this is not to be confused with Mawaena Kai, which is going to be next door. At Kalele Kai, the address is One Keahole Place, which is hard to forget.

Kaluanui

Okay, next up is going to be Kaluanui. This is near the end of Hawaii Kai Drive. And this is kind of a sleeper in more ways than one. First off, there's only 28 units. It was built in the year 2000. These are two bedroom, two bath units with a living area, two-story upstairs above the parking garages. The second reason why it's a sleeper is it's kind of near the end of Hawaii Kai Drive. There’s a great view of Mariners Cove in the backdrop there, and then you've got Koko Crater here out the back. But at any event, Kaluanui, they seldom come up for sale because there's only 28 units. The only thing that's going to be back here past the Anchorage, which is across the street, is there's one single family home project, Kamilo Nui that was done by D.R. Horton, where they built some, you know, single family homes in the back of the valley here. Better than that, it's pretty quiet here at the back of Hawaii Kai Drive for Kaluanui.

Kawaihae Crescent East

Next up we have Kawaihae Crescent East, and this is going to be directly off Kawaihae Street here in Hawaii Kai. These are built in 1973 and they're three-level units and they're very spacious and later on we’ll cover the sister project that's on you know around the corner here on Kawaihae St. which is going to be Kawaihae Crescent West.

Here at Kawaihae Crescent East, what I love to tell people about these is I think if you're looking for a good value for square footage in Hawaii Kai it's typically going to be this project Kawaihae Crescent East and then Kawaihae Crescent West which we'll cover later and then the third one we're going to get to is a Mariners Village 3 which is in the very back of Hawaii Kai in Mariners Valley.

Kawaihae Crescent West

Next up, we have Kawaihae Crescent West. This is going to be further to the west of Kawaihai Street from Kawaihae Crescent East that we covered earlier. And these are also going to be three level units.

There are going to be 61 three-level units and they kind of span down Kawaihae Street here. And as you can see there's going to be both open and covered parking. This is Kawaihae Crescent West off Kawaihae Street in Hawaii Kai and there's some great views out the back towards Hahaione Valley.

Koko Head Villas

Okay, next up we have Koko Head Villas on Milolii Place here in Hawaii Kai. It's got the Mount Terrace behind it here. It's a dead end cul-de-sac off Kawaihae Street. These are going to be some of the oldest townhomes in Hawaii Kai built in 1969. And adjacent to it or on the back side of this is going to be Gateway Peninsula that we covered earlier. They're two story units. They've recently got a decent paint job here. And then there's a swimming pool in the common area here as well. That’s a wrap for Koko Head Villas and next up is going to be Koko Isle on the other side of the marina.

Koko Isle

Okay, next up I got a really special one for you. This is gonna be Koko Isle here in Hawaii Kai. This was built in 1968 with 124 units. And like I say often in real estate, a lot of the best stuff was taken first. So this is going to be a man-made island. This was developed by Henry Kaiser and there is a bridge that crosses over to Koko Isle. Once you cross over it's its own little island, Koko Isle.

There's a mix of two and three bedroom units, 124 in total. A lot of them are going to be on the perimeter that have boat docks but not every single unit in here does have a boat dock so that's I'm going to keep in mind. If you see something that's a little bit better priced they might not come with a boat dock. So there's a nice common area, cabana, swimming pool on the other side and then so to give you perspective on this side of the marina you're looking across at Luna Kai and all those single family homes along this perimeter here you know run on average about $3 million dollars. So you can get in the same water frontage here for that mid $1 million range to be on the water. At this point in time obviously prices are going to change and then right across here you have Koko Marina Shopping Center where you have like a Walgreens, you have a lot of good restaurants, you got a 24-hour fitness, you got Greek Marina, you got Kona Brewery. Right now there's several good coffee shops, there's a Zippy’s. Koko Isle is a great special place.. it's its own little private island on the marina developed by Henry Kaiser.

Kuapa Isle

Okay, next up we have Kuapa Isle. This is going to be one of my favorite town home projects in Hawaii Kai. As you can see there's a secured entrance here. I wouldn't necessarily call it a gated community because there's no gate per se. But, they do have someone that mans it here. So that's what's nice about it. It's one of my favorite projects not only because most of the units here are going be directly on the marina. There are really quiet streets. These are all kind of duplex style units and they're like two car carports and then most of them have boat docks. Not all of them do. It's a really well run association and then there's a common area swimming pool clubhouse. There's also an area to store your boat trailer If you if you have your boat on the water and you need to store your trailer, it's kind of like at a first come first serve basis.

What I also love about Kuapa Isle is some of these units can have nice views of Koko Crater out the back. Another positive thing that I love about Kuapa Isle is they do a good job of keeping the maintenance fees relatively low compared to a lot of the other town home projects in Hawaii Kai. It's right here off of Hawaii Kai Drive and there's going to be two Peninsulas when you enter and one's gonna be Opihikao Way and one's going to be Opihikao Place.

What I love about the Marina lifestyle here in Hawaii Kai is you get a boat dock right out your back door. You can take it over here to the mall to do some shopping at Safeway or around the corner to Costco or to a restaurant and Koko Marina around the way. So a great lifestyle here in Hawaii Kai, whether it be Koko Isle, Kuapa Isle, Gateway Peninsula, or any of those other town home projects that have a boat dock on the back door.

Lalea

Okay, next up we have Lalea here in Hawaii Kai. This is a big project. It was built over four phases between 1996 through 1999. It was done by Castle and Cooke, which is kind of rare to see in Hawaii Kai. Typically, they're building a lot of homes in Mililani and Central Oahu. They have some done some projects in Kakaako. But yeah, there's four phases. There's Lalea I, II, III & IV done between 1996 through 1999. I've sold a number of units in here and they have a mix of one, two, and three bedroom units. And there's a common area swimming pool.

What's nice about these Lalea condos is some of them do have a one-car garage and then there's like an additional stall on the outside. There's an ample amount of guest parking. It does back up to the ridge here at Mariners Ridge so there has been an occasion (or two) where a boulder came down here. But, that's been mitigated. Kamehameha Schools owns the land up there and they put some steel netting up for prevention. Speaking of steel, these were all steel frame construction which is nice. Lalea is right off Hawaii Kai Drive across the street from the Anchorage which is a really cool community where you have arena front homes but once again 564 units it's a nice fairly good size development. It’s really got some quiet streets once you get in off the main road and the further back you get in Hawaii Kai Drive you're going to have less and less traffic so this is Lalea and this is going to be adjacent to Kaluanui which we just covered earlier off of Hawaii Kai Drive.

Marina Palms

Next up, we have Marina Palms in Hawaii Kai, which is directly across the street from Villa Marina. These were built in 1966. There are 54 units and as I mentioned yet is across street from Villa Marina and once again Mount Terrace. This is off Kawaihae Street and these are gonna be two-story units and all the parking here is not gonna be covered but the units what's nice about them they have little kind of courtyards on entryways when you enter and they're either going to be a two or three bedroom unit so Marina Palms here in Hawaii Kai hence the gorgeous fan palms.

Mariners Village 1

Next up, we have the first phase of Mariners Village. Now there's going to be ultimately Mariners Village 1, 2, and 3, but we're at first phase, which is the second largest of the three. This was built in 1971 with a mix of two, three, and four bedroom. There's 46 units total. This is right off Hahaione Street. You've got the Commodore there across the street. Next up, we're going to cover Mariners Village 2, which is behind me here.

Mariners Village 2

Now Mariners Village 2 has 28 units and was built in 1972 and there is no covered parking as you'll notice here. There's not much across the street either at Mariners Village 1. Mariners Village 3 we'll cover in a little bit here. That's going to be in the back of Mariners Valley.

Mariners Village 3

Mariners Village 3 is going to be by far the largest of all three Mariners Village projects. This is in the very back of Mariners Valley and it's set upon many acres. It’s definitely one of the largest projects of land in Hawaii Kai. There’s 293 units. This is also going to be one of the best values, as I mentioned, like from a price per square foot. When you're comparing Kawaihae Crescent East and West, or two of the others that I mentioned, because you get a lot of living area. There’s more “bang for your buck”, no pun intended. They were built in 1971. These are all wood framed construction and very spacious. There’s a mix of covered and uncovered parking.

Directly behind me here, we've got the pool area and the recreation center. I've had friends that have lived here over the years in high school. We've been to parties here and you get views Koko Crater out the back. It's a nice, peaceful neighborhood to walk. There's a mix of two, three and four bedroom units. Very spacious, as I mentioned. Mariners Village 3 here in the back of Mariners Valley in Hawaii Kai.

Mawaena Kai

Next up we have Mawaena Kai, which is at 7007 Hawaii Kai Drive, and this is going to be another project that's directly on the marina in Hawaii Kai. This was built in 1988. There's 104 units with a mix of two and three bedroom units. What's unique or different about this one is you either live downstairs or you live upstairs. You're going to have someone living above you or below you. They're not like multi-level, like some of the town homes here in Hawaii Kai. And another unique thing about Mawaena Kai is sometimes you'll see something that's super cheap that looks too good to be true in a sense. It's probably because there are still leasehold condos here at Mawaena Kai where the lessee did not buy the land interest. So if you see something that looks too good to be true, it's a couple hundred grand for you to own here, that's not going to be fee simple ownership. To get something fee simple, you're looking at a million bucks or more to be on the water here in Mawaena Kai.

Moana Kai

Next up we have Moana Kai. These are right off Hawaii Kai Drive and built in 2004. And there's 86 units. And this was done by Jim Schuler, D.R. Horton at the time. There's a sister project that's going to be right next door here called Nanea Kai. And they had a sales office here in Hawaii Kai at the time. They're selling three projects. Kalama Kuu in Kalama Valley, Moana Kai here, and Nanea Kai. So what I love about these units is they're really spacious. There's a mix of two and three bedroom units. They're all kinds of different sizes. They do front Hawaii Kai drive, but they're a convenient location here in Hawaii Kai. And for, you know, Hawaii standards, they're relatively new construction even though they're now 20 years old. But if you're thinking about something that where you get a lot of space, but you want something a little bit newer, maybe you want to put Moana Kai on your radar, you know, because it might be another project to consider. Or like I said, you've got the sister project of Nanea Kai, which is directly behind me here. So that's kind of a wrap here on Moana Kai. Excuse me, Moana Kai here in Hawaii Kai.

Moorings

Next, we have the Moorings, which is off Hawaii Kai Drive. It was built in 1969 and there are 64 units, all of which a 3 bedrooms and 2 stories. The Moorings are direct waterfront here in Hawaii Kai there are boat docks you'll see along the way they're just not right in front of your exact unit so it's kind of like you know shared space here and then you know across the way there that's gonna be Gateway Peninsula that we covered earlier in this video but I just want to give you a perspective of the moorings from the Marina side.

Nanea Kai

Next up we have Nana Kai, which is a 7018 Hawaii Kai Drive. This is adjacent to Moana Kai that we covered a little bit earlier. And this was a project that was developed, like Moana Kai, developed by Schuler DR Horton, one of three projects they were doing in Hawaii Kai at the time. And these are going to be three store units. And there's a mix of two and three bedrooms. There's not a lot in the way of amenities here. There’s 87 units total and there’s a bunch of different floor plans. If you have questions about Nanea Kai, feel free to give me a call.

Napua Point

Next up we have Napua Point which is the only true oceanfront condo or town home project in Hawaii Kai. It's directly on the ocean here. A lot of the other ones are going be on the marina. What I love about Napua Point is you literally can take a kayak out and you're right on the ocean. You've got Portlock right across here. Napua Point was built in 1980. There's 18 units total. They're multi-level. There's great amenities. There's a swimming pool, tennis courts, lots of guest parking and they do have enclosed garages as well. These are all pros. The other pros are they're going to be the living area because these are spacious units - 1500 square feet plus. They have like lanais as well and I mentioned the enclosed garage but the downside is that it might not be for everyone if for those that don't want to do stairs. Number one and number two the prices have become a lot more attractive recently because the maintenance fees are kind of high compared to a lot of the other condos in the area. So those are the trade-offs but it's you know it's all about location of real estate, location, location, location and being on the ocean here in Hawaii Kai is going to be really hard to beat.

Napua Point is on the Makai side of Kalanianaole Highway at 115 Maunalua Avenue. It runs parallel to Kalanianaole Highway. That's Mount Terrace out the back. And so there's three sets of kind of like six packs I like to call them. There's going to be, these are all attached dwellings and this one set of buildings is going to be closest to the highway. So this is going to be a little bit more noisy. You do have a guest parking here. And there's going to be more guest parking coming up on your left. But what you can already make out is what a great location this is, right? You can see the surf going off on the south swell right down at the end of the cul-de-sac. And then you have another set of buildings, you know, over here. And you've got more visitor parking and you've got tennis courts here, which is awesome. And the pool is going to be out back that way. And then the kind of the primo or prime units are going to be these that are directly on the ocean here, you know, on the bay.

Peninsula at Hawaii Kai

Okay, next up we have the Peninsula in Hawaii Kai, which is a gated community. It's one of only two gated communities in Hawaii Kai I did an entirely separate video about gated communities in Honolulu and I put a link on that here. But, that was primarily for single-family product, but here within the peninsula Hawaii Kai. There's Several different phases of development. They have what's called the Villas which are attached units, the Cottages and then the Executive Residences which are going to be like the detached single-family homes in the water.

I did another article on gated communities. I did that one at 520 Lunalilo Home Road, which is directly across from the fire station. I used to be a firefighter here and I watched everything get built from the ground up. The main part of The Peninsula is gated but across the street there was a second phase that was done later and that addresses 580 Lunalilo Home Road and that segment of The Peninsula is not gated. They talked about doing a way back when but here we are over 20 years later and there’s still no gate on the Mauka side here at The Peninsula. But, they do have access to the amenities. There is a swimming pool here at The Peninsula. if you're looking at a boat dock though It's like it's like a needle in a haystack You're literally rolling the dice on a first come first serve basis because most units do not have boat docks here at The Peninsula. If you're looking for a place to the boat dock, I've got some other recommendations.

Villa Marina

Next up, we have Villa Marina, which is right off Kawaihae Street right across from Marina Palms. We're getting there. There's only two buildings left including Villa Marina here. So these are two story units. They were built in 1970 and if this looks familiar I did a video previously about this complex in particular. A first-hand experience I had here as a firefighter years ago.

There's only 19 units here at Villa Marina which makes them very exclusive and what's cool about these is some of them have direct water access and you know quote unquote boat dock where you can keep a boat or kayak or stand up paddle board. Not all of them do but that's one of the perks about living at Villa Marina.

Village Green

Now, the final town home project, which is going to be Village Green in Hahaione Valley. This was built in 1970. There’s 56 units at Village Green. There’s views of the high rises in the distance. This is one of several town house projects in Hahaione in addition to the high rises. There’s a 7-11 and gas station next door for convenience.

We started the tour on the marina and we covered all the town homes here in Hawaii Kai. I feel it’s appropriate we ended up inland. We’re near some of the Mariners Village projects (1 & 2) and we have some of the high-rises nearby and Village Green across the park as we wrap this up alphabetically. What I forgot to point out is Village Green and Mariners Village 1 & 2 are adjacent to Hahaione Elementary School, which is 1 of 3 elementary schools in Hawaii Kai. As a disclosure, you’ll probably hear some kids and bells during the daytime.

I hope you found this article useful about the town homes in Hawaii Kai. In the meantime, if you have any real estate questions specific to Hawaii Kai, Honolulu, Oahu or Hawaii in general, feel free to give me a shout at 808-371-3509. Aloha!

Nestled in the quiet loop of Mahalani Circle in Kaneohe, this hidden gem of a home offers more than just beautiful architecture—it delivers an experience. Presented by David Buck of Harcourts Island Real Estate, this non-distressed auction property boasts a blend of old and new in a setting that celebrates indoor-outdoor island living.

Interior Living Area

Main Living Room

Indoor Outdoor Living

The home features a cozy kitchen with updated appliances, a spacious dining area, and a beautifully remodeled bathroom with travertine accents. Originally a three-bedroom layout, it has been smartly reconfigured into a spacious two-bedroom with a large primary suite featuring dual closets and air conditioning.

Kitchen

Dining Area

Oversized Primary Suite

Remodeled Bathroom and 2nd Bedroom

Step outside and you're met with tropical landscaping, privacy hedges, a heated hot tub, and an inviting outdoor lounge area. There’s even a cabana and fire pit—perfect for hosting under the stars.

Outdoor Space

Outdoor Space

View from Back Yard

With a newer hydro stop roof coating and the potential for a second story to capture sweeping views of the Ko'olau Mountains, this property has endless potential.

Ocean Access to Kaneohe Bay

Kaneohe Bay Access

But what truly sets this home apart is its proximity to Kaneohe Bay. Just a short walk around the circle takes you to a tucked-away ocean access point—ideal for paddleboarders, kayakers, or anyone wanting to soak up the serenity of the water.

To learn more about this home or Harcourts Auctions, give David a call at 808-371-3509.

Whether you’re moving to Oahu for work, family, or lifestyle, one of the first questions you'll face is: How do I find a place to rent — safely and efficiently? With inventory tight and scams on the rise, navigating Oahu’s long-term rental market can feel overwhelming. But with the right strategy and resources, you can find a great rental without getting burned.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best way to search, what to avoid, and where to turn when listings feel too good to be true.

❌ Why Craigslist & Facebook Marketplace Are Risky for Oahu Rentals

While Craigslist and Facebook groups were once common places to find housing leads, they’ve now become hotbeds for scams in Hawaii. Fake listings, stolen photos, and landlords who aren’t even in the state are all too common.

Here’s what to watch out for:

• 🧾 Landlords who ask for money up front without showing the unit

• 📷 Listings with stock or mismatched photos

• 💬 Emails that sound robotic, vague, or overly urgent

• 🛑 Offers that are “too good to be true” (they usually are)

Many renters have lost thousands due to scam deposits or false advertising. If you're moving from the mainland or overseas, the risk is even higher.

✅ The #1 Safe and Legit Site: HiCentral.com

If you're looking for a real rental managed by a licensed property manager, head directly to HiCentral.com — the official site of the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®.

HiCentral pulls directly from the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and features listings that are verified and compliant with state rental laws. You’ll find:

• Long-term rental listings from licensed property managers

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Just note: most real estate agents in Hawaii do not handle rentals directly, as there is no commission incentive or representation structure unless the agent also manages the property. If a unit isn’t listed on HiCentral, it’s likely not being managed by a licensed professional.

🏖️ Airbnb, VRBO, and Short-Term Options (Use With Caution)

If you’re in transition or between homes, platforms like Airbnb or VRBO can be helpful for short stays. However, be aware of Honolulu’s strict rental laws:

• In many buildings (especially in Waikiki and Kakaako), stays under 90 days may be illegal unless specifically zoned for short-term rentals.

• You could be fined or evicted mid-stay if the host is in violation.

If you’re unsure, check the legal short-term rental registry or ask the host for their Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC) number before booking.

💬 Final Thoughts & Help for Transitioning to Ownership

While the rental market in Hawaii has its challenges, it’s still possible to find a safe, clean, and legal place to call home — especially if you know where to look and what to avoid.

And if you’re planning to transition from renting to owning, that’s where I can help directly. Whether you're considering a condo in town or a home on the Windward side, I’ll guide you with local knowledge and market clarity.

📲 Contact David E. Buck (RB-20368) at 808-371-3509
🏢 Harcourts Island Real Estate – Local Knowledge. Trusted Results.

The Oahu housing market in May 2025 continues to show a tale of many neighborhoods — with some areas booming and others cooling. But this month’s biggest surprise? The Windward Coast emerged as the strongest-performing region, dominating three out of four key categories in both homes and condos.

If you're thinking about buying, selling, or investing on Oahu, these hyperlocal trends provide powerful insight into where the market is heading.

🏡 Single-Family Home Market: Mixed Trends, But Kapahulu to Diamond Head Surges

Home sales across Oahu showed a balanced shift, with:

• 9 neighborhoods seeing more home sales

• 9 neighborhoods seeing fewer

• 3 neighborhoods staying flat

🔥 Top Performer:

Kapahulu to Diamond Head posted a 75% increase in single-family home sales, jumping from 8 to 14 closings — a strong indicator of buyer interest returning to this highly desirable urban corridor.

Meanwhile, several neighborhoods saw pricing pressure stabilize or climb modestly, while overall days on market rose — giving well-priced homes the edge.

🌊 Windward Coast Dominates 3 Major Market Metrics

The Windward Coast — including areas like Punaluu, Hauula, and Kahaluu — was the undisputed star of May’s market report. Here's what happened:

📈 1. Highest Median Home Price Increase:

• Jumped from $902,000 to $1,475,000

• That’s a 64% year-over-year increase in home value

📊 2. Condo Sales Up 300%:

• Went from 1 to 4 sales

• Most likely driven by beachfront units in Hanohano Hale and Pats at Punaluu

💰 3. Highest Condo Price Growth:

• Median condo price jumped from $145,000 to $352,500 — a 143% increase

This trifecta underscores just how much value and demand is rising for Windward properties — particularly vacation rental-friendly and beachfront condos.

🏢 Condo Market Overall: Buyer’s Territory Grows

Despite the Windward Coast’s standout performance, the broader Oahu condo market showed more signs of softening:

• Condo sales dropped in 15 of 21 neighborhoods

• Inventory levels continue to climb island-wide

• Median pricing is holding, but buyer leverage is growing due to rising days on market and competition among sellers

📞 Thinking About Buying or Selling on Oahu?

With market conditions differing sharply by neighborhood, strategy is everything. Whether you're on the Windward Coast, in town, or along the Leeward side, working with a local expert ensures you’re making smart, data-informed decisions.

📲 Call or Text David E. Buck (RB-20368) at 808-371-3509
🏢 Harcourts Island Real Estate – Local Knowledge. Trusted Results.

Have you thought about buying some land on Oahu?

Well, it might not be as easy as you think. Today we're gonna talk about three things to consider when you're buying vacant land on Oahu. And if you stick around to the very end, I'm going to share some bonus tips as well. And a little bit about myself, my name is David Buck. I'm the Principal Broker of Harcourts Island Real Estate here on Oahu. And over the past decade or so, if you go to Google, "Vacant land for sale on Oahu," my website shows up normally the top couple results outside of like the national portals. And so what's good is you have someone with boots on the ground here. And so often I get someone with that big dream and ambition and what they wanna do. They want to build their own home. So we're gonna talk about three things to know and consider when you're thinking about buying land on Oahu. 

1. Financing

The first item, it has to do with financing. Not everyone is aware of this, but banks aren't as keen to lend on land as it would be improved property, like a condo or an existing single family home. And the reason why is they see it a little more risky in the sense that it's not a roof over someone's head. So if they're going to lend someone money to buy a plot of dirt and to build something on it, they're not living there every day. It's not a roof over their heads. So if things go haywire during the permitting and our construction or they run into money issues, the bank is gonna be holding that land. And they're gonna have a hard time with foreclosure and it's gonna carrying costs, etc. So that's the first thing you want to consider and I'm gonna elaborate on this because another item during that first consideration is not just financing in general, but VA loans.

I can't tell you how often we get called from a veteran and we love our veterans, by the way, but they have to be aware if you're a veteran and you're listening to this, that you can't get a, excuse me, a vacant land loan with a VA loan. One of the beautiful things about VA financing is that you can do 100% financing. That's what I love about it and I wish I had that opportunity. With that said, you can't get a loan on vacant land for the reasons I talked about earlier, but not just that. When you do a VA loan, it has to be your primary residence. Like the government's not gonna let you get a VA loan for an investment property or something that you're a second home. It has to be, once again, a roof over your head. So with that said, there are some new construction opportunities on the island where you can actually get a VA loan on. Some local developers work with veterans on that. If you want, or if you're interested in that, feel free to drop me a message, david@hoaihomelessthings.com. But that's some of the single family home developers primarily on the west side of Oahu, but a lot of the condo builders in town, you can't really get a VA loan unless you're a veteran, you've got a bunch of cash as a down payment.

I'm going off at a tangent right now, this is all about land, but I'm just talking about the financing aspect for our veterans and that if you're gonna get a condo, a lot of those developers do what's called like a 5/5/10, they want 5% deposit and then another 5% after the public report and then additional 10%. So you gotta have at least 20% down if you're gonna be buying like say a new condo in town. So back to vacant land.

2. Logistic and Costs of Building

The number two item I'd like to cover today is that in addition to financing, we do live in an island in the middle of the Pacific. So it can be very challenging on several factors seeing a home to a fruition. First off, labor is gonna be probably one of the highest in the country, materials is gonna be one of the highest in the country. And our permitting process, I don't wanna talk smack here, but a few years back, our building department was actually raided by the feds because that's how corrupt they were, they were not issuing permits, they're taking envelopes of cash under the table from Chinese contractors, et cetera, et cetera. So it's tricky to get a permit, you wanna have a good builder and architect and the cost of not just the acquisition, but everything else. 

If you're a cash buyer, it's gonna be a lot easier 'cause then you won't have to finance a land and then getting a construction loan on top of that is gonna be tricky. So that all has to do with the logistics of the actual build. So number one, we've got financing. Number two, we have logistics and costs of build. And the third item we're gonna talk about today is how not all land is created equal.

3. Not All Land is Created Equal

We are an island in what keeps Hawaii beautiful and why we don't look like Hong Kong, I tell people, is that 93% of the lands in Hawaii are zoned either agriculture or conservation. So with that said, the amount that's left for urban development is just literally like 7% of the lands. We're going have a lot more of that here on Oahu than you do on the neighbor islands. But with that said, you're gonna have all types of zonings like if you're acquiring land and wanna build, but I'm going probably doing things backwards, but the most restrictive is gonna be what we call P1, which is a preservation one. And that what happens there is that's a city and county zoning and that kicks over the state conservation district. So if you see something online that's zone preservation and kind of looks too good to be true, there's normally it's going to be really difficult to build on that land.

Just for a little bit of historical reference, I sold 80 acres years back in Aiea for only $200,000. And I sold the entire ridge between Aina Haina Valley and Hawaii Loa Ridge for just over $300,000 for 75 acres. So they typically go for a discount. You just have to be patient in the permitting process there. I do, however, have oceanfront parcel of P1 on the North Shore.  That's a beautiful two acres on the ocean that's zoned preservation. So it's gonna be a little bit trickier to get a building permit. Then you have P2, which is also kind of quote unquote conservation. There's different restrictions on that. I won't dive into them all now. And then we've got all the different ag types of zoning, the most prevalent being Ag 1 and Ag 2.

If you're really looking to build a house, what you really want to be looking for is something that's zone residential. But just to break it down and keep things kind of simple here, on this island, we have R-3.5, R-5, R-7.5, R-10 and R-20. The easy way to decipher those codes, R is for residential and then those like R-3.5, or R-5, or R-7.5, those are just abbreviations for the minimum amount of land you need in order to build a house. For instance, R-5, you're going to need a minimum of 5,000 square feet per dwelling. For R-10, you're going to need a minimum of 10,000 square feet per dwelling. R-20, 20,000 square feet per dwelling. A lot of urban Honolulu has a lot of R-5. Some of the suburbs going to have more of the R-10s. Some of the valleys are R-7.5. If you have any questions about any of this, once again, feel free to reach out and give me a shout.

Bonus Info: Have a Realistic Budget or Creative Financing

Then we're gonna go into the bonus round of what not everyone's aware of. Being in the business since 2001, I can't tell you how often it is that (I don't wanna be the dream shatterer) I have someone that says "I want to build and get a piece of land". I just got a call this past week, and a sweet lady said "I wanna get a tiny house and put on a piece of land". I'm like, "what's your budget"?  She says "It's $100,000". And then ai say "I hate to say it and be the bearer of bad news, but that ship has sailed, gosh, at least 15 or more, 20 years ago. You're not gonna find a plot of land where you could build a house on this island for $100,000". So if that's something you're looking for, I do have like a switch property in a sense. So that's gonna be the east side of the Big Island. That's going to be the only place really in the state where you could still buy something to build a house, like say under $100,000. And unfortunately, some of them are lava fields, don't have utilities, etc. So there's normally a reason why or catch, you know, you get what you pay for.

Then, once in a blue moon, when someone's selling land, I've done some deals like this too, the seller might consider seller financing. Not every seller will, but you know, if it's tricky or troublesome to get a loan on a property, sometimes a seller will offer financing. That's another kind of "secret". Then, last but not least, when you're acquiring land back to financing again, is maybe a bank might not lend you money, but maybe you have other assets. It might not be cash right away, but it can be a contingent sale. It can be pulling money, like with a HELOC or, which for those that don't know, Home Equity Line of Credit, or pulling money out of an existing property. That's an issue with sometimes buyers from overseas, say like from Canada, we get lots of people looking here. And some of the foreigners, they have trouble getting a loan here without credit established in the states. So, often what they'll do is pull money out of a property they already own elsewhere. Speaking of Canadians and land, I've got a listing coming up. It's down the pipe, I have a Canadian owner that has some land to sell. Let me know if you have any interest in that.

Need More Real Estate Help?

In the meantime, I hope you found value in this. If you have any questions about raw land here on Oahu or other parts of the state, I have great connections with other brokers on the neighbor islands, or you're just looking for a house or VA financing, etc., this is what I do for a living. I can be reached at 808-371-3509. Mahalo and have a great day!

If you're dreaming of waterfront living in East Oahu, specifically along the Hawaii Kai Marina, brace yourself: as of May 2025, only two true marina front single-family homes are on the market. With record-low inventory and continued buyer interest, the Hawaii Kai marina market is hotter than ever, and sellers are in an exceptional position.

In this post, we break down current listings, recent sales, and why now might be a smart time to list or act if you're looking to buy or sell a marina front home in Hawaii Kai.

🚪 What’s Currently Available on the Marina?

As of this month, there are just two true single-family homes listed directly on the marina:

🔹 1. Luna Kai

• Price: $3,000,000

• Size: 5 bedrooms / 3 bathrooms

• Notable: Renovated with direct boat dock access

🔹 2. Spinnaker Isle

• Price: $3,999,000

• Size: 8 bedrooms / 6.5 bathrooms

• Notable: Luxury remodel, top-tier finishes, marina-front lifestyle

A third property often misinterpreted as a single-family home is actually a cottage-style dwelling at the Peninsula, listed for $1.868M. It shares a tax map key with an attached unit, meaning it’s not technically a single-family home — a crucial distinction for serious marina home buyers.

📈 Recent Sales Show Rising Demand & Value

Even with low inventory, the marina front segment has stayed active over the past 6 months with high-value closings, including:

• 🏠 Spinnaker Isle – Sold for $1.95M

• 🏠 Mariners Cove – Sold for $2.66M

• 🏠 Luna Kai – Sold for $3.45M

Currently, two marina homes are under contract, including:

• A home in West Marina listed at $2.888M

• A home in Marina West property listed at $5.5M — potentially one of the highest ever sold on the marina

These numbers highlight the rising value of waterfront homes — particularly those with private docks, wide water views, and easy access to Maunalua Bay.

💡 Why the Marina Market Is So Tight

Unlike other parts of Oahu where condo inventory is spiking (up over 50% year-over-year), marina front homes remain rare and in demand. Here’s why:

• ✅ Limited number of true waterfront homes with private dock access

• ✅ Boating lifestyle is highly desirable and unique to Hawaii Kai

• ✅ Homeowners with 2–3% mortgage rates are holding, not listing

• ✅ Renovated marina homes offer lock-and-leave luxury

For buyers, it means fewer options and competitive pricing. For sellers, it’s a golden moment to list while inventory is at rock bottom and pricing trends upward.

📞 Want to Buy or Sell a Marina Front Home in Hawaii Kai?

If you own a marina home and are considering selling, now is one of the strongest seller environments we’ve seen in years. And if you’re buying — navigating this market requires expert timing and local knowledge.

📲 Contact David E. Buck (RB-20368) at 808-371-3509
🏢 Harcourts Island Real Estate — Local Knowledge. Trusted Results.

The Oahu real estate market is no longer “one size fits all.” As we dive into the May 2025 housing data, a clear divide has emerged: single-family homes and condos are moving in different directions. While home prices remain strong amid tight inventory, condos are tipping into buyer’s market territory with rising supply and longer days on market.

Whether you're a buyer, seller, or investor, understanding this two-track market is key to making informed moves.

🏡 Single-Family Homes: Holding Strong with Limited Inventory

The detached housing market on Oahu is still showing signs of resilience, despite high interest rates and slower sales:

📈 Key May 2025 Stats:

• Sales: 235 homes sold (↓ 5.6% YoY)

• Median Price: $1,175,000 (↑ 8.3% YoY)

• Days on Market: 21 days (↑ 50% from 14 days last year)

• Active Listings: 818 (↑ 27% YoY)

Many homeowners are locked into 2–3% mortgage rates, making them reluctant to list — and keeping inventory historically low. As a result, even with fewer sales, pricing pressure remains upward, especially in desirable neighborhoods like Hawaii Kai, Kailua, and East Honolulu.

🏢 Condos: Buyer’s Market Taking Shape

The condo market, on the other hand, is showing clear signs of softening, with more inventory, longer days on market, and reduced urgency from buyers:

📉 Key May 2025 Condo Stats:

• Sales: 374 units sold (↓ 21.8% YoY)

• Median Price: $500,000 (↑ 1% YoY)

• Days on Market: 39 days (↑ 56% from 25 days)

• Active Listings: 2,556 condos (↑ 54.8%)

• Months of Remaining Inventory: 7.1 (🔔 Buyer’s market territory)

With over 7 months of supply, Oahu's condo sector officially favors buyers. This is especially true in older buildings where insurance hikes, fire safety upgrades, and cast iron plumbing issues are spurring owners to sell and giving buyers leverage to negotiate.

💡 What It Means for You

✅ If You're a Homeowner:

• In the single-family market, you still have pricing power.

• If you’re in the condo space, proper pricing and presentation are key. Overpriced units are sitting.

✅ If You're a Buyer:

• Condos are offering real opportunity, especially with rising inventory and negotiable terms.

• Single-family homes may require faster decisions, especially in popular areas with low turnover.

📞 Need a Custom Market Analysis?

Whether you’re thinking about buying a condo, listing a home, or just trying to time the market — I’m here to help you navigate the two-track trends with clarity and confidence.

📲 Call or Text David Buck (RB-20368) at 808-371-3509
🏢 Harcourts Island Real Estate – Local Knowledge. Trusted Results.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been over a decade since the first residents moved into Ka Malanai at Kailua, the only significant new construction condo project on Oahu’s Windward side in recent memory. Built in 2014 by D.R. Horton, Ka Malanai brought fresh, modern condos to an area previously dominated by older townhome communities — and now, ten years later, the numbers are in.

Let’s take a look at how the project has aged, what values have done over the last decade, and how Ka Malanai continues to stand out in Kailua’s tight and highly desirable market.

📈 10 Years of Price Appreciation: 1-Bedroom to 3-Bedroom Condos

Ka Malanai was never a budget development — but those who bought early have been rewarded. As of 2025, price data shows steady and impressive growth across the board:

• 1-bedroom units appreciated approximately 33%

• 2-bedroom units appreciated around 38%

• 3-bedroom units appreciated roughly 37%

🏷️ 2025 Market Snapshot:

• 2-Bedroom Median Price: $1,065,000

• 3-Bedroom Median Price: $1,252,000

• 1-Bedroom Activity: No sales yet in 2025, and none currently on the market

Unlike many Oahu condo projects where smaller units tend to appreciate faster (due to affordability), Ka Malanai saw stronger appreciation in 2- and 3-bedroom layouts — likely due to demand from families and owner-occupants seeking spacious living on the Windward side.

Looking Back on Other Projects:

• Waihonua 10 Years Later
• One Ala Moana 10 Years Later
• Ae'o 5 Years Later
• Capitol Place 10 Years Later

🧱 Why Ka Malanai Remains Unique in Kailua

Ka Malanai’s success isn’t just about timing — it’s about product and location. Located just a short stroll from Kailua Beach, Whole Foods, and Kailua Town, the development provides walkability that’s rare for suburban neighborhoods on Oahu.

Additional standout features include:

• Modern construction with open floor plans and central AC

• Secure buildings with elevators and covered parking

• Lush landscaping and well-maintained common areas

• Pet-friendly policies and flexible financing options

As of 2025, inventory remains extremely limited, especially for 1-bedroom units. Buyers are keeping an eye on new listings, but competition remains fierce due to low turnover and sustained demand.

📞 Thinking About Buying or Selling at Ka Malanai?

Whether you're a long-time owner considering a move or a buyer hoping to get into one of Kailua’s most desirable communities, local insight is essential. With a decade of data now available, it’s easier than ever to make a smart move — if you know where to look.

📲 Contact David E. Buck (RB-20368) at 808-371-3509
🏢 Harcourts Island Real Estate – Local Knowledge. Trusted Results.

Across the U.S., more home sales are collapsing before they close — and Hawaii isn’t immune. According to Redfin, nearly 1 in 7 real estate contracts were canceled in recent months, making it the second-highest fallout rate ever recorded. While national headlines may sound dramatic, there’s real data behind the concern — and several local factors at play on Oahu, especially in the condo market.

In this article, we’ll explore why deals are falling apart, what’s happening locally in Honolulu, and how buyers and sellers can stay one step ahead in a shifting market.

📉 National Trends: 14.3% of Real Estate Contracts Are Being Canceled

Redfin recently reported that 14.3% of homes under contract failed to close — a rate surpassed only during the height of the pandemic. The reasons range from high interest rates and stricter lending to inspection issues and buyer hesitancy.

While this stat is based on data from the mainland U.S., it aligns with softening activity and buyer caution we're seeing in the Hawaii condo market.

🏝️ What’s Happening in Hawaii (Especially Condos)?

Locally, single-family home contracts on Oahu are steady year-over-year:

• 260 homes under contract (May 2025) vs. 258 last year

But the condo market is seeing fallout:

• Deals under contract are down 16.7% year-over-year

• Condo inventory is up 60%, offering more selection but also more hesitation from buyers

⚠️ Why Condos Are Being Hit the Hardest:

1. Condo Insurance Premiums – Rising rates are making monthly costs unpredictable and unaffordable for some buyers.

2. Fire Safety Ordinance (Bill 19-4) – Buildings without sprinkler systems or fire upgrades may deter financing or raise red flags in inspections.

3. Aging Infrastructure – Many condos in Honolulu still rely on cast iron plumbing, which can lead to costly repairs and failed inspections.

4. Fewer International Buyers – With a strong U.S. dollar, many international investors are sitting on the sidelines, especially in areas like Waikiki.

💡 So, What Can Buyers and Sellers Do?

While fallout is rising, deals are still closing every day — especially when the property is well-priced and expectations are clear.

Buyers should:

• Be pre-approved with a flexible lender

• Ask about assumable VA loans — which may offer lower fixed rates

• Carefully inspect HOA documents, reserve studies, and plumbing/insurance status before committing

Sellers should:

• Be upfront about building condition, maintenance fees, and disclosures

• Price competitively, especially in buildings with known concerns

• Offer seller concessions or credits if the buyer is hesitant due to financing or inspection hurdles

📞 Want Help Navigating a Complex Market?

Whether you're buying or selling, success in 2025 comes down to local knowledge and negotiation strategy. Let’s talk about what’s happening in your building, neighborhood, or price point.

📲 Contact David E. Buck (RB-20368) at 808-371-3509
🏢 Harcourts Island Real Estate — Local Knowledge. Trusted Results.

With mortgage rates hovering around 7% and homes spending over 120 days on the market, many Hawaii Kai homeowners are wondering: “Is this really the right time to sell?” While conditions might feel uncertain, there are actually strong indicators that this summer may be a smart window to list your property — especially if you’ve owned your home for more than a few years.

In this post, we break down three compelling reasons why it may be the right time to consider selling your Hawaii Kai home.

📈 1. Hawaii Kai Home Values Are Up 17% Year Over Year

Despite higher interest rates and extended days on market, home values in Hawaii Kai have surged 17% year over year — a huge opportunity for sellers sitting on significant equity. If you’ve owned your property for 5+ years, chances are you’ve seen considerable appreciation and may now be positioned to cash out at or near peak value.

This equity can be reinvested, used to upgrade, or held as cash in a shifting market. It’s an especially good time to sell if you’re looking to downsize, relocate, or transition into a lower-rate market later.

📣 2. Well-Priced, Professionally Marketed Homes Still Sell

While inventory has grown and interest rates remain elevated, buyers are still active — especially for homes that are priced right and properly presented. High-quality photos, clean staging, and a professional listing strategy can make the difference between a stagnant listing and a home that moves.

In fact, homes that are turnkey and competitive in their price range are still attracting offers, even with more days on market island-wide. If your home is well-maintained or recently updated, it stands a better chance of standing out.

🏡 3. Hawaii Kai Sellers Are Still Closing Strong

Within just the last 30 days, nine homeowners in Hawaii Kai have sold — despite slower sales trends across Oahu. This shows there’s still real demand for homes in this beloved East Oahu neighborhood, known for its marina access, great schools, and community charm.

If you’ve been thinking about selling, summer 2025 may offer you a sweet spot before market conditions shift further. Sellers who act early are often able to capture serious buyer attention before the back-to-school season or holiday slowdowns.

📞 Ready to Explore Selling Your Hawaii Kai Home?

Not sure where your home fits into the current market? I’d be happy to run a custom valuation and help you decide the best next step — with no pressure and honest advice.

📲 Call or Text David E. Buck (RB-20368) at 808-371-3509
🏢 Harcourts Island Real Estate – Local Knowledge. Trusted Results.