Honolulu
Moanalua / Salt Lake District
Moanalua is an established community of single-family homes situated in either the valley or along the hillside. Foster Village has two recreation centers, each with its own swimming pool and playground equipment. Nearby are Aloha Stadium, a large retail discount shopping center and Tripler Army Hospital. Salt Lake is only a ghost of its former self; it was filled for land development and a golf course. The community is predominately medium to high-rise condominiums with some single-family homes surrounding the golf course. All of these communities are within a short distance of the airport, Hickam Air Force Base, the downtown business district, and the Pearl Harbor Navy Base.
Downtown / Nuuanu District
There are several condominiums on the edge of town near Chinatown and one in the heart of the business district. Most of these condominiums offer mountain or ocean views. The slopes and hillsides of Nuuanu have older single-family homes, some with city views and most on lots of 5,000 to 8,000 sq. ft. Several large estates can be found on the lush hills of Nuuanu and Pacific Heights offering panoramic city and ocean views. A handful of quality condominiums as well as eateries, private and public schools, churches and hospital abound in the area. The consulate homes of Japan, China, Korea and the Philippines can also be found in the Nuuanu area.
Ala Moana / Kakaako District
Ala Moana is at the edge of the Waikiki district and therefore attracts a large number of visitors. Luxury and high-end apartments are found here, many with spectacular ocean, park, and city views. Residents can enjoy the walking convenience to Ala Moana Center Oahu’s largest regional shopping center; Ala Moana Beach Park, a boat harbor, restaurants and megaplexes. Surrounding communities are Kapiolani, Ward, and Kinau. There are a few pockets of older single-family homes here but residences are primarily low rise and high-rise condominiums. Kakaako, close to Downtown Honolulu, is mostly industrial.
Makiki / Manoa District
Makiki is another popular choice for those wanting a short commute to downtown Honolulu, Waikiki, and the University of Hawaii. The low land area of Makiki is predominately condominium with a few single family homes mixed in. Choices of condominium styles (walk-up, low rise, high rise) abound and so does the price range. The hillside neighborhoods of Makiki Heights and Tantalus have single-family homes in the higher price range. Quite a few public and private schools, two hospitals and churches are found in the area. Part of Manoa’s appeal is its tree-lined streets with traditional and New England style architecture. Manoa extends deep into the lush valley from which emerges another desirable neighborhood, Woodlawn. As its name implies, this section is woodsy and the homes are often set amidst green lawns. This area is home to several restaurants, grocers and neighborhood shopping centers. The University of Hawaii is in the lower section of Manoa, but it too gets frequent Manoa shower mists that come, even under sunny skies.
Waikiki District
This world famous beach resort is only 2 miles long but it is the center of the state’s billion-dollar tourist industry. There is a high concentration of movie theaters, nightlife, restaurants and hotels. It is a densely populated condominium area but many of the residential type buildings are as pleasant and quiet as you’ll find elsewhere. The busier condominiums are those in which hotel operations or short-term rentals are permitted. This is the one district where rentals can be obtained fully furnished, down to the plates and linen. A quieter end of Waikiki is near Kapiolani Park and the slopes of Diamond Head crater, a tree-lined area often referred to as the “Gold Coast.? Oceanfront or ocean view apartments are at a premium here. A number of the buildings are cooperatives rather than condominiums.