Fabulously wealthy residents and multi-million dollar luxury homes fringing pleasant, palm tree-lined streets have earned Kahala Honolulu a reputation as the Beverly Hills of Oahu. Perfect weather, gorgeous homes, million dollar views, a laid-back vibe, and aloha spirit draw new residents to Kahala on a regular basis, and Kahala’s home buyers are some of the wealthiest. In keeping with Kahala’s exclusive patina, the neighborhood enjoys low traffic flow, beautifully landscaped roads, sprawling parks, top-notch cuisine, and a feeling of spaciousness, serenity, and security that’s hard to come by in some of the busier Honolulu neighborhoods. Although you’ll find some of the priciest properties in the nation here, Kahala Honolulu has managed to hold onto a quiet, quaint ambiance reminiscent of simpler days.
Cradled in the shadow of Diamond Head crater, Kahala is a convenient 5 to 15 minutes northeast of Waikiki, along Oahu’s south shore. An average home in Kahala Honolulu will cost you a cool $3 million, with beachfront properties commanding much more. Median market prices in Kahala have stayed fairly steady over the past decade or so, fluctuating by maybe half a million. Most residents are childless couples around 45 years old who earn a yearly average of $98,000 or more. Kahala is just under 4 square miles, with about 8,000 residents. Many celebrities and business moguls keep vacation homes in the neighborhood, and Kahala’s real estate also draws investors interested in renovating and flipping older houses for a profit.
The quality of life in Kahala Honolulu is considerably higher than most places in the United States. Forbes ranked Honolulu the third safest city in the U.S., and Kahala is one of the safest neighborhoods in Honolulu. Students living in Kahala have a high graduation rate, median income is nearly double the national average, unemployment is really not a factor, and poverty in the Kahala neighborhood is non-existent. USA Today ranks Kahala #9 on their list of the best neighborhoods on Oahu, citing the splendid views, exquisite food, extravagant architecture, and variety of things to see and do. Time magazine ranked Honolulu the healthiest and second happiest city in America. The Kahala neighborhood embraces and expands on the elements that lead to the well-being of Honolulu residents in general.
The residents of Kahala are generally highly educated and appropriately cultured, especially when it comes to epicurean cuisine. A nice variety of restaurants frame Kahala and Waialae Streets, beckoning passersby with decadent fare ranging from casual, local-style dishes to gourmet meals. The Olive Tree Café is a small, casual Greek/Mediterranean restaurant on Kilauea Avenue that’s always filled with locals who love the simple, fresh and flavorful selections. Hoku, located on Kahala Street, is consistently rated one of Hawaii’s best restaurants, specializing in fusion fare that melds Asian, Hawaiian, Mediterranean, and European flavors into a world-class culinary experience. Top-rated restaurant Arancino, nestled in The Kahala Hotel and Resort, blends authentic Italian flavors with local products and is a favorite with visitors and locals alike. With many other tasty eateries to try, one of Kahala’s main attractions is definitely its dining.
Entertainment is a mere 2 miles or so away in Hawaii’s nightlife mecca, Waikiki. Every night of the week is filled with live music, cocktails, sunset happy hours, dinner and dancing. The large Kahala Mall houses an 8-screen movie theater showing the newest releases and contains a variety of shops, services, salons and dining options. Whole Foods Market, a favorite of Kahala residents, occupies a large section of the mall. Downtown Honolulu is a short drive away and offers any entertainment you could want, including ballets, opera, theater productions, art exhibits, luaus, Hawaiian storytelling, Hula shows, and acclaimed bands and solo musicians on world tours. You’ll find local musicians entertaining shoppers many days of the week.
Kahala Beach Park is a nice stretch of beach that runs partly in the back of the Kahala Hotel and Resort. With shade trees, pavilions, grassy areas, and a park-like setting, Kahala beach is a favorite with locals who want to avoid the crowds that pack Waikiki and Diamond Head beaches, and the views are incredible, overlooking the south and eastern shorelines. Dog owners love this beach because it’s pet friendly, and most are conscientious enough to pick up after their pets. It’s not the best swimming beach because the water is shallow and the ocean floor is rocky and covered in seaweed, but it's a great place to relax and find peace among the hustle and bustle of Honolulu.
Waialae Beach is another picturesque beach, and wedding photographers often use it for the spectacular views. Fronting some of the most expensive real estate in the world, this beach is far less crowded than more popular beaches. The shallow reef makes this spot good for body boarding and swimming in open spots that dot the reef. Windsurfers frequent this beach park on weekends, and with grassy areas to picnic, relax, or just take in the views of Koko Head and neighbor islands, this is one of the few quiet beachy pockets amid a bustling vacation destination.
Built in 1964, the ten-story Kahala Hotel and Resort draws celebrities and locals to enjoy its restaurants, dolphin lagoon, and beachfront setting. There are no private beaches in Hawaii, so visitors can stretch out on the sandy stretch in the back of the hotel to enjoy gorgeous views and take advantage of beachside beverage service if you can claim one of the hotel’s empty lounge chairs.
With approximately 244 days of sunshine, just enough rain to keep the landscapes green and the weather interesting, an average temperature of 78 degrees, white sand beaches, and clear, bathwater-warm water, and the higher cost of living in Kahala seems well worth the trade.
