Kaneohe No Ka Oi

If you ask Locations Realtor   Sherrie Au, she’ll tell you that Kaneohe is Oahu’s best-kept secret. A lush, sleepy community on the cooler Windward side of the island, Kaneohe feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life, yet it’s a smooth commute into town.

A Kaneohe resident for nearly 30 years, Au cites the area’s natural beauty, laid-back vibe and convenient location as just some of the qualities that make it highly desirable to kamaaina (locals) and malihini (newcomers) alike.

“From the majestic Koolau mountains to beautiful Kaneohe Bay, you can’t beat the views in Kaneohe. For the most part, it’s still a quiet country town — but with three highways through the mountains, it’s easy to get around the island,” Au says.

Sales of single-family homes in Kaneohe were 14% higher in the 12 months ending in January 2022, compared to the previous year, while condo sales shot up 30% during the same period. There were also 24% fewer homes for sale last month than a year ago, and 14% fewer condos.

“People who have lived in Kaneohe for a long time really love Kaneohe, and they never want to move. It’s one of the reasons why housing inventory in Kaneohe is always low,” says Au.

Generations of long-time residents, military families and new arrivals keep the supply of Kaneohe homes on the market low and demand sky-high. In fact, 2 out of every 3 Kaneohe homes and condos sold in the 12 months ending in January were bid up over the asking price.

“The market in Kaneohe has been strong for years and years,” Au says. “Homes are generally priced a little lower than in neighboring Kailua, but perpetually low inventory and strong demand keep home values high.”

With fewer homes and condos on the market than usual and plenty of interested buyers, Kaneohe prices took off last year and are rising steadily. The median sales price for single-family homes rose by 24% by the end of last month compared to a year ago, reaching a new high of $1,130,000. The median sales price for condos rose by 17% in the 12 months ending in January to $645,000, also a record high.

With an abundance of recreational activities, including golf, boating, fishing, hiking and camping, along with a variety of restaurants, retail outlets and schools, it’s no wonder that Kaneohe residents consider their community number one. As Au says, “Kaneohe no ka oi!”

Kaneohe home prices range from about $400,000 for an 800-square-foot condo to more than $3 million for estate homes. Single-family homes and condos sold in January were on the market for a median of only 9 days — making Kaneohe one of Oahu’s fastest-moving markets.

As the hot Kaneohe real estate market is showing no signs of slowing down, it appears that Oahu’s best-kept secret has been discovered.

To get alerts when a new single-family home or condo hits the market in Kaneohe — or anywhere on Oahu — download the free Locations app.