Hawaii Kai: Something for everyone in this scenic suburb

Located just 12 miles from downtown Honolulu, Hawaii Kai — with its gentle ocean breezes and spectacular sunsets — feels a world away.

With myriad housing options, ranging from luxury beachfront estates to single-family homes with boat slips, to spacious townhouses and high-rise condominiums with sweeping ocean views, there is truly something for everyone in Hawaii Kai “What makes Hawaii Kai a great neighborhood is that everything is nearby, from schools, to movies, shopping and dining, to hiking and the water, yet it doesn’t feel congested,” says Locations Partner and Realtor® Jon Yamasato, who has lived in Hawaii Kai for more than 40 years.

Ideal Outdoor Lifestyle

Formerly wetlands and fishponds, Hawaii Kai was developed in the 1960s by famed industrialist Henry Kaiser, who envisioned a picturesque suburban neighborhood that offered residents convenience, as well as plenty of recreational activities. Centered around a marina and network of waterways, the area has wide streets and sidewalks, as well as underground utilities.

Designed with water-sports enthusiasts of all kinds in mind, Hawaii Kai offers boating (its annual “Festival of Lights” boat parade draws thousands of spectators each December), world-class snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, and bodysurfing at Sandy Beach.

Of course, there are many activities to enjoy on land, too — from hitting the links at the Hawaii Kai Golf Course, to climbing the steep steps of Koko Head Crater, or just enjoying a leisurely walk through Hawaii Kai’s many neighborhoods with level terrain. There’s even a dog park for furry family members!

A Competitive Market

Like a large part of the island, the housing market in Hawaii Kai is extremely competitive. Yamasato sums it up in two words: “Unheard of.”

The increasing pace of property sales in 2021 reflects strong demand for Hawaii Kai homes. Last month, properties in Hawaii Kai saw some of the lowest “days on market” (or number of days from listing to escrow) on the island — at just 14 days for single-family homes and 21 days for condos.

The months of remaining inventory, which is the time it would take to sell all the current listings and a key indicator of market strength, is less than one month for both single-family homes and condos.

“I search properties for sale in Hawaii Kai every day,” says Yamasato. “In the past, I would conduct a separate search for single-family homes and condos. Now, because there are less than 40 properties for sale in the entire area, I only need to do one search.”

With limited for-sale inventory and strong demand, buyer competition is high in Hawaii Kai. Last month, nearly one in three single-family homes and one in four condos was bid up over the asking price.

In this fast-paced, highly competitive market, Yamasato recommends buyers be prepared, flexible and, above all, patient. He also recommends buyers and sellers partner with an experienced Realtor® who understands the nuances of Hawaii Kai’s many single-family home and townhome communities, as well as its many condo buildings.

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