Moving to Ewa Beach? The Ultimate Guide to Ewa Beach, HI Living in 2020

Once a small plantation town covered with endless fields of sugar cane, has more recently become the answer to ‘Oahu’s housing shortage problem. Over the last few decades, the need for affordable housing on Oahuhas grown at a rapid pace. Since production of sugar cane has long since moved overseas, developers have taken advantage of the flat, open space in Ewa Beach (sometimes referred to as the Ewa Plains) to build much-needed homes. Per KITV.com, between 2010 and 2016, more than 6,000 homes were built in Ewa Beach and it's expected that 31,000 more units will be built over the next 20 years or so. That’s a lot of homes!

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Ewa Beach is now a sprawling suburb of Honolulu, making it a desirable place for young families to live. It is one of the only communities on where you can find new homes in Oahu for a reasonable price by Hawai’i’s standards. Single-family homes in the area come with 3-4 bedrooms and at least 2 bathrooms. Many homes also provide the sought after amenity of having an enclosed garage, which many older homes don’t have. The newer communities boast flat, wide sidewalks, perfect for walking your dog, jogging, or riding your bike. 

If you’re in the military and will be moving to Hawai’i, Ewa Beach is a popular neighborhood for you to rent or buy a home. Ewa has especially proven to be a hotspot for service members assigned to Schofield Barracks Army Base Hawaii as military families love the suburban feel of the community and the proximity to base. Are you PCS'ing to Oahu? Check our VA Resource to learn about Hawaii BAH and COLA, as well as the different Oahu Military Housing opportunities and PCS Guides.

Schofield Barracks PCS Guide >>

Where is Ewa Beach Located?

If you're unfamiliar with Hawaii, you may be wondering what island is Ewa Beach on? While Ewa Beach, HI is part of County of Honolulu, you'll find it located in the southwest corner of the island of ‘Oahu. You will often hear the warm, dry side of the island where Ewa Beach is located referred to as the Leeward side. To the west is Kapolei, Oahu’s second city, which offers an exciting array of shops and restaurants a short 15 minute drive away. Pearl Harbor is directly to the east and Schofield Barracks is a lovely 25 minute drive north through the agricultural fields of Kunia. The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is 17 miles to the east of Ewa Beach, about a 25 minute drive with perfect traffic conditions.

How Far is Ewa Beach from Honolulu?

Downtown Honolulu is 20 miles to the east of Ewa Beach. If you take the H-1 freeway during off-peak hours, it will take you about 35 minutes to reach the downtown area. If you’re attempting to get there during morning rush hour however, the commute can be frustrating and can take you anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half, so try to avoid peak hours if you can.

What is the Weather Like in Ewa Beach?

Being on the leeward side of the island, Ewa Beach doesn’t receive as much of Hawaii's notorious tradewinds; the island's natural air conditioning system. It definitely doesn't receive the often light splashes of rain like the Windward side does. Ewa Beach weather is hot, dry, and ideal those for those who love sunshine! You’ll experience temperatures consistently in the eighties all year round. During the summer months, your electricity bill will skyrocket as high temperatures creep toward 90 degrees. I personally love the winter months which bring more rain and slightly lower temperatures, sometimes even into the lower sixties in the early morning hours.

Things to do in Ewa Beach

There is no shortage of things to do in Ewa Beach. Whether you’re looking for something to do with your kids, or planning a weekend outing with friends, you can find something for everyone right in the neighborhood.

• White Plains Beach | When you’re itching to get into the ocean, head to White Plains Beach. This beach is perfect for family get togethers, learning to surf, or working on your tan. It also has a beautiful view of the coastline all the way to Diamond Head. Go early to avoid traffic jams and to get the perfect BBQ spot!
  
  
• Golfing | Golfing is a popular pastime in Hawai’i, and with more than half a dozen golf courses to choose from, Ewa Beach is one of the best places on the island to get your fix. Book a tee time at the immaculate Hawaii Prince Golf Club,the award-winning Ewa Beach Golf Club, or Hoakalai Country Club.
  
  
• Train rides | Let the Hawaiian Railway Society teach you about the area’s history in the sugar business while enjoying a 90 minute train ride from Ewa Beach to Kahe Point and back. On afternoon rides, the train makes a stop in Ko Olina at Two Scoops Ice Cream so you can buy yourself a refreshing treat.
  
  
• Ka Makana Ali’i Mall | Sandwiched between Ewa Beach and Kapolei, Ka Makana Ali’i is ‘Oahu’s newest retail mall. You can find stores like H&M, Old Navy, Macy’s, and Bath and Body Works. The mall also has some amazing restaurants to choose from so you won’t go hungry during your longer shopping excursions.

Shopping in Ewa Beach

If you’re just shopping for the essentials, the handful of shopping centers in Ewa Beach make it possible for you to get everything you need without leaving the area. Everything is close together and all of the shopping centers have ample parking to make shopping easy and convenient.

Grocery and Drug Stores 

Foodland | 91-1401 Fort Weaver Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | This local supermarket chain is located in the Ewa Town Center and is a great place to pick up fresh produce and Hawaiian specialities. It’s also known for its tasty selection of poke (raw fish).

Safeway | 91-1119 Keaunui Drive, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | Safeway is the largest supermarket in Ewa Beach and is located in the Laulani Village Shopping Center. It sells both brand-name and house-label groceries, and also has a deli counter where you can order hot food as well as a bakery.

Longs Drug Stores | 91-919 Fort Weaver Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 and 91-1401 Fort Weaver Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | Longs Drug Stores has two locations in Ewa Beach, one in the Ewa Beach Shopping Center and one in the Ewa Town Center. This is the perfect place to buy all of your basics while picking up your prescription.

Walgreens | 91-1081 Keaunui Drive, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | Conveniently located in the Laulani Village Shopping Center, Walgreens provides health-related items as well as a drive-through pharmacy to pick up your medications.

Pet Stores

Petco | 91-1065 Keaunui Drive, Suite F, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | This large chain pet store in the Laulani Village Shopping Center offers pet food and supplies, as well as services like training classes and grooming. They often have pet adoption events in the store as well.

The Pet Depot | 91-919 Fort Weaver Road, #109, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | This family-run pet store in the Ewa Beach Shopping Center offers more than just food and pet supplies, they also offer grooming services and The Dirty Dog Garage, a self-serve dog wash.

Hardware Stores

City Mill | 91-1061 Keaunui Drive, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | Whether you’re looking for tools, paint, or plants for your yard, City Mill in the Laulani Village Shopping Center has everything you need to keep your home well-maintained and organized.

Other Hardware Stores in the Vicinity | If City Mill doesn’t have what you’re looking for, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Hardware Hawaii are all less than a 15 minute drive away.

Restaurants in Ewa Beach

In the past, Ewa Beach was not known for having a plethora of dining options, but that’s starting to change. With so many people now living in the area, more restaurants are opening up, and there are a lot of hidden gems that only the locals know about. Here are some of the places I think are worthy of a mention.

Kountry Style Kitchen Restaurant | 91-1001 Kaimalie Street, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | Open for breakfast and lunch, this homey restaurant in the Ewa Pointe Marketplace serves up large portions of local dishes like their adobo fried rice omelet. They also have an extensive selection of pancakes, including the always popular macadamia nut pancake! Go early to avoid crowds.

Rainbow Drive-In | 91-1085 Keaunui Drive, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | This popular local establishment opened its fourth location at the Laulani Village Shopping Center in March 2020. I love the mix plate with BBQ beef, boneless chicken and mahi mahi, that way you get a little bit of everything!

Teddy’s Bigger Burger | 91-1085 Keaunui Drive, #6351, Ewa Beach, Hi, 96706 | Teddy’s is as close to a fifties diner that you can get in Hawai’i. They serve up some of the juiciest gourmet burgers around, not to mention their addictive kona coffee milkshake! The Ewa Beach location in the Laulani Village Shopping Center is one of a dozen in the state; the burger joint has been so popular, that they even expanded to the continental U.S. and Japan.

Spoon Korean Kitchen | 91-775 Papipi Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | When you’re in the mood for some authentic Korean food, Spoon Korean Kitchen has you covered. It’s nothing fancy, but when you see locals line up in front of the entrance before the restaurant opens, you know the food is good. You won’t regret trying the seafood pancake, it’s a winner!

The Raft Neighborhood Kitchen | The Ewa Villages Golf Course | Besides having a beautiful view of the golf course, this little-known gem has some of the best local comfort food around. The poke fries and garlic chicken are favorites. The Raft also has a full bar and offers a variety of specialty cocktails to keep you coming back for more.

Schools in Ewa Beach

Ewa Beach offers both public and private schools, so you have some options when looking for somewhere to decide what’s best for your children. The below schools are listed in order from Top Rated to Unrated according to Greatschools.org.

Ewa Beach Elementary Schools

Holomua Elementary School (Public) | 91-1561 Keaunui Dr, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | PK-6 | 1,181 students

Ewa Beach Elementary School (Public ) | 91-740 Papipi Rd, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | PK-6 | 758 students

Pohakea Elementary School (Public) | 91-750 Fort Weaver Rd, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | PK-6 | 526 students

Iroquois Point Elementary School (Public) | 5553 Cormorant Ave, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | PK-6 | 699 students

Ewa Elementary School (Public) | 91-1280 Renton Rd, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | PK-6 | 1,084 students

Kaimiloa Elementary School (Public) | 91-1028 Kaunolu St, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | PK-6 | 646 students

Keoneula Elementary School (Public) | 91-970 Kaileolea Dr, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | PK-6 | 1,055 students

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (Private) | 91-1010 North Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | K-8 | 168 students

Friendship Christian Schools At Youth Center Campus (Private) | 91-1207 Renton Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | PK-12 | 315 students

Friendship Christian Schools (Private) | 91-1130 Renton Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | PK-12 | 300 students

Ewa Beach Middle Schools

Ewa Makai Middle School (Public) | 91-6291 Kapolei Pkwy, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | 7-8 | 882 students

Ilima Intermediate School (Public) | 91-884 Fort Weaver Rd, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | 7-8 | 870 students

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (Private) | 91-1010 North Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | K-8 | 168 students

Friendship Christian Schools at Youth Center Campus (Private) | 91-1207 Renton Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | PK-12 | 315 students

Hale O Ulu School (Private) | 91-1841 Fort Weaver Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | 7-12 | 32 students

Lanakila Baptist Junior/Senior High School (Private) | 91-1219 Renton Rd, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | 7-12 | 60 students

Friendship Christian Schools (Private) | 91-1130 Renton Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | PK-12 | 300 students

Ewa Beach High Schools

James Campbell High School (Public) | 91-980 North Rd, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | 9-12 | 3,110 students

Friendship Christian Schools at Youth Center Campus (Private) | 91-1207 Renton Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | PK-12 | 315 students

Hale O Ulu School (Private) | 91-1841 Fort Weaver Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | 7-12 | 32 students

Lanakila Baptist Junior/Senior High School (Private) | 91-1219 Renton Rd, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | 7-12 | 60 students

Friendship Christian Schools (Private) | 91-1130 Renton Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | PK-12 | 300 students

Ewa Beach Bus and Rail Stops

Public transportation to and from Ewa Beach is about to get a huge upgrade. Up until 2020, the only public transportation within the community was the 18 bus stops operated by the Honolulu Bus. However, there will soon be 3 Honolulu Rail stations coming to the Hoopili neighborhood that will provide an alternative means of transportation from Ewa to the airport, and all the way to Ala Moana.

Healthcare Facilities in Ewa Beach

The community of Ewa Beach is lucky to be the location for the Queen's Medical Center West ‘Oahu. It’s nice to know that there is a quality emergency room in your neighborhood should you ever need it. There is also a DLS Laboratory location at the hospital, as well as a physician’s office building.

There are also several dental practices located in the neighborhood, so now you can have clean teeth without having to travel into town. Plus, West ‘Oahu Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine is now open at the Laulani Village Shopping Center, to relieve pain and restore balance to your life.

Hotels in Ewa Beach

It’s inevitable that you will have friends and family want to come and visit you. It is Hawai’i after all! Although Ewa Beach itself doesn’t have any hotels, your guests won’t have to travel far for great accommodations. Kapolei has three great options to choose from, all a short 15-20 minute drive away.

Hampton Inn & Suites Oahu Kapolei | 91-5431 Kapolei Pkwy, Suite 900, Kapolei, HI 96707 | The first Hampton Inn & Suites in Hawai’i, this hotel is attached to Ka Makana Ali’i, mere steps from shops and restaurants. They also offer a free hot breakfast daily and free wifi.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Oahu Kapolei | 725 Manawai Street, Kapolei, HI, 96707 | Embassy Suites is located in the heart of Kapolei and offers shuttles to area beaches, including White Plains Beach. Relax by the outdoor pool, complete with waterfall and whirlpool.

Residence Inn by Marriott Oahu Kapolei | 731 Kunehi Street, Kapolei, HI, 96707 | The newest of the three hotels, Residence Inn, is an all-suite hotel perfect for extended stays. Save money by cooking your meals in your suite’s kitchen, which includes a refrigerator, microwave, and stovetop.

Ewa Beach Real Estate

If you're thinking about renting or buying a home in Ewa Beach, you'll arguably find the widest array of home types and prices. Ewa not only is one of the youngest regions for residential and commercial development on Oahu, it's also one of the most affordable. Expect options from $300,000 - $600,000 for townhomes in Ewa Beach and $600,000 - $1,400,000 for single family homes for sale in Ewa Beach. Ewa Beach Rentals will have an average range of $1,500 - $4,000/mo.

Best Neighborhoods in Ewa Beach

The Ewa Beach region has been burgeoning with residential and commercial development over the last decade and has brought a plethora of exciting new neighborhoods. Developers like D.R. Horton Hawaii, Gentry Homes, and Haseco have brought thousands of homes to the region, making a sizable dent in the Oahu house shortage. Here's our top picks based on lifestyle, amenities, and overall sense of community:

1.) Hoopili - This is the youngest neighborhood in the region and currently offers the widest array of home types and prices, as well as homes for sale under Oahu Affordable Housing restrictions. Expect wide streets and sidewalks in Hoopili, 9 parks, 5 recreation and pools, and influx of commercial retail, dining, and grocery opportunities coming as the neighborhood matures. Homes from $350,000 - $920,000.

2.) Ocean Pointe - A favorite amongst locals and Hawaii VA Loan buyers alike as the neighborhood has a ton of curb appeal. Expect townhomes and single family options while searching Ocean Pointe homes for sale; with every home coming equipped with air conditioning and two-car garages. These are luxuries in Hawaii! Expect numerous parks and pools as well. Homes from $500,000 - $850,000.

3.) Hoakalei - Arguably the flagship neighborhood of Ewa Beach. The Residences of Hoakalei are built around the famed Hoakalei Golf Course, and adjacent to Hau Bush Beach that's a short stroll or bike ride away. Many Hoakalei homes have golf course frontage and benefit from resort style amenities including community centers, pools, and their own private lagoon! If you're looking for Luxury Homes in Ewa Beach, Hoakalei should be your first stop. Prices from $600,000 - $1.4M.

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If you have further questions about the neighborhood or want to discuss your best options for the upcoming move, please don't hesitate to contact us.