Kahala Real Estate

Kahala, Hawaiian for "Amberjack Fish," was not always known as such. Over 100 years ago, the land was identified as Waialae Nui and Waialae Iki, both of which are still synonymous with Kahala today. The Waialae Nui neighborhood ​ran east of the Palolo Ahupua'a up to Waialae Iki which runs west up to ​the Wailupe ahupua'a. ​The name "Kahala" would eventually take hold due to the abundance of Kahala fish being reeled in along the Waialae shoreline and beaches. Kahala has long been known as one of the most prestigous neighborhoods in all of Oahu, a place of affluence that's called home to some of Hawaii's most elite families like the Brewers, Walkers, Cassidays, Pfluegers, Dillinghams, and Doris Duke​. One of Hawaii's most iconic architects, Charles Dickey ("Dickey roof") Ossipof​f​​, also called home to Kahala and many of his residential home designs are preserved in time today.

Homeowners of this luxurious community have access to some of the finest schools in the state with places like Kahala Elementary, Kalani High, and the private school, Star of the Sea, admitting students from Kahala. Future homebuyers interested in buying a home for sale in Kahala have incredible homes available from which to choose. Homes with contemporary and Mediterranean styles can be discovered along with homes consisting of as many as six bedrooms and more than 6,000 square feet. Estates with home theaters, lanais providing transitional indoor/outdoor living, and intricately designed master ensuites can be found here. If you are interested in buying a home for sale in Kahala, Hawaii, please contact us today.

The Neighborhood

All of Kahala Real Estate was once owned by Bishop Estate, consisting of approximately 1,200 homes, 59 of which are beachfront. Lot sizes in the region are larger on average than the rest of Oahu, with most lots seeing land of roughly 11,000 square feet or more. Kahala homes feature a variety of architectural styling from the traditional Hawaiian Beach Bungalos reflecting vintage Hawaiian elegance to the large, modern, contemporary homes we see reflected in newer construction along Kahala Avenue.

Prestigious ​Oahu neighborhood containing 16 distinct micro-neighborhoods ​​ One of the most recognizable neighborhoods in the state Access to secluded, white sandy beaches via multiple beach access sites along Kahala Ave.

Kahala Micro-Neighborhoods

1: Known as "Old Kahala," homes are close to Kaimuki and main streets are thoroughfares, which have higher traffic. ​Easy ingress/egress to east or west via Hunakai St, Kilauea Ave., and Pahoa Ave., which lead to​ either H-1 West or Kalanianaole Hwy (eastbound). Homes along any of these main arterial streets are subject to traffic noise and soot from vehicle exhaust. Close to Kahala Mall. 

2: Also "Old Kahala." Smaller lots, fronts Kahala Elementary and District Park. Narrow streets. Parking limited. Homes near the Kahala Elementary School are subject to noise and traffic associated with a neighborhood elementary school. Pedestrian traffic ia very heavy during, before and after school hours. Traditional Kahala homes (single-story, open carports). Many homes lack property walls, which reduces privacy. ​

3: "Old Kahala." Smaller lots. Limited parking along Kealaolu St., which borders Waialae Country Club. Potential for stray golf balls to land onto the street and its adjoining lots. Limited parking along side streets, which are somewhat narrow.

4: Some of the homes are on a busy thoroughfare. Both Hunakai St. & Kilauea Ave. are major thoroughfares. Traffic and associated noise is consistent throughout the day, although traffic flow is very good. Ample parking in this area. 

5: "Interior Kahala." Lots are similar. Some traffic around Sticker Park. Generally, Farmers Rd. and Kolohala have larger lots than Noi, Iiwi, Kuana and Koloa. One lot ewa of Hunakai, Kolohala St., utility lines are underground. Everything on the east side of this has above-ground utility poles. 

6:  "Old Kahala." This area contains a mixture of both the older, traditional one-story Kahala homes, and the mega, luxurious contemporary ones that are beginning to replace them (particularly on Waiohinu Drive). Because it is inset from the busier streets in the area, it is a fairly quiet neighborhood. The roads are more narrow than the major thoroughfares and parking can be limited. It is a drier, hotter area due to its interior positioning within Kahala (basin). ​

7: Kealaolu Avenue is one of the thoroughfares to reach the main highways, H-1 West or Kalanianaole Highway (east). Traffic can be heavy. Due to its straight-away, level topography, cars often speed on this street. Residents and pedestrians are advised to be aware of heavy traffic.

• Parking for homes along this area is limited. Guests will need to park on the makai (ocean) side of Kealaolu Ave., as parking is not allowed on the Waialae Golf Course side of the street.
• In addition, the street lies parallel to the 15th Hole, which maintains a high fence that guards the street from stray balls, as well as shrubs and coconut trees, which also act as ball deflectors. Nevertheless, golfers often will slice their drives over these protective barriers and stray balls will often find their way onto Kealaolu Ave, and ultimately on the lots of homes across the street.
• Use caution while driving on this street. Homes will be subject to traffic noise due to the ​proximity to the street. 

8: Homes in this area lie between Kealaolu Ave. and the stream that that flows from the Waialae Golf Course, out to the ocean (Waialae Stream). These homes lie across the street from the 18th Hole. ​Although the fairway and hole veers away from the homes and there is the Waialae Stream in between, some golfers who severely slice can still reach the homes closer to the tee box. Many of the homes adjacent to the stream have expansive views of the 18th Hole. Some homes here will often host pool parties during the annual PGA tournament, taking advantage of the views and atmosphere in early January. 

• The stream, however, is not properly dredged and has an accumulation of mud, silt and trash that have traveled downstream over the years. It is not a free-flowing stream, but rather a stagnate pond. Mosquitos and musky odors may emanate from the stream as a result. 

​9: On one of the major thoroughfares in Kahala between Kilauea Ave. and Kahala Ave., which runs north-south. Homes become noticeably more luxurious and opulent closer to Kahala Ave. Eclectic mixture of homes ranging from original single-story construction, to  estates. ​Elepaio St. has a noticeable elevation change between Kilauea Ave. and Kahala Ave. Ample street parking. Less privacy due to heavily used street to access H-1.

10: Mix of old, traditional Kahala beach homes and brand new, modern, luxurious contemporary designs. Some of these hom​es have above the ground utility lines running along their property boundaries (mainly around Hunakai).

11: Short, quiet, tree-lined street. Ample parking for this fairly narrow road (Ahakea).       Homes on the ewa or wes​t side of Ahakea St. sit below a coral sand cliff, which fronts homes on Hakaka St. Many lots are being transformed into more modern, contemporary high-end homes as you travel south towards Aukai Ave.

12: One block in from the waterfront, Aukai Ave. runs parallel to Kahala Ave. and affords much more privacy. Because of this, there is a buffer zone from the traffic and its associated noise. Some consider Aukai the premier street in Kahala. The street is much narrower than the other thoroughfares, and therefore, traffic is less busy and people tend to drive slower. In addition, there are many cars parked along the street. It is a popular walking street due to reduced traffic, but as there are no sidewalks, pedestrians tend to  walk on the street itself. 

• Storm drains offers additional privacy, due to the absence of neighbors. The storm drain is often dry, so mosquitos are less of an issue.         
• On the ewa (west) side end ​of the street, homes are fronted by a cliff, which offers privacy. There are also caves by the back; Diamond Head is above the caves (Hakaka St).  This gives these properties a very unique, Hawaiian feel to the home. Some of these homes have built their landscaping and plants to accommodate and accentuate this unique feature.
• From 3 lots east of Elepaio, Aukai Ave. utility lines go underground. Everything up to there is above-ground utility poles. 

13: Homes are located on the mauka (mountain) side of Kahala Ave. It runs from the ​Fort Ruger Park on Diamond Head all the way to Kealaolu Ave. ​​Many, grand, large homes line the​ prestigious Kahala Av​e. There is a premium associated with having an address on Kahala Ave. Homes are much larger and grandiose than other parts of the neighborhood with larger lots​. Most properties are well maintained. Many of the old, traditional Kahala homes have been replaced by large, modern homes.

• Unlike older portions of the neighborhood, this area maintains protective walls, hedges, and gates that give these homes privacy. ​Some of the homes on this street were former Genshiro Kawamoto homes and were purchased by A&B a few years back and then resold. Many of these have been completely torn down and replaced with high-end homes. Very popular walking street, as the sidewalks are wide and views are scenic.
• Some of the homes have ocean views or peek-a-boo views of the ocean if there is no home blocking their view across the street. There is constant traffic on Kahala Ave., resulting in less privacy.
• Parking on the mauka (mountain) side of the street is prohibited. Cars must be parked on the makai (ocean) side. During weekends and holidays, parking is limited due to beachgoers who use of the right of way leading to Kahala Beach. 

14: Rocky beachfront with a few of the properties having exposed, sandy white beaches during the lowest of tides. ​Seawall and maintenance issues exist due to the proximity to the salty ocean elements, strong winds, and sun​. These are ​large estates with grandiose entryways (entry from Kahala Ave. that stretches to the beach). Some of the largest lots in Kahala. ​

15: Some of the largest beachfront lots on the island. Most of these lots stretch from Kahala Ave. to the beach. Extravagant estates with some new contemporary mansions. Waterfront typically has larger lots. The lots south or ewa of Hunakai are larger (60k sqft. lots).  Sandy beach. Ewa of Waialae Beach Park is a large estate like the ​other beachfront properties on Kahala Ave.​

16: Kahala Beach condominiums are Bishop Estate leasehold properties that will revert to Kamehameha Schools in July 2027,​ if the lease isn't extended. The 196 apartments are nestled between Waialae Country Club and the Kahala Hotel. They are seeking a lease extension, but the future is uncertain. Waialae Country Club and Kahala Hotel are also subject to the Kamehameha School leases.