Peaks and Valleys: The 20 Most and Least Expensive Houses and Condos on O‘ahu

By Rachel Ross Bradley | PHOTOS BY AARON K. YOSHINO

This story originally ran in the May 2019 issue of HONOLULU Magazine with the title “Peaks and Valleys.”

Somebody paid $23.5 million for a condominium at Ala Moana, and somebody else found a single-family home for $225,000 on O‘ahu’s sunny west shore. 2018 was a year of real estate extremes on the island—but it’s not all extremely expensive. We take a look at five of the most expensive homes and condominiums, as well as five of the least expensive, to see what makes a steal or a splurge.

Most Expensive Houses

Kailua Beach Estate

$18,800,000

Photo: 360 property photos

Along Kalāheo Avenue, only a few properties stretch from street to beach. Hale Palekaiko, House of Paradise, was the most expensive single-family home sold on O‘ahu in 2018. Its new owners enjoy a contemporary indoor/outdoor design by architect Peter Vincent, AIA. The 8,348-square-foot complex has seven bedrooms, eight full baths and two half baths, and sits on three-quarters of an acre of land. The oceanfront estate includes a three-bedroom guest house, a pool and a barbecue pavilion with pizza oven, poolside bar and spa bathroom. You might never leave home again.

Listed by Anne Oliver of Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties.

Royal Place

$17,000,000

Photo: kenji croman

At the Diamond Head end of Kāhala Beach, where the surf starts to get good, Royal Place is an enclave of estates that have stood the test of time. This home was built in 1965 on a nearly 1-acre parcel with 165 feet of beachfront. Architect Frank Roberts, AIA, designed an indoor/outdoor floor plan and added walls of glass, vaulted ceilings, a lagoon pool with a cabana that appears to float and 6,139 square feet of living space. The home has five bedrooms and seven-and-a-half baths.

Listed by Tracy Allen, Beth Chang and Anne Perry of Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties.

SEE ALSO: 9 Greatest Honolulu Homes

Iconic Kāhala Avenue

$16,250,000

Photo: andy landgraf 360 productions

The new owners of this property got a 1.25 acre street-to-beach piece of the avenue formerly owned by eccentric billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto. Kāhala Avenue has a long history of big sales, and this lot was special because of its size and large swimming area out back, suspiciously square and rumored to be the result of a reef-blasting to provide President John F. Kennedy’s children a place to swim when visiting. The new owners tore down, dismantled and recycled materials from the dilapidated 17,408-square-foot existing house.

Listed by Erik Hinshaw of Hawai‘i Life Real Estate Brokers.

Niu Beach

$15,845,000

Photo: augie salbosa photography

Halfway between Kāhala and Hawai‘i Kai, this expansive luxury home sits on a quiet stretch of pristine beach. The estate’s new owners enjoy more than 1.4 acres of tropical landscaping and East O‘ahu sunrises. The home is more than 11,000 square feet, with seven bedrooms and eight-and-a-half baths, including a separate caretaker’s suite. It was remodeled in 2015 with wide open living spaces, ocean-facing doors that slide away, an oversized kitchen, tennis courts and resort-style pool.

Listed by Tracy Allen of Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties and Jack Tyrrell of Jack Tyrrell & Co.

SEE ALSO: A Historic Diamond Head Estate Hits the Market for the First Time

O‘ahu’s North Shore

$12,000,000

Photo: courtesy of 360 property photos

Overlooking the surf at Himalayas, this spectacular beachfront estate is a mix of Balinese, Hawaiian and modern design. The home is the most luxurious surfer’s paradise we’ve seen, with custom woodwork and the highest level of finishes. With five bedrooms and six-and-a-half baths, the 5,646-square-foot home is on a half-acre of prime beachfront land.

Listed by Michael Shower of Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties.

Most Expensive Condos

Park Lane Grand Penthouse

$23,500,000

Photo: Park Lane Ala Moana

The highest sale of 2018 wasn’t a mansion on the beach. It was the Park Lane Grand Penthouse, located at Ala Moana. Why was it the most expensive sale of the year? The luxury development’s 6,273-square-foot residence has four bedrooms and four baths, 180-plus degree views, spacious lānai and a single-family home feeling. It has all the benefits of luxury condo living, including security, resortlike amenities and concierge services, and the privacy of an estate property. The open living space and kitchen look out to the ocean across Ala Moana Beach Park, a view the new owners can also enjoy from their 845-square-foot lānai.

SEE ALSO: Remember When Kāhala Homes Only Cost $200,000? Now They’re $5 Million

Waiea at Ward Village

$14,500,000

It probably wasn’t long ago that you could buy a Kaka‘ako block for this price. At nearly but not quite the very top of Waiea, this 4,192-square-foot condo has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, 13.5-foot ceilings, and sky-high views from Diamond Head to ‘Ewa. The most luxurious of Ward Village’s buildings, Waiea includes an onyx wall in the master bath, Snaidero cabinetry, marble countertops. Spa and resort amenities include a sauna, yoga room and dog park.

Anaha Penthouse

$7,495,000

While Waiea was meant to be the star, Anaha seems to have stolen much of the spotlight. The second of Ward Village’s luxury towers touts a cantilevered, clear-bottom pool above Auahi Street, and stellar views. The 37th floor penthouse has more than 3,500 square feet of living space, four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths. Anaha amenities include beach volleyball courts, a full-sized gym, tennis court and golf simulator.

Developer sale.

SEE ALSO: Small-Kine Homes: How 4 Local Families Make the Most of Little Spaces in Hawai‘i

Trump Tower

$5,000,000

Photo: COURTESY OF 360 PROPERTY PHOTOS

On the 30th floor of the Trump Tower Waikīkī, a luxury condo-hotel, the new owners of a three-bedroom, two-bath condominium enjoy ocean views, the amenities of a luxury hotel experience with shopping and nightlife nearby. The 1,972-square-foot residence comes with access to the infinity pool, concierge services, valet parking and a full-service spa. You can see for miles from its corner lānai.

Listed by Ryo Yagai at Seven Signatures International.

Hokua

$5,600,000

Luxury life at Ala Moana and Kaka‘ako is not all that new—Hokua was built in 2006 and is still one of Honolulu’s most sought-after residences. Someone purchased this condo on the 37th floor in a non-Multiple Listing Service-sale, meaning selling agents Jack Tyrrell & Co. connected the buyer and seller directly. The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home has more than 2,500 square feet of living space and views from Diamond Head to ‘Ewa, as well as access to Hokua’s many amenities.

Least Expensive Houses

Mākaha

$200,342

On Mākaha’s Manuku Street, this two-bedroom, one-bath duplex home sold for well below the median average. Beyond the fence and lava rock wall, the 3,000-square-foot lot creates a bit of green yard space around the 760-square-foot home. There was no homeowner’s association fees associated with the property, and it sold in just 26 days to an all-cash buyer.

Listed by Radiant Chase of Kapolei Realty Inc.

SEE ALSO: Rent Report: What Can $2,500 a Month Get You on O‘ahu?

Nānākuli Fixer-Upper

$225,000

Potential, potential, potential was how this fixer-upper in the heart of Nānākuli was advertised. On the record, it is a cute 728-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bath home on 5,000 square feet of land, but actually had four bedrooms and three baths. It flew off the market in a day to a cash buyer who likely saw its potential (potential, potential).

Listed by Kaniela Kimura of Engle & Völkers Honolulu.

Lualualei Corner Lot

$225,000

In Lualualei, along Farrington Highway, this property was listed as a tear-down in the Multiple Listing Service. The four-bedroom, two-bath home was in disrepair. Its new owners now have a 6,074-square-foot corner lot to build a new home on, and sure enough, where it once sat, a new home is already on the way.

Listed by Jeannie Byers and Wallette Nagaishi of West Beach Realty Inc.

Kapālama Bargain

$310,000

photo: hi central mls

Right in town, this single-family home needed major repairs yet sold in two months for a cash sale. The 662-square-foot home has three bedrooms and one bath, on a 1,638-square-foot parcel in the Kapālama area. It’s close to town, with easy access to the highway. Just before press time, it was flipped and sold again for $450,000.

Listed by Mary Tess F. Edu of Locations.

Sea Country at Holomoana

$375,000

This move-in ready single-family home in Mā‘ili is a 1,158-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath home. It has a yard and charming curb appeal, as well as a prime cul-de-sac location. Brand new carpet was put in for the new owners, and the community shares a pool, clubhouse and general store, all nearby.

Listed by Evelyn N. De Gracia and Leonor Tuazon of Realty Dynamics.

Least Expensive Condos

Hanohano Hale

$73,000

One of the least expensive sales on O‘ahu was on the ocean. The fixer-upper with one bedroom and one bathroom is located at Hanohano Hale in Punalu‘u. The 475-square-foot residence came with parking for one car and access to amenities that include a swimming pool, barbecue and picnic areas, security and a resident manager. And all utilities were included in monthly maintenance fees, making this a simple property to own and maintain.

Listed by Sheryl Oka of Properties of the Pacific.

SEE ALSO: New Year’s Resolution: Buying A Home on O‘ahu in 2019

Makaha Surfside

$82,000

This ground-floor studio unit in the Mākaha Surfside condominium is only steps away from the ocean. The 361-square-foot residence comes with amenities including security, pool, clubhouse and sauna—and a front-row seat to gorgeous West O‘ahu sunsets. The price is not atypical for the building, which allows short-term rentals and doesn’t look nearly as good from the road as it does from the ocean.

Listed by Lou Ann and Kevin Uyeda of Century 21.

SEE ALSO: Tourists and Traffic Trouble the Residents of Kailua

Kahe Kai

$100,000

photo: foster realty

This West O‘ahu third-floor studio in Nānākuli boasts ocean and mountain views and is within easy walking distance of white sand beaches. With 481 square feet of living space and one parking stall, it’s larger than average. It needed updating but was a good buy for someone handy.

Listed by Sylvia E. Foster of Foster Realty Inc.

Wahiawā by the Lake

$105,000

This 481-square-foot studio had one parking stall at Kemo‘o by the Lake. Advertised as an investor special in need of renovation, the unit has additional parking for rent at a low fee and is known for its easy rentability. The building is undergoing plumbing, elevator and security updates, so the new owner won’t be the only one working on his or her investment.

Listed by Richard P. Flebbe of Equity Properties.

Waikalani Walk Up

$154,588

Sometimes the best deals come at the expense of another. This one-bedroom, one-bath, one-parking unit in the quiet Waikalani neighborhood near Mililani was a lender sale. The residence has an enclosed lānai, 607 square feet of interior living space, and was in the best condition by far of any of the least expensive properties we saw, complete with a cute penny-tile shower. It sold via online auction.

Listed by Courtney M. Read of Owners.com.