Your Guide to Some of Honolulu’s Unique Districts

Honolulu is filled to the brim with unique areas and districts that come with their own personalities and vibes. And while there are so many to choose from in Honolulu — Hawaii’s capital and the state’s most populous city — it’s good to know the peculiarities of each area, especially if you’re planning to purchase property on Oahu. To help you out, our friends at List Sotheby’s International Realty give us a breakdown of some of Honolulu’s most popular districts. (This is not an all-encompassing guide to every district in Honolulu.)

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Manoa 

One of the most coveted places to buy real estate in Honolulu, Manoa is well worth the investment. Tucked away in one of the city’s most pleasant valleys, Manoa has all of the natural beauty you could ask for — and it’s close to Honolulu’s urban core too. “Manoa’s great because it’s a quaint close-knit multigenerational community with lots of history, hiking trails, shopping,” says Robyn Fujimoto, a List Sotheby’s International Realty agent with over 30 years of real estate experience on Oahu. “And it’s all situated in the beautiful, lush gardens of Manoa Valley.”

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Makiki 

Not far from Manoa, Makiki serves as a convenient hub for many residents of Oahu looking for a more affordable place to live while still staying in central Honolulu. Since most Makiki homes are located near freeway on-ramps and are just blocks away from the city’s main thoroughfares, you’ll be able to drive to just about any other part of the city in 10 or 15 minutes. And if you’re looking for a touch of luxury, Makiki Heights is the place to be. “If you want the big booming views and you want an executive-style home, Makiki Heights is great,” says Scott Startsman, a top LIST Sotheby’s Real Estate agent. “They’ve got much larger lots on Makiki Heights and you still get to look over everything in Honolulu.”

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Chinatown and Downtown 

If Honolulu is the thriving hub of Hawaii, then Chinatown and Downtown are the thriving hubs of Honolulu. The neighborhoods are home to many of the island’s best bars, clubs, venues and restaurants. However, don’t come here expecting to buy a single-family house with a yard. Chinatown and Downtown are “going to be vertical; it’s high-rise living,” says Startsman. “Walkability is great for being in that downtown area though. It’s just a totally different lifestyle than Manoa or Palolo for example.”

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Kakaako 

Kakaako, one of the fastest-growing districts on the island, has been on the rise for years. Today, it’s still a developing community with its own vibrant work, live and play lifestyle. “Kakaako is situated in the heart of Honolulu and consists of exclusive luxury high-rise condominiums with a thriving community vibe of its own, and it’s located near Ala Moana Center, beach parks, trendy local goods and services and world-class eateries,” says Fujimoto. “It’s also known for its hip Salt at Our Kakaako district, a culture of artisans, local crafts and pop-ups!”

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Kaimuki 

If you’re looking for a well-established community with smaller lots, smaller homes, lower prices and really good food, Kaimuki is calling. “I think of Kaimuki as this little boutique urban neighborhood with a lot of the hip restaurants that are so good, you won’t need to leave the neighborhood to go out and eat,” says Startsman. Like Makiki and Manoa, you’re still near the central core of Honolulu, which makes life a little easier and convenient. 

Scott Startsman, Realtor-Associate ® HI License RS-62384, (808) 400-8854, scott@hiestates.com. Find his agent profile page here.  

Robyn Fujimoto, Realtor, HI License RB-17067, (808)864-7855, rfujimoto@listsir.com. Visit her agent profile here.

For more stories from List Sotheby’s International Realty, click here.