Honolulu is a dream destination for many, but roughly 350,000 people call it home. “It’s a perfect harmony between tropical paradise and urban center,” says Isaiah Cureton, who’s lived all around the city and serves as the principal owner and broker for Hawaii Real Estate Professionals. “It’s dense but it doesn’t feel like it. It’s crowded like Bangkok or Shanghai, but you have all these beautiful open spaces around you.” Between the Ko’olau Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, this city is known for its picturesque nature and near-constant sunshine. This setting makes for a relaxed lifestyle, despite Honolulu’s status as a trade hub, military center and state capital. “People are really laid-back,” says David Buck, who grew up on O’ahu and Maui. He’s been in real estate since 2001 and now serves as principal broker and owner at Harcourts Island Real Estate. “Some people might not show up to work if the surf is good that day. Formal wear is an aloha shirt, khakis and closed-toes shoes.” Along with aloha shirts, Honolulu has everything that tourists might want — luaus, hula, seafood and beaches. Popular museums, art galleries and entertainment venues cluster around Downtown Honolulu and Waikiki . But locals know that the city is all these things and more. "It's a beautiful city that brings together the many cultures here in Hawaii," says Pete Arnold with Hawaii Life, a licensed Realtor since 2003 who represents buyers and sellers across the island chain. "Hawaiians, Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Japanese, Filipinos and mainland transplants all embrace it as home, and the common denominator is that we love it here. It's a gentle place. I think it's the best city in the world for quality of life."
The Skyline Rail runs 7 days a week.
Hop a ride on the Skyline Rail for convenient transportation on the west side of Oahu.
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High-rises with views of the Pacific Ocean, Ko’olau Range
International style high-rises line Honolulu’s shore, but that wasn’t always the case. “In the 1970s, we joked that the state bird was the crane because there was so much being built,” Buck says. “They’re still building today in Ala Moana and Kaka’ako. The skyline has changed so much since I was a kid.” These condominiums and offices are the most noticeable buildings in the city, but Honolulu has everything from mountainside mansions to flatter fixer-uppers. Its median sale price is around $700,000, putting it in the top 10 priciest places to live in the United States. “It’s expensive to live in Honolulu,” Cureton says. “But once you’re here, the reward is never-ending. You get to surf on the weekends; you get to eat food from around the world; you get to drive through a rainbow after an afternoon shower. It’s worth it for many people.” Honolulu’s median price is also about $500,000 cheaper than other parts of O’ahu, such as Kaneohe and North Shore. While Hawaii has higher income taxes, property taxes are among the nation’s lowest at 0.35%.
Kaka’ako is home to white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.
The Hokua complex has a beautiful ocean view.
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Global landmarks: Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Ko’olau Mountains
About 10 million tourists come here every year, and it’s mostly for the nature. White sand stretches along the southern coast in places like Waikiki Beach and Hanauma Bay. Blue, see-through water reveals coral reefs and marine life — fish, turtles, sharks and others. Surfers continue the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku and other wave-riding pioneers, cruising on some of the best barrels in the world. Fishing, snorkeling, swimming and whale-watching are a few alternatives. Diamond Head State Monument, a craterous volcano and iconic landmark, towers above the flat shoreline. In the north, lush tropical forests scale the peaks of the Ko’olau Mountains, home to famous hikes like Tantalus Summit and Manoa Falls.
Waikiki Elementary School sits in the foothills of Diamond Head in Honolulu.
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel is an iconic Waikiki landmark.
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Hawaii Department of Education and Kamehameha Schools
The Hawaii Department of Education serves all islands, including O’ahu. Rated an A-minus by Niche, this centralized district has about 170,000 students, and almost all of them are in Honolulu. It started with Kamehameha III in 1840; it’s the only school system established by a sovereign monarch and the oldest school system in the U.S. west of the Mississippi River. Kamehameha Schools are another historical legacy, started in 1887 by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. This private, charitable trust educates about 7,000 people of Hawaiian ancestry statewide, and it has several campuses in Honolulu. The University of Hawai’i campus in Manoa is central in the city and has over 200 degree programs, from Pacific Island studies to marine biology.
Moanalua High School boasts a brand new state-of-the-art performing arts center.
There are plenty of opportunities for leadership and character development at Kalani High School
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Events showcase Hawaiian customs, thriving arts and entertainment scene
With year-round visitors and multicultural traditions, Honolulu is a hub of activity. “Hawaiians are outdoorsy, artistic, healthy and active. When you put all these people together, you get a lot of energy year-round, so there’s always something going on,” Cureton says. Shinnyo Lantern Floating, for instance, is a celebration of Japanese and Hawaiian ideals. Held on Ala Moana Beach in May, this sacred ceremony honors humanity by casting roughly 6,000 lanterns into the sea. Aloha Festivals highlights Hawaiian traditions for the entire month of September. It kicks off with the Royal Court Investiture, which honors the ruling chiefs of Hawaii, and continues with hula and other celebrations. Waikiki Ho’olaule’a happens a few weeks into the festival when crowds pack Kalakaua Avenue for Hawaiian food, craft booths and live music. The month ends with the Floral Parade, showcasing pau’u horse riders and marching bands. In snowless December, Honolulu City Lights rings in the holidays with an electric light parade, Santa photos and tree decorating competitions.
Museums, art galleries and entertainment venues cluster around Downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. The Iolani Palace, the 19th-century home of Hawaiian royalty, has daily tours, and nearby Capitol Modern is a historic hotel turned art showcase. Neal S. Blaisdell Center hosts everything from comedians to kickboxing, and the Waikiki Shell is a Hollywood Bowl-like venue on the waterfront.
Enjoy a free hula show every evening at Ala Moana Center.
Bishop Museum hosts numerous cultural events every year.
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Interstate H1 traffic, Skyline Rail coming soon
Honolulu is the center of O’ahu’s freeway system. Interstate H-1 is the main thoroughfare along the island’s southern shore, and it goes directly through Honolulu. It can back up with traffic during rush hour, especially toward Downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. State Route 61 goes to Waimanalo and other eastern towns, and though Interstate H-2 is a bit outside of the city, it follows a valley to the North Shore. The city has taken steps to reduce congestion as Honolulu’s population continues to increase. A pedestrian bridge was completed in August 2024, connecting Kiwalo Basin Harbor to Ward Village Mall; the Skyline Rail completed its first phase in June 2023, and two more phases will be finished by 2031. The line will connect most of the southern shore, stretching from Kapolei in the west to Kaka’ako in the east. For now, TheBus is the city’s main public transportation, as it has about 115 routes around the city. Another option is Biki, a bikeshare program, and it has 1,300 bikes across 130 stations. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is on the city’s west side with roughly 60 nonstop flights. With eight hospitals, Honolulu is also the state’s center for medical care.
Regional cuisine from sushi to Spam, walkable commercial districts
Honolulu is a melting pot, and so is its food. Hawaiian restaurants serve traditional dishes like poke, poi and laulau, but they might also incorporate sushi, ramen and other international flavors. Spam is one of the most well-known additions, as the city has the highest per capita consumption in the world. Foodies can get cannolis and tacos on the same street in districts like Downtown Honolulu, Waikiki and Chinatown. Ala Moana Center, in the Kaka’ako community, is another walkable space, the eighth-largest mall in the US and the largest open-air shopping mall in the world. Salt at Our Kaka’ako is a trendy commercial center built in 2017, and it spans an entire city block; filled with murals and outdoor dining spaces, it’s a hotspot for cafes and boutiques.
Stop by the popular restaurant Fete for a delicious lunch with your coworkers.
Izakaya Naru specializes in authentic Japanese tapas-style dishes, with a variety of options.
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Crime rates similar to Hawaii and US averages, environmental concerns
The Honolulu Police Department’s 2023 annual report reflected a 20% drop in violent crime reports from 2022 to 2023, and property crime rates fell by more than 21%. According to FBI data, the reported property crime rates in Honolulu are generally slightly higher than state and U.S. figures, while violent crime rates are usually a little lower.
Like the rest of Hawaii, Honolulu only has two seasons. Summer (kau) is from May to October, and winter (ho’oilo) is from November to April. Storms are more common in winter, but this south side of the island gets less rainfall than the North Shore. Sunshine is common for most of the year, and temperatures typically stay in the 70s and 80s. The island can be volatile, though, and hurricanes, earthquakes, flash flooding, tropical cyclones and high wind events are all possible. Hurricane Douglas passed north of O’ahu in July 2020, bringing heavy rains and strong winds. It caused minimal damage and no injuries, but it was the closest hurricane to the island in recorded history.
On average, homes in Honolulu, HI sell after 105 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Honolulu, HI over the last 12 months is $612,850, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Originally from the Bay Area of California, Karla's love for the Hawaiian Islands led her to Maui in the mid-1990s. She quickly gained a deep understanding of the real estate industry and earned her real estate license, building on her experience as a legal assistant and paralegal which she developed working closely with top Orange County, California attorneys on high-profile real estate cases. Karla’s real estate career soared from the start, earning her the Rookie of the Year Award with Coldwell Banker Island Properties. She became a top-producing agent, specializing in the South Kihei and Wailea.
After relocating to Oahu, Karla became the Owner and Principal Broker of Casey & Associates in Hawaii Kai. Her company was later acquired by LIST Sotheby’s International Realty, where she served as Broker-in-Charge and Vice President, growing the property management division and mentoring sales agents. In June 2019, Karla rejoined Coldwell Banker as a Global Luxury Property Specialist on Oahu, continuing to deliver exceptional service to her clients. She affiliated with Coldwell Banker’s Honolulu office, the top sales office in the state of Hawaii.
Karla’s extensive knowledge of the Hawaii real estate market, combined with her dedication to building clients through one of the largest investments of their lives, has earned her numerous accolades, including repeated nominations for the Honolulu Board of Realtor’s Aloha Aina Award for exceptional service to her clients. Known for her strong work ethic and commitment to client satisfaction, Karla goes above and beyond to ensure each transaction is a success.
Outside of work, Karla enjoys an active lifestyle with her love of the water by surfing and sailing. Karla especially cherishes time with her family and friends.
Accreditations & Associations: Member, Honolulu Board of REALTORS Member, REALTORS Association of Maui Member, Kauai Board of REALTORS Member, National Association of REALTORS People’s Choice Aloha Aina Award Nominee (Year after Year) Multiple Top Producer Designations
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
