Dynamic harborside blend of history and fresh experiences
Resting along the Honolulu Harbor, south of Oahu’s H-1 freeway, ever-evolving Downtown Honolulu is a dynamic tapestry of cultural experiences. Says Pam Maeda, Certified Residential Specialist and top producer with Marcus Realty, who is a resident of Honolulu, “We’re creating new models for residential living in a time when there’s a need for homes, we have our first James Beard restaurant in town, and all kinds of trendsetting concepts keep popping up.”
Downtown residents can walk to work, entertainment and a mélange of eateries and bars. In this unique composite of Capitol, Business, Chinatown and Waterfront districts, streets sparkle with mid- and high-rise architecture, surrounding America’s only open-air capitol. High-rise condominiums prevail, and a pioneering live-work-play development is enhancing residential availability in Hawaii’s most populous city.
Significant historical treasures also define downtown, such as the ancient Iolani Palace — famously one of the world’s first royal homes to have electricity. Says Maeda, “Downtown is great for people who want to do be able to do something new every day. You can have a great social life and unbelievable experiences in a place that’s truly thriving.”
Views from condominium towers, such as Kakaako, offer spectacular views of Honolulu.
Aloha Tower, a historic landmark, stands proudly as a symbol of welcome and hospitality.
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Aloha Tower Marketplace and James Beard dining
Cruise ships dock at the Aloha Tower Marketplace on the pier, where Old Spaghetti Factory is a popular go-to for families and college students attending Hawaii Pacific University two blocks away. Four blocks northwest of the university, Local Joe is the coffee stop for beverages crafted by a Peet’s trained roastmaster, using beans roasted on-site.
Salt at Our Kaka’ako, officially within Kaka'ako, is within a quick walk. This modern marketplace is named in honor of the area’s roots as salt flats and fishponds. At Salt, locals have their choice of chocolate and wine-tasting rooms, a butchery, coffee shop, record store and more.
Says Maeda, “Downtown is so good at honoring something really old while turning it into something very forward-thinking.” Locals choose downtown for these one-of-a-kind places, such as Bar Podmore, launched within one of Oahu’s few surviving buildings constructed with native lava rock, and serving high-end cocktails in an amethyst-velvet atmosphere. Maeda explains, “Bar Podmore is fantastic, and there’s nothing else like it in Hawaii. It’s not big, but it’s visionary. Their cocktails are so original and the presentation so beautiful, that along with the gold finishes and emerald greens that could have been gaudy, but aren’t, you feel taken to another time.”
Bar Leather Apron is also a new hotspot, crafting intense cocktails with such passion the owners earned a James Beard award in 2023. At the AC Hotel by Marriott, locals need reservations for the small Yours Truly speakeasy and karaoke bar downstairs, an imaginative new spin on the space’s former life as a satellite post office during prohibition. Adds Maeda, “You write your drink order on a postcard and put it in a mailbox.”
The Lei Stand is also a downtown innovation. Explains Maeda, “It’s what you’d picture a lei stand to be like in Hawaii, but behind it, there’s this phenomenal bar. It’s starting a trend all its own.” Honoring mom-and-pop flower shops, while serving a changing menu of small plates, The Lei Stand’s swanky neon vibe has attracted celebrities such as Justin and Hailey Bieber and professional surfer Kelia Moniz. For everyday essentials, there’s a Safeway on Pali Highway.
The Aloha Tower greets locals and visitors alike to Downtown Honolulu.
Downtown is the best place for a meal or cocktail.
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Iconic Hawaii sign, Museum of Modern Art and Iolani Palace
After catching a show at the Hawaii Theatre, locals often stand in the street to snap pics with the iconic Hawaii sign. Art lovers explore The Hawai‘i State Art Museum and the Honolulu Museum of Art, and concerts and expos are held at the Neil Blaisdell Center.
Downtowners consider it a significant honor to live close to the Iolani Palace — the former home of Hawaiian monarchs. This magnificent landmark is open for self-guided or guided tours, offering remarkable insights into Hawaiian culture.
Couples regularly have their photo sessions in Downtown Honolulu.
The State Capitol, Iolani Palace, and the Honolulu Museum of Art are among its notable landmarks
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Condos abound, including upcoming Modea
Condos prevail downtown, with a median price around $600,000. Pricing can range from $420,000 for a renovated 1970s one-bedroom in Kukui Plaza to $1.6 million for a high-rise corner condo. Adds Maeda, “Modea is a new project that’s converting an office building into super-cool condos. It’ll be the anchor for a live-work-play destination where they’re also transforming an old Walmart into a huge entertainment venue with a theater and bowling alley.”
Pricing at Modea, Honolulu’s first adaptive reuse fee simple development, starts at $480,000 for a studio and $650,000 for a one-bedroom. Condo options also include Queen Emma Gardens, with a tea house and koi pond, and The Collection, featuring a dog walk and yoga studio.
Luxurious amenities promise residents a lifestyle of comfort and sophistication at Modea.
Recently constructed condos in Downtown offer senior living options.
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Mother Waldron pickleball and Kaka’ako park
Lunch hour can often include a round of pickleball on the new courts at Mother Waldron Park, and residents stroll through nature in Foster Botanical Garden.
The palace grounds offer downtown workers and residents a peaceful retreat.
Kakaako Waterfront Park offers breathtaking views and stunning sunsets.
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Oahu’s oldest McKinley High and private Hawaii Pacific
Public schools are within the Hawai‘i State Department of Education district given a B-plus on Niche. Kids can start at Royal Elementary, given a Niche B-minus, head to Central Middle School, which gets a C on Niche and advance to President William McKinley High School. McKinley High, Oahu’s oldest public school, earns a Niche B-plus and features a standout Oahu Interscholastic Association sports program.
Private school options within four miles of downtown include the Punahou School and Mid-Pacific Institute, both earning a Niche A-Plus. For higher education, the state’s largest private university, Hawaii Pacific, is right in the middle of downtown.
Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) is a prestigious private institution located in Honolulu.
McKinley High School boasts a diverse student body and rigorous academic programs.
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The Bus public transit system
All of downtown and the rest of Oahu is accessible via The Bus, Hawaii’s public transit system. If downtowners aren’t walking, they can easily take the bus, even to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, 6 miles from central downtown.
Downtown Honolulu is the heart of the island's economic and cultural life.
Downtown residents have options for groceries and other goods near the Pali Highway.
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Chinese New Year and St. Patrick's Day celebrations
“Our Chinese New Year Festival,” says Maeda, “is a very big deal. Chinatown shuts down the main road, and people set off so many firecrackers that the road fills up with smoke and excitement. It’s a tradition that’s said to send out bad energy and bring in good. It represents so much culturally.”
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Downtown Honolulu neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Honolulu
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Honolulu Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Honolulu, Honolulu sell after 111 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Honolulu, Honolulu over the last 12 months is $550,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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PREFERRED CORNER/END UNIT WITH 2 COVERED PARKING STALLS! Situated in the heart of Honolulu, don't miss this RARELY AVAILABLE 2 bed/1 bath unit in Queen Emma Gardens. This bright and breezy unit features hardwood flooring, efficient floor plan and additional windows for maximum natural light. Relax on your private lanai and soak in the beautiful city views. Enjoy amazing amenities such as a
Experience the perfect balance of calm, discovery, and wonder at Kali‘u, Kakaako's newest residence on Ala Moana Blvd. prestigious front row. This Classic 1bd +den, 1bath residence (07/ Type H, 778 sf) offers boutique island living with a focus on personal well-being. Featuring an open floor plan, 9' ceilings, and engineered wood flooring, this corner residence maximizes its position with
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