The city and the mountains rolled into one Honolulu neighborhood
Some locals see Makiki and Makiki Heights as separate neighborhoods, but most people consider them two sides of the same coin. “Makiki runs to the foothill of the mountain, and Makiki Heights is all on the upslope,” says Tommy Kim, a longtime local and a Coldwell Banker real estate agent for over a decade. “That’s where you start to transition from condos into single-family homes, and that’s where a lot of ancient Hawai’i was. As you move higher up, you have sweeping views of the city and a cooler climate. Makiki Heights feels like an actual jungle, and Makiki is more of a concrete one.” This flatter side is about a mile from downtown Honolulu; the mountainous area goes about 5 miles up to Tantalus summit, which overlooks the neighborhood. The Punchbowl Crater, an extinct volcano and Pearl Harbor memorial, is just west of the neighborhood, and beaches are south along the coast. While the island of O’ahu welcomes many part-time residents, Makiki retains its residents year-round. “People have been here for a long time, whereas part-time international buyers are probably looking toward Kaka’ako or Ala Moana,” Kim says. “Makiki is diverse, but it’s more local-based than anything.”
Makiki aerial overview
Makiki's housing market is competitive due to its central location and desirable features.
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Makiki Valley trails with a view, beach proximity
On the north side of the neighborhood, the Makiki Valley has a network of trails that runs through a tropical rainforest. “A lot of people like to go up to Tantalus,” says Kim. “That’s the famous hike that looks over Honolulu, and it reminds me of a Hawaiian song called ‘Honolulu City Lights.’ I think it might’ve been written up there because the views are so amazing.” The Pu’u ‘Ualaka’a State Wayside is a nearby green space that leads to other trails, such as Na Ala Hele and ‘Ualaka’a. The skyline and the Diamond Head State Monument — a giant volcanic cone — can often be seen in between the trees. For an even longer hike, trails extend north into the Waimanalo Forest Reserve and run along its mountain streams. Smaller parks include Makiki District Park and Cartwright Neighborhood Parks, and these have pools and community gardens. While Makiki isn’t directly on the Pacific Ocean, Ala Moana Beach is a short drive south. This palm-lined stretch of sand gets fewer tourists than Waikiki Beach and has a coral reef for snorkeling.
garden cages
another view from top
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Luxury condos in Makiki and hillside estates in Makiki Heights
High-rise condos and apartments are south of Nehoa Street, toward the base of the mountain. They were mostly built in the 1970s; they have neutral-colored paint and banded windows characteristic of the time period. Though Makiki has a lot of long-term residents, more than half of the population are renters, and they cluster in this area. Prices are between $50,000 and $500,000, but buyers won’t often own the property outright. “Some buildings have fee-simple like in a traditional lease,” Kim says. “But a lot of properties are still leasehold, where you own the use of your space until the lease runs out. Then the rights transfer back to the original owner. With a lease, the landlord can evict the tenant whenever, but leaseholds give you some protection. They’re not as common in O’ahu anymore, and Makiki has probably the most on the island.” However, most condos between $500,000 and $1.7 million can be bought outright. The same can be said for hillside estates in Makiki Heights. They often feature skyline, coastal and Diamond Head views, and they have more room. Prices increase with elevation; homes at the base of the mountain start at $1.2 million but can go above $5 million toward the summit.
condo 4
ridge home side
Wilder Ave condos 4
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Top-rated options with Hawai’i State Department of Education
Schools cluster on the neighborhood’s western side, walkable along Auwaiolimu Street’s hill. President Abraham Lincoln Elementary is near the top of the hill and gets a B-plus from Niche. The campus is decorated with colorful murals of Hawai’i, and after a new mural was completed in 2023, the school received the Cooke Beautification Award for Public Schools. Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School is toward the bottom of the hill, and it also gets a B-plus. The school holds a Color Walk in May and makes field trips to local parks. President Theodore Roosevelt High was once combined with Stevenson Middle, but a new building was constructed across the street in 1932. The school now gets an A from Niche and ranks as the No. 7 best public high school in Hawai’i, ahead of 54 others. The University of Hawai’i at Manoa is just east of the neighborhood and has over 200 degree programs.
Hanahauoli School
Roosevelt HS focuses on academic excellence and fostering a love for learning in children.
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Shops and restaurants in the south, toward Kaka’ako
Separated from most housing, Beretania and King streets have retail, grocery and dining options. Grace’s Inn is open all day for traditional Hawaiian food. Golden Pork Tonkotsu is a Japanese ramen bar that’s close to a sashimi place and an Indian restaurant. Kim points out the new Chik-Fil-A, opened in 2024. “It’s a big deal," he says. "They’ve come to O’ahu in the last couple of years, and it’s one of three locations on the island. It creates all kinds of traffic, and there’s always a huge line.” Times Supermarket and Mercado de La Raza are close by for groceries. Some clothing stores are here, such as Plato’s Closet and Harbors Vintage, but Ala Moana Center has even more. A half-mile south toward the Kaka’ako neighborhood, this four-story complex is the largest open-air mall in the world. It has department stores, family-owned restaurants and hula performances.
restaurant signage
ancient horse statue
Museum entrance
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Walking in Makiki, driving in Makiki Heights
Southernmost residents can walk around town, as this land is mostly flat with wide sidewalks. Biking is another option, but traffic increases along major thoroughfares such as Beretania and King streets. Biki, the island's bike rental service, has a station on Makiki Street. O’ahu’s bus system, TheBus, runs north to south along Keeaumoku Street and leads to Ala Moana. Despite these options, people at northern elevations likely have a car. The H1 Freeway runs along the south side of Makiki and leads about 7 miles west to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Hospitals are along this freeway as well, on either side of the neighborhood; Straub Medical Center, Queens Medical Center and Shriner’s Children’s Hospital are all within a few miles of most homes.
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On average, homes in Makiki, Honolulu sell after 102 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Makiki, Honolulu over the last 12 months is $380,000, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
NEW LISTING! Enjoy serene mountain views from this well-maintained studio/1 bath unit in Punahou Gardens. Ideally situated in the heart of Makiki, features include fresh interior paint, hard surface flooring throughout and granite countertops. Expansive windows invite cool breezes and maximum natural light! Conveniently located near shopping, restaurants, parks, Downtown Honolulu, Waikiki and
Charming Makiki Single-Family Home! Enjoy beautiful city views from this tastefully updated 5 bdrm/3 bath single-level residence offering nearly 2,000 sq ft of comfortable living in one of Honolulu's most sought-after neighborhoods. Features include fresh interior/exterior paint, newly refinished hardwood floors, stylish vinyl plank flooring, and a contemporary open kitchen with new cabinets,
This modern redesigned END CORNER unit is a unique find in the award winning Maikiki Towers! Originally a 2-bed/1.5-bath, it was fully renovated with a second shower, separating it from other units in the building! Modern upgrades include luxury vinyl flooring, designer tiled showers, quartz waterfall countertops & full backsplash, custom built-in cabinetry and a coffee/bev bar! With an enclosed
This beautifully updated 2-bed, 1-bath unit combines luxury and practicality in a safe, gated community. The unit includes a versatile bonus space—perfect for a home office or potentially a third bedroom. Luxury vinyl plank flooring enhances the entire space, while quartz countertops add a touch of elegance to both the kitchen and bath. Originally built with a large lanai, this area has been
Experience stunning city, ocean, and Diamond Head views from this tastefully updated and impeccably maintained 2 bdrm/2 bath CORNER unit with 2 covered parking at 999 Wilder in Makiki. Offering nearly 1,400 sq. ft. of interior living space, this unit features fresh interior paint, updated kitchen and bathrooms, in-unit washer/dryer, and an expansive wrap around covered lanai. Conveniently located
“Welcome to 706 Continental Plaza – where comfort meets convenience in the heart of Honolulu! This bright and spacious condo features a large living and dining area with a huge picture window that fills the space with natural light and cool island breezes. While the home needs a little love, it offers the perfect opportunity to bring your vision to life and create your own personalized living
Welcome home to Kewalo Apartments. Your future community offers Studio apartment homes. Kewalo Apartments is conveniently located at 1442 Kewalo Street in lovely Makiki. The property is in a great location just around the corner from tons of restaurants, Target, Walmart, Safeway, Ala Moana Center, and much more. This property is perfect for those who want a central and convenient location but do
2bed 1 bath,1 parking with one parking space available for $60/month. Tenant pays GET. 2 Story walk-up, washer & Dryer included. Conveniently located in Makiki. Water and sewer is included. The tenant pays electricity, cable, and internet. 1-year lease term. 1 pet is acceptable with a $500 pet deposit. No smoking. Please email yuiko@sachihawaii.com for showing times.
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