Kahuku offers coastal beauty and small-town living on the North Shore
Kahuku is a rural village on Oahu’s scenic North Shore. Its 2,900 residents enjoy sandy beaches, Pacific waves and plenty of open space. It’s just a few miles from some of the world’s most famous surfing destinations, a luxury resort and some of the island’s best hiking around the Koolau Range. The village is primarily residential, with just enough shopping and dining that locals don’t need to make the trek to a larger city. The Hawaiian capital of Honolulu is about 35 miles away. “It’s off the beaten track, but there’s so much to do, especially outdoors,” says Realtor Sherine Duncan of Exp Realty, a longtime resident of the area. “There are beautiful beaches, horseback riding trails, ziplining. It has a lot to offer.”
Older homes on modest lots within walking distance of the beach
The village offers a mix of homes, most of which date back to the early and mid-20th century. Plantation-style homes, ranch-style homes, bungalows and Traditional homes are all available here. They typically occupy modest lots with enough room for small gardens or landscaping, and many have views of the mountains and hills in the west. The streetscape is quiet and rural, with bursts of tropical vegetation and palm trees dotting the horizon. Prices in town range from around $750,000 to $1 million. Luxury homes and condos are found along the shorelines, especially near the Ritz-Carlton O'ahu, Turtle Bay resort. Homes there can sell for between $3.5 million and $5 million, with condo prices ranging from $800,000 to $1.8 million.
Ziplining, surfing and hiking are close to home
Kahuku is surrounded by North Shore outdoor destinations, including beaches, ocean overlooks, and nearby hiking destinations. The weather is mostly sunny and mild all year round, with a coastal breeze coming off the Pacific. Residents are within walking distance of Kahuku Beach and Moku’Auia Beach, which offer a place for relaxation, swimming and surfing. Avid golfers can tee up at Kahuku Golf Course, a public, 9-hole course nestled along the shoreline. Kahuku District Park has a baseball diamond, basketball courts and a playground. Just south of the community is CLIMB Works Keana Farms, a popular zipline park that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Its guided zipline tours take people over dense tree canopies with sweeping views of the coast and the mountains.
Local shops and food trucks line Kamehameha Highway
Kahuku has a small shopping area centered around Kamehameha Highway with a handful of shops and restaurants. Raised by the Waves is a go-to for healthy, vegetarian fare, while The Corner Deli serves sandwiches. There are several food trucks adjacent to the shopping plaza as well. Kalena’s Hut is a local favorite for Hawaiian barbecue, Nelly’s Tacos offers authentic Mexican and Da Bald Guy has a mix of Cajun, Asian and Hawaiian fusion. “We’ve got everything from Thai and tacos to burgers and shrimp. There are a lot of shrimp farms on this part of the island, so the shrimp are really fresh,” Duncan says. For groceries and everyday goods, Kahuku Superette has the essentials, while more options are found about 3 miles south in the town of Laie.
Kahuku High is known for its award-winning football program
Students may start at Kahuku Elementary School, which serves kindergarten through sixth grade and earns a C-plus from Niche. The next step is Kahuku High & Intermediate School, which serves seventh through 12th grade and is rated B-plus. Kahuku High & Intermediate is well-known for its extracurriculars, including a championship-winning football team. “Football is a big deal here,” Duncan says.
Most residents rely on cars with limited walkability
Kahuku residents will likely need a car to get around, as the streets aren’t particularly walkable. Those who need public transportation can catch the bus on Kamehameha Highway. Medical care is close by at Wahiawa Queens Medical Hospital, about 24 miles away. Frequent flyers can hop on a plane at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, 36 miles south.
