Kaneohe has always been a fishing town. “Back in the day, Hawaiian royals would fish a lot in the ponds in Kaneohe Bay,” says Wanida Tienchai, a Realtor with O’ahu Real Estate with over 20 years of experience. “That hasn’t changed much, and the locals still do that. They’re very proud of that tradition, and it feels very connected to Ancient Hawaii.” People also used these ponds for taro — or kalo — cultivation since this segment of the Windward Coast receives more rain than most other places on O’ahu. Most agricultural land has shifted up the coast since then, though, and about 40,000 people live here today. The area has modernized with bayfront housing and shopping centers. Still, it doesn’t get the tourism of Kailua, a beachy town just south, and its housing prices are more budget-friendly. It’s also a popular spot for military service members because of its proximity to Marine Core Base Hawaii, just up the bay on Mokapu Point.
Haiku Plantation residents take advantage of lush landscaping in outdoor living spaces.
Boats can be seen sailing in the distance from Kaneohe's He'eia State Park.
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Boating in Kaneohe Bay, hiking in Ko’olau Mountains
While it doesn’t have white sand beaches, Kaneohe Bay — K Bay to locals — is the center of the town’s water sports culture. “Many times throughout the year, during low tide, the Kaneohe Sandbar comes up out of the water,” Tienchai says. “You see a lot of sailboats, yachts and everything go out there to dock and snorkel the reef. The bay protects you from waves, so it’s nice and flat for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.” The Ko’olau Mountains are visible from this sandbar and the rest of Kaneohe, with ultragreen peaks that tower above the landscape. Along the town’s west side, these peaks once held the iconic Stairway to Heaven hike, but many high-elevation trails are nearby. The Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, at the base of the range, has 400 acres of rainforest and a freshwater reservoir.
Kaneohe Bay dock
He'eia State Park's scenic views and lush landscaping make it a prime tourist destination.
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Mahinui estates and Haiku Plantation parcels
The town’s median sale price is about $970,000, roughly $400,000 less than the median for Kailua. “Sometimes people can’t buy in Kailua, but they buy in Kaneohe,” Tienchai says. “It’s great if you want to be windward, and you get more house for your money.” Because of the views in this area, prices largely depend on the property’s distance to the bay or the mountains. Waterfront estates in Mahinui are often above the median price, whereas inland homes can sell for less. Multiacre properties in Haiku Plantation, a gated community in the Ko’olau foothills, are also on the higher end of the market. Most listings are single-family homes, but some condos and townhomes are on the town’s north side.
A long dock leads into the Waikalua-Loko Fish Pond near Kāneʻohe Beach Park.
A Mahalani Circle luxury home benefits from Kaneohe's natural beauty through its architecture.
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Local businesses and national brands at Windward Mall
On Kaneohe’s north side, the Windward Mall is the most frequented retail center in town. It has a wide range of restaurants, surf shops and department stores, including a Target built in 2023. The first floor also hosts a small farmers market on Wednesdays and Sundays, and an indoor gymnasium puts on the Hawaii Club Volleyball Championships for youth teams in May. On the town’s south side, Windward City Shopping Center also has grocers, gyms, fast food and other retailers.
With its spacious layout and inviting atmosphere, Windward Mall is a local gem.
L&L BBQ is a staple across the state of Hawaii.
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Kane’ohe Elementary, other schools with Hawaii Department of Education
Hawaii Department of Education, the statewide school district, operates about 10 schools in Kaneohe, and most receive a B-minus or better from Niche. Kane’ohe Elementary scores a B-plus and has extracurricular activities such as First Lego League Robotics and Literature Arts Café. Serving roughly 2,000 students, Windward Community College is an arts-focused college on the town’s west side.
Students at Windward Community College benefit from personalized attention and small class sizes
The school's vibrant campus is complemented by its state-of-the-art facilities.
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Crime levels on O’ahu
Honolulu Police Department tallies yearly crime statistics for the whole island, not specifically Kane’ohe. They reported about 1,850 violent crimes and 18,900 property crimes in 2023. Compared to the previous year, offenses decreased by over 20%.
Windward Coast highways and scenic Interstate H-3
With narrow roads and few bike lanes, many residents drive around town, and they often commute to other parts of the island for work. The Kamehameha and Kahehili highways are the main north-south routes through Kaneohe and along the Windward Coast. Kaneohe Bay Drive follows the ocean, traveling up to Marine Core Base Hawaii. Interstate H-3 runs along Kaneohe’s south side and goes about 10 miles to Honolulu. Tunneling through the Ko’olau Mountains and surrounded by rainforest, this route is one of the most iconic, scenic drives on O’ahu, and traffic isn’t usually an issue.
The scenic Interstate H-3 highway runs along the edge of Kāneʻohe.
With close access to beaches, dining, and retail, high-rise condos have plenty of benefits.
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Written By
Matt Medl
Video By
Trevor Stevens
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Akino Hayakawa,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Kaneohe, HI sell after 79 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Kaneohe, HI over the last 12 months is $963,500, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Rarely available ground-floor 3-bedroom, 2-bath condo at Poha Kea Point with peaceful views of Kaneohe Bay and direct access to a lush, private-feeling lawn. Enjoy indoor-outdoor living from your spacious covered lanai, complete with a small garden area perfect for planting or personalizing. Inside, you’ll find fresh paint, brand new carpet and vinyl flooring, an updated kitchen, and refreshed
Welcome to your stunning 4 bed 2 bath home with a legal attached 2 bed 1 bath ADU. Nestled within a serene and tranquil neighborhood, you will discover the home of your dreams where island charm meets modern luxury. This gem of a home has been fully renovated from top to bottom with thoughtful attention to detail and quality craftsmanship. As you enter through the front door, you will be welcomed
Welcome to this beautifully remodeled home nestled in the highly desired and rarely available Mokulele neighborhood in Kaneohe. Fully renovated in 2018 and additional updates just completed, this home combines modern aesthetics with classic farmhouse charm. Enjoy breathtaking Koolau mountain views from your covered lanai, bedrooms, and spacious backyard. A dedicated laundry area and ample storage
Rarely available ground-floor 3-bedroom, 2-bath condo at Poha Kea Point with peaceful views of Kaneohe Bay and direct access to a lush, private-feeling lawn. Enjoy indoor-outdoor living from your spacious covered lanai, complete with a small garden area perfect for planting or personalizing. Inside, you’ll find fresh paint, brand new carpet and vinyl flooring, an updated kitchen, and refreshed
Experience breathtaking views of Kaneohe Bay, Chinaman’s Hat, and the stunning Ko‘olau Mountains from this beautifully updated tri-level home in the desirable Lulani Ocean neighborhood. With 6 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, this spacious property offers flexible living options—perfect for multi-generational families or potential rental income, with separate entrances on each level. The home features
Experience unparalleled stunning views of Kaneohe Bay & the Ko’olau mountains as you enter into this gated Hilltop Sanctuary! This 5 bedroom, 5/2 bathroom custom home sits atop the unique Windward neighborhood of Mahinui on Oahu— a hidden gem low-traffic area, just minutes from Kailua town & its beaches — boasting dynamic panoramic views of vibrant Kaneohe Bay, Kaneohe Yacht Club, Chinaman’s Hat,
* Non smoking unit and buildings premises.* Quiet, clean property in a tropical garden setting.* Beautiful views of Kaneohe Bay and of the Ko’olau Mountains.* Units are clean and immaculate.* Utilities include hot and cold water! (Lower electric bills!)* Easy on/off access to H3 and close to Windward City Shopping Center and MCBH.* Partially furnished with range,
AVAILABLE IN JULY! PETS OK! Val Hala Apartments in Kaneohe!Corner unit 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment rental situated on the ground floor. This unit comes partially furnished with range, refrigerator, garbage disposal, ceiling fans in living room and each bedroom.Coin operated laundry facility on site.1 assigned parking stall is available for $100/month.Water, sewer and trash is included in the
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