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.
Treating customers like family is both a guiding principle and a way of life for this award-winning real estate agent. Born and raised on O`ahu, Hawai`i, he attributes the island’s diverse cultural influence to his success. Currently raising three successful teenage daughters has been the greatest accomplishment of his life thus far. His ability to provide his customers with the same care, concern, and focus on success that he provides his family is something Aaron strives for.
Aaron’s dedication to becoming a well-rounded member of the real estate community and his love for the real estate industry found him involved with the Honolulu Board of Realtors. He has held various positions since 2007 including Metro Regional Director, Director-At-Large, Secretary, and is currently the Honolulu Board of Realtors President-Elect. His continual commitment to excellence earned him the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation of which only 3% of the Nation’s Realtors hold. He is a member of the Residential Real Estate Council’s Hawaii Chapter leadership team and is the 2025 Chapter President. Aaron has also graduated from the Hawaii Association of Realtors’ Leadership Academy in 2022.
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.
