Laie blends college life, culture and natural beauty
Laie is a historical, coastal town on Oahu’s world-famous North Shore. It offers a mix of cultural heritage, college life and small-town living between pristine Pacific beaches and craggy Hawaiian mountains. Residents have enviable access to outdoor recreation on the island, from surfing and paddleboarding to hiking and biking in the countryside, and it’s only 33 miles from the Hawaiian capital of Honolulu. “It’s a small community in the country that’s very diverse, with a lot of different ethnicities and cultures," says Realtor Jeremy Moncur of Staples Realty, who’s based in neighboring Kahuku. "You’ve got students, professors and people whose families have lived here for decades."
Centuries ago, prior to the colonization of the Hawaiian Islands, Laie was a “sanctuary for fugitives” on Oahu. Fugitives could seek refuge among the village’s priests, and their pursuers were barred from entry. In the mid-19th century, it became the base of operations for the Church of Latter-day Saints’ Hawaiian mission, and today, it’s home to Brigham Young University-Hawaii, the Laie Hawaii Temple and the Polynesian Cultural Center, which celebrates the region’s Native Hawaiian history.
Quiet streets and tropical homes near beaches and parks
Laie offers a wide mix of housing, from modest ranch-style homes and bungalows to spacious homes perched along the coastline. The streetscape is typically calm and quiet, with tropical vegetation and palm trees. Many homes offer peek-a-boo views of the surrounding mountains. “The town doesn’t allow vacation homes, so it’s mostly locals and students,” Moncur says. Most residents are within walking distance of local beaches, parks and the town’s few shopping and dining options. Prices range from around $1 million to $2 million. There are also many apartments in Laie, largely taken up by students attending the university.
Hiking, surfing and snorkeling are steps from home
Locals have easy access to a wide range of outdoor adventures. Laie Point State Wayside is one of the town’s most iconic parks. It juts out into the ocean with sweeping views of coastal scenery and distant ridgelines. Right next door are sandy beaches like Bikini Beach, Clissold’s Beach and Temple Beach Park, offering spots for relaxation, swimming, surfing and snorkeling. There’s plenty of hiking nearby, including the Laie Falls Trail, which winds up into the mountains and ends with a waterfall and swimming area. “The beach is the big thing here. But hiking is a close second,” Moncur says.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is the town’s biggest attraction and draws millions of visitors every year. It’s Hawaii’s largest living museum, with eight tropical villages that replicate what life was like on Hawaii when it was inhabited only by Native Hawaiians. Encompassing 42 acres, it has gardens, exhibits and reenactments of island life.
Local schools offer strong academics and standout programs
Students start at Laie Elementary School, which serves kindergarten through sixth grade and earns an A-minus from Niche. The next step is Kahuku High & Intermediate School, which serves seventh through 12th grades and gets a B-plus. Kahuku High & Intermediate is well known for its extracurriculars, including its Music Learning Center, which has received widespread recognition, and its championship-winning football team. Brigham Young University-Hawaii’s campus is in the heart of town and enrolls about 2,800 students every year.
Food trucks, galleries and gift shops at Hukilau Marketplace
Laie has a handful of shopping and dining destinations. “You’ve got everything you need, but there’s not much of it,” Moncur says. Hukilau Marketplace, located right next to the Polynesian Cultural Center, has a mix of restaurants, food trucks, gift shops, galleries and apparel shops. Pounders Restaurants is one of the most popular in town, serving classic American cuisine with local ingredients. There’s also Tita’s Grill for homegrown Hawaiian fare, while those in the mood for Japanese can head to Hapas Sushi & Poke. Laie Shopping Center is another option for dining, with several fast-food chains and the Foodland Laie grocery store.
Laie offers local transit and access to regional services
Laie’s residential streets and university campus are pedestrian and bike friendly, and there are bus stops on Kamehameha Highway. Medical care is close by at Wahiawa Queens Medical Hospital, about 26 miles away. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, and downtown Honolulu, are about 35 miles south.
