Located in Honolulu County
In the Hawaiian language, “wai” means water and “pahu” means bursting — which makes Waipahu a fitting name for this spring-fed, exceedingly verdant community. It's a blend of residential and industrial areas, with an older feel, and it has not seen the same level of development as Honolulu, 14 miles southeast, and nearby Ewa Beach.
Single-family homes built between the 1960s and the early 2000s are found throughout Waipahu’s many residential subdivisions. With their pitched roofs and boxy shapes, they evoke the early 20th-century plantation-era homes once common on the sugar plantations here. Spacious multi-generational homes with five or more bedrooms are also commonly seen. Newer homes often have enclosed garages, modern appliances and spacious yards. Prices range from $740,000 for a three-bedroom rancher to $1.3 million for a five-bedroom two-story house on a cul-de-sac. Most condominiums are located south of the H-1 Freeway, which cuts east-west through Waipahu. Townhomes cluster in the northeast. Prices for condos and townhomes run from $315,000 to $755,000. Overall, homes in Waipahu tend to cost less per square foot than those in the more developed surrounding communities.
Waipahu is centrally located between Honolulu to the southeast and Ewa Beach and Nankuli to the west. The H-1 Freeway connects with Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and eventually Honolulu. Traffic to Honolulu can be heavy and may play into Waipahu’s lack of development. “Traffic is pretty bad,” says Lo. “It takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on when you leave.” Traffic may lessen once the Skyline rail system between Waipahu and Honolulu is completed, potentially in 2025.
Local cuisine reflects Waipahu’s multicultural heritage, and Filipino restaurants are a standout. Two that Lo recommends are Elena’s Home of Finest Filipino Foods, a 40-year favorite which scored a visit by Guy Fieri, and the low-key and well-loved Thelma’s. Another favorite is Tanioka’s Seafoods and Catering. “Tanioka's is known for poke and local Asian-fusion style food,” Lo says. Retail bargains are close-at-hand at Waikele Premium Outlets, an open-air mall with more than 55 retail stores, including Kate Spade, Saks Off 5th and Tory Burch. Waikele Shopping Center is home to a Safeway supermarket.
Named for the first Asian-American woman to serve in Congress, the expansive Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park is a local hub with its playground, picnic tables and off-leash dog park. The 269-acre park also hosts large-scale sporting events at its aquatic center and across its many baseball and softball fields. Just south, golfers hit the links at Waikele Country Club, a public 18-hole course with views of Pearl Harbor. There’s no playground at the Bill Balfour, Jr. District Park, one of several parks south of the H-1, but locals can play pickleball, tennis and basketball or simply chill with their dog on the lawn. Pretty Ewa Beach is 7 miles away.
Students at Waipahu Elementary School wear a uniform every day but Wednesday, when personal expression is allowed — within school guidelines, of course. Niche.com awards the school a B+. Waipahu Intermediate earns a grade of B-. Freshmen at Waipahu High pick one of six career-focused academies to guide their coursework. Hydroponic and aquaponic growing spaces in the new Integrated Academy of Learning Center double as classrooms for students interested in farming and culinary services.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Brett Aka
REMAX Hawaii
(808) 201-0171
124 Total Sales
4 in Waipahu
$431K - $530K Price Range
Chris Prendergast
20 Degrees North Real Estate
(808) 650-5075
32 Total Sales
2 in Waipahu
$1M - $1.1M Price Range
Heidi And Leslie Team
Keller Williams Coastal Prop.
(949) 356-7766
37 Total Sales
1 in Waipahu
$834,000 Price
Johana Allison
REMAX Hawaii West Oahu
(808) 824-4030
40 Total Sales
2 in Waipahu
$550K - $850K Price Range
Tom Presler
Compass
(808) 400-9334
59 Total Sales
1 in Waipahu
$875,000 Price
Fran Magbual
Coldwell Banker Realty
(808) 465-4554
78 Total Sales
8 in Waipahu
$465K - $950K Price Range
On average, homes in Waipahu, HI sell after 84 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Waipahu, HI over the last 12 months is $733,500, down 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$2,750 - $3,695 per month
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