Overview of Oahu's Luxury Neighborhoods
Selecting a Luxury Neighborhood in Hawaii
Serious buyers of luxury Hawaii real estate must always consider these two critical aspects of purchasing luxury real estate in Hawaii: (a) the economic and market components of a luxury neighborhood; and (b) the physical attributes that all luxury Hawaii homes must embody.
There are two types of luxury neighborhood markets on Oahu island. First, the luxury neighborhood that enjoys a global market and are known internationally amongst high net worth individuals and entities abroad. These include the neighborhoods of Kahala, Diamond Head, Hawaii Loa Ridge and to an extent Koko Kai and Portlock. In recent years, Lanikai and Kailua have also moved toward a more global market after President Obama made Kailua his winter retreat and drew global attention. Neighborhoods with a global market have been, since the late 1980s, an ideal investment for those abroad who are keen on asset preservation and value-add.
Most popular amongst Japan and the Asian Tiger economies of Taiwan and Korea, investors from these countries (and culture that greatly values real estate holdings) consider the Hawaii real estate market as an Asian-Pacific style Swiss bank account. Already encased in a more reliable, steady, and isolated Hawaii real estate market driven by the ocean-locked geography of an island-state, these Hawaiian luxury neighborhood markets are even steadier, more reliable, and can further appreciate in value as worldwide wealth and demand for such assets naturally increases over time.
The remaining luxury neighborhoods are better known locally and/or domestically. These include the neighborhoods of Wailupe Circle, Na Pali Haweo on Kamehame Ridge, Tantalus and Round Top, Dowsett, and in recent years, Waialae Iki, Maunalani Heights, and some North Shore oceanfront neighborhoods. Both types of luxury neighborhood markets should feature beautiful Hawaiian style luxury homes. Architectural and life style luxury in Hawaii, better understood as a distinct "Hawaii style luxury," can be thought of as understated elegance.
The Kahala Resort is a good example of understated elegance with a luxurious ambiance created by the confluence between the physical and material. These include how architectural design, building materials and details, affect the individual and collective experience both in the present and in the past. For example, the high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and clean lines in the Kahala Resort lobby creates a grand, bright, and airy living space. The large sliding floor-to-ceiling picture window doors open to frame the ocean, Koolau mountain ranges, and Koko Head further creating a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. Incorporating Hawaii's natural beauty so that inside and outside living become one is a fundamental component to Hawaii style luxury. Further explored, this understated elegance is the type of low-key quiet confidence, strength, and intelligence emanating from true net worth established through both monetary and personal success.
Location and views are the other critical components found in Hawaiian style luxury homes. A location close to the ocean or on the beach underscore the physical aspects of a luxury Hawaiian home. Akin to a rare gem or any object of unique value, the rarity of supply drives desirability and therefore market value. Likewise, no Hawaiian luxury home is complete without multi-million dollar views of both the ocean and mountain ranges. For those homes without views of Hawaii's natural beauty, a larger lot size, convenience to town, or newer construction with extraordinary landscaping may compensate and serve as a conciliatory prize.
As with all unique and rare objects of desire, a luxury home search in the Hawaiian islands and especially in Honolulu on Oahu island should start and finish with an experienced real estate broker specializing in luxury homes and neighborhoods.
Gloria Chi Realty, Inc. is a boutique family owned, second generation real estate firm and has over three decades of Hawaii luxury market experience. We do not lease a globally identifiable luxury brand name to sidetrack experience and knowledge base.
Please contact Gloria Chi or Wayne J. Chi at your earliest convenience to be well advised and protected in the purchase of your luxury Hawaii real estate asset. We will identify and assess your needs and consult on a street-by-street, home-by-home basis of what will satiate your investment goals.
There are two types of luxury neighborhood markets on Oahu island. First, the luxury neighborhood that enjoys a global market and are known internationally amongst high net worth individuals and entities abroad. These include the neighborhoods of Kahala, Diamond Head, Hawaii Loa Ridge and to an extent Koko Kai and Portlock. In recent years, Lanikai and Kailua have also moved toward a more global market after President Obama made Kailua his winter retreat and drew global attention. Neighborhoods with a global market have been, since the late 1980s, an ideal investment for those abroad who are keen on asset preservation and value-add.
Most popular amongst Japan and the Asian Tiger economies of Taiwan and Korea, investors from these countries (and culture that greatly values real estate holdings) consider the Hawaii real estate market as an Asian-Pacific style Swiss bank account. Already encased in a more reliable, steady, and isolated Hawaii real estate market driven by the ocean-locked geography of an island-state, these Hawaiian luxury neighborhood markets are even steadier, more reliable, and can further appreciate in value as worldwide wealth and demand for such assets naturally increases over time.
The remaining luxury neighborhoods are better known locally and/or domestically. These include the neighborhoods of Wailupe Circle, Na Pali Haweo on Kamehame Ridge, Tantalus and Round Top, Dowsett, and in recent years, Waialae Iki, Maunalani Heights, and some North Shore oceanfront neighborhoods. Both types of luxury neighborhood markets should feature beautiful Hawaiian style luxury homes. Architectural and life style luxury in Hawaii, better understood as a distinct "Hawaii style luxury," can be thought of as understated elegance.
The Kahala Resort is a good example of understated elegance with a luxurious ambiance created by the confluence between the physical and material. These include how architectural design, building materials and details, affect the individual and collective experience both in the present and in the past. For example, the high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and clean lines in the Kahala Resort lobby creates a grand, bright, and airy living space. The large sliding floor-to-ceiling picture window doors open to frame the ocean, Koolau mountain ranges, and Koko Head further creating a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. Incorporating Hawaii's natural beauty so that inside and outside living become one is a fundamental component to Hawaii style luxury. Further explored, this understated elegance is the type of low-key quiet confidence, strength, and intelligence emanating from true net worth established through both monetary and personal success.
Location and views are the other critical components found in Hawaiian style luxury homes. A location close to the ocean or on the beach underscore the physical aspects of a luxury Hawaiian home. Akin to a rare gem or any object of unique value, the rarity of supply drives desirability and therefore market value. Likewise, no Hawaiian luxury home is complete without multi-million dollar views of both the ocean and mountain ranges. For those homes without views of Hawaii's natural beauty, a larger lot size, convenience to town, or newer construction with extraordinary landscaping may compensate and serve as a conciliatory prize.
As with all unique and rare objects of desire, a luxury home search in the Hawaiian islands and especially in Honolulu on Oahu island should start and finish with an experienced real estate broker specializing in luxury homes and neighborhoods.
Gloria Chi Realty, Inc. is a boutique family owned, second generation real estate firm and has over three decades of Hawaii luxury market experience. We do not lease a globally identifiable luxury brand name to sidetrack experience and knowledge base.
Please contact Gloria Chi or Wayne J. Chi at your earliest convenience to be well advised and protected in the purchase of your luxury Hawaii real estate asset. We will identify and assess your needs and consult on a street-by-street, home-by-home basis of what will satiate your investment goals.
PORTLOCK and KOKO KAI
Portlock/Koko Kai is located in East Honolulu's Hawaii Kai, the first planned community in all of Hawaii.
After designing and building the Hoover Dam under budget and on schedule, developer Henry J. Kaiser moved to Honolulu to seek better weather and living environment for his health. While building Hilton Hawaiian Village, he envisioned a master planned mixed use community in the fishing village of East Honolulu which he would later name Hawaii Kai. He employed the same equipment and techniques used to build the Hoover Dam to build out the swamp land that he would later name Koko Marina, the only marina to deep ocean inland waterway in all of Hawaii.
Henry J. Kaiser designed estate sized residential lots for Portlock/Koko Kai to take full advantage of its location in capturing the unrivaled views of both Diamond Head and the ocean. This deep understanding of geographic positioning is the secret to the prestige of this exclusive community.
The Kaiser Estate, Henry J. Kaiser's own five acre ocean front property which he reserved in Portlock/Koko Kai was once the most expensive residential property in the U.S. valued at over $80,000,000 USD.
The Kaiser Estate was later partitioned and sold off in individual sections. In 2013, one of the former Kaiser Estate ocean front parcels sold for $19,250,000 USD.
With unsurpassed views found nowhere else on Oahu, flat and walkable streets, and a tight knit quiet community, it is no wonder many of the world's most important and successful people call Portlock/Koko Kai their primary or secondary vacation home! Portlock/Koko Kai is close to town and steps to shopping, hiking, running routes, beaches, ocean and marina activities, and the worlds #1 Beach, Hanauma Bay!
To purchase a home in Portlock/Koko Kai, please directly contact Wayne J. Chi at 1-808-225-2388 and/or [email protected] for more information, assistance with identifying and selecting a home, and to schedule private viewings.
After designing and building the Hoover Dam under budget and on schedule, developer Henry J. Kaiser moved to Honolulu to seek better weather and living environment for his health. While building Hilton Hawaiian Village, he envisioned a master planned mixed use community in the fishing village of East Honolulu which he would later name Hawaii Kai. He employed the same equipment and techniques used to build the Hoover Dam to build out the swamp land that he would later name Koko Marina, the only marina to deep ocean inland waterway in all of Hawaii.
Henry J. Kaiser designed estate sized residential lots for Portlock/Koko Kai to take full advantage of its location in capturing the unrivaled views of both Diamond Head and the ocean. This deep understanding of geographic positioning is the secret to the prestige of this exclusive community.
The Kaiser Estate, Henry J. Kaiser's own five acre ocean front property which he reserved in Portlock/Koko Kai was once the most expensive residential property in the U.S. valued at over $80,000,000 USD.
The Kaiser Estate was later partitioned and sold off in individual sections. In 2013, one of the former Kaiser Estate ocean front parcels sold for $19,250,000 USD.
With unsurpassed views found nowhere else on Oahu, flat and walkable streets, and a tight knit quiet community, it is no wonder many of the world's most important and successful people call Portlock/Koko Kai their primary or secondary vacation home! Portlock/Koko Kai is close to town and steps to shopping, hiking, running routes, beaches, ocean and marina activities, and the worlds #1 Beach, Hanauma Bay!
To purchase a home in Portlock/Koko Kai, please directly contact Wayne J. Chi at 1-808-225-2388 and/or [email protected] for more information, assistance with identifying and selecting a home, and to schedule private viewings.
HAWAII LOA RIDGE
Hawaii Loa Ridge was Hawaii's first private, gated, and secured neighborhood. Many of the homes have beautiful ocean and mountain views of either Koko Crater and/or Diamond Head.
To purchase a home on Hawaii Loa Ridge, please directly contact Wayne J. Chi at 1-808-225-2388 and/or [email protected] for more information, assistance with identifying and selecting a home, and to schedule private viewings.
To purchase a home on Hawaii Loa Ridge, please directly contact Wayne J. Chi at 1-808-225-2388 and/or [email protected] for more information, assistance with identifying and selecting a home, and to schedule private viewings.
DIAMOND HEAD/BLACK POINT
Many of Hawaii's most expensive and beautiful homes are located in the Diamond Head and Black Point neighborhoods. Perched at the foot of Diamond Head, the Diamond Head/Black Point can be positioned to have beautiful ocean views. Residents appreciate the convenience to town, outdoor activities, estate sized lots, and exclusivity.
To purchase a home in the Diamond Head and Black Point neighborhoods, please directly contact Wayne J. Chi at 1-808-225-2388 and/or [email protected] for more information, assistance with identifying and selecting a home, and to schedule private viewings.
To purchase a home in the Diamond Head and Black Point neighborhoods, please directly contact Wayne J. Chi at 1-808-225-2388 and/or [email protected] for more information, assistance with identifying and selecting a home, and to schedule private viewings.
KAHALA 豪宅區
Kahala is perhaps one of the most prestigious, exclusive, and well known high end neighborhoods in Hawaii. Most Kahala homes have no views, but many residents highly value the estate sized lots, flat and walkable streets, and convenience to town. Ocean front homes with ocean and mountain views are, like a precious one-of-a-kind gem stone, rare and highly desirable that should be selected and purchased with care.
To purchase a home in Kahalai, please directly contact Wayne J. Chi at 1-808-225-2388 and/or [email protected] for more information, assistance with identifying and selecting a home, and to schedule private viewings.
To purchase a home in Kahalai, please directly contact Wayne J. Chi at 1-808-225-2388 and/or [email protected] for more information, assistance with identifying and selecting a home, and to schedule private viewings.
KAILUA
Kailua has always been a laid back beach town with some of the world's beach beaches. Kailua is also home to President Obama's winter retreat. Most homes have no views, but residents value the flat and walkable streets. Beach front properties are rare and highly desirable.
To purchase a home in Kailua, please directly contact Wayne J. Chi at 1-808-225-2388 and/or [email protected] for more information, assistance with identifying and selecting a home, and to schedule private viewings.
To purchase a home in Kailua, please directly contact Wayne J. Chi at 1-808-225-2388 and/or [email protected] for more information, assistance with identifying and selecting a home, and to schedule private viewings.
LANIKAI
Just kitty corner to Kailua, Lanikai has historically been an exclusive and prestigious beach town neighborhood popular with Hawaiian Royalty and global celebrities alike. In recent years, Lanikai Beach was consecutively rated the #1 beach in the world with its fine, white powdered sand and lush silky water. Lanikai has three types of residential lot choices: beachfront, flat lots, and upslope. The lot choices vary in price point according to the type of views and ocean condition.
To purchase a home in Lanikai, please directly contact Wayne J. Chi at 1-808-225-2388 and/or [email protected] for more information, assistance with identifying and selecting a home, and to schedule private viewings.
To purchase a home in Lanikai, please directly contact Wayne J. Chi at 1-808-225-2388 and/or [email protected] for more information, assistance with identifying and selecting a home, and to schedule private viewings.
