Oahu Realtors

Kahala Real Estate and Community Life   by Nathan Davis

Kahala is a neighborhood within Honolulu that features some of the most expensive real estate in Hawaii. Kahala rose to prominence in the early 1960s as a popular tourist destination for the Hollywood elite. The popularity followed the establishment of the Kahala Hilton resort hotel, which opened in 1964 featuring exclusive beaches and a private golf course away from the hustle and bustle of other burgeoning Honolulu tourist areas. It’s reputation as a favorite celebrity hideaway was cemented by frequent visits from the likes of John Wayne, Lucille Ball, Eva Gabor and Frank Sinatra.

Kahala As A Luxury Resort

Kahala is known throughout the world for having some of the most luxurious and exclusive tropical resorts. Visits from world luminaries like Queen Elizabeth, Princess Grace and the Dalai Lama have contributed to Kahala’s popular reputation and interest in the exclusive settings it offers. Like Waikiki, Kahala features its own sandy beaches, but these locations are more secluded and a lot less crowded.

Kahala’s reputation as a luxury resort is sustained primarily by its two largest hotels, the Kahala Resort and Hotel as well as the Kahala Mandarin Oriental (previously the Kahala Hilton). Many of the world renowned guests that have visited Kahala have passed through these resort hotels. Some additional notable celebrities were Johnny Carson, Liza Minelli, Tony Bennett and Burt Reynolds. Even Prince Charles and Princess Diana enjoyed a resort visit.

Like much of the Oahu coastline, Kahala possesses fantastic beaches with sparkling clear blue water and gorgeous panoramic views. Since these beaches are not as crowded as other locations near Honolulu, a visitor can really immerse themselves in the tropical surroundings and experience a more sublime piece of paradise.

Kahala Real Estate and Residential Living

As Kahala’s popularity grew, so did the desire for Kahala luxury Homes and real estate. Residents of Kahala are owners of some of the most expensive and spectacular real estate in the United States. Lots for homes are quite large, with many featuring large lush lawns and their own swimming pools. Some of the most spectacular beachfront homes adorn Kahala, Black Point and Diamond Head. In addition to the beachfront communities, there are hillside neighborhoods like Waialae Iki whose luxury property showcases scintillating views of the horizon and sea.

Residents of Kahala are an interesting mix of locals and newer arrivals. The locals inhabit older Houses. Newer arrivals to Kahala live in the larger, more expensive, luxury homes. Vacation homes are a very popular commodity in Kahala and are available at different levels of luxury; whether the buyer is seeking a mansion, a plush luxury home, or something more simple like a condo.

Kahala has been a popular market for investors, who have made a career out of purchasing large amounts of property in some of its older neighborhoods and improving or restoring that property to sell for large sums. Tear-Down houses continue to be one such market and contribute to the continuation of improvement and transition to luxury that are the staple of the more prominent Kahala neighborhoods.

Becoming a Part of the Kahala Community

Depending on their unique needs, a local Kahala Realtor can suggest the best options for a buyer interested in purchasing Kahala luxury property. Generally, it is suggested to live in the Kahala home, as it is one of the most popular resort areas in the world. However, many buyers choose to purchase vacation homes in Kahala and that is certainly an acceptable option. New residents, after living in the community for a few years, eventually mingle with other community members and become a part of the local paradise culture.

While most residents use private transportation, there is reliable public transportation available. Since many of the neighborhoods are newly revitalized due to investment, Kahala also possesses all the amentities of a progressive town. Due to its close proximity to Honolulu, Kahala also has all of the conveniences and facilities of a big city.

Investment Opportunities in Kahala

Kahala has been a great real estate investment option for a long time. For more than half a century, Kahala neighborhoods of luxury homes have been growing in number and prospering. Most of the real estate in Kahala is sold at the high end of the luxury market. Even the tear-down properties that are later redeveloped and restored sell for over a million dollars.

Investment consultants would undoubtedly agree that Kahala is a great place to invest. The popularity of vacation homes and the strong tourist economy provide a built-in real estate market and constant flow of prospective buyers. Historical figures on Oahu Real Estate show that property prices in the area have been on a steady and steep rise for decades. With real estate development still occurring, the tourist industry still strong, and the popularity of Hawaii as a paradise for living, the demand for real estate in Kahala will continue.

About the Author

Nathan Davis is a professional living in Hawaii with an avid interest in Hawaiian history and Hawaii real estate. He specializes in Kahala real estate and the history of Honolulu.
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