Homes For Sale in Kapolei Oahu
Kapolei City is located in Honolulu County, Hawaiʻi, United States. It is a planned community on the island of Oahu, meaning its conception and emergence was planned and deliberate. It is known as the ‘second city’ the island, Honolulu is the first.
Kapolei City was named after Puʻu o Kapolei, a volcanic cone. In the Hawaiian language, Pu’u means ‘hill,’ and Kapo lei means ‘beloved Kapo,’ and Kapo was the Goddess of Fertility in Hawaiian legends.
Kapolei City has a population of about 21,000 residents. Many of the residents here are US citizens that have relocated to Hawaii, undoubtedly because of the fantastic climate and lifestyle. A tiny percentage of the population has immigrated from other countries.
Tourism is the state of Hawaii’s most significant industry, and the island of Oahu is the most popular destination for tourists around the world. In 2018, almost 10,000,000 visitors came to Hawaii, according to the Hawaiian Tourism Authority. That means over $17 Billion went into the Hawaiian economy from this one industry alone.
Kapolei City ranks #4 on the list of suburbs that are the best for young professionals in the state of Hawaii. It’s also #6 on the list for raising a family.
- Hawaiian Meaning: Named for the volcanic cone Puu o Kapolei loosely meaning "Hill of beloved Kapo"
- Was agricultural land used for sugarcane and pineapple production.
About Kapolei City Homes for Sale
- Population: Around 21,000 people
- Zip code: 96707
- Also known as " Oahu's second city"
- Distance from town: 25 miles (40 km)
- Median Sales price for Single Family Homes: $700k
- Median sales price for condominiums/townhouses: $400k
There are over 5,000 homes in Kapolei City, and the majority of them were built between 1990 and 2010 or later.
Condos in the city start in the low $300,000’s and can climb to nearly $2 million for luxury properties close to the water. Many people choose to purchase these properties as investment homes or condos they can rent to tourists vacationing in the area.
Single-family homes in the city start in the high $400,000’s and go up to $1.5 million for luxury homes.
Multi-family homes start at $680,000 and can cost up to $14,000,000 for properties that have 24 units.
Pros
- Known for new developments and affordable homes.
- Easier access to H1 Freeway.
- You can get a bigger, newer and nicer home for less money.
- Beautiful luxury homes with golf course frontage.
- Great starting homes with prices as low as $300s for condos and $650s for single family homes.
Cons
- Not much land or custom homes.
- Traffic can be challenging going towards town.
- Climate is hotter and drier than other areas.
Future of Kapolei
- Currently has 35,000 homes and condos but the Honolulu Department of planning and permitting anticipates that number will exceed 50,000 in 2035.
- There are 3 planned developments: Kapolei West, Hoopili and Makaiwa Hills.
- The railing - Kualakai Station
Living in Kapolei City
Kapolei Neighborhoods
Kapolei has ten distinct neighborhoods:
- Aliinui Dr
- Mauloa Pl
- Kumulipo St
- Kumuiki St
- Malakole St
- Hanua St
- Farrington Hwy
- Koio Dr
- Malakole St
- Kaiholo St
- Palailai St
- Nohona St
- West Loch Estates
- Makakilo City
- Akupu
- Honokai Hale
Aliinui Dr / Mauloa Pl is the most upscale community in Kapolei, with an average house price ranging in the high $900,000’s. Due to it being along the coastline, a great number of the properties here are waterfront and luxury homes. Many of the homeowners in this neighborhood own these homes as vacation homes, or ‘second homes’ which they travel to occasionally or rent out to other travelers.
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Working in Kapolei
There is a diverse mix of careers available in Kapolei. Blue-collar and white-collar jobs are about even, but most of the residents work in sales, administrative roles, management roles, and service.
Kapolei City has seen expansive growth in the last decade, and more retail businesses have moved in. Kapolei is home to many large shopping centers, with plenty of opportunities for jobs in the retail industry.
Major Healthcare facilities:
Entertainment
- 9 golf courses
- Wet & Wild - Hawaiian Water park with 25 rides and attractions.
- Ka Makana Aalii - 2nd largest shopping center on Oahu.
- Train - 90 minutes train rides every Saturday and Sunday.
- Ko Olina - Nearby resort featuring public lagoons and hotels like Disney, Four Seasons, etc.
Amenities
There are two hospitals in the West Oahu district, Pali Momi Medical Center and The Queen’s Medical Center – West Oahu – West Oahu are located about 10-20 minutes from Kapolei.
There is an abundance of shopping destinations in the city. Kapolei Shopping Center, Kapolei Commons, Ka Makana Ali’i, Kapolei Marketplace, and Kapolei Village Center are the major centers. There are also upscale and local options, with something for everyone.
Education (Public and Private) - Click here to see school ratings
There are seven public schools in Kapolei City. Five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The Island Pacific Academy and the American Renaissance Academy are private schools that teach students from Pre-K to grade 12. The schools that serve Kapolei are highly recommended by parents and students alike.
Kapolei City is also home to The University of Hawaii - West Oahu, which opened in 2012. Hawaii Tokai International College, Leeward Community College, UH West Oahu, and the University of Phoenix – Kapolei – Hawaii Learning Center are all post-secondary institutions that serve the Kapolei area.
- Island Pacific Academy: Serves Junior Kindergarten to 12th grade (Great for college preparation)
- Kapolei Elementary: Has great reviews!
- Kapolei Middle School: Known as the best middle school in Leeward Oahu.
- Kapolei High School: Project-based teaching system.
Parks
Kapolei City boasts over 20 parks, which include playgrounds, beaches, skateparks, and greenspaces manned by the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation. Kapolei Regional Park is one of the most popular in the city for families, it’s an excellent place for children to play and is quite busy in the afternoons.
Kapolei is on the coast, which means there is easy access to amazing Hawaiian beaches. Beautiful white sand, salty warm waters and palm trees are all at your fingertips. There are restaurants and shops nearby, including coffee and ice cream. The beaches of Kapolei are a great spot to relax, get some sun, or socialize and meet new people.
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Restaurants
The most popular restaurants in Kapolei include some local cuisine, American-style food, and scrumptious Italian eats.
This seafood restaurant is rated #1 in Kapolei City. Serving up Hawaiian-style seafood, this local favorite serves guests from all over the world.
An American-style eatery, Aloha Salads offers fresh, fast, and local food options. This restaurant is vegetarian and vegan-friendly. The first restaurant opened in Kailua, Hawaii, so it’s a local favorite.
This fine-dining restaurant has over 1,600 reviews with a 4.5-star rating. Many guests rave about the ribs and the lobster. Roy’s is also vegetarian and vegan-friendly.
This Italian eatery is located inside the Four Seasons resort in Kapolei City. Fresh local ingredients and homemade pasta, Noe Italian has won numerous awards and accolades. It’s a fine-dining restaurant with a 4.5-star rating.
Monkeypod Kitchen has a stunning 3,111 reviews for a 4.5-star rating. This Polynesian restaurant serves fresh, local ingredients and has 36 craft beers on tap. Customers who love the food recommend the fish tacos and fish and chips.
Transit
The majority of residents drive; however, Oahu has one of the best public transit systems in the country. The CountryExpress provides faster service to help residents beat the traffic that comes along with driving. The island's mass transit system has won numerous awards for investment, ridership and safety.
