New Home Developments In Hawaii: Oahu Island

Looking for a brand-new condo, townhouse, or single family home in Hawaii? Here’s a roundup of all the current new-home construction on the island of Oahu. (In my next post, I’ll cover new-home construction on the neighbor islands.) All properties listed in this article are fee-simple. I did not include time shares (also known as “fractional ownership”) or home sites (land only).

With the proliferation of master-planned communities in Hawaii, be aware that most new homes (and not just condos) come with a monthly maintenance fee, in addition to the purchase price. What this fee covers varies from development to development. In some complexes, the fee pays just for the landscaping and building maintenance in common areas, such as a community clubhouse and pool area.

In other complexes, it might also pay for all of your utilities, including cable TV and Internet access. In a few cases where the maintenance fee is very high (in the thousands of dollars), it pays for nearly all your living expenses, including meals — much like living in an all-inclusive resort. The lowest monthly maintenance fee I’ve seen in Hawaii real estate listings was $198, but most seem to be in the $400-$700 range. Before you buy any brand-new home, make sure to ask what your monthly maintenance fee will be and what amenities or services it will cover.

Honolulu

Waikiki

Waikiki isn’t just for tourists. Tucked among the hotels (and sometimes within them) are brand-new condo developments for residents who like having a low-maintenance home, living in an area where special events are happening all the time, and being able to walk to shops, restaurants, and the beach. If you don’t mind traffic, noise, the occasional homeless person, or having tourists for neighbors, Waikiki could be the perfect neighborhood for you.

The newest condo buildings are located at the west end of Waikiki, within walking distance of Ala Moana Shopping Center. These 3 developments are still selling brand-new units:

 The Cove Waikiki
(opening late 2013, units for sale now)
Allure Waikiki
(opened in 2011)
Trump Tower Waikiki
(opened in 2009)
Starting Price$350,000 + monthly maintenance fee$600,000 + monthly maintenance fee$400,000 + $454 monthly maintenance fee
Housing Type1- and 2-bedroom condos1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom condosStudio, 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom condos
Building TypeLow-rise (5 stories high)High-riseHigh-rise
Number of Units117291462
CommentsComplex will include a private park and landscaped yards. Model unit ready for viewing.Complex includes 19,500-square-foot private recreation terrace with pool, outdoor spa, sun deck, and fitness center.Units are fully furnished. Complex includes library, treatment spa, and restaurants. Resident services include 24/7 concierge service, valet parking, and room service.
New Home Developments Oahu Island

Kakaako

West of Waikiki, Kakaako (pronounced “KAH-kah-AH-koh”) is an up-and-coming neighborhood in the midst of revitalization. Several sleek, modern high-rises filled with condominium homes have sprouted up in recent years. Most of the residents in these new buildings are retirees and busy working professionals without children who enjoy the low-maintenance, convenient lifestyle that these amenities-filled condo complexes provide.

Like Waikiki, Kakaako is great for traveling on foot. You can easily walk to the beach, restaurants, and shopping, including Ala Moana Shopping Center and Ward Centers. If you’re in the market for a shiny, brand-new condo, a couple newly constructed buildings still have units for sale, and another new condo high-rise is already in the works (scheduled to open in late 2014):

 Waihonua at Kewalo
(opening late 2014, units for sale now)
Pacifica Honolulu
(opened in 2011)
Vanguard Lofts
(opened in 2008)
Starting Price$575,690 + monthly maintenance fee$350,000 + monthly maintenance fee$895,000 + monthly maintenance fee
Housing Type2- and 3-bedroom condos1- and 2-bedroom condos2-, and 3-bedroom lofts
Building TypeHigh-riseHigh-riseMid-rise (6 stories high)
Number of Units34561336
CommentsComplex will include a private movie theater and guest suites for friends and family visiting from out-of-town.See if you qualify to apply for one of the reserved 2-bedroom condos starting at $350,000. Income limits: $102,125 for a 1-person household, $114,380 for a household of 2 or more people.Each loft has its own private rooftop deck or lanai.

Leeward Oahu

Ewa Beach

Flanked by Pearl Harbor to the east and Barber’s Point Naval Station to the west, Ewa Beach (pronounced “EH-vah beach”) is a growing residential area that attracts military families and others seeking new home construction at relatively low prices. It is also a golfer’s paradise, with no fewer than 8 golf courses in the immediate vicinity. But woe to the Ewa Beach resident who has to commute to/from Honolulu every day — the local joke is that the town got its name because commuters sit in traffic “for evah and evah!”

There are 2 master-planned communities in Ewa Beach that are currently selling brand-new homes – Ewa by Gentry (which has 4 current developments) and Ka Makana at Haokalai (which has 6 current developments):

Ewa by Gentry – A family-friendly community with neighborhood schools, parks, golf courses, and shopping centers.
 Tides by GentryTrades by GentryLatitudes by GentryHaleakea by Gentry
Starting PriceHigh $300,000s + monthly maintenance feeLow $400,000s + monthly maintenance feeLow $500,000s + monthly maintenance feeMid-$500,000s + monthly maintenance fee
Housing Type3- and 4-bedroom single family homes3- and 4-bedroom single family homes3- and 4-bedroom single family homes4-bedroom single family homes
Building TypeLow-rise (2 stories high)Low-rise (2 stories high)Low-rise (2 stories high)Low-rise (2 stories high)
Square Footage of Living Space1050-1239 square feet1151-1375 square feet1557-1921 square feet2135-2332 square feet
Ka Makana at Hoakalai – A waterfront resort community that will include a country club, swim/tennis club, private golf course, shops, restaurants, swimming lagoon, and eventually a hotel.
 Lehua SeriesHala SeriesKukui SeriesMilo SeriesBanyan SeriesKoa Series
Starting PriceTemporarily sold outLow $500,000s + monthly maintenance feeLow $600,000s + monthly maintenance feeMid-$600,000s + monthly maintenance feeHigh $700,000s + monthly maintenance feeMid-$800,000s + monthly maintenance fee
Housing Type3-bedroom townhomes3- and 4-bedroom single family homes4-bedroom single family homes3-, 4- and 5-bedroom single family homes4- and 5-bedroom single family homes3-, 4- and 5-bedroom single family homes
Building TypeLow-rise (1-2 stories high)Low-rise (1-2 stories high)Low-rise (2 stories high)Low-rise (1-2 stories high)Low-rise (2 stories high)Low-rise (1-2 stories high)
Square Footage of Living Space1101-1247 square feet1212-1592 square feet1813-1973 square feet1660-2346 square feet2684-2992 square feet2123-3552 square feet
Ka Makana at Hoakalai – A waterfront resort community that will include a country club, swim/tennis club, private golf course, shops, restaurants, swimming lagoon, and eventually a hotel.
Lehua SeriesHala SeriesKukui SeriesMilo SeriesBanyan SeriesKoa Series
Starting PriceTemporarily sold outLow $500,000s + monthly maintenance feeLow $600,000s + monthly maintenance feeMid-$600,000s + monthly maintenance feeHigh $700,000s + monthly maintenance feeMid-$800,000s + monthly maintenance fee
Housing Type3-bedroom townhomes3- and 4-bedroom single family homes4-bedroom single family homes3-, 4- and 5-bedroom single family homes4- and 5-bedroom single family homes3-, 4- and 5-bedroom single family homes
Building TypeLow-rise (1-2 stories high)Low-rise (1-2 stories high)Low-rise (2 stories high)Low-rise (1-2 stories high)Low-rise (2 stories high)Low-rise (1-2 stories high)
Square Footage of Living Space1101-1247 square feet1212-1592 square feet1813-1973 square feet1660-2346 square feet2684-2992 square feet2123-3552 square feet
Oahu New Home Developments

Kapolei

Located on the leeward side of Oahu, Kapolei is the island’s master-planned “Second City” in-the-making. Unlike “First City” Honolulu, Kapolei has a distinctly suburban feel, with its neatly laid-out communities of single family homes and low-rise townhouses. If you’re a fan of big-box stores, you’ll find them here: Costco, Home Depot, Target, Petco, Sports Authority, and other large retailers anchor the newly constructed shopping centers sprouting up around town. In August 2012, Kapolei will celebrate another grand opening: The University of Hawaii’s West Oahu campus will open its classrooms to its first students.

Ho’opili, a controversial plan to build a community of 11,750 homes in an agricultural region east of Kapolei, is currently awaiting approval by Hawaii’s Land Use Commission. Ho’opili developers envision a highly walkable community with shops, restaurants, 5 schools, 20 neighborhood parks, and community gardens all within walking distance from residents’ homes. If the plan gets the green light, the first homes are scheduled to open in 2013.

Ilima at Leihano, a resort-style community catering to seniors age 55 and older, is scheduled to open in late 2013. The first phase of development will include 192 condo units in two mid-rise buildings priced from the high $300,00s, with monthly maintenance fees starting around $2500. Future phases will include more independent-living condos and and skilled nursing care in small household settings.

A model home is available to see, and units are already for sale. Prospective residents are encouraged to join the community’s Ekahi Club, which hosts classes and special events so you can get to know your would-be neighbors and a get a taste of the types of activities that will be available for residents at Ilima. The community’s amenities will include:

  • A 20,000-square-foot clubhouse with a restaurant, treatment spa, beauty salon, library, arts & crafts room, game room, business center, and multipurpose room.
  • An outdoor pool, spa, barbecue area, private parks, dog park/run, garden areas, and a walking/fitness trail.
  • Independent-living residents’ monthly maintenance fees will cover flexible meal plans, housekeeping, basic cable, utilities, Internet access, an emergency response system, scheduled transportation, wellness & lifestyle programs, social & cultural enrichment events, and volunteering/mentoring programs.
  • Assisted-living residents’ fees will cover all the above, plus 3 meals/day and a customized care program to assist with daily life activities.
  • A specialized memory-care wing will also be available.

If you’re ready to move into a new home immediately or in the near future, there are 4 recently finished developments that are still selling brand-new homes – 3 in Kapolei, and 1 in nearby Makakilo:

 Kealakai at Kapolei
(located in Kapolei)
Pulewa at Mehana
(located in Kapolei)
La Hiki at Mehana
(located in Kapolei)
Kahiwelo at Makakilo
(located in Makakilo)
Starting PriceLow $200,000s + monthly maintenance fee$298,580 + monthly maintenance fee$471,270 + monthly maintenance fee$569,000 + monthly maintenance fee
Housing Type1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom townhomes2- and 3-bedroom townhomes3- and 4-bedroom single family homes3-, 4-, and 5-bedroom single family homes
Building TypeLow-rise (2 stories high)Low-rise (2 stories high)Low-rise (1-2 stories high)Low-rise (1-2 stories high)
Number of Units140128132474
CommentsNohona at Kapolei, which is part of the same “Villages of Kapolei” development, is now sold out.Has several energy-efficient features, including dual-glazed low-E windows and radiant barrier roof sheathing.Has several energy-efficient features, including dual-pane low-E windows, solar hot water heater, and a solar photovoltaic-ready roof.Has several energy-efficient features, including dual-pane low-E windows, solar hot water heater, and a solar photovoltaic-ready roof.

Waianae

When long-time Hawaiian residents hear “Waianae” (pronounced “WHY-ah-nye”) many of them immediately picture unkempt properties, shuttered businesses, liquor stores, and homeless tent cities on the beach. But the residents who actually live there know that the Waianae Coast also has some of the most beautiful white-sand beaches on the island, great fishing and surfing spots, dolphins and sea turtles offshore, and incredible sunsets.

Of course, living on the Waianae Coast is not for everyone. New kids attending local public schools may face peer testing. A gay couple might find it difficult to live in some communities that cling tightly to tradition. And someone who works in Honolulu will probably find the daily commute too grueling. But for the right individual or family — I think retirees, especially — the Waianae Coast could be the perfect mix of affordability, natural beauty, and beach lifestyle.

Here are 2 developments that currently have brand-new homes for sale — 1 in Ma’ili (just south of Waianae) and 1 in Waianae:

 Makalae at Sea Country
(located in Ma’ili)
Ke Ola O Pokai Bay
(located in Waianae)
Starting Price$355,392 + monthly maintenance fee$433,000 + monthly maintenance fee
Housing Type3-, 4-, and 5-bedroom single family homes3- and 4-bedroom single family homes
Building TypeLow-rise (1-2 stories high)Low-rise (2 stories high)
Square Footage of Living Space1116-1854 square feet1410-1757 square feet
CommentsPart of Sea Country, an 859-home master planned community that includes an 11-acre park, clubhouse, community pool, and general store.Has several energy-efficient features, including dual-glazed vinyl windows and doors, a solar hot water system, and radiant barrier roof sheathing.

Central Oahu

Mililani

Why would anyone want to live in a town in the middle of Oahu, away from all beaches and a substantial commuting distance away from Honolulu? Because Mililani has some of the top public schools in the state, including the No. 1-rated high school. Set in a valley between two beautiful mountain ranges, this family-friendly town is a master-planned suburbia — complete with neighborhood parks, schools, shopping centers, and a public golf course.

Mililani is a pretty well-established community, but there is 1 development that is currently selling brand-new units:

 Sixty Parkside
Starting Price$312,000 + monthly maintenance fee
Housing Type3-bedroom condominiums
Building TypeLow-rise (3 stories high) with elevators
Square Footage of Living Space1200 square feet
CommentsGated community with a total of 48 condo units.

Koa Ridge

There’s a plan for further development just east of Mililani and north of Waipio. The controversial project, Koa Ridge, would build 3,500-5,000 low-rise homes around a mixed-use “Village Center,” which would include a 28-acre medical complex and commercial/light industrial areas to create local places of employment. Parks, community centers, and shopping areas would be strategically placed within residential neighborhoods to create a highly walkable community. Koa Ridge developers are currently seeking approval from Hawaii’s Land Use Commission, but have faced staunch opposition from the Sierra Club. If the plan is approved, the first homes are scheduled for completion in 2014.

Windward Oahu

Kailua

Kailua is a relaxed beachside community and one of the largest residential areas on the windward coast. It has a nice, large beach park with grass and trees, and a gorgeous white-sand beach that is excellent for all sorts of water sports: swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, windsurfing, kite surfing, body surfing, and plain old regular surfing! Kailua’s town center has lots of locally owned shops and restaurants, as well as a Macy’s department store.

Although many residents are against big-box stores moving into Kailua, a Whole Foods supermarket and Target store are being added to the town center and will open soon. Part of this new downtown development will be a 153-unit condo complex, which is scheduled to open in 2014:

 Ka Malanai
(also known as Ironwoods)
Starting Price$400,000 + monthly maintenance fee
Housing Type1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom condominiums
Building TypeMid-rise (4 stories high)
Square Footage of Living Space800-1800 square feet
CommentsOpening 2014 — register for updates now. Sales will probably be conducted by lottery. Architect’s website shows some conceptual illustrations.

Kaneohe

Along with Kailua, Kaneohe is one of windward Oahu’s largest residential communities. Homes are nestled at the base of majestic green mountains and also front the shoreline of scenic Kaneohe Bay. The town has a major shopping mall (Windward Mall), as well as many locally owned shops, restaurants, and golf courses located throughout the town. Kaneohe also has a strong military presence, with a large Marine Corps Air Station located right on Kaneohe Bay (earning it the nickname “K-Bay”).

Homes in Kaneohe have some of the prettiest views on the island, as do the houses in this rare new-construction development:

 Bay View Estates
Starting Price$995,000 (no monthly maintenance fee)
Housing Type3- and 4-bedroom single family homes
Building TypeLow-rise (1-2 stories high)
Square Footage of Living Space2446-3380 square feet
CommentsTotal of 26 homes in this development.