Ala Moana

The Kaka'ako/Ala Moana area has been described of late as "unquestionably the single most significant patch of real estate in Hawai'i." With construction of new shops, condos and businesses on the rise, the area is even giving Waikiki's legacy as the economic engine that runs Hawai'i a run for its money — literally.

While most of the district in modern times has spread more "up" than out, the footprint — as well as promise — of this combined neighborhood is enormous. Kaka'ako/Ala Moana is nestled between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, mauka to makai from the Capitol District, Kewalo Basin and Ala Moana Center. It's an area fringed by glistening white beaches and crowned by towering, verdant mountains.

Prices for homes in the area's modern residential highrises are often expressed in the millions. At the beginning of 2007, the average listing price for these luxury "homes in the sky" was set at $782,000. Medial sales prices hovered at $537,500. About 75 percent of condo owners are full- or part-time residents — 10 percent are from California; 10 percent from Japan, and the remaining 5 percent are from other parts of the Mainland and Asia.

Modern redevelopment is slowly reversing the way locals think of the area: Ala Moana, home of the world famous shopping center and popular local park of the same name, is generally put first, while industrial, rag-tag Kaka'ako is traditionally comes second, almost an afterthought. Now, Kaka'ako is beginning to take precedence. Old-timers remember when much of Kaka'ako around Ala Moana Boulevard was swamp land, dimpled with salt deposits and duck ponds. Kaka'ako was the site of the city trash incinerator for years. Gradually, incinerator ashes and burned trash filled in with the swamp and ground soil was dumped on top. Now, covered by Kaka'ako Waterfront Park, protruding pipes ventilate methane from the underground dump, all but forgotten. On the other hand, the name Ala Moana — literally "Land Road" — lent its name not only to the neighborhood but to a major urban beach park, a harbor and surfing area.

By the 1920s, the Kaka'ako waterfront area became one of the first residential neighborhoods in Honolulu. Children reveled in treasure-hunting in the nearby city dump. By the 1950s, the area had become a rag-tag area of low-rise, corrugated aluminum-sheeted warehouses, auto body shops and light industry.

Today, any distinction between the two once-disparate neighborhoods is fading. Filling the gap are high-end highrise residential developments, new commercial marvels such as Victoria Ward entertainment complex, Ward Farmers Market and Village Shops — which marry the two areas with Ala Moana Shopping Center, once the largest shopping center in the world. Spouting upward as the combined areas "grow into each other," are the gleaming highrise luxury residential towers of Hokua, Naru Tower, Koolani, and Hawaiki Tower — as well as the Children's Discovery Center and the University of Hawai'i's new John A. Burns School of Medicine.

The U.S Census showed a population of 2,798 population in 1980 and a slight increase to 3,222 a decade later in 1990. The population almost doubled in the next 10 years — to 6,221 at the latest 2000 count. By 2006, Hawai'i Community Development Authority estimates show 8,000 living in the area. The city projects an increase to 30,253 by the year 2030.

Today, everyone from the guy-on-the-street to elected officials debate continuing development for the area, promised to become the jewel of the Honolulu waterfront. Over the years, there have been talks of a "Lei of Parks" walking, skating and biking paths, a huge "Coney-Island-ish" waterfront merry-go-round, an amphitheater, a recreated Hawaiian fishing village, and an interactive water fountain — even a 200-foot artificial wave for visitors.

While the Ala Moana and Kaka'ako areas have a long history, this combined "promised land" promises to shape the future of Honolulu as well.

Manoa

The Honolulu neighborhoods of Makiki and Manoa, consisting of the areas north of the Lunalilo Freeway and bounded by Punchbowl to the west and the Univeristy of Hawaii to the east, have a combined population of nearly 44,000. Like much of the rest of Hawai'i, the area is mostly Asian, with over 56 percent of residents reporting Asian descent. It is, however, one of the most diverse places in Honolulu--culturally, economically, and socially. At four times the national statistic, the median value of a home in the area is over $480,000. A high concentration of the state's most prestigious private schools are also clustered in the area, contributing--along with the University of Hawai'i Manoa--to an 89.3 percent high school diploma and 43.6 percent bachelor's degree rate among residents. The community has made it a priority to provide more affordable housing for residents, celebrating a minor victory with the opening of several affordable complexes for seniors in 2005.

Manoa is a neighborhood community located directly east of Makiki, and comprises neighborhoods in the valley north of the H-1 freeway. Manoa is also home to the University of Hawai'i's flagship campus. Manoa is well-known for its abundant rainbows and lush environment, a result of frequent rainfall that maintains moisture throughout the valley floor. The rainbows are even incorporated into the University of Hawai'i's Manoa campus sports mascot. Like Makiki and Tantalus, Manoa is sought out for its beautiful hiking trails, which lead in around the Manoa Stream and Falls. The Manoa Valley Shopping Center is the grocery and commercial outlet for residents, also providing a site for the popular Manoa Farmer's Market.

McCully, Moili'ilii and Makiki

The McCully, Moili'ili and Makiki neighborhoods serve as the urban residential hub for many of Honolulu's workers. The communities are packed with quaint houses, rows of condo towers and busy streets which make it an ideal base if you work in town. The area is nestled between Punchbowl and Kaimuki and strectches from the Ko'olau range to the Ala Wai Canal. Makiki is a community of 43,900 people almost evenly split between homeowners and renters. Makiki is notorious for tight parking and has few public parks, but the Makiki Nature Center and the hiking trails in Tantalus are gems on the edge of town.

The heavily populated area is also filled with schools including Lincoln Elementary, Stevenson Intermediate, Roosevelt High School, Punahou School and Hawai'i Baptist Academy. South of the freeway, Kuhio Elementary and Washington Middle are two of many schools that provide quality educations to area children.

Homes in Makiki Heights and Tantalus have some of the best views of Honolulu. McCully has a population of more than 31,100. Asians make up 60 percent of the population.

The McCully Shopping Center is an example of the cultural mix in the area. Their award-winning eateries feature menus from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and Brazil.

The Moili'ili community was the center of Japanese life in the last century. Little boutiques, butcher shops, and mom-and-pop restaurants covered the area. Today, the Japanese Cultural Center and the Moili'ili Community Center are the focus of many cultural and community activities. They provide classes, workshops, art exhibits as well as scholarships and grants for worthy causes.

At the edge of Mo'ili'ili is the Ala Wai Golf Course. With 500 players coming and going per day, it is a vital amenity for residents in the area. Since its opening in 1931, the golf course has been upgraded several times and die-hard golfers have had to fight to protect it being split up for other public uses. McCully, Moili'ili and Makiki are a mix of bustling city life and winding roads of beautiful scenery all within minutes of each other.

Living in these communities means getting the best of both worlds.