Oahu Real Estate
'The Gathering Place'

Despite the widely held belief, Oahu is not the largest island in Hawaii – that honor belongs to the Big Island, which has more land than all the other islands combined. What has made Oahu the center of the state is the city of Honolulu. The importance of this place grew suddenly and significantly in 1845 when King Kamehameha III moved his capital from Lahaina, on the island of Maui, to Honolulu; and where the King went, the people followed. Kamehameha’s decision made this island what it is today - the center of Hawaii.

Now known as ‘The Gathering Place’, Oahu serves as the entry and exit point for almost all Hawaii travelers. Its dominance, though losing ground, continues as this island hosts the lion’s share of tourists. Waikiki remains the destination for a large percentage of visitors. Along with these temporary guests, Oahu is also home for over 900,000 people. That’s 75% of the population of the entire state. It’s no wonder it has held the leadership role in the Hawaiian Islands.

Despite being the urban center of the state, Oahu possesses the great natural beauty people dream of when they think of Hawaii. The bright green mountains that crown the center of the island are a sight that must be seen to be appreciated. They are best experienced by driving

through them, the most popular way being the Pali Highway. In fact, you can literally drive ‘through’ the mountains, taking the Pali Tunnel that was carved right through them, shortening the journey to the Windward Side of the island by a great deal.

 This trip isn’t complete without stopping to see the stunning Pali Lookout point. One gazes from a sheer drop-off at a landscape that seems almost unreal, the colors are so deep and vivid. This beauty was the backdrop of Kamehameha I’s final triumphant battle to unify the islands under one ruler. The story goes that the army opposing him was slowly pushed off this cliff to a certain, painful end. Experiencing the site, and its everpresent high winds, bring this history alive in a way few other places can.

            The beaches that dominate every thought of our paradise live up to their reputation. From the famous Waikiki shoreline to the Kailua beaches that consistently win top world rankings, on up to the North Shore, where pro surfers make their home – it’s a veritable feast of golden sand and cool, clear ocean. Some make a day of it by driving up one coast or the other, stopping at different beaches on the way to enjoy the unique flavor of each one. It beats a wine tasting any day.

             Oahu has all of this, offering the best of both the modern world and island life. Many choose to live here because of that dichotomy; A corporate lawyer can put in his full day of work in a downtown office building, then drive home to Kaneohe, where he’s surrounded by palm trees, the aroma of wild flowers and the soothing calm of a Hawaii evening. If he gets home in time he can sit back and watch the the sunset, a sight that cannot be duplicated by the greatest artist. Best of all, there’s a new one every evening.

          The County of Honolulu covers the entire island. The City of Honolulu actually refers to the south-eastern area. There are many other towns, all with their own mood and way of life - Kapolei is an emerging 2^nd City of Oahu near Ewa Beach, growing at a rate that is astonishing. Haleiwa sits on the North Shore, well known to anyone who takes surfing seriously. It still has the look of a pioneer town, but with Hawaii’s unmistakeable stamp on it. Small one story shops still line the streets, just as they did in the plantation days. Mililani was only built 40 years ago by developers, providing housing that was affordable to families. Yet you would never know that this was not a longstanding town, even though you can still find some of the original residents living there. They, and Mililani itself, have grown and taken root in the life of Oahu.

           For the person who needs the opportunities a city offers, but won’t give up the Hawaii way of life, Oahu is your place of choice. Hands down.

Call me to start looking for your new home on the beautiful island of Oahu.