Honolulu is the largest city in the world, thanks to the Hawaiian State Constitution, which mandates that any island not designated to a county technically belongs to Honolulu. This means Honolulu extends beyond Oahu to include the other small, uninhabited islands and islets of Hawaii.
The Oahu neighborhood of Waikele is a master-planned community consisting of thousands of homes creating an island paradise
Honolulu is the largest city in the world, thanks to the Hawaiian State Constitution, which mandates that any island not designated to a county technically belongs to Honolulu. This means Honolulu extends beyond Oahu to include the other small, uninhabited islands and islets of Hawaii.
The Oahu neighborhood of Waikele is a master-planned community consisting of thousands of homes creating an island paradise. Sitting on the leeward side of Oahu in the city and county of Honolulu, Waikele offers you the palm trees, lush landscaping, and breezy island life that you've been dreaming about. Or at least, we assume that's what you've been dreaming about. You are considering a move to Hawaii, after all.
Moving to Waikele
Waikele was constructed in 1991 with just two multi-family complexes and one single-family home division. As it has expanded, so too have your options for where to rent or buy in this Hawaiian community. Today, you will find two bedroom apartments for rent in Waikele from more than 10 multi-family complexes, as well as properties as big as 3 bedroom houses in the single-family home divisions. Be advised that these properties are all privately owned, so you will be renting from a landlord who personally owns the unit in which you reside. You will have to abide by the homeowner community association rules when you live in an apartment rental here.
Since you are renting from private owners, the requirements for obtaining your dream Waikele home may vary. Generally speaking, expect to turn over your ID and proof of income for inspection, and know that landing a luxury apartment in Waikele is also likely to mean that you hand over a (gulp) pretty big rental deposit. Not to fret, the hassle is all worth it. You didn't think moving to paradise would be without its strings, did you? Just imagine yourself relaxing in that hammock while you sign the check.
Neighborhoods
Waikele is a neighborhood in Honolulu in and of itself, so your best choice is deciding which of the master planned buildings you want to live in. The Waikele Golf Club runs right through the middle of the complex, so regardless of where you find a place to shack up you should have a pretty clear view of the course. If you insist on being close enough to hear the golfers yell "Fore!" then you should look for a unit in one of the communities immediately adjacent to the golf club. These communities include Ho'okumu, The Classics, The Signatures, and the aptly named Golf Club Estates.
Living in Waikele
Aside from offering thousands of housing units, Waikele is fairly self-sustaining. The community has its own fire station, an elementary school, two parks, and two privately owned shopping malls. One of these shopping centers is the Waikele Premium Outlets, where you (if not your bank account) will be happy to hear you can drop some cash on discounted designer threads from brands that include Armani Exchange, Calvin Klein, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Polo Ralph Lauren.
If aesthetics are important to you when it comes to choosing a place to call home, you may get a kick out of some of Waikele's personal touches. The community is known for its nearly 60 natural gas lamps, displayed at the entrances of Lumiaina and Lumiauau Street, and the lollipop-shaped banyan trees placed along the community's edge near Kamehameha Highway.
Waikele is fairly walkable within subdivisions, however a car will be helpful to get between the mall and homes in divisions along the perimeter, and to travel to any location outside of the community.
