What’s Happening in Kakaako? | Honolulu, Oahu

Honolulu’s Kakaako neighborhood is in the process of a major transformation. For those of you who may not be familiar with the location of Kakaako, it’s the neighborhood between downtown Honolulu and Ala Mana Center, which used to be filled with warehouses, car dealerships, and was generally fairly light industrial in nature. While the some of these businesses are still around, with the addition of several new condo buildings, stores, and services, Kakaako has become a trendy urban go-to community for Oahu residents. The neighborhood transformation is ongoing. From the new Salt in Our Kakaako and the surrounding condos, to the 60 acre Ward Village master planned neighborhood that’s reshaping the landscape and the Honolulu skyline. It’s happening and it’s happening fast. It’s spectacular to see and to be a part of. I live in Kakaako, and I LOVE IT!

Ward Village Condos. AE’O on the left, Anaha in the center, and the Waiea on the right. New construction area behind the fence.

Kakaako News – What’s The Latest?

• Remember the red-roofed building where Sports Authority once stood? There is finally news that new tenants will be moving into the now empty site. As reported by KITV news, Ohana Hale Marketplace will be opening its doors to 250 local retailers that will occupy the now empty space that Sports Authority left behind. The market is scheduled to open in July 2018 and will showcase merchandise and food from local small business owners. This will be a great opportunity for startup companies and small store operators to be in the heart of the urban Honolulu environment catering to the growing Kakaako population.
• The Howard Huges Corporation has announced a new Ward Village condo tower that will be named Koula. The new Kakaako 41 story tower will offer of 570 residences and will offer studios, 1,2, and 3 bedroom condos.
• The Ward Village AE’O condo tower is well under construction with most of the outside windows already in place. The majority of the condos have been sold, with only a handful remaining. To check availability, please reach out.
• Ke Kilohana is also well under construction with a large portion of the exterior completed. The Ke Kilohana condo, part of the Ward Village project is an income reserved residence that offered moderately priced condos to qualifying applicants. The project is SOLD OUT.
• New construction sites all over Kaakako. Construction fencing is up around what used to be the Ward Warehouse and several adjacent properties. New condos, parks, and shopping are soon going to appear in these construction zones. While the average completion time of a new condo building is approximately 2.5 years from the time the builder breaks ground on the project, with the sheer amount of development and changes in the area, there is always something new in Kakaako. The area is rapidly changing, and with hundreds of residents moving into each residential tower, the Kakaako is becoming more and more vibrant and fun.

Ke Kilohana condos on the left, Symphony Honolulu condos in the distance, former Sports Authority store on the right (red roof).

Contemporary, Beachy, and So Laid Back

The beautiful thing about Kakaako, is that no matter how much development is happening, how much people talk about luxury, contemporary design, and modern amenities, there is always a laid back, relaxed atmosphere in the air. T-shirts, shorts, bathing suits, and slippers (flip flops) are just as acceptable as a designer wardrobe on the streets of Kakaako. With Ala Moana Beach Park and Kewalo Harbor close by, the beachy feeling never leaves this area. In one city block, residents can dine in an upscale restaurant like Nobu, located at the oceanfront Waiea, or grab a burger from a food truck parked in front of the future location of Gateway Towers condos. The neighborhood is fun for everyone and every preference.

Food Truck in Kakaako.

The change in Kakaako has really been evident over the last several years. People are flocking to the area and the neighborhood is becoming vibrant and a go-to community in Honolulu. Salt in My Kakaako has been extremely successful and has been thriving from the moment business tenants moved in. Beer lovers love Kakaako breweries; Waikiki Brewing Co. and The Brewseum.

Waikiki Brewing Co, located in Kakaako. One of many new businesses to move into the area.

In between all the new Kakaako condos, local and national chain businesses are popping up all over the area. From beer to coffee, Kakaako has a place for everyone and every occasion.

Some of the area highlights include:

• Ala Moana Beach Park
• Ward Cinemas
• Salt in My Kakaako
• New Wave Friday in Ward Village
• South Shore Market
• Largest Whole Food on Oahu
• Parks and Playgrounds
• Ala Moana Shopping Center
• Biking made easy
• Kewalo Harbor
• Kakaako Farmers’ Market
• Restaurants: Nobu at Waiea, Merriman’s (coming soon) at Anaha, Scratch Kitchen & Meatery, Piggy Smalls, Chubby’s Burgers, to name just a few.

Starbucks and Jamba Juice amongst other well known food chains.

Ward Village Condos in Kakaako

Ward Village in Kakaako is completely reshaping the area. The 60 acre Howard Huges master planned neighborhood is attracting residents from all over Oahu, the mainland and offshore. Ward Village is more than just a collection of buildings. It is becoming a neighborhood filled with stores, restaurants, parks, a theatre, and amazing architecture.  It’s all done by design, and not by chance. The entire neighborhood is pre-planned to maximize amazing ocean (makai) and mountain (mauka) views. It’s designed to be walkable and accessible to everyone. Every spectacular Ward Village condo building is unique, contemporary, and has a team of world-class designers and architects working on every detail to capture the beautiful Hawaii landscape into each building design. Ward Village in Kakaako is all about a mix of living in paradise with the convenience of city living.

Available Ward Village condos include:

• Anaha
• Waiea
• A’ali’i
• Gateway Towers
• AE’O

Ward Village – Existing and Future condos, with more to come.

I live in Kakaako and love this area and all the exciting things that are happening all around. If you would like to find out more about living in Kakaako and Oahu real estate, please don’t hesitate to contact us.