Oʻahu’s Most Expensive Zip Code Might Surprise You

It’s not Kakaʻako, or even Kāhala.

A bank research firm recently released data showing the country’s most expensive zip codes, with the note that these areas usually include massive homes in secluded communities, which may well be the case for the Mainland. But the most expensive zip code the firm found here? East Oʻahu’s 96821. That’s right: ʻĀina Haina, Niu Valley, Kuliʻouʻou. Look at the valleys alone, and it doesn’t make a lot of sense, as many of the homes are small, kamaʻāina properties that sell for well under $1 million.

But then there’s the ridge.

Hawaiʻi Loa Ridge was originally gifted to Alexander Adams by King Kamehameha I and wasn’t developed until the 1980s, when developer HMF completed a road to the top and the first mansions on the hill. In ’90s the ridge became a coveted location for a home, with a gated entry and protected view planes, and was quickly developed further.

While its popularity has ebbed and flowed with time and trends, the median price for a home on Hawaiʻi Loa Ridge was $2.2 million in 2016, with a high price of $5.7 million. Pair that with the oceanfront properties along Kalanianaʻole Highway, significantly fewer condos or townhomes in the area (in comparison with Kāhala and Hawaiʻi Kai) and you get a median price of $1,295,400 for the entire zip code.

Data came from median home prices and mortgage info found on Zillow. For more information, find the full study here.