What Can You Get for $1 Million?
It seems like an audacious amount of money, but just how far will a cool million take you when you’re shopping for a house on Oahu?
Forget mansions; these days, even Mililani boasts million-dollar homes. But the news is not all bad for home shoppers. “For most of this year, prices have stabilized on Oahu and interest rates were at their lowest in more than 40 years, which made it possible to afford more house than before,” says Honolulu Board of Realtors president Joyce Nakamura. “So instead of buying a condo, you may be able to afford a single-family home for the same price.” We took a look at properties for sale around the island to see what you can get for a million dollars now. You may be surprised. All were available as we went to press, but we can’t guarantee that any will still be on the market when you read this. Consider this a survey into the state of current real estate prices in Honolulu, ranging from single-family homes to vacant lots.
Single-Family Homes
740 Sunset Ave. |
Kaimuki/Diamond Head
$1,090,000 fee simple
Five bedrooms, three baths
4,255 square feet
It’s not Diamond Head, but it’s close. If you want to live near Diamond Head but can’t afford the multimillion-dollar mansions, this gorgeous, custom-built home on Sunset Avenue is a reasonable compromise. It’s got spacious, contemporary living areas spread over 4,255 square feet, a bistro-style kitchen and a media room. The five bedrooms are huge, especially the private master suite, which features two walk-in closets. The speaker system, central air conditioning, classy recessed lighting and wood floors throughout are so cool, you’ll forget you’re not right on the mountain. Listed by Patricia Case, Case International
2110 Kakela Place |
Manoa
$1,050,000 fee simple
Four bedrooms, four baths
2,282 square feet
This home has been listed for a long time, with different Realtors, so maybe it’s not indicative of what you can get for a million dollars. Then again, other historic homes in the area are similarly priced. In any case, this house belonged to George D. Oakley, who wrote for The Honolulu Advertiser and later the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. He had Miles Gray design the home in 1928 to reflect his Scottish-English background. The house features acid-etched cement floors, which were used extensively in Hawaii in the late 1920s. It’s also close enough to Punahou School to almost smell the malasadas. Listed by Myron Kiriu, Prudential Advantage Realty
46-393 Nahewai St. |
Kaneohe
$1,098,000 fee simple
Three bedrooms, 2.5 baths
2,372 square feet
It’s hard to get a home in Kaneohe, but here’s a beautifully remodeled, custom-built home in a quiet part of an already-quiet area. The unusual galley kitchen opens to a spacious living room and formal dining room, then to three large decks overlooking tropical landscaping. The master suite is an entire living area in itself, with a luxurious bathroom and an unobstructed view of conservation land. The structure and the floor plan are both unique. Listed by Hai Cha Lambert, Worrall and Associates
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1435 Auauki St.Photo: David Croxford |
Kailua
$999,999 fee simple
Four bedrooms, 3.5 baths
2,374 square feet
First the good news: This Kailua home is a dollar under a million. It’s got high cathedral ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, split air conditioning, a security system, a pool, a hot tub, a huge master bedroom, and a separate studio for guests or renters. The flip side? It’s an older home, and the décor is dated. It offers a lot of potential, though, and, if you’re willing to put in a little extra to get it modernized, this could be ideal, especially since homes in Kailua are hard to come by. Listed by Sherrill Goode, Realty Network Hawaii
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95-1081 Inana St.Mililani Mauka
$1,024,000 fee simple
Five bedrooms, three baths
2,806 square feet
Mililani Mauka has newer, more lavish homes in its planned community, and this is one of them. Its 10,575-square-foot perimeter lot overlooks the valley and has a long driveway, so there’s lots of privacy in front and back. The yard is professionally landscaped and is fenced in for added privacy. High ceilings in the living room give it extra airiness, and the kitchen features granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. Pretty swanky for a planned, urban community. Listed by Elaine Evans, Iproperties Hawaii
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Ewa Plain
$1,095,000 fee simple
Five bedrooms, 3.5 baths
3,124 square feet
This one is right on the beach. Ewa Beach, that is. It’s hard to find beachfront property for $1 million on Oahu, but if you expand your horizons westward, you might find something that suits your taste. This 3,124-square-foot home features an open floor plan, bamboo laminate floors and granite kitchen counters. It’s so modern and well-kept, you’d never know it was 29 years old. The three bedrooms and 2.5 baths are contemporary interpretations of plantation homes, as well. Listed by Tracy Manhan, Island Realty Group
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46-472 Haiku Plantation Dr. |
Kaneohe
$1,125,000 fee simple
Four bedrooms, two baths
2,484 square feet
If you want to have a lot of room in which to move, you’re more likely to get space when you move to rural Oahu. This four-bedroom, two-bath, single-level, ranch-style home in the exclusive, gated Haiku Plantations sits on 1.2 acres—about the same area as a football field—so you can build another structure, grow more trees, have a pool or tennis court, or hold a croquet tournament. The home itself is roomy and has vaulted ceilings for a feeling of spaciousness all around you. Listed by Brandon Kim, Kahala Associates
2798 Pacific Heights Road |
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Pacific Heights
$1,085,000 fee simple
Four bedrooms, three baths
2,148 square feet
This well-maintained home is almost 100 years old, but has stood the test of time (especially since it has had only two owners). Its tropical design reflects a bygone era, with a spacious loft area, a large porch and other classic touches. Since it’s higher up Pacific Heights, you can also enjoy views of the city, which is just a few minutes away. Listed by Anne Perry, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties
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1170 Palea WayPhotos: Courtesy Scott Villard |
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Hawaii Kai – Queen’s Gate
$1,029,000 fee simple
Three bedrooms, two baths
2,200 square feet
This expansive home features hardwood floors, a nice little pool and an airy, open floor plan. It has all the quality elements of a luxury home, but the clean lines and easy flow of the layout give it a welcoming, comfortable feeling. There’s a little “trap door” to the golf course, too. With the home’s proximity to Sandy Beach, you could easily walk to the ocean, or just listen to the waves crashing at night while lounging at the pool with a glass of wine after a long day. The privacy of the gated community is an added plus for escaping the hustle and bustle of downtown. Listed by Kelly Mitchell, Elite Pacific Properties
57513 Kamehameha Highway, Unit A |
Kahuku
$1,000,000
Three bedrooms, 1.5 baths
1,104 square feet
Again, direct oceanfront is hard to come by unless you’re willing to move out to the country. This spacious beach house sits on a level, 7,814-square-foot lot and has a large, partially covered deck. It was meant for enjoying the great outdoors. It’s not too bad indoors, either. The interior is fairly modern and bright, with lots of natural light. Listed by Michelle Saito, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties
1290 Alewa Drive |
Alewa Heights
$1,100,000 fee simple
Three bedrooms, two baths
2173 square feet
Alewa Heights is an old, established neighborhood with old, established houses, but this one has been completely remodeled, with quality finishes and an artistic eye to make it a contemporary standout in the area. It’s got clean lines throughout and über-modern fixtures that blend with the classic architecture. The large, open lanai is perfect for enjoying the panoramic views of the ocean, Diamond Head and downtown Honolulu. Listed by Marshall Mower, Prudential Locations
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2839-3 Henry St.Photo: David Croxford |
Nuuanu
$1,000,000 fee simple
Six bedrooms, two baths
2,809 square feet
Living close to town has its price: This spacious home is 53 years old and is built in old-school fashion. It has three bedrooms and one bath upstairs, three bedrooms and one bath downstairs, both with separate entrances so you can have two families in one structure. It’s in quiet Nuuanu in an older, highly desirable neighborhood, where a million dollars is par for the course. Listed by Gavin Toguchi, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties
7042 Kalanianaole Highway |
Hawaii Kai
$1,085,000 fee simple
Three bedrooms, two baths
1,666 square feet
If being on the marina is just as good as being on the ocean, then this older home in Hawaii Kai is a steal. It’s right on the Hawaii Kai Marina, away from the main road. Despite its secluded location, it’s still convenient to shopping and dining, possibly even using a boat. “Some marina-front owners can just jump in their boats or kayaks and sail over to Costco to get prime ‘boat parking’ rather than fighting traffic,” says Realtor Iku Honda. Listed by Iku Honda, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties
Condominiums
92-104 Waialii Place, #O-922 |
Beach Villas at Ko Olina
$1,095,000 fee simple
Three bedrooms, three baths
1,504 square feet
There are several fully furnished units available in this newish beachfront complex at Ko Olina Resort, all of which have access to a concierge, a pool, a meeting room, an exercise room, a valet and more. This unit is on a high floor in the Ocean Tower, which highlights the sunset views. Listed by Fred Lunt, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties
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1199 Bishop St., #27B |
The Pinnacle
$995,000 fee simple
Two bedrooms, three baths
1,423 square feet
Those who want to be in the middle of downtown Honolulu with the comforts of a single-family home will probably look to The Pinnacle, a luxury condo on Bishop Street. There are only two residences per floor, and people who live there say it’s rare to see anyone else in the elevator. This unit is just under a million and features pristine finishes and upgrades, spacious lanai, and biometrically keyed elevators that take you to two separate entrances. Listed by Tina Bovino-Agostini, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties
223 Saratoga Road, #2021 |
Trump Tower Waikiki
$1,000,000 fee simple
Studio
441 square feet
In the luxurious Trump Waikiki, you can find a 441-square-foot studio (yes, studio) for $1 million. At least it’s on a high floor—the views from the floor-to-ceiling windows are breathtaking—and comes fully furnished, so you can move right in. If you’re living in the middle of Waikiki, you may not need a car, either. Listed by Perry Kunishige, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties
720 Kapiolani Blvd. |
The Vanguard Lofts
Three bedrooms, two baths
At this writing, there were five units available in this luxury loft development, of which four were in the million-dollar price range, all about 1,400 square feet. These stylish, modern lofts are the result of breathing new life into the old National Cash Register Building—apartments with the true, gritty, urban feel of those in other metropolitan cities like San Francisco, New York and Chicago. The Vanguard Lofts comprise 36 units and 3,616 square feet of ground-floor retail. Listed by Mark Berkowitz, Heyer & Associates
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Multi-Family Homes
E. Manoa RoadPhoto: David Croxford |
Manoa
$1,000,000 fee simple
6,399 square feet
Built in 1946, these two units are in their original state and have been fairly well maintained, considering the elements of time. They’re next to the Manoa Stream bridge and are close to Manoa Marketplace, Starbucks and the bus line, so you’re paying for the neighborhood and convenience. Listed by Noriko Watson, Hawaii Resource Realty
1817 Vancouver Drive |
Manoa
$1,000,000 fee simple
Five bedrooms, 2.5 baths
2,216 square feet
Right at the million-dollar mark you can get this basic, older home. Like homes of its era, in this neighborhood, it’s built for multifamily living, with five bedrooms and 2.5 baths split on two floors, a kitchen on the main floor and a kitchenette downstairs, and enough parking for six or more cars. Why would you seek out a basic home for a million dollars? Well, it’s in a desirable part of Mānoa Valley and has some nice views. Listed by Laura Chinen, Prudential Locations
98-797 Ainalui Loop |
Pearl City
$1,068,000 fee simple
Seven bedrooms, five baths
3,501 square feet
Royal Summit is one of the more prestigious developments in Pearl City, and this particular house is huge. The home itself is 25 years old, but has been renovated with Pergo floors, new carpet, new paint and refurbished bathrooms. Since there are so many bedrooms and baths, the two floors may be divided into separate living quarters for guests or renters. The 7,320-square-foot lot is tropically landscaped and features a patio and swimming pool, as well. Listed by Wayne Masuda, Oahu Realty
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59-542 Alapio RoadPhoto: David Croxford |
North Shore
$999,000 fee simple
Six bedrooms, five baths
3,818 square feet
Everything is larger as you move farther away from metro Honolulu. In Haleiwa, you can get a large, two-level home on almost an acre of landscaped land, with a pool and a barn storage building, too. The six bedrooms and five baths accommodate the whole family, and include separate quarters for a guest or renter. Its ideal vantage point gets you ocean, mountain and sunset views. Listed by Richard Sterman, Sterman Realty
Vacant Land
There are quite a few tracts around Oahu that you can get for a million dollars. How about 4.99 acres in Waialua for $1.09 million? For $1.1 million, you can get a level lot in Lanikai, or 3.4 acres in Waimanalo.
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