Kahala

Kahala is an upscale East Honolulu neighborhood known for quiet residential streets, Kahala Beach, luxury homes, shopping and quick access to Waikiki and Diamond Head.

Kahala, Oahu

Kahala is a Honolulu neighborhood, located on the eastern end of Diamond Head, along Oahu's south shore. Here you'll find some of the most expensive real estate in Hawaii – huge and beautiful estates that cost millions of dollars. In 2024, the median price for a house in Kahala was about $1.8 million, with beachfront homes going for a lot more than that.

There are many mansion-like houses, with beautiful lawns and decorated with palm trees and tropical flowers. Many celebrities and business moguls have their vacation home in this area. Kahala is also a favorite location for investors, who first buy and repair an old house and then sell it for a record price.

Located in Kahala is also the luxurious Kahala Hotel & Resort, which was formerly known as the Kahala Mandarin Oriental. It lies on beautiful grounds and there's even a small man-made island offshore. Also, the hotel has a dolphin lagoon, where a handful of dolphins live. They offer daily shows for their guests.

The Kahala shoreline is backed by upscale beachfront homes. There are a few public access paths to the narrow beach. However, swimming here isn't that good because the nearshore ocean bottom is shallow and rocky. At the east end of Kahala is Waialae Beach Park, which is a little more suitable for swimming. The beach park also has a large grassy area and picnic tables.

Kahala also has a large mall - Kahala Mall. It features many stores and restaurants.

Key Features

Upscale East Honolulu neighborhood east of Diamond Head
Known for luxury homes, Kahala Beach, Kahala Mall and quiet streets
Close to Waikiki, Honolulu, Diamond Head and East Oahu roads
Residential area with limited parking near beach access points
South shore setting with reef, shoreline and ocean views
Good area for shopping, dining, beach walks and short scenic drives
Visitors should respect private property and neighborhood parking rules
Population: 31,566 at the 2020 Census
ZIP code: 96816

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Kahala on Oahu?

Kahala is in East Honolulu, east of Diamond Head and Waikiki along Oahu's south shore.

What is Kahala known for?

Kahala is known for luxury homes, quiet residential streets, Kahala Beach, Kahala Mall, resort areas and quick access to Waikiki.

Is Kahala close to Waikiki?

Yes. Kahala is just east of Waikiki and Diamond Head, making it an easy drive from Honolulu resort areas when traffic is light.

Can visitors go to Kahala Beach?

Yes. Kahala Beach has public shoreline access, but parking is limited and visitors should respect nearby residential areas.

What nearby places can visitors combine with Kahala?

Nearby places include Waikiki, Diamond Head, Kahala Mall, Kapiolani Park, Honolulu and the road toward East Oahu.