Wahiawa Real Estate Info

Though Wahiawa is often overshadowed by other, younger neighborhoods in Central Oahu, the town retains an old Hawaii feel that the planned communities and model homes can't capture.

When the other developments were being developed with pineapple fields at their edges, I have vivid memories of going into Wahiawa with my parents to eat, shop and relax. While many of the places I remember are gone, many of them are still there and are reminders of a time when Wahiawa was the place to go in Central Oahu — because it was pretty much the only place to go.

But Wahiawa's history goes further back than that. Kamehameha trained his soldiers in the area that's now Schofield Barracks and Hawaiian royalty would give birth at the nearby birthing stones, or Kukaniloko Birthstones. Schofield Barracks is most definitely closed to the public and while locals remember being able to touch the Kukaniloko Birthstones, they're no longer accessible but can be seen. 

Post-contact, the land in Wahiawa was found to be excellent for agriculture and pineapple were grown. The land also had a substantial water supply and the famers redirected Kaukonahua Stream to encircle what is now Wahiawa. Lake Wilson, a reservoir that's the second largest in the state, once irrigated the pineapple fields. 

Pineapple was so important to the town and surrounding areas that at its peak, Wahiawa was considered the hub of the global pineapple industry. Right outside of the town there's Dole Plantation, a tourist attraction that calls back to those days with its namesake company founded on the pineapples grown in Wahiawa. It's also one of the last places in Hawaii that still grows pineapples, though the crop size is extremely limited and just for show. 

Today's Wahiawa is an odd mix. The main drags on Kamehameha Highway and California Avenue have the feel of a military town, but the further into Wahiawa, the more local and rural it gets. It's not uncommon to find homes that boarder the neighboring forest.  

It's also the closest major town to the North Shore, so there's more than a hint of the surfing culture further up the road percolating there as well.

WEATHER

Like most of central Oahu, Wahiawa is one of the coolest places on the island because of the trade winds. As former agriculture land, the area also has frequent rain, so much so that it's a constant punchline of jokes among soldiers in Schofield Barracks.  In the winter It does rain more than usual, and it does get cold (again, for Hawaii that usually means the mid-60s, at most), so potential buyers should keep that in mind.

COMMUNITY AMMENITIES 

For families, there's a fair amount of park space in Wahiawa. In fact, for many who aren't from the area it could be very surprising. The Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation boarders Lake Wilson and features a boat ramp, picnic tables and is open to fishing. As a child, I would cast lines near the boat ramp and compete in fishing tournaments. There's also Wahiawa District Park, with a baseball diamond and activity space. Further up the road from the park is the Wahiawa Botanical Garden, which was originally established to grow experimental pineapple crops. Now it's home to native Hawaiian plants, aroids, tree ferns, and epiphytic plants.

SCHOOLS

Wahiawa has many options for public and private schools.

Public elementary schools include:

• Iliahi Elementary
• Ka'ala Elementary
• Wahiaw Elementary

There's also Wahiawa Intermediate School and Leilehua High School.  Wahiawa's abundant church community is also reflected in its private elementary schools.

Trinity Lutheran Church and School First Baptist Church Hoʻala School Abundant Life United Pent Church Maranatha Christian Academy Hawaii Matsuritaiko 

Military Schools 

Wheeler Army Airfield and Schofield Barracks alszo have schools for military dependents (though at one point, kids from Mililani were bussed in because of a lack of an intermediate school at the time).

• Major Sheldon Wheeler Elementary School

• Major Sheldon Wheeler Middle School

SHOPPING

Tamura's is an institution in this part of Oahu. It's a family-run supermarket, but its produce is excellent as is its liquor and cigar offerings. Interestingly, Wahiawa is a good place to eat. While it's easy to just see the fast-food restaurants, there's a thriving food scene. Uncle's NY Deli is home to some of the best subs and pizza on the island. There's a rivalry as to who makes the best pies in the area between Sunny Side and Tanya's Pies and Grill, which are both within walking distance of each other. Also of note — while it's a joke that there are no Mexican restaurants in Hawaii, there's at least four in Wahiawa (my personal favorite is Javi's). Dong Yang Inn is a favorite among locals for Korean food. Newer places to try are Chicken in a Barrell BBQ and Surfers Coffee.

When house-hunting it's easy to dismiss Wahiawa, but if you do, you're missing out on a community that has much to offer. Check out our listings below.