FAQ
Honolulu real estate questions
What do homes cost in Honolulu?
As of October 20, 2026, condos with a Honolulu address averaged about $818,000 on our MLS search, and single-family homes averaged about $2.69 million. That covered about 2,280 condos and 350 houses listed, including homes under contract. Both averaged roughly $940 to $950 per square foot. Averages change daily and vary widely by neighborhood, so ask us for recent sales near any home you like.
Source: our MLS search, October 20, 2026.
Are Honolulu homes fee simple or leasehold?
Most are fee simple, but leasehold homes and condos do come up. On October 20, 2026, about 160 of roughly 2,630 Honolulu listings on our MLS search, about 6 percent, were leasehold. With leasehold, you own the home or unit but lease the land under it for a set term. A 2025 state DBEDT report notes that land rents often surged when leases were renegotiated, and an unrenewed lease could mean losing access to the land and the structure.
Source: our MLS search, October 20, 2026; DBEDT: Hawaii property ownership report (2025).
Does the Skyline rail line reach Honolulu?
Yes. HART says Segments 1 and 2 of Skyline are open, running from Kualaka'i (East Kapolei) Station to Kahauiki Station at Middle Street in Kalihi. Stations on the Honolulu end include Lelepaua at the airport and Ahua at Lagoon Drive. Segment 3, from Middle Street to Ka'akaukukui (Civic Center) Station, is under construction, and the Kaka'ako and Ala Moana stations will follow in a separate phase.
Source: HART: current project scope; HART: stations; City DTS: Skyline stations and parking.
Can I use a Honolulu condo as a short-term rental?
Generally only in resort-zoned areas and a few mapped apartment-zoned areas. The city Department of Planning and Permitting says Ordinance 22-7, signed April 26, 2022, allows short-term rentals in the Resort District and in specific apartment-zoned areas mapped in the ordinance. It also created a registration system starting in October 2022, with annual renewals. Building rules can be stricter, so confirm zoning, registration and house rules for any unit first.
Source: City DPP: STR summary and checklist; HiCentral: What is a short-term rental?.
Which public schools serve Honolulu?
Honolulu spans more than one Hawaii Department of Education complex area. Farrington, Kaiser and Kalani high schools are in the Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani Complex Area, and Kaimuki, McKinley and Roosevelt high schools are in the Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt Complex Area. Use the HIDOE SchoolSite Locator to see the schools that serve a specific address. HIDOE says the locator shows general service areas for reference only, so confirm with the school.
Source: HIDOE school page; HIDOE school page; HIDOE school page; HIDOE school page; HIDOE school page; HIDOE school page; HIDOE: complex area directory; HIDOE: Find your school; HIDOE SchoolSite Locator.
How do I check if a Honolulu home is in a flood or tsunami zone?
Look up the address on the state flood map and the city's tsunami evacuation map. The DLNR Flood Hazard Assessment Tool shows FEMA flood zones by address or TMK, and FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official source. For tsunami zones, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency links to the City and County of Honolulu's interactive map. Check any Honolulu home before you make an offer, and ask your lender early about flood insurance.
Source: DLNR: flood maps; Flood Hazard Assessment Tool; FEMA Flood Map Service Center; HI-EMA: tsunami evacuation zones; City tsunami evacuation map.
