Kai Ioh | August 2025
This post continues the reflection from my previous blog on island hopping between the Hawaiian Islands. If you are new to Hawaii, it’s worth revisiting how easy it is to visit other islands for business or for pleasure.
Just last week, I joined one of my Big Island clients for a quick day trip to Honolulu. They’re currently building a second home in Kukio, one of the most exclusive private clubs in Hawaii. But as they build their forever home in paradise, they also wanted something complementary—a base with urban convenience.
Many of my Big Island clients also own property in Oahu to enjoy two different ways of living. What began as a casual conversation about lifestyle evolved into a full-on discovery day across Oahu’s most exciting neighborhoods. And what we found was more than just square footage.
A Second Home with a Second Vibe
The idea came from a place of practicality. With a young child and global travel schedule, flying into Oahu is often easier for high-end shopping, dining, events and visiting friends. But it was also about energy. Where Kukio and Big Island offers absolute privacy and peace, Honolulu brings a different rhythm.
And so the plan was simple: hop on the 8:00 AM flight from Kona and be in another heaven by 9:00 AM. The Kona Airport makes this especially easy—just a 15-minute drive from Kona twon and no lines at TSA. It’s open air, relaxed, and the kind of airport experience that reminds you you’re still in Hawaii.
Seeing is Believing
As much as we all scroll real estate sites, nothing replaces standing inside a space.
Once on Oahu, our chauffeur-driven SUV took us through the vibrant Kakaako and Ala Moana neighborhoods. Howard Hughes has transformed Honolulu. The most sophisticated and vibrant areas are now east of Waikiki, Ala Moana, Ward, and Kaka’ako. We toured several of the city’s top residences, including Park Lane, Hokua, Waiea, and Victoria Place. Park Lane had been their top choice based on online research—but seeing it in person changed that. The experience highlighted just how vital it is to physically visit a property before making a decision.
For my clients, stepping into these properties clarified everything. They could feel the quality of the materials, privacy, and imagine hosting and welcoming friends to their property .
These are things no listing photo or floor plan can capture.
Here are the current price ranges of the front row condos:
Park Lane Ala Moana : $37.M – $12.6M
Waiea: $1.9 – $12.M
Victoria Place: $1.7M – $3M
Hokua: $3.8M – $5M
Lunch in style — and a Vision
By midday, we were at Merriman’s in Ward Village, a familiar Big Island name in a new urban context. The original Merriman’s was opened by Peter Merriman in Waimea, on the Big Island, and has been voted the best restaurant in Hawaii many times. While I personally love the rustic, authentic feel of the Waimea location, Oahu’s Merriman’s brings its own charm with an urban taste and vibe that fits the Honolulu lifestyle. Over lunch with the clients’ architect and project manager, we talked design, daily rhythm, and what it means to live in Hawaii—not just vacation here, truly. The Merriman’s fish sandwich was the best I ever tasted in Hawaii. They used homemade focaccia bread, and the balance of the ingredients was just PERFECT!
Ilima: A New Chapter in Vertical Living
One of the most eye-opening moments came when we toured Ilima, a front-row new development by Discovery Land Company and Howard Hughes slated to be completed in 2030. Discovery is well known as an ultra-luxury developer with a proven talent for creating exceptional lifestyle value. Kukio itself was originally developed by Discovery Land Company, and the private club concept that started on the Big Island is now making its way to Oahu. It’s the first membership-based high-rise in Hawaii, blending vertical luxury living with resort-style exclusivity. The North Shore Club is also slated to be a unique private resort next to the Ritz in Turtle Bay.
Think curated services, private amenities, and a true sense of community that feels miles away from the average condo tower. Ilima will be completed in 2030. They are experiencing record-breaking sales despite $250,000 membership fee. I was told there are some units still available. Please contact me if you need information about this unique high-rise designed by Robert Stern. Here is a little glimpse of the member amenity center of Ilima.
The Takeaway: Luxury is Evolving
This trip was more than a property tour. It was a reminder that luxury isn’t about marble countertops or square footage—it’s about how you feel in a space. Do you feel restored? Connected? Seen?
There was a shared understanding around “the intangibles”:
- Privacy without isolation
- Convenience without compromise
- Beauty without pretense
- Community with authenticity
It was about layering lifestyle.
My clients left Honolulu with clarity. Yes, they love their Kukio home. But adding a place in Honolulu allows them to balance both ends of the Hawaii experience: the privacy of the Big Island and the vibrancy of Oahu.
Short island hopping sometimes goes a long way.
We were back in Kona around 5:30 pm, plenty of time for a sunset cocktail.
Thinking Beyond One Island
If you’re building or buying in Hawaii, it’s worth considering how multiple islands can complement each other. Sometimes, the best way to live fully here is to stretch your idea of “home.” I have a network of partners all across the islands.
Aloha,
Kai