Manoa

Manoa Neighborhood Guide

Manoa is an idyllic neighborhood nestled at the base of Honolulu’s Ko’olau Mountains in Hawaii, famous for its picturesque natural beauty and historic homes. Manoa is home to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, its flagship campus within the University of Hawaii system and therefore an active and vibrant neighborhood filled with students, families, retirees, and retirees that shares a strong sense of community spirit. Manoa is widely recognized for its cultural significance, with several landmarks and institutions located throughout its boundaries. Manoa offers a small commercial area with shops and restaurants along East Manoa Road, as well as easy access to Ala Moana Center – Hawaii’s largest shopping mall. Manoa stands out as an exceptional and distinct community in Hawaii with beautiful homes, natural scenery, vibrant community events, and lively living conditions that all contribute to its special character.

Manoa Activities

Hiking:

Manoa offers several spectacular hiking trails that provide breathtaking views of its surroundings, with the Manoa Falls Trail being particularly well-known due to its beautiful waterfall and lush vegetation.

Lyon Arboretum:

The Lyon Arboretum is a botanical garden in Hawaii that displays the region’s distinctive flora. Visitors can take guided tours or wander freely throughout its gardens.

Manoa Heritage Center:

This nonprofit organization is dedicated to preserving and sharing Hawaii’s cultural and natural history through tours of its historic homes and gardens.

University of Hawaii at Manoa:

As the flagship campus of the University of Hawaii system, Manoa offers visitors an exciting campus tour experience as well as cultural events and lectures to attend.

Restaurants and Shops:

Manoa has a small commercial district on East Manoa Road with shops, restaurants, boutiques, parks, and playgrounds that visitors can use as shopping or dining destinations. Visitors can explore local cuisine or browse unique stores. Parks & Playgrounds: Manoa boasts several parks & playgrounds where families can enjoy outdoor activities or picnics in its environs.

Getting to Know Manoa Valley

Stretching deep into the jungly reaches of the Ko‘olaus, Manoa is a perfect combination of a small-town suburban feel and epic natural splendor, a wonderful place to call home. Popular hikes abound, with trailheads hidden behind residential streets where uniformly well-manicured lawns and gardens front the single-family homes built in classic island architectural styles.

1. WHAT TO EXPECT: Beautiful pre-1960s architecture with glorious views of the mountains, daily rain, accompanying rainbows, vibrant plants and flowers, a strong neighborhood feeling with little transience, and many multi-generation residents.
2. THE LIFESTYLE: Laid-back, quiet, and community-oriented, with plentiful jungle hiking trails and regular sports entertainment at UH.
3. WHAT NOT TO EXPECT: The beach—Manoa is a landlocked neighborhood, so hiking is the primary outdoor activity.
4. THE MARKET: Stately single-family residences in traditional architectural styles, from plantation to mid-century Modern, with rare new construction and significant renovation.
5. YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE WITH: The daily rainbows, which can be relied upon even during the dry(er) season, and which sometimes come in doubles!

Manoa History

Manoa’s history goes back centuries when it was utilized for agriculture and farming activities. Manoa was considered ideal for growing taro – one of the cornerstones of traditional Hawaiian culture – due to its fertile soil and abundant water source. Foreign investors began purchasing land in Manoa during the 19th century to establish plantations and farms for growing sugarcane, coffee, and other crops. American missionaries who arrived in Hawaii during the early 1800s also left an impactful mark, establishing churches and schools which helped shape Hawaiian culture. By the early 20th century, Manoa experienced a building boom when wealthy families started buying homes here – many with distinct Hawaiian architectural style designs that still remain part of its fabric today.

Manoa Real Estate Market (2023)

• Avg. Home Price: $1,810,900
• Average Price per Sqft: $838
• Days on Market: 84

Manoa Public Schools

Manoa Elementary:

Can be found at 3155 Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822. Click here to visit their website. 

Noelani Elementary School

Located at 2655 Woodlawn Dr, Honolulu, HI 96822. Click here to visit their website. 

Voyager- A public charter school 

2428 Wilder Ave, Honolulu, HI 96822. Click here to view their website. 

Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School

1202 Prospect St, Honolulu, HI 96822. Click here to visit their website. 

Unvistiry Laboratory School

A Hawaii public charter school located at University High School 3, 1776 University Ave, Honolulu, HI 96822. Visit their website here. 

President Theodore Roosevelt High School

Located at 1120 Nehoa St, Honolulu, HI 96822. Visit this website here. 

Manoa Private schools

MoʻO School

Montessori school serving children aged 3 to 12 can be found at 2752 Woodlawn Dr #5, Honolulu, HI 96822. View their website here.

Hanahau‘oli School

Located at 1922 Makiki St, Honolulu, HI 96822, serving junior kindergarten to sixth graders. View their website here. 

Maryknoll Elementary School campus

Located at: 1526 Alexander St, Honolulu, HI 96822

Maryknoll High School campus

Located at: 1402 Punahou St View their website here.

Mid-Pacific:

Mid-Pac stands out for its outstanding academic program, emphasizing innovation, creativity, and critical thinking. The school offers challenging courses such as Advanced Placement courses, as well as opportunities for participation in research projects and internships. Mid-Pac stands out for both its academic program and extracurricular offerings, particularly athletic and extracurricular offerings. Students at Mid-Pac can participate in basketball, volleyball, and soccer teams as well as join clubs dedicated to everything from robotics to music. View their website here. 

Punahou:

Punahou School, established in 1978 and located in Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, is renowned for its rigorous academic program, strong athletics team, and dedication to community service. Punahou stands out academically with its excellence and innovation, offering honors courses and Advanced Placement exams alongside opportunities for research projects and independent study projects. Punahou students consistently perform well on standardized exams and are accepted into some of the nation’s premier colleges and universities. Punahou School is widely known for its comprehensive athletics program, featuring various teams in football, basketball, volleyball, and swimming. Punahou has won multiple state championships across these sports as well as produced several professional athletes from them. Punahou takes great pride in its academic and athletic programs but is equally dedicated to community service. Punahou offers opportunities for its students to get involved with volunteering locally or globally through its academic curriculum as well as through student clubs. Visit their website here. 

Looking for an Oahu Realtor?

Are you planning to sell or buy your property in Manoa? Working with experienced and knowledgeable real estate agents in Manoa can make all the difference. The Ihara Team can provide you with valuable home buying and selling tips tailored to the Manoa real estate market. We can also help you explore different neighborhoods in Manoa and provide insights into the schools of Manoa. When you’re looking to find the right home, explore property listings, and find homes for sale in Manoa that meet your needs. We can also connect you with lenders for mortgages and financing options and offer closing assistance. Once the deal is done, we can recommend moving services to ensure a smooth transition to your new home. Looking for a Manoa realtor?  Schedule a free real estate planning session with the Ihara Team, your trusted Manoa Realtor.  

See Manoa homes for sale below.