Honolulu has been named one of the premier destinations for coffee in the United States, securing the No. 7 position on Food & Wine’s 2026 Global Tastemakers Awards list of the top 10 U.S. coffee cities. The annual awards identify the best global culinary travel experiences by polling more than 400 chefs, food and travel writers, and industry professionals. A global advisory board then evaluates the polling data to rank the top nominees in each category. Austin, Texas, claimed the first-place ranking on this year’s national list.

The Food & Wine ranking noted Honolulu’s abundant cafe culture and the state’s deep-rooted connection to the beverage. Specific local establishments were highlighted for their distinct offerings, including Try Coffee in the Ward Center’s BoxJelly space, which focuses on brewed coffees and classic espresso. Also recognized were Morning Glass Coffee for its signature Mānoa honey iced latte, and Drip Studio, which features an extensive pour-over menu that pairs regional specialties like Kona-grown Geisha coffee with kinako cinnamon rolls.

This recent recognition reflects Hawaii’s extensive history of coffee cultivation, which dates back to 1813 when the first plants were introduced to Oahu. Today, coffee remains a vital component of the local agricultural economy and real estate landscape, utilizing 7,400 acres of crop land across five islands. During the 2023-2024 season, approximately 1,000 farms produced 3.4 million pounds of green coffee, valued at $67 million.

Coffee currently stands alongside macadamia nuts as Hawaii’s top agricultural export commodities by total dollar value. While the state accounts for just 0.1% of global coffee production, its limited supply, unique regional flavor profiles, and high overall quality maintain its premium status in both the local community and the international market.

Honolulu’s historic Pagoda Hotel is entering a new era with a comprehensive property-wide refresh aimed at modernizing its interiors and amenities while preserving its beloved island charm. Known for decades as a reliable kamaaina favorite, the central Honolulu property has undertaken significant renovations to elevate the overall guest experience. This revitalization bridges the gap between classic Hawaiian hospitality and the contemporary expectations of both local residents and mainland visitors, ensuring the iconic destination remains a competitive fixture in Oahu’s evolving hospitality landscape.

The extensive updates breathe new life into the hotel’s accommodations and public spaces. Enhancements encompass modernized guest rooms, upgraded facilities, and a renewed emphasis on the property’s signature natural features, including its tranquil Japanese gardens and famous koi ponds—which recently welcomed a vibrant restoration of their koi population. Crucially, the hotel’s management structured the ongoing renovation timeline to keep the property fully operational, allowing guests uninterrupted access to its popular on-site dining and amenities. By refreshing its footprint without losing its core identity, the property continues to appeal to those seeking an authentic, residential feel away from the densely packed resort strip of Waikiki.

From a local real estate and economic perspective, the Pagoda Hotel’s reinvestment underscores a broader trend of Honolulu properties optimizing their aging assets to attract a steady mix of tourists, business travelers, and extended-stay locals. Situated strategically near the Ala Moana Center, Ward Village, and Honolulu’s downtown business district, the refreshed hotel provides a highly practical and budget-friendly base in a notoriously high-barrier real estate market. For the Hawaii community, the preservation and enhancement of this locally cherished hub not only supports regional tourism but also sustains a longstanding gathering place for generations of island families.

Honolulu’s real estate market experienced a notable divergence in March 2026, with single-family homes seeing a surge in activity while condominium sales slightly cooled. According to recent data from the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®, single-family home transactions jumped by 26.2% year-over-year to 260 closed sales, pushing the median sales price up 3.4% to $1,199,500. Conversely, condo sales experienced a modest decline of 4.9%, totaling 351 transactions, though the median price for condominiums still edged upward by 2.0% to reach $510,000. Despite a double-digit drop in new listings across both property types, buyer demand remained robust, particularly for single-family homes priced below $1 million and condos in the $700,000 to $799,999 bracket.

Single-Family Home Resales

Condominium Resales

Source: HiCentral

Market dynamics continue to shift as buyers and sellers navigate evolving economic and environmental conditions, including elevated mortgage rates and recent severe weather systems. “While external factors like the recent Kona lows have introduced temporary fluctuations in pending sales, the underlying demand for Oahu real estate remains remarkably resilient,” notes Moe Matsuda, Vice President and Broker-in-Charge at Sachi Hawaii. “We are seeing buyers remain highly engaged and decisive when properties are priced accurately, as evidenced by the strong percentage of sellers receiving at or very near their original asking price across both the single-family and condominium sectors.”

Despite properties spending slightly more time on the market compared to the previous year, the pace of sales remains efficient. Single-family homes were active for a median of just 21 days before entering escrow, while condominiums averaged 43 days. Inventory constraints continue to be a defining factor in the current landscape, with active single-family home listings dropping 10.6% year-over-year and condo inventory remaining relatively stagnant. As a result, competitive offers remain prevalent; over a quarter of single-family homes and 14% of condos closed above their initial asking price last month, underscoring the ongoing competitive nature of Honolulu’s housing market.