A new shuttle service called the North Shore Huakai recently launched on Oahu, providing roundtrip transportation from Waikiki and Ko Olina to the North Shore for just $5. The 90-day pilot program, which officially began on June 29, 2026, aims to provide an affordable transit option for both visitors and residents. The daily service offers an approximately six-hour itinerary, featuring a one-hour stop in the historic Waialua Sugar Mill district and up to two and a half hours of free time to explore Haleiwa. During the transit, local cultural practitioners provide onboard narration to share the history and cultural significance of the region.

The initiative was developed by the Hawaiian Council in partnership with the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and E Noa Tours. It was created as a direct response to the economic impact of the severe kona low storms that struck the island in March 2026. By facilitating easier access to the North Shore without the high costs of car rentals or private transit, organizers intend to stimulate the local economy and drive foot traffic to small businesses that are still recovering from the weather events.

To encourage local spending, each rider is issued a “North Shore Passport” that highlights participating restaurants, retail shops, galleries, and cafes. Passengers are asked to patronize at least one local business during their visit and present proof of purchase before boarding the return shuttle. The Waikiki route accommodates up to 40 passengers with morning pickups beginning at 8:30 a.m. along Kalakaua Avenue, while the Ko Olina route can carry up to 26 passengers starting at 8:20 a.m. Both shuttles return riders to their respective pickup areas by 3:15 p.m., and advanced reservations are heavily recommended for those looking to utilize the service.

A new boutique residential community, “The Villas on the 8th,” has been announced for the Hawaii Kai neighborhood in East Oahu. Located at 1285 Mokuhano Street, the development will occupy approximately three acres of R-5 zoned land bordering the eighth hole of the Hawaii Kai Golf Course. The project will consist of 14 newly constructed, detached single-family homes, adding fresh housing inventory to a predominantly established residential area.

The properties are designed as two-story, four-bedroom residences, each spanning over 2,700 square feet of interior living space. Structural plans specify steel-frame construction and standing seam roof systems. The interiors will feature 10-foot ceilings on the ground level, nine-foot ceilings on the second floor, hardwood flooring, and upgraded appliances. To align with modern energy standards, each home will be equipped with photovoltaic panels and a dedicated electric vehicle charging station within an attached two-car garage.

Currently in the permitting phase, the project is projected for completion in 2027, with initial listing prices set at approximately $2.5 million. The addition of these 14 units provides a targeted expansion to East Oahu’s limited supply of new-build real estate. For the local housing market, “The Villas on the 8th” reflects ongoing demand for modernized properties in Hawaii Kai, providing new residential infrastructure while maintaining immediate proximity to the neighborhood’s existing schools, commercial centers, and outdoor recreational sites.

Interested in The Villas on the 8th?

Register your interest with Sachi Hawaii – we’ll help you stay informed on future developments on this upcoming project.
(808) 596-8801 | info@sachihawaii.com

Oahu’s housing market showed a clear divergence in May 2026, with single-family home sales surging while condo volumes dipped. According to the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®, single-family home sales rose 8.5% year-over-year to 255 transactions, with the median price holding steady at $1,166,000 (a minor 0.8% dip). Conversely, condo sales fell 9.4% to 339 closings, though the condo median price climbed 4.0% to $520,000. Affordable options remained a major driver, with properties priced at $500,000 or less accounting for 157 sales in May and 823 year-to-date.

Single-Family Home Resales

Condominium Resales

Source: HiCentral

Competition for detached homes intensified as median days on market plummeted to just 13 days—down from 21 a year ago—with 35% of sales closing above the original asking price. This rapid pace was fueled by low inventory, with active single-family listings down 10.8% despite a 3.3% rise in new listings (405). Meanwhile, the condo market eased slightly, with median days on market rising to 43 days and only 9% of sales closing over asking. Looking ahead, summer demand appears steady as pending sales grew by 8.8% for single-family homes and 7.0% for condos.

“Oahu’s single-family market is moving with incredible velocity, driven by motivated buyers acting quickly on limited inventory,” said Sachi Braden, founder of Sachi Hawaii. “While condo sales volume has cooled slightly, rising median prices and strong pending sales show that baseline demand remains robust. This summer market favors strategic readiness—buyers who prepare their financing and work with sharp professional representation are finding success despite tight active inventory.”

Local buyers are successfully navigating these competitive conditions through initiatives like the state’s new Hale Kamaʻāina Mortgage Program. Administered by the HHFDC, the program celebrated its first three closings in May, offering below-market interest rates and down payment assistance. Notable success stories include Ashley Maeshiro, a public school teacher who purchased a Makiki condo with a $223,000 mortgage, and the Nacapuy family, who transitioned from renting to a three-bedroom Mililani Mauka townhome via a $581,000 mortgage. These milestones highlight how targeted financing is expanding homeownership access for Hawaii residents.