Photo Credit: Cyrill
Ala Moana, Hawaiian for “path to the sea,” is a commercial, retail, and residential district of Honolulu between Waikīkī and Kaka‘ako. Its heart is Ala Moana Center, the largest open-air shopping center in the world, with more than 350 stores and over 160 dining options. Across Ala Moana Boulevard lies Ala Moana Beach Park and ‘Āina Moana (Magic Island), one of Honolulu’s most popular oceanfront parks. Housing is almost entirely condominiums, from 1960s–70s mid-rises and the 1,176-unit Ala Moana Hotel condotel to luxury residences such as Park Lane Ala Moana, built in 2017. Neighboring Kaka‘ako and Ward Village continue to add new towers, making the greater Ala Moana area one of Honolulu’s most dynamic urban neighborhoods. Ala Moana is also a major transfer point in Honolulu’s bus system and the planned future terminus of the Skyline rail line.
Ready to see what’s available? Explore Ala Moana condos for sale with Team Hawaii.
The combined Ala Moana–Kaka‘ako condo market remains Honolulu’s most active, with hundreds of active listings and a median list price in the high-$800,000s to about $900,000. Prices vary widely by building: units at the Ala Moana Hotel condotel have recently sold for around $190,000–$200,000, while Park Lane Ala Moana residences reach into the millions. [INSERT: current agent commentary on inventory, days on market, or a featured listing if available]
Thinking about buying or selling in Ala Moana? Get a free home valuation or contact Team Hawaii to compare buildings, fees, and rental rules.
Ala Moana’s story begins with land others didn’t want. In 1912, Walter Dillingham bought the low-lying parcel from the Bishop Estate. The area that became Ala Moana Beach Park was a wetland of bulrushes, kiawe trees, and coconut palms that the city used as a garbage dump in the 1920s. Dredging transformed the shoreline:
Ala Moana Beach Park was dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Originally named Moana Park, it was renamed “Ala Moana,” “path to the sea,” by the Parks Board in 1947.
In 1948, Walter’s son Lowell Dillingham announced plans for a shopping complex on the coral-covered parcel. A 1949 study by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill found urban Honolulu underserved by retail and short on downtown parking. Skeptics called the project “Dillingham’s Folly.” Ala Moana Center opened August 13, 1959, the year Hawai‘i became a state, with 87 stores and 4,000 parking spaces. It cost $25 million and was the largest shopping mall in the United States.
The Dillinghams originally planned a series of resort-hotel islands on the reef off Ala Moana. Instead, in 1964 a single 30-acre peninsula was built from dredged coral, with “inner” and “outer” beaches for protected swimming. The resort plan stopped there, and the State converted the peninsula into a public park. In 1972 it was officially renamed ‘Āina Moana, “land from the sea,” though most residents still call it Magic Island.
Today Ala Moana Center spans 2.4 million square feet with more than 350 stores, over 160 dining options, and nearly 11,000 parking spaces.
Ala Moana borders Kaka‘ako and Ward Village, Howard Hughes’ master-planned community of new luxury and workforce towers, parks, shops, and restaurants along Ala Moana Boulevard. Many buyers compare Ala Moana’s established buildings with Ward Village’s newer towers. See our Ward Village guide and Kaka‘ako neighborhood guide for details.
New residents are encouraged to attend meetings to learn about development projects, park improvements, and transit plans.
Ala Moana Beach Park & ‘Āina Moana (Magic Island)
Ala Moana Center
Harbors & Waterfront
Ho‘okipa Terrace (Ala Moana Center, Level 4):
Ala Moana Center Dining:
Nearby: Ward Village and Kaka‘ako add dozens more restaurants, breweries, and cafés within minutes. See our Kaka‘ako guide.
Park Lane Ala Moana
Hawaiki Tower
Nauru Tower
Sky Ala Moana
Azure Ala Moana
The Central Ala Moana
Ala Moana Hotel Condo
Harbor View Plaza
Drive times vary with traffic.
Ala Moana is served by Hawai‘i Department of Education schools, including Ka‘ahumanu or Royal Elementary, Washington Middle School, and McKinley High School, depending on address. Always verify current assignments with the Hawai‘i Department of Education school finder.
Price Ranges & Property Types
Market Trends
Market Characteristics:
Before You Buy:
With dozens of buildings, differing land tenure, and fees and rental rules that vary building to building, Ala Moana rewards careful comparison. Team Hawaii Real Estate helps clients evaluate buildings, association documents, and long-term value. Search Ala Moana condos, check your home’s value, or connect with Team Hawaii Real Estate.
All market data is approximate and based on recent 2026 listing and sales activity. For current information and a personalized market analysis, contact Team Hawaii Real Estate.
Sources: Wikipedia – Ala Moana Center · Wikipedia – Ala Moana Beach Park · Images of Old Hawai‘i – Ala Moana Center · Images of Old Hawai‘i – Magic Island · UH Coastal Geology – Ala Moana Shoreline History · Aloha State Daily – What’s New at Ala Moana Center · Honolulu Rail Transit
Ala Moana has 7,475 households, with an average household size of 2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Ala Moana do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 14,112 people call Ala Moana home. The population density is 40,287 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
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Population by Age Group
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10-17 Years
18-24 Years
25-64 Years
65-74 Years
75+ Years
Education Level
Total Households
Average Household Size
Average individual Income
Households with Children
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Without Children:
Blue vs White Collar Workers
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1585 Kapionlani Blvd. Ste. 1240 Honolulu, HI 96814
1585 Kapionlani Blvd. Ste. 1240 Honolulu, HI 96814