Ala Moana condo buildings with the best views, value, and amenities

Ala Moana is one of Honolulu’s most established condominium markets, but the buildings within it are remarkably different from one another. In a relatively small area, buyers can choose between classic high-rises built decades ago, established luxury towers, newer amenity-focused buildings, and Park Lane, a low-rise residential community unlike anything else in the neighborhood.

That variety is one of the biggest advantages of buying in Ala Moana, but it can also make the search more complicated. A newer building is not necessarily a better building for every buyer, and a lower price per square foot does not necessarily mean better value.

When comparing Ala Moana condos, I look beyond the asking price. The building’s age, ownership structure, maintenance fees, parking, amenities, rental rules, floor plan, stack, views and surrounding development all matter. For many buyers, especially those purchasing from outside Hawaiʻi, understanding the differences between buildings is just as important as finding the right individual unit.

Here are some of the buildings I would put on the shortlist when comparing Ala Moana condos for sale.

Park Lane: For buyers who want something truly different

Park Lane is in a category of its own within the Ala Moana market. Completed in 2017, it consists of seven low-rise residential buildings with 219 private residences along a private lane directly connected to Ala Moana Center.

Rather than feeling like a traditional high-rise condominium, Park Lane was designed around privacy, indoor-outdoor living and a more residential experience. Residences feature expansive lanais, and some have private garages, which is an unusual feature in Honolulu condominium living.

The amenities are equally distinctive, including a pool, wellness center, private dining areas, wine cellar and concierge services.

Its location is another major advantage. Ala Moana Beach Park is directly across the street, while Ala Moana Center is connected to the property.

For buyers who prioritize privacy, space, service and a quieter residential environment, Park Lane deserves to be considered separately from the typical high-rise condo search.

One Ala Moana: Convenience and amenities

One Ala Moana was completed in 2014 and has 206 residences across 22 stories. Its most obvious advantage is its direct connection to Ala Moana Center, making shopping, dining and everyday conveniences exceptionally easy to access.

The building also has an extensive sixth-floor amenity deck with a pool, whirlpool, fitness center, theater, chef’s kitchen, party room, guest suites, children’s play area, dog park and putting green.

Residences range from one-bedroom units to larger three-bedroom homes, with some of the larger residences offering substantially more space than the typical newer Honolulu condo.

For a second-home buyer, the combination of a full-service building and direct access to one of Honolulu’s largest shopping and dining destinations can be particularly appealing. It is also a good example of why convenience should be considered alongside views and finishes when comparing luxury condos.

Hokua: Established luxury and larger residences

Hokua at 1288 Ala Moana Boulevard is one of the most important established luxury buildings to include in an Ala Moana search.

Completed in 2006, Hokua has 248 residences across 40 stories. One of its biggest advantages is the size and quality of its residences. Compared with many newer towers that emphasize smaller one- and two-bedroom floor plans, Hokua offers larger homes, including substantial two- and three-bedroom residences.

Its location directly across from Ala Moana Beach Park is another major draw. Depending on the residence and floor, buyers can find ocean, park, mountain and city views.

The building also has an extensive amenity package, including a pool, spa, fitness facilities, tennis court, recreation areas and guest suites.

Hokua is a good example of why I would not automatically favor newer construction. A well-established luxury building with generous floor plans, strong views and an exceptional location can be a better fit than a newer building with smaller residences.

Waihonua: An established 2015 high-rise

Waihonua was completed in 2015, so I would not describe it as new construction in today’s market. It is better thought of as an established, newer-generation high-rise.

The 43-story building has approximately 340 residences in one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Amenities include an infinity-edge pool, fitness center, theater, club room, BBQ areas, residents’ lounge, guest suites and surfboard storage.

Its location is one of its strongest advantages. Waihonua sits along the corridor between Ala Moana Center and Ward Village, giving residents convenient access to both areas.

Waihonua is also a good example of why the individual unit matters. Two residences in the same building can have very different experiences depending on their floor, orientation and stack. The view from one stack may be substantially different from another, and surrounding development can affect how those views change over time.

Koʻolani: Established luxury in a central location

Koʻolani was completed in 2006 and is another established luxury tower worth comparing with Hokua and Waihonua.

The building offers larger residences than some of the newer towers in the area and has a more traditional full-service condominium feel. Its location provides convenient access to Ala Moana Center, Ala Moana Beach Park and the broader Kakaʻako area.

For buyers comparing Koʻolani with other established buildings, I would pay particular attention to the individual floor plan and stack. The difference between two units can be more meaningful than the difference between the buildings themselves.

Hawaiki Tower: Location, views and amenities

Hawaiki Tower was completed in 1999 and is a 46-story condominium near Ala Moana Center and Ala Moana Beach Park.

The building has an unusually strong amenity package for an established property, including a swimming pool, spa, tennis courts, BBQ areas and recreation spaces.

Its location is one of its greatest strengths. Many residences have views toward the ocean, Ala Moana Beach Park, Waikīkī or the mountains depending on their orientation and floor.

For buyers who want to be close to the beach and shopping but are open to an older building, Hawaiki can be an interesting alternative to newer construction.

Nauru Tower: Classic high-rise living

Nauru Tower was completed in 1992 and remains one of the recognizable residential towers along Ala Moana Boulevard.

More than 30 years old now, Nauru is a good example of a building where age needs to be considered alongside location, residence size, views, condition and building finances.

Its position directly across from Ala Moana Beach Park is difficult to replicate. Depending on the residence, buyers can find meaningful ocean and park views, while the shopping center is also close by.

The individual unit becomes particularly important here. A renovated residence with a desirable stack and strong view can be a very different proposition from an unrenovated unit in a less desirable position.

1350 Ala Moana: Space and location

1350 Ala Moana Boulevard is one of the more interesting choices for buyers willing to trade newer construction for space and location.

Completed in 1968 and designed by architect Minoru Yamasaki, the building sits directly across from Ala Moana Center and close to Ala Moana Beach Park.

Many of the residences are two-bedroom floor plans, with larger layouts than buyers may find in newer towers. The building also offers amenities including a pool, whirlpool, recreation areas and exercise facilities.

This is where the concept of value becomes particularly important. A buyer comparing a large two-bedroom residence in an established building with a significantly smaller residence in a newer tower should not look only at the building’s age or price per square foot. Interior space, renovation level, parking, maintenance fees, views and ownership structure all need to be considered together.

The Central Ala Moana: Newer construction

The Central Ala Moana is one of the genuinely newer buildings in the area, completed in 2021. The 43-story tower has 512 residences and a modern amenity package that includes multiple pools, BBQ areas, cabanas, fitness facilities, children’s play areas, dog amenities and multipurpose spaces.

For buyers who place a high priority on newer construction, contemporary finishes and modern shared amenities, The Central is worth comparing with the established luxury buildings nearby.

However, newer does not automatically mean better value. A buyer should still compare the size of the residence, maintenance fees, parking, views and surrounding development with what is available in older buildings.

Sky Ala Moana and Azure Ala Moana

There are several other newer condominium options in the broader Ala Moana area, including Sky Ala Moana and Azure Ala Moana.

These buildings appeal to buyers who prioritize newer construction, contemporary amenities and proximity to Ala Moana Center.

They also demonstrate why it is important to look closely at building-specific rules. Rental restrictions, residential versus hotel components, maintenance fees and ownership structures can vary significantly between buildings, even when they appear similar from the outside.

Which Ala Moana condos have the best views?

There is no single building with the best view from every residence.

In Ala Moana, the stack, floor and orientation can be just as important as the building itself.

One residence might look directly toward Ala Moana Beach Park and the ocean, while another in the same building may face the mountains, city or another tower. A higher floor does not automatically mean a better view either. The direction of the residence and what sits between the unit and the view are equally important.

Future development is another consideration.

When I am evaluating a condo for a buyer, I do not just look at what the view looks like today. I also look at what is around the building, what is approved or planned nearby, and whether future construction could affect the view or privacy.

This is one of the reasons I think building and stack knowledge is so important when buying a condo in Ala Moana. The MLS can tell you what is currently being offered, but it does not always tell you how that residence will compare with another stack in the same building or how the surrounding area may change.

Which Ala Moana condos offer the best value?

“Value” means something different depending on the buyer.

For buyers prioritizing space, established buildings such as 1350 Ala Moana and Hokua are worth comparing closely with newer towers.

For buyers prioritizing luxury, privacy and service, Park Lane and One Ala Moana sit at the higher end of the market.

For buyers looking for established buildings with strong locations and amenities, Hokua, Waihonua, Koʻolani, Hawaiki and Nauru are all worth considering.

For buyers who prioritize newer construction, The Central Ala Moana, Sky Ala Moana and Azure offer a different proposition.

There is no single best Ala Moana condo. The right building depends on how you intend to use the property and which compromises you are, or are not, willing to make.

Ala Moana condo buildings at a glance

The building matters as much as the condo

Ala Moana gives buyers something that many condominium markets do not: a wide range of buildings within a relatively compact area.

You can compare a 1960s building with large floor plans against a 1990s tower with strong park views, an established luxury building such as Hokua, a 2015 building such as Waihonua, or a newer tower with modern amenities. At the upper end, you can move into a property like Park Lane, where the entire residential experience is fundamentally different.

That is why I recommend starting with the building, not just the listing.

Once you know which buildings fit your priorities, the next step is to compare the individual residences within them. That means looking at the floor plan, stack, floor, view, parking, maintenance fees, building financials, rental restrictions, renovation level and surrounding development.

For buyers purchasing from outside Hawaiʻi, this level of research can be particularly important. A condo can look excellent in photographs and still not be the right fit once you understand the actual view, building amenities, surrounding construction or how the residence functions day to day.

The goal is not simply to find an available condo in Ala Moana. It is to find the building and residence that make the most sense for the way you want to use the property now and in the future.

Looking for Ala Moana condos for sale? I can help you compare the buildings, not just the listings, and narrow the search to the residences that actually fit what you are looking for.

LinkedIn Instagram

Your Top Hawaiʻi Luxury Condo Specialist

Lucy Heath

Lucy Heath is a Real Estate Advisor at Compass and the founder of Luxury Condos Hawaiʻi, recognized for her expertise in refined condominium living in Kakaʻako and Ala Moana. She has lived in Ward Village for over six years, witnessing its transformation from the earliest stages of development into one of Honolulu's most sought-after neighborhoods.

Get in Touch