Kapolei - A Historic Overview

The Making of Kapolei: Oahu’s Second City

Kapolei is a master-planned community, situated on the leeward coast of Oahu. In recent years, the city has grown exponentially, offering up larger and more affordable homes to its flocking residents. However, not even 30 years ago, most of the area was covered with acres of sugar cane fields.

Aerial view of the Ewa Plain, circa 1950 | Photo courtesy of the Hawaii Aviation Preservation Society

Creating a Master-Planned Community

In 1877, James Campbell purchased 41,000 acres of barren land on the Ewa plain. What does one do with so much desert? Well, Campbell hired a California driller and uncovered a pure water reserve, creating Hawaii’s first artesian well, which transformed the arid land into a thriving sugar plantation.

Campbell was an Irish carpenter who moved to Maui at the age of 24. He went on to make his fortune in the sugar industry, purchasing land on several of the Hawaiian islands and becoming one of Hawaii's most successful business tycoons. When Campbell died in 1900, his land holdings, valued at $3 million, were placed in trust - the Estate of James Campbell. 

Come 1955 the Estate of James Campbell began its long-range "Ewa Master Plan," to develop the plantation grounds and create a new urban economic center – the City of Kapolei. By the year 2000, Kapolei was home to a 27-store shopping center, Bank of Hawaii, Consolidated Theatres, several schools, a water park, the Ihilani Resort and Spa and over 8,000 people. 

Kapolei homes in the in Upper and Lower Makakilo

Sales History of Kapolei

The first homes in Kapolei were built in lower Makakilo circa 1960. The first condominiums were built in 1972, also on the Makakilo hillside. These homes and condos were originally sold as leasehold properties.

Kapolei Single-Family Home Median Prices
Today - $599,975
10 Years Ago - $427,500
20 Years Ago - $300,000
30 Years Ago - $130,000
1977 - $57,250

Kapolei Condo Median Prices
Today - $372,500
10 Years Ago - $208,000
20 Years Ago - $190,000
30 Years Ago - $112,000
1977 - $48,500

What's in a Name?

Kapolei was named after Kapo, the Hawaiian Goddess of hula and sorcery. Kapo is also associated with the Pu'u O Kapolei, a hill located in the Kapolei Regional Park. During the winter solstice, the glow of a setting sun creates a wreath of light around this hill, forming what Ancient Hawaiians saw as a celestial lei - hence the name, "Kapolei."

Today, a bronze statue of Kapo welcomes all who enter the city from the grounds of the Kapolei Police Station off Farrington Highway.

Bronze sculpture of Kapolei, located on the corner of Kamokila Boulevard and Farrington Highway

The City of Kapolei Today 

The landscape of Kapolei has changed drastically over the past several decades – from arid desert to flourishing sugarcane fields to a thriving community of nearly 40,000. According to the Kapolei Chamber of Commerce, there are more than 800 businesses in the region providing more than 27,000 jobs, and that number continues to grow. 

"Kapolei is a young and exciting community with lots of changes happening fast. This means new businesses and business opportunities," says Todd Bedford, president of the Kapolei Chamber of Commerce. "What's different is that Kapolei is still an affordable place for a young family to purchase a home, raise a family AND still have some great job opportunities." Bedford is president/CEO of Lifeline Fire & Security and has lived in Kapolei since 2005.

There's plenty to do and see in the city. Play a round of golf at one of Kapolei's nine golf courses, take the kids to Wet'n'Wild Hawaii to cool off or stroll the beach path along the Ko Olina lagoons and watch the sun set. No matter your age or interests, there's something for everyone in Kapolei. 

There are nearly 12,000 homes and condos in Kapolei, and the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting anticipates that number will exceed 50,000 by 2035. Come visit our new Prudential Locations Kapolei office if you're interested in relocating to this exciting and growing community! 

Kapolei on the Map

Drive Times without Traffic: 
Waikiki: 35 minutes
Downtown Honolulu: 29 minutes
Diamond Head: 36 minutes
Airport: 20 minutes