Keola Lai

Community Culture

Keola Lai is a popular high-rise complex located in the Kakaako district. This building, developed by Alexander & Baldwin, inc., was constructed in 2008. The concrete tower has a chic, glass exterior, a beautiful lobby, and common area designs that are reflective of contemporary Hawaiian styles. Keola La'i takes up an entire block, as it covers 2.7 acres of land. This 42-story building gazes over the city of Honolulu.

In total, there are 352 residential units and 4 commercial units at Keola Lai. The commercial units are located at the bottom of the building. Residents have access to a 4-story parking structure, and there are also plenty of guest parking spaces for having friends and family over to your home. Unit sizes range from 1-bedroom to 3-bedrooms, and there are two 3-bedroom penthouse units at the top of the building.

One of the unique aspects of life at Keola Lai is the sense of community among residents. The building boasts an 80% owner-occupant rate, meaning that most buyers are local residents who actively live in Honolulu. Additionally, the building community hosts special events for residents, including movie nights on the deck (with free popcorn) and fun Halloween activities. Santa Claus also comes each year to take pictures with the children. These sorts of activities help to really solidify a strong sense of community for residents.

Unit Specifics

In total, Keola Lai features 70 1-bedrooms, 314 2-bedrooms, and 36 3-bedroom units. Generally, the end units have 3-bedrooms, as these floor plans wrap around the building. There are also 4 elevators, and there is a huge, luxurious amenities deck on the 4^th floor.

Overlapping unit features (across all floor plans) include 8’ 6” high ceilings (or higher, in some units), stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops. Kitchen cabinets are made of maple or cherry wood. Each unit comes with floor-to-ceiling windows, central air conditioning, and designated dining areas. Kitchen and bathroom floors are lined with porcelain tiling. Some appliances are included with the unit, such as the oven/range, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator.

The 1-bedroom units at Keola Lai are each 673 square feet. Most of them include an additional small room that could be utilized as a den or an office. While some of the units in this building do come with lanais, they are not included with the 1-bedrooms.

There are 314 2-bedroom units ranging from 934 through 1,045 square feet. They come with 3 parking stalls and are available in 4 different layouts. Most of the floor plans have roommate-style setups that increase privacy for residents. Like the 1-bedroom units, the 2-bedrooms also include a separate dining area. Some of the 2-bedrooms include covered lanais, with round, square, or linear styles.

Each of the 36 3-bedroom units comes with its own lanai that is about 96 square feet. 3-bedrooms are generally located at the ends of the hall, as they wrap around the building. In total, they cover around 1,402 square feet. These units include 2 bathrooms and an additional space that could be utilized as a den or office. The layout is unique, with the kitchen in the center of the unit and windows that provide natural light from 3 directions.

Resort-like Amenities

Keola Lai provides its residents with amenities that mimic those you may find at a luxury hotel or resort. A majority of these amenities are on the 4^th floor deck, which features panoramic views of Honolulu. Take a dip in the 65-foot heated swimming pool, which is accompanied by a separate kiddie pool and a whirlpool spa. The deck also features a beautiful, glassed-in fitness center, BBQ grills, and picnic areas.

Another great perk of living at Keola Lai is the ability to rent the party room out for larger events. Each condominium comes with its own parking stall (and 2 and 3-bedroom units come with 2 stalls), with plenty of additional parking available for guests. The building is secured by 24-hour security to keep residents safe.

Kakaako District Highlights

Kakaako is a booming Honolulu district that continues to grow, and residents of Keola Lai enjoy close proximity to some of the greatest highlights the area has to offer. In addition to the commercial spaces on the street level of the complex, residents live within walking distance of the popular Ward Village shops.

Ward Village features unique boutiques and local businesses that help support the surrounding community. The East Village area and the South Shore Market include numerous restaurant options and additional large-scale chain stores, like Nordstrom Rack and TJ Max. Ward Center offers the most boutique shops and also hosts the popular Kids City Adventure site. At the Kamakee Corridor, you’ll find additional boutique stores, a Pilates studio, and the Ward Entertainment Center, a 150,0000 square foot center that includes restaurants, places to shop, an arcade, and a movie theater. Ward Village also hosts the weekly Kakaako Farmers Market for fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Another local attraction is the Ala Moana Beach Park, which is just a short drive from Keola Lai. The calm waters of this beach are ideal for swimming, paddle boarding, and kayaking. Additionally, the nearby Ala Moana Shopping Center offers an open-air shopping experience and features restaurants, shops, and local events, including seasonal markets and a daily hula show.

Living at Keola Lai means being close to a plethora of restaurants, shops, and sources of entertainment. Some residents are also able to walk to work, and the building is in close proximity of several medical centers (both hospitals and clinics). One drawback to keep in mind with living in this part of Kakaako is that there is ongoing construction as additional homes and attractions are built in the area. Although this is a short-term drawback, it is likely to result in even more local conveniences for residents over time.

Current prices for units at Keola Lai range from around $750,000 and up. Given the spacious floor plans and convenient location, these condominiums have been quite popular. If you’re looking for the perfect balance of work and play, Keola Lai is one of the best condominium locations in Honolulu.