Top 10 reasons to make Diamond Head Hawaii your home
Can’t decide where to call home in Hawaii? Diamond Head offers some of the best living on Oahu. Whether you are scrapping by on a shoe-string or completely flush with cash, there many reason to call Diamond Head home that are available to all who come and live here. So, let’s examine the top 10 reasons to make your home in Diamond Head Hawaii and start your island life.
1. Diamond Head is close to Waikiki – Enjoy playing tourist at a moment’s notice. Most of Diamond Head is within a walk, short bike ride or very short drive to Waikiki where you can enjoy dining at a myriad of restaurants and ton of shopping. Many locals enjoy flocking on occasion to partake of all of the activities and the ambiance of Waikiki. Waikiki can be surprisingly romantic while enjoying drinks and watching the evening music hula show at places such as Halekulani’s House Without a Key. It can also be a cultural mecca with frequent parades and festivals including such high brow festivals as the Hawaii International Film Festival or as humorous as the annual Waikiki SPAM jam emulating Hawaii’s love affair with the canned meat.
2. Diamond Head is great for runners/walkers Hiking the crater – Spending any length of time in this neighborhood you will see many people out walking, running, hiking and enjoying the day. Full of bike paths, Diamond Head is very pedestrian friendly and the beautiful views and weather encourage everyone to get out any get physically active. One of the most special places to do so is the Diamond Head crater hike. The hike up to the old military pill boxes of Fort Ruger is challenging but rewarding. The view of Waikiki and ocean from the top edge of this volcanic crater is stunning to say the least. It is a vantage point over looking the surrounding area like no other.
3. Surfing in Diamond Head
The South Shore offers some wonderful and diverse surf breaks. Whether you are merely a beginner wannabe or advanced, chances are Diamond Head will have something for you. There are many breaks off of the cliffs and narrow beach of Diamond Head or partake of Old Man’s off of the Elks club off of Kalakaua Avenue or
When it’s windy break out your windsurf or kite surf gear and have at it, making sure to be respectful of the regular surfers.
4. Diamond Head Theatre – Okay, Diamond Head Theatre is actually in Kaimuki, but sitting on the slopes of Diamond Head makes the name appropriate. This gem of a little community theater regularly gets rave reviews from theater goers. It is an intimate little theater with a surprisingly good sound system and their productions usually ranging from comedy to musicals seem to always please. Yelp reviewers has given the little theater 4 and 1/2 stars.
5. Healthy food in Diamond Head – With so many outdoor activities it is nice to live in an area where there are so many healthy food options close by. Some the quaint little eateries offer a break from the everyday fair. Such places as the Olive Tree Cafe serves fresh delicious Greek food with many healthy options and Lanikai Juice for fresh fruit and veggie smoothies and juices. Then for healthy shopping, one of the only 2 Whole Foods on Oahu is in nearby Kahala Mall or Lifestream Natural Food on Kapahulu Avenue.
6. Sunny weather – Diamond Head’s rainfall count is minimal compared to most of the rest of the island, thus Diamond Head crater is usually brown most of the year. Despite the brownness, this means more sunny weather to get out and enjoy the warm climate. Those that live on the island know it could be flooding in Kaneohe on the windward side and sunny and bright at Diamond Head.
7. Diamond Head Lookout – One of the special places in Diamond Head are the Diamond Head lookouts. The tourists pull into the 2 lookouts to stop and take a short gaze at the stunning view while surfers and beach goers park on the sides to hike down and enjoy the beach and ocean. Then the pedestrians out for a walk on the walking path on the side all mix it up, dodging and weaving around surf boards, bicycles and strollers and on particularly good surf days, it can get insanely congested. The secret is that this is a wonderful place to relax. How can one relax amongst all of the chaos? Because some kind, loving person/people took time to love the hillside and landscape it into an intimate garden. Stepping over the low lava rock wall is an inviting place to spend a few quiet minutes or a few hours while sitting on the manicured grass and carefully planted flowers and shrubs. Just a few feet from the busy pathway into the oasis divides the line between stress and peace. It is a wonderful place to sit and watch the surfers and enjoy the coming evening sunset.
8. Diverse pockets in Diamond Head – If you think you must be at least a multimillionaire to live in this area think again. Yes, there are palatial oceanfront and near beach front homes along the coast, but their are other pockets. There are the usually historic cottages along Coconut Avenue and Kalakaua Avenue on postage stamp sized lots, but are so convenient to walk to Waikiki and Kapiolani Park.. Then there are the gold coast condos which are in varying size and price. The Colony Surf, the Sans Souci and the Diamond Head Ambassador are just a few of the condominiums available along this stretch of beach. Then located on the other side of Kapiolani Park is Pualei Circle which is home to quite a few lesser expensive condos including Diamond Head at Pualei Circle, Diamond Head Terrace, and the Diamond Head Alii condo.
9. Avoid traffic in Diamond Head – Being already in Honolulu makes it much easier to choose to navigate over surface streets or via the freeway to anywhere in the city. Most areas that are more outlying from Honolulu do experience traffic congestion and as more and more people wish to live here on our island traffic becomes tougher and tougher. So why not live in town, have a great lifestyle, and be close to everything.
10. Kapiolani Park near Diamond Head – Kapiolani Park is an active center to this community. It is like Oahu’s ‘Central Park’ being full of activities, festivals, and concerts. Local residents flock daily to the park to play tennis, rugby, soccer, basketball, run, or even practice archery. The Waikiki Shell sits at one end of the park and is a popular venue especially for Summertime concerts under the stars. Fixed seating is limited in the Shell, but most people prefer to spread a blanket and lay on the grass while enjoying the music. What a wonderful way to end another day in paradise.