It wasn’t that long ago that Kapolei, Hawaii was just the place you drove through to get up island. Highway 1 came to an abrupt halt, changing to the two-lane Route 93 that leads to the more remote northwest coast. Savvy hoteliers took note of the beaches in the area and built the Ihilani Ko Olina, a luxury property that rivals anything Waikiki has to offer. That set the tone for the area -- one of sophistication, peace, and quiet. Soon golf courses went in, as did upscale private residences. Kapolei’s oceanfront Aliinui Dr. neighborhood was born. It remains the most desirable area in town, followed by the Akupu neighborhood which is farther inland.
Paradise Cove predates the resorts and growth spurts of the Kapolei area. This was how tourists discovered the area, traveling by bus from Waikiki to an oceanfront village setting.