Manoa - Honolulu, HI Area Guide

Like all of ancient Hawaii, Manoa was once an ahupuaa, a section of land running from the mountain to the sea. Each ahupuaa was self-sustaining with an intricate system of irrigation into the crops fed from mountain water.

The Manoa ahupuaa was one of the wettest in Hawaii. Originating at Manoa Falls deep in the valley, the area receives rain almost daily, even during the dry season. The rain often led to rainbows, which served as the inspiration for the University of Hawaii's original mascot, the Rainbow Warriors. The rain also made Manoa the perfect spot for the first sugarcane and coffee plantations in the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaiian culture today stays alive at the Bishop Museum 5 miles to the west. The local art scene thrives at the Manoa Valley Theatre and Kennedy Theatre within the neighborhood. Manoa Valley tends to focus on edgier productions.

Most of the neighborhood's restaurants sit just behind the university in the Manoa Marketplace shopping center. There you can find Morning Glass Coffee + Café, a place not only known for its coffee but breakfast too. Order a breakfast burrito or the mac and cheese pancakes to accompany your vanilla latte. Make sure to follow the restaurant on social media as well to stay in the know about its much-anticipated monthly burger nights.

Due to the large percentage of college kids, it comes as no surprise that Morning Glass Coffee + Café isn't the only popular coffee shop. The Curb on UH's campus also brings in countless swaths of loyalists who swear by the smoothness of the iced coffee.

Vegetarians especially enjoy Andy’s Sandwiches & Smoothies. A popular local treat, acai bowls, a mix of acai, blueberries and strawberries, topped with bananas, granola and honey sell for just $6 here. If sandwiches spike your fancy, try the ahi tuna, avocado, cucumber and cheese on hearty wheat bread.

Countless clubs and bars always remain available in Waikiki, but for a fun local hangout, head to Manoa Gardens on Campus Road. This college bar keeps a low profile separate from the university students, but the atmosphere remains lively and fun nonetheless. The bar often brings in bands to play in the outdoor seating area as well.

Driving serves as the main method of transportation in Manoa despite the island's decent bus system. Parking at commercial hubs, such as Manoa Marketplace, usually doesn't prove difficult, but on occasions when the lot becomes full, there always exists plenty of street parking up and down East Manoa Road if you don't mind walking a few minutes. Street parking remains free of charge, just pay attention to the signs. Drivers also have tremendous access to H1, the island's main downtown-serving highway, which sits at the south end of the neighborhood.

Relying on public transportation can be done, however. Simply called The Bus, routes go through the neighborhood to points all across the island. A one-way fare is $2.50, but if you plan on riding frequently, get a monthly pass for $60 or a yearly pass for $660.

Despite the lack of bike lanes, cyclist feel safe on these streets as do pedestrians. Being located in a valley does mean walkers and bikers deal with plenty of hills. If all else fails, you can always have an Uber cab pick you up with just a few taps on your phone.

Manoa Valley District Park accommodates all with a public pool, two indoor courts, soccer, baseball and softball fields, as well as tennis, basketball and volleyball courts. The pavilion and playgrounds (one for exercising adults, the other for children) also make this a great weekend picnic spot for the family. The indoor gym hosts many annual school and public events, and the pool also plays host for a number of swim meets.

For hiking enthusiasts, make your way up to Mount Olympus via the Kolowalu or Waahila Ridge Trails. This remains a tough hike, but the breathtaking views from the top proves worth it.

Lastly, Manoa Valley District Dog Park serves as the go-to dog-walking spot in the neighborhood.

The cost of living in paradise does not prove cheap. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Honolulu comes in at $1,231. Manoa residents pay even more than that, about 12 percent higher with a monthly average of $1,374.

Rent isn't the only thing that costs more in the islands, however. Locals pay about 28 percent more at the pump compared to national averages and roughly 58 percent more at grocery stores. Meals at restaurants, however, remain relatively on par with many cities across the country, with entrées starting around $12 and beers $4.

Shopping options remain very limited within the neighborhood outside of groceries. For that, locals simply head to Safeway or Long Drugs in the Manoa Marketplace shopping center. The Manoa Farmers’ Market, also within the shopping center, opens every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday morning, providing neighborhood residents ample time to pick up fresh island produce, including apple, bananas and rainbow papayas.

Also within the shopping center, Baby aWearness & Island Tea Party is a family owned boutique for locally made children's and maternity clothing. Burgeoning families know this is the place to come when they're expecting.

For all other shopping needs, locals head to Ala Moana Shopping Center, 15 minutes away by car. Here you can find department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Macy's as well as clothing stores that include Aeropostale, American Eagle, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Chanel Boutique, Diane von Furstenberg, Forever 21, Guess, and Victoria's Secret.