Waipahu

Welcome to Waipahu

A tight-knit community with lush green spaces and an abundance of outdoor activities

Waipahu is a small, historic city in south-central Oahu, just north of Pearl Harbor. It sits on the site of a former sugarcane plantation and mill that started in 1897 as Oahu Sugar Company. Amfac acquired Oahu Sugar Company in 1961 and shut down operations in 1995. Today, Waipahu is more of a residential and commercial area than a tourist attraction. The main part of town is filled with multi-generational homes full of people who grew up here. Waipahu is primarily known for its townhomes, but you'll also find single-family homes and upscale properties, especially in Royal Kunia.

What to Love

Plenty of history
Lush green spaces and parks
Plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy

Local Lifestyle

Like much of Hawaii, Waipahu residents enjoy a laid-back lifestyle. The community is tight-knit, mainly because many families have lived here for generations. Various attractions, including parks and community centers, provide opportunities for families and residents to get together and mingle.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

For a delightful dining experience in Waipahu, you should stop by the Highway Inn Restaurant. The upbeat, casual restaurant serves traditional Hawaiian fare. Menu favorites include beef stew, kalua pork, loni salmon, poke bowls, and chicken long rice.

Make a trip to Waipahu Town Center for a guilt-free shopping spree. The complex features a wide range of shops for people of all ages. Popular stores include Debbie's Jewelry and Jeans Warehouse. You'll also find Seafood City Waipahu here, which specializes in seafood, meat, and vegetables.

Golden Coin Bake Shop & Restaurant is another eatery serving delicious staples, such as Asado Manapua, Chicken Mushroom Manapua, and Adobong Manu. The bakery section offers traditional bread, pastries, and treats.

Max's Restaurant is an excellent stop after exploring Waipahu Shopping Plaza. The restaurant is popular for its fried chicken served with banana ketchup. Other items on the menu to look forward to include pinakbet, Ong Choi salad, shrimp fried rice, and different kinds of noodles.

Leeward Drive-Inn provides Hawaiian, Asian, and American fare. The local establishment has been an essential part of Waipahu for over 50 years. Stop by to sample their breakfast items, plate lunches, and soft-serve ice cream. You can also order Korean-style cuisine.

Things to Do

One of the must-try activities in Waipahu is learning about the island's history at Hawaii's Plantation Village. This popular museum immerses you in the world of sugar plantations, which were popular in the 1900s. You'll gain insights into what the Hawaiian landscape looked like back then.

Hawaii Okinawa Center honors Okinawan pioneers and promotes ethnic culture and history. The ballrooms are also available for rent. Waipahu Festival Marketplace features dozens of stalls with vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, flowers, crafts, and more.

The Filipino Community Center aims to provide social, economic, and educational services while promoting Filipino customs and culture in Hawaii. It hosts regular community events, such as Zumba classes, Medicare workshops, cultural experiences, and more. It's an excellent place to volunteer or participate in some of the activities.

Those looking to spend some time outdoors will appreciate the abundance of parks in Waipahu. Located along Kamehameha Highway, the Patsy T. Mink Central O’ahu Regional Park features an aquatic center, an archery range, a skateboard park, baseball diamonds, and sports fields.

The Hans L'Orange Neighborhood Park is primarily used for baseball and is the home field of the Hawaii Pacific University men's baseball team.

Browse Properties in Waipahu

Overview for Waipahu, HI

39,927 people live in Waipahu, where the median age is 38.3 and the average individual income is $26,237. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

39,927

Total Population

38.3 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$26,237

Average individual Income

Demographics and Employment Data for Waipahu, HI

Population Households Employment

Waipahu has 8,651 households, with an average household size of 4.47. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Waipahu do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 39,927 people call Waipahu home. The population density is 14,909.22 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

39,927

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

38.3

Median Age

48.5 / 51.5%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree

8,651

Total Households

4.47

Average Household Size

$26,237

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Schools in Waipahu, HI

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Waipahu. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Type

Name

Around Waipahu, HI

There's plenty to do around Waipahu, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

75

Very Walkable

Walking Score

39

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score

58

Good Transit

Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including RGK Specialties, Aina Meals, and Little Ms. Hula’s Bakery.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the RGK Specialties page on Yelp	Dining · $	2.51 miles	10 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Aina Meals page on Yelp Search 94-307 Farrington on Google Maps	Dining	0.62 miles	23 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Little Ms. Hula’s Bakery page on Yelp	Dining	3.42 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Exit 8 Bass Hawaii page on Yelp	Active	2.51 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Superhero Hula page on Yelp Search 94-1221 Ka Uka Blvd on Google Maps	Active	2.89 miles	13 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Oahu Taekwondo Center page on Yelp Search 98-810 Moanalua Rd on Google Maps	Active	3.87 miles	23 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Jenn Tabata Beauty page on Yelp	Beauty	4.21 miles	13 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Another Day Another Glam page on Yelp Search 98-1256 Kaahumanu St on Google Maps	Beauty	3.59 miles	11 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Carille Styles page on Yelp Search 94-799 Lumiaina St on Google Maps	Beauty	1.02 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the ILI Beauty page on Yelp Search 719 Kamehameha Hwy on Google Maps	Beauty	2.88 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the The Hive Esthetics page on Yelp Search 803 Kamehameha Hwy on Google Maps	Beauty	2.77 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the HIWA page on Yelp Search 94-035 D Leokane St on Google Maps	Beauty	1.17 miles	13 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Hair Studio Hawaii page on Yelp Search 1043 Noelani St on Google Maps	Beauty	3.22 miles	16 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the The Beauty Collective page on Yelp Search 719 Kamehameha Hwy on Google Maps	Beauty	2.92 miles	14 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Little Royalty Cuts page on Yelp Search 94-333 Waipahu Depot St on Google Maps	Beauty	0.23 miles	38 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the The Unbound Beauty page on Yelp Search 379 Kamehameha Hwy on Google Maps	Beauty	3.46 miles	17 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Huakai’i Ink page on Yelp Search 94-216 Farrington Hwy on Google Maps	Beauty	0.8 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars