If you're considering purchasing a luxury condominium in one of Honolulu's most desirable neighborhoods, Kalae at Ward Village should be on your radar. As the 10th residential tower in the award-winning Ward Village master-planned community, Kalae represents a new standard for front-row oceanside living in Kakaako. This comprehensive guide covers everything prospective buyers need to know about this exciting development.
What Is Kalae at Ward Village?
Kalae, meaning "The Point" in Hawaiian, is a 38-story residential tower located at 1000 Ala Moana Blvd in the Kakaako neighborhood of Honolulu. Developed by Howard Hughes Corporation under the leadership of Hawaii Region President Doug Johnstone, Kalae is the 10th residential tower within Ward Village, an award-winning 60-acre master-planned community situated between downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. Ward Village is planned to include 14 residential towers at full buildout.
Kalae features 330 market-priced residences across 10 distinct floor plan layouts, offering 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom configurations. The tower sits on a 355,000+ square foot corner lot at the intersection of Ward Avenue and Ala Moana Boulevard, placing it in what is considered a front-row position within Ward Village, directly across the street from Kewalo Boat Harbor and Ala Moana Beach Park.
The architectural design by Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) draws inspiration from early Hawaiian architecture and iconic local landmarks such as Shangri La, the Halekulani Hotel, and the Honolulu Museum of Art. Interior design is by Nicole Hollis of NICOLEHOLLIS, Inc., a San Francisco-based firm honored in the 2024 Architectural Digest Top 100, known for recent Hawaii projects including Kona Village and 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay.
Unit Mix and Pricing Overview
Kalae offers approximately 132 one-bedroom units ranging from 799 to 941 square feet, approximately 132 two-bedroom units ranging from 1,160 to 1,411 square feet, and approximately 66 three-bedroom units up to 1,878 square feet. According to publicly available developer materials, pricing ranges from approximately $1.2 million to $5.3 million.
As of early 2024, remaining inventory was reported to be primarily one-bedroom units with sunset views, ranging from approximately $1.3 million to $2.2 million. Resale listings have appeared in the approximate $1.5 million to $2.4 million range. HOA maintenance fees are reported to be approximately $1,031 per month for some one-bedroom units plus a $27 per month association fee. All units are fee simple ownership.
All 330 residences at Kalae are market-priced. Originally, 165 units were offered to owner-occupants only, but as of December 2022, all units are now offered without restrictions.
Construction Status and Timeline
Kalae broke ground on January 19, 2024, with Layton Construction serving as the general contractor. The development was reported to be 85% pre-sold as of Q3 2023, indicating strong buyer demand prior to groundbreaking. Earlier estimates placed the completion date in late 2026 to early 2027, however according to a Ward Village spokesperson statement from October 2025, Kalae is now expected to welcome residents in 2028. Prospective buyers should verify the latest timeline directly with the developer, as completion dates are subject to change.
The project is targeting LEED certification for new construction (LEED-NCv4), which means energy-efficient systems, water-saving fixtures, and environmentally conscious design elements are being incorporated throughout the building.
Prime Location and Front-Row Positioning
Kalae occupies a prime corner lot at the intersection of Ward Avenue and Ala Moana Boulevard in the Kakaako neighborhood. Its front-row positioning means it sits directly across the street from the ocean, specifically Kewalo Boat Harbor and Ala Moana Beach Park. Within Ward Village, Kalae joins Waiea, Park Lane, and Victoria Place as a front-row development.
The tower is adjacent to Victoria Ward Park, a 4-acre park that serves as a community gathering space. Residents will also benefit from proximity to Ward Village retail and dining, Ala Moana Center, and easy access to both downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. A new plaza is planned at the Ward Avenue and Auahi Street intersection, adding to the pedestrian-friendly streetscape that includes shade trees, meandering walkways, native landscaping, and public art installations.
Amenities and Lifestyle Features
According to developer materials, Kalae features two levels of resort-caliber amenities. Level 1 includes the Malie Courtyards, four semi-private indoor-outdoor courtyards with adjacent bungalows featuring lush green plantings, water features, shade pavilions, and handcrafted tiles and shutters. Level 5 is reported to include an owners lounge, resort pool, fitness pool, spa, great lawn, pool pavilion, fitness studio, personal training room, movement studio, private dining room, catering kitchen, locker rooms with saunas, guest suites, and a BBQ area with pizza oven.
Additional amenities are reported to include a dog run, bicycle and board storage, an on-site resident manager, and building security with card and code access and secure elevator systems. All residences feature 9-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, wide plank oak wood engineered flooring, Sub-Zero appliances, Juliet balconies, and open floor plans with light and dark finish options.
How Buyers Can Get Started
With the development reported to be 85% pre-sold as of Q3 2023, remaining inventory at Kalae is limited. Prospective buyers interested in new developer inventory should visit kalaewardvillage.com for the latest availability. The exclusive project broker is Ward Village Properties, LLC (RB-21701).
For buyers interested in resale units or who want independent representation throughout the purchase process, working with an experienced buyer's agent who understands the Ward Village market can provide valuable guidance. An independent agent works in your best interest rather than the developer's, helping you evaluate pricing, negotiate terms, and navigate the complex new-construction purchase process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kalae at Ward Village
How many units does Kalae have?
Kalae features 330 market-priced residences across 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom configurations with 10 distinct floor plan layouts.
What is the price range for Kalae?
According to publicly available information, pricing ranges from approximately $1.2 million to $5.3 million. Remaining inventory as of early 2024 was reported to be primarily one-bedroom units ranging from approximately $1.3 million to $2.2 million.
When will Kalae be completed?
According to a Ward Village spokesperson statement from October 2025, Kalae is expected to welcome residents in 2028. Earlier estimates ranged from late 2026 to early 2027. Always verify the latest timeline directly with the developer.
Is Kalae fee simple or leasehold?
Kalae units are fee simple ownership, meaning buyers own the land beneath the building in addition to their unit.
What does Kalae mean?
Kalae means "The Point" or "South Point" in Hawaiian, reflecting its position facing Diamond Head at the southern edge of Ward Village.
Are there still units available at Kalae?
The development was reported to be 85% pre-sold as of Q3 2023, so remaining developer inventory is limited. However, resale listings have begun appearing in the approximate $1.5 million to $2.4 million range. Contact us for the latest availability information.
Interested in Kalae at Ward Village? As independent buyer's agents, we help you navigate the purchase process with your best interest in mind, not the developer's. Contact Kristy & Austin Home Group for a confidential consultation.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute real estate advice, legal advice, or an offer to sell or buy property. All information is believed to be accurate as of the publication date but is subject to change. Pricing, timelines, floor plans, amenities, and features referenced are based on publicly available developer materials and may change without notice. Kristy & Austin Home Group is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting as a sales representative for this development or Howard Hughes Corporation. Always verify all details directly with the developer or your licensed real estate professional before making any purchasing decisions.
