Living in Ewa Beach, Hawaii

Once a small plantation town covered with endless fields of sugar cane, has more recently become the answer to ‘Oahu’s housing shortage problem. Over the last few decades, the need for affordable housing on Oahu has grown at a rapid pace. Since production of sugar cane has long since moved overseas, developers have taken advantage of the flat, open space in Ewa Beach (sometimes referred to as the Ewa Plains) to build much-needed homes. Per KITV.com, between 2010 and 2016, more than 6,000 homes were built in Ewa Beach and it’s expected that 31,000 more units will be built over the next 20 years or so. That’s a lot of homes!

Ewa Beach is now a sprawling suburb of Honolulu, making it a desirable place for young families to live. It is one of the only communities on where you can find new homes in Oahu for a reasonable price by Hawai’i’s standards. Single-family homes in the area come with 3-4 bedrooms and at least 2 bathrooms. Many homes also provide the sought after amenity of having an enclosed garage, which many older homes don’t have. The newer communities boast flat, wide sidewalks, perfect for walking your dog, jogging, or riding your bike.

If you’re in the military and moving to Hawaii, Ewa Beach will likely hit your radar as one of the most popular neighborhoos for military personnel, especially if you’re going to be stationed at Schofield Barracks Army Base Hawaii. The suburban feel of the community, newer construction, and the proximity to Schofield and Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam make for most of the appeal.

Where is Ewa Beach Located?

If you’re unfamiliar with Hawaii, you may be wondering what island is Ewa Beach on? While Ewa Beach, HI is part of County of Honolulu, you’ll find it located in the southwest corner of the island of ‘Oahu. You will often hear the warm, dry side of the island where Ewa Beach is located referred to as the Leeward side. To the west is Kapolei, Oahu’s second city, which offers an exciting array of shops and restaurants a short 15 minute drive away. Pearl Harbor is directly to the east and Schofield Barracks is a lovely 25 minute drive north through the agricultural fields of Kunia. The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is 17 miles to the east of Ewa Beach, about a 25 minute drive with perfect traffic conditions.

How Far is Ewa Beach from Honolulu?

Downtown Honolulu is 20 miles to the east of Ewa Beach. If you take the H-1 freeway during off-peak hours, it will take you about 35 minutes to reach the downtown area. If you’re attempting to get there during morning rush hour however, the commute can be frustrating and can take you anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half, so try to avoid peak hours if you can.

What is the Weather Like in Ewa Beach?

Being on the leeward side of the island, Ewa Beach doesn’t receive as much of Hawaii’s notorious tradewinds; the island’s natural air conditioning system. It definitely doesn’t receive the often light splashes of rain like the Windward side does. Ewa Beach weather is hot, dry, and ideal those for those who love sunshine! You’ll experience temperatures consistently in the eighties all year round. During the summer months, your electricity bill will skyrocket as high temperatures creep toward 90 degrees. I personally love the winter months which bring more rain and slightly lower temperatures, sometimes even into the lower sixties in the early morning hours.

Things to do in Ewa Beach

There is no shortage of things to do in Ewa Beach. Whether you’re looking for something to do with your kids, or planning a weekend outing with friends, you can find something for everyone right in the neighborhood.

• White Plains Beach | When you’re itching to get into the ocean, head to White Plains Beach. This beach is perfect for family get togethers, learning to surf, or working on your tan. It also has a beautiful view of the coastline all the way to Diamond Head. Go early to avoid traffic jams and to get the perfect BBQ spot!
  
• Golfing | Golfing is a popular pastime in Hawai’i, and with more than half a dozen golf courses to choose from, Ewa Beach is one of the best places on the island to get your fix. Book a tee time at the immaculate Hawaii Prince Golf Club,the award-winning Ewa Beach Golf Club, or Hoakalai Country Club.
  
• Train rides | Let the Hawaiian Railway Society teach you about the area’s history in the sugar business while enjoying a 90 minute train ride from Ewa Beach to Kahe Point and back. On afternoon rides, the train makes a stop in Ko Olina at Two Scoops Ice Cream so you can buy yourself a refreshing treat.
  
• Ka Makana Ali’i Mall | Sandwiched between Ewa Beach and Kapolei, Ka Makana Ali’i is ‘Oahu’s newest retail mall. You can find stores like H&M, Old Navy, Macy’s, and Bath and Body Works. The mall also has some amazing restaurants to choose from so you won’t go hungry during your longer shopping excursions.

Shopping in Ewa Beach

If you’re just shopping for the essentials, the handful of shopping centers in Ewa Beach make it possible for you to get everything you need without leaving the area. Everything is close together and all of the shopping centers have ample parking to make shopping easy and convenient.

Grocery and Drug Stores 

Foodland | 91-1401 Fort Weaver Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | This local supermarket chain is located in the Ewa Town Center and is a great place to pick up fresh produce and Hawaiian specialities. It’s also known for its tasty selection of poke (raw fish).

Safeway | 91-1119 Keaunui Drive, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | Safeway is the largest supermarket in Ewa Beach and is located in the Laulani Village Shopping Center. It sells both brand-name and house-label groceries, and also has a deli counter where you can order hot food as well as a bakery.

Longs Drug Stores | 91-919 Fort Weaver Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 and 91-1401 Fort Weaver Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | Longs Drug Stores has two locations in Ewa Beach, one in the Ewa Beach Shopping Center and one in the Ewa Town Center. This is the perfect place to buy all of your basics while picking up your prescription.

Walgreens | 91-1081 Keaunui Drive, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | Conveniently located in the Laulani Village Shopping Center, Walgreens provides health-related items as well as a drive-through pharmacy to pick up your medications.

Pet Stores

Petco | 91-1065 Keaunui Drive, Suite F, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | This large chain pet store in the Laulani Village Shopping Center offers pet food and supplies, as well as services like training classes and grooming. They often have pet adoption events in the store as well.

The Pet Depot | 91-919 Fort Weaver Road, #109, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | This family-run pet store in the Ewa Beach Shopping Center offers more than just food and pet supplies, they also offer grooming services and The Dirty Dog Garage, a self-serve dog wash.

Hardware Stores

City Mill | 91-1061 Keaunui Drive, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | Whether you’re looking for tools, paint, or plants for your yard, City Mill in the Laulani Village Shopping Center has everything you need to keep your home well-maintained and organized.

Other Hardware Stores in the Vicinity | If City Mill doesn’t have what you’re looking for, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Hardware Hawaii are all less than a 15 minute drive away.

Restaurants in Ewa Beach

In the past, Ewa Beach was not known for having a plethora of dining options, but that’s starting to change. With so many people now living in the area, more restaurants are opening up, and there are a lot of hidden gems that only the locals know about. Here are some of the places I think are worthy of a mention.

Kountry Style Kitchen Restaurant | 91-1001 Kaimalie Street, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | Open for breakfast and lunch, this homey restaurant in the Ewa Pointe Marketplace serves up large portions of local dishes like their adobo fried rice omelet. They also have an extensive selection of pancakes, including the always popular macadamia nut pancake! Go early to avoid crowds.

Rainbow Drive-In | 91-1085 Keaunui Drive, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | This popular local establishment opened its fourth location at the Laulani Village Shopping Center in March 2020. I love the mix plate with BBQ beef, boneless chicken and mahi mahi, that way you get a little bit of everything!

Spoon Korean Kitchen | 91-775 Papipi Road, Ewa Beach, HI, 96706 | When you’re in the mood for some authentic Korean food, Spoon Korean Kitchen has you covered. It’s nothing fancy, but when you see locals line up in front of the entrance before the restaurant opens, you know the food is good. You won’t regret trying the seafood pancake, it’s a winner!

The Raft Neighborhood Kitchen | The Ewa Villages Golf Course | Besides having a beautiful view of the golf course, this little-known gem has some of the best local comfort food around. The poke fries and garlic chicken are favorites. The Raft also has a full bar and offers a variety of specialty cocktails to keep you coming back for more.

Schools in Ewa Beach

Ewa Beach offers both public and private schools, so you have some options when looking for somewhere to decide what’s best for your children. The below schools are listed in order from Top Rated to Unrated according to Greatschools.org.