About
Pearl City is located 11 miles northwest of downtown Honolulu and occupies a large portion of the Pearl Harbor shoreline. Early Hawaiians called the area Pu’uloa, meaning “long hill.” They later called it Wai Momi, meaning “water of pearls” after the once abundant pearl bearing oysters found in the harbor. The lush “long” hills near the harbor also became a prime spot for grazing cattle. However, runoff from the cattle and over-harvesting of the pearls quickly decimated the thriving ecosystem.
Today, Pearl City is a popular destination for military families PCS’ing to Oahu. Being in the center of the island, it’s in a prime position for commuting to any of the island’s military installations. Additionally, the 95 feet of elevation above sea level helps to catch the coveted, cooling breezes from the Windward Side.
Neighbors
There is a diverse mix of military and locals in Pearl City, and most residents commute to either one of the bases or to Honolulu. This family friendly area is bustling with activity and all of your day-to-day amenities are easy to get to.
Neighborhood Feel
Pearl City is a busy place with a lot of people and even more traffic. Homes range in both age and price, and are as eclectic as the residents. There are a significant number of condos and apartments here and it is definitely more city-like than suburban. Rentals are very common and you’ll find a lot of military families living in the area while waiting for more permanent housing.
