Moving to Wahiawa: Pros, Cons & What to Know

Moving to Wahiawa means moving to a real, historic central-Oahu plantation town immediately adjacent to Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield.

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A real plantation-town heritage, still visible today

Wahiawa's identity traces to Dole's 1901 pineapple cannery, and diversified agriculture remains a real, present-day part of the surrounding landscape, including the Dole Plantation tourist attraction (base record).

A real, major military presence next door

Schofield Barracks (25th Infantry Division HQ) and Wheeler Army Airfield sit immediately adjacent to Wahiawa, a real, substantial driver of the town's population and economy (base record).

Genuinely below-average rent for Oahu

Wahiawa's cited average rent (~$1,383/month) runs well below both Honolulu County's median (~$2,895/month) and the statewide median (~$2,675/month) (base record).

A real, disclosed elevated crime rate

NeighborhoodScout cites Wahiawa's crime rate as running higher than approximately 65% of Hawaii's own communities -- a real, disclosed consideration for anyone relocating (base record).

Key takeaways

Wahiawa's plantation-town heritage remains visible in the surrounding agricultural landscape and the Dole Plantation attraction.
Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield sit immediately adjacent, making Wahiawa a real draw for military-connected movers.
Wahiawa's average rent runs genuinely below Oahu's countywide and statewide medians.
Wahiawa's crime rate runs genuinely higher than most of Hawaii's own communities -- a real, disclosed trade-off.

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-28. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.