Best Independent Living in Hawaii

Reviewed by Dr. Jordan Weiss
Updated Dec 2025
Over 40 homes analyzed

Sources: CMS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Hawaii Department of Health, Office of Aging and Long Term Care.

Explore home photos
Watch this Video to see Hawaii's Top-rated Senior Communities
Other Senior care options:

Undeniably a must-see destination in the U.S., Hawaii features picturesque scenery, distinct culture, and delightful cuisine. With its breathtaking scenery and year-round sunshine, the state is a dream for outdoor enthusiasts. Moreover, good healthcare is easily accessible and recreation activities are available, creating the perfect backdrop for a fun-filled and healthy life, accompanied by plenty of independent living communities that help retain residents’ independence in their golden years. The state also offers favorable taxes and age-friendly amenities that ease some of the challenges as they age.

Compare Independent Living around Hawaii

The Plaza at Kaneohe
AL

Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

MC

Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.

RC

Respite Care

Kaneohe
-
No
A+
78
Studio / 1 Bed / Suite
The Plaza at Waikiki
AL

Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

MC

Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.

Honolulu (McCully - Moiliili)
153
Yes
A+
96
Studio / Suite / 1 Bed
Kisco Ilima at Leihano
AL

Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

MC

Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.

Kapolei
-
No
-
67
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Holiday Kalama Heights
IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Kihei
-
Yes
-
66
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
The Ivy at Hawaii Kai
AL

Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Honolulu (Hawaii Kai)
-
Yes
-
6
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed
The Plaza at Mililani
AL

Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

MC

Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.

Mililani (Mililani Mauka - Launani Valley)
-
No
A+
12
Studio / Shared Suite
Good Samaritan Society – Pohai Nani
SNF

Nursing Home 24/7 care needed

AL

Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

RC

Respite Care

Kaneohe
246
No
-
18
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
The Plaza at Moanalua
AL

Assisted Living For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

MC

Memory Care Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.

RC

Respite Care

Honolulu (Moanalua)
-
No
A+
19
-
Haili Elderly Apartments
IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Hilo
-
Yes
-
85
1 Bed Apartment
Mohouli Heights Senior Neighborhood
IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Hilo
-
No
-
4
1 Bed Apartment
Hale Nā Koa ‘O Hanakahi
IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Hilo
-
No
-
48
1 Bed Apartments
Hale O’Hauoli
IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Pearl City
-
Yes
-
65
1 Bed Apartment
Harry & Jeanette Weinberg – Philip Street Apartments
IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Honolulu (McCully - Moiliili)
-
No
-
96
1 Bed
Manoa Gardens Elderly Housing
IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Honolulu (Manoa)
80
No
-
16
Studio / 1 Bed
Iwilei Senior Residence
IL

Independent Living For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Honolulu (Kalihi - Palama)
-
No
-
92
1 Bed / 2 Bed
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Overlooking the peaceful community of Mililani, HI, Olaloa Retirement Community – Mililani is a tranquil senior living community for individuals 55+, offering excellent independent living. The community features 120 units of well-designed accommodations, ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments. Olaloa Retirement Community – Mililani is an ideal haven for seniors seeking a serene and safe town to live in with features that foster an active living environment.

Residents are provided with a full menu of activities, including dance, exercise, games, crafts as well as a community garden for those with a green thumb. The community also provides access to an array of delightful amenities, including an exercise room, meeting room, and walking/jogging paths. With a secured entry system, residents can live confidently knowing they are living in a safe environment.

Overview of Olaloa Retirement Community – Mililani

Overlooking the peaceful community of Mililani, HI, Olaloa Retirement Community – Mililani is a tranquil senior living community for individuals 55+, offering excellent independent living. The community features 120 units of well-designed accommodations, ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments. Olaloa Retirement Community – Mililani is an ideal haven for seniors seeking a serene and safe town to live in with features that foster an active living environment.

Residents are provided with a full menu of activities, including dance, exercise, games, crafts as well as a community garden for those with a green thumb. The community also provides access to an array of delightful amenities, including an exercise room, meeting room, and walking/jogging paths. With a secured entry system, residents can live confidently knowing they are living in a safe environment.

What does this home offer?

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Minimum Age: 55 Years Old

Pets allowed icon
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Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed

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Room Sizes: 380 / 529 / 780 sq. ft

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Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

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Building Type: Two-story

Types of Care Available

Independent Living
Contact Olaloa Retirement Community – Mililani

The Plaza at Punchbowl is one of the trusted assisted living communities in the heart of Honolulu because of its approach to luxury care. Residents can receive a more modernized and holistic approach to senior care. They ensure that residents can have a balanced well-being regarding a healthy lifestyle. The community boasts astonishing and pleasing interiors that make it a resort-like facility that keeps everyone busy. The Plaza at Punchbowl is an ideal place to reside because it doesn’t only offer luxurious service but it celebrates every resident.

The Plaza provides extensive amenities and services that ensure a comfortable and easy living experience for seniors; these include their restaurant-style dining with special dining programs, a restaurant, private dining room, fitness center, meeting room, game room, library, and beauty salon. The apartments include air conditioning, cable, housekeeping, and laundry services; some essential services include transportation, religious services, educational programs, and activities to keep them active.

Overview of The Plaza at Punchbowl

The Plaza at Punchbowl is one of the trusted assisted living communities in the heart of Honolulu because of its approach to luxury care. Residents can receive a more modernized and holistic approach to senior care. They ensure that residents can have a balanced well-being regarding a healthy lifestyle. The community boasts astonishing and pleasing interiors that make it a resort-like facility that keeps everyone busy. The Plaza at Punchbowl is an ideal place to reside because it doesn’t only offer luxurious service but it celebrates every resident.

The Plaza provides extensive amenities and services that ensure a comfortable and easy living experience for seniors; these include their restaurant-style dining with special dining programs, a restaurant, private dining room, fitness center, meeting room, game room, library, and beauty salon. The apartments include air conditioning, cable, housekeeping, and laundry services; some essential services include transportation, religious services, educational programs, and activities to keep them active.

What does this home offer?

Housing options icon
Housing options icon

Housing Options: Studio / Suite / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

Building type icon
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Building Type: Mid-rise

Transportation services icon
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Transportation Services

Fitness and recreation icon
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Fitness and Recreation

Type of Care Available

Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care Respite Care
Contact The Plaza at Punchbowl

Burrowed at the heart of downtown Honolulu, 15 Craigside enchants with a picturesque view of the mountains and valleys near Craigside Place, Honolulu, HI providing independent living. The community features well-lit and spacious floor plans including studio and one-bedroom apartments with den and private lanais. With the seniors’ welfare in mind, 15 Craigside strives to deliver care and assistance tailored to their unique needs and preferences.

The community fosters a friendly and vibrant environment, providing seniors with activities and programs for learning and enjoyment. Satisfying its residents’ dietary needs and preferences, the community serves delicious and healthy meals three times a day. Amenities include a fitness center, an indoor pool, a spacious lobby, a library, a chapel, a resident store, and a beautiful solarium.

Overview of 15 Craigside

Burrowed at the heart of downtown Honolulu, 15 Craigside enchants with a picturesque view of the mountains and valleys near Craigside Place, Honolulu, HI providing independent living. The community features well-lit and spacious floor plans including studio and one-bedroom apartments with den and private lanais. With the seniors’ welfare in mind, 15 Craigside strives to deliver care and assistance tailored to their unique needs and preferences.

The community fosters a friendly and vibrant environment, providing seniors with activities and programs for learning and enjoyment. Satisfying its residents’ dietary needs and preferences, the community serves delicious and healthy meals three times a day. Amenities include a fitness center, an indoor pool, a spacious lobby, a library, a chapel, a resident store, and a beautiful solarium.

What does this home offer?

Housing options icon
Housing options icon

Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed

Building type icon
Building type icon

Building Type: High-rise

Transportation services icon
Transportation services icon

Transportation Services

Fitness and recreation icon
Fitness and recreation icon

Fitness and Recreation

Type of Care Available

Assisted Living Independent Living Skilled Nursing
Contact 15 Craigside

Assisted Living Magazine Ranking Methodology

View Full Ranking Methodology

How We Score & Rank Senior Living Communities

Assisted Living Magazine ranks nursing homes using a rigorous, data-driven scoring model built specifically for skilled nursing.
Because this care level is regulated, clinical outcomes and compliance carry significantly more weight than transparency or digital presence. Each community receives a ranking based on the factors below, weighted according to their importance in predicting resident safety, care quality, and long-term stability.

Update cadence: Reviewed quarterly, with prompt updates when new reviews, reports, or complaints are filed.

What We Prioritize Most

The largest portion of every community’s score comes from resident feedback and online reputation (40%), which reflects real experiences shared by families and caregivers.

An additional 45% of the score comes from a combination of transparency and operational quality signals, including:

  • Photos, videos, and virtual tours (visual transparency)
  • Website quality and digital trust indicators
  • Occupancy levels and number of units (community scale & stability)

These factors help us evaluate how well a community presents itself and how consistently it meets resident needs.

Balancing Additional Factors

The final 15% of the score comes from supportive context data, including: walkability and local accessibility, estimated property value, and pricing information.

These elements provide helpful context but carry less weight because our rankings prioritize real-world satisfaction and care consistency first.

The result is a fair, clear, and data-driven ranking system for families researching senior living options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What government services provide money for senior housing?

Several government programs offer financial assistance for senior housing in various countries, focusing on the United States for a broad overview:

  • Medicaid: Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that can cover the costs of nursing home care for those who meet eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits. Some states also offer Medicaid waivers that help pay for home and community-based services to prevent or delay nursing home placement.
  • Medicare: Medicare, primarily a health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, does not cover long-term housing costs. However, it can cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility under specific conditions following a hospital stay.
  • Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: This program provides housing for low-income seniors. It offers rental assistance and access to supportive services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties: While not a direct subsidy, LIHTC encourages developers to create affordable housing. Seniors with low incomes can find reduced-rent apartments through this program.
  • State and Local Programs: Many states, counties, and cities offer their own programs to assist seniors with housing costs. These can include property tax relief programs, rental assistance programs, and programs that offer affordable senior housing options.
  • Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers several programs for veterans, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides monthly payments to veterans who require the aid of another person, or are housebound, to help cover the cost of care in homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
  • Social Security: While Social Security primarily provides retirement income, for many seniors, these benefits are a crucial part of their budget, including housing costs.
How do you pick the homes you recommend?

Before recommending homes, we conduct a thorough evaluation on crucial factors that define a senior home such as the quality of care they provide, the reputation of the organization, and a comprehensive review of community testimonials as well. Every detail is assessed to assure that seniors are offered not just senior care options, but trustworthy homes where they can experience the care that they deserve.

Do you help families that need Medicaid?

Yes. Assisting families who need Medicaid is important to us as it plays a crucial role in offering financial support to seniors confronting economic challenges. We would like to keep essential healthcare services accessible to all community members, irrespective of one’s financial circumstances.

How much does this service cost?

We extend our services at no cost, ensuring that families and seniors can benefit from tailored assistance in their search for care and home options. Our ability to offer personalized guidance without charge to families and seniors is made possible through the support and funding from the communities with which we team up. 

What services do you offer?
  • Finding and ranking the best assisted living facilities
  • Finding and ranking the best nursing homes
  • Finding and ranking the best memory care facilities
  • Our concierge service helps seniors move into the perfect home for them
  • Helping seniors use medicare, medicaid, and other government programs to pay for their homes
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Autobiography & Family History Writing + Research
  • Senior-focused concierge medicine
  • Senior-focused nutritionist
  • Senior-focused personal training
  • Memory care specialists
  • Custom wheelchairs at all price points.
  • Custom hearing aids
  • Cosmetic skincare + dermatology
  • Companionship: We offer in-person and virtual companionship services. Someone engaging to hang out with or talk to on video chat.
  • Senior housing concierge. Our service finds the best senior living options based on your needs, income, and personality.
Who we are

Your Senior Care Partner, Every Step of the Way

We help families find affordable senior communities and unlock same day discounts, Medicaid, and Medicare options tailored to your needs.

Contact us Today