Honolulu, Hawaii Short Term Rental Guide
If you're considering becoming a short-term rental host in a new city, you'll want to do your research. Our guides can help you learn about other short-term rental properties, listing rates, local rental regulations, and other analytics.
Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Why Honolulu is A Great Place To Visit
- Waikiki Beach - Known for its picturesque views of Diamond Head and white sand beaches, Waikiki Beach is one of the most iconic destinations in Honolulu. Visitors can enjoy a variety of water activities, including surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and snorkeling.
- Pearl Harbor - This historic site is home to the USS Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri Memorial, which honor the lives lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Visitors can take a guided tour to learn about the history of the site and pay their respects to the fallen soldiers.
- Diamond Head State Monument - This volcanic crater is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Honolulu. Visitors can hike to the top of the crater for stunning panoramic views of the city and the ocean.
- Iolani Palace - This grand palace was once the official residence of the Hawaiian monarchs and is now a museum. Visitors can take a guided tour to learn about the palace's history and see the throne room, royal chambers, and other historic rooms.
- Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve - This protected marine life conservation area is home to over 400 species of fish and marine life. Visitors can snorkel or scuba dive in the crystal-clear waters to see the colorful reefs and diverse marine life.
- Manoa Falls - This picturesque waterfall is located just a short drive from Honolulu and is accessible via a scenic hiking trail. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely hike through the lush rainforest and see the 150-foot waterfall up close.
- Kapiolani Park - This expansive park is the perfect destination for outdoor activities, with a golf course, tennis courts, and plenty of space for picnics and relaxation. The park also hosts a variety of cultural events and festivals throughout the year, including the annual Honolulu Marathon.
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Short Term City Rating5.7
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Competition
3.3 -
Real Estate Cost
6.5 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
4.6 -
Rental Rates
9.9
Honolulu, Hawaii Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 343,302
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- June to August; December to April
- County
- Honolulu
- Airports
- Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
- Molokai Airport (MKK)
Interested in other Hawaii cities?
Check out the Hawaii Airbnb rules directory
What are the most popular tourist activities in Honolulu?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Honolulu involve Swimming, Snorkeling, Surfing, the Zoo, and the Beach. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Swimming
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Snorkeling
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Surfing
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Zoo
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Beach
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Hiking
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Scuba Diving
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Outlet Shopping
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Sailing
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Museums
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Whale Watching
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Eco Tourism
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Honolulu, including Waikiki Beach Walk, Ala Moana Center, Royal Hawaiian Center, Honolulu Harbor, and Honolulu Zoo. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Ala Moana Center
Included on 79% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Royal Hawaiian Center
Included on 79% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Honolulu Harbor
Included on 79% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Honolulu Zoo
Included on 79% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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University of Hawaii at Manoa
Included on 79% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Iolani Palace
Included on 79% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Duke Kahanamoku Beach
Included on 79% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Duke Kahanamoku Statue
Included on 79% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Magic Island
Included on 78% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Kaimana Beach
Included on 78% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Sans Souci Beach
Included on 77% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Waikiki Beach Walk
Included on 77% of listings
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Honolulu, Hawaii
Common terms for Honolulu short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Honolulu has a description approximately 2,199 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 7,247 listings in Honolulu, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Waikiki Beach, Waikiki, Hotel, Ala Moana, Resort, Desk, Lanai, Days, Coffee maker, and Beach.
What’s the weather like in Honolulu, Hawaii?
The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 83°, while the average low is about 72°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 17 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Honolulu are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
69° Low 79° High
Spring
March through May
71° Low 81° High
Summer
June through August
75° Low 86° High
Fall
September through November
75° Low 85° High
Cities Near Honolulu
Honolulu, Hawaii, is located in Honolulu County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
