Moanalua Hillside Apartments in Honolulu, HI

Pros

• Bond is consistently respectful, kind, quick, and communicative.
• Dennis is friendly, attentive, and makes residents feel safe and cared for.
• Frank is thorough, fast, and professional in repairs, often leaving helpful extras.
• The maintenance team, including Bond and Tala, is prompt, knowledgeable, and reliable.
• Curtis and Kailana at the security gate are welcoming, smiling, and diligent, helping residents feel secure.
• The staff are repeatedly described as friendly, helpful, and going above and beyond to assist residents.
• The property is pet-friendly and well located, with convenient amenities like a pool and a gym.
• Melina keeps the building and amenities clean, with a friendly, professional staff overall.
• The security team is effective and supportive, often solving issues quickly and protecting residents.
• Several staff members, including Aler, Tory, Barbie, Shaniah, Patrick, and April, are recognized for excellent, courteous service.

Cons

• The parking situation is a nightmare, with only one parking stall per unit in many cases and widespread unreserved spots, leading to constant towing and frustration.
• Management is terrible at communicating, with front office often not answering the phone and emails taking days to get responses.
• The property is infested with roaches and bugs, and mold or water damage is frequently cited.
• The security deposit and move-out charges are described as unfair or fraudulent, with deposits sometimes not returned.
• Some units lack air conditioning and in-unit laundry, forcing residents to rely on costly or unreliable shared facilities.
• Noise from neighbors is frequent and disruptive, with thin walls and little action from management.
• Parking policy changes were poorly planned and implemented, causing confusion, safety concerns, and towing.
• Laundry facilities are unreliable and overpriced, with malfunctioning machines and broken cards.
• Maintenance response times can be slow, and some issues persist despite requests.
• Security and staff incidents of theft or inadequate security are reported by residents.

Review

Moanalua Hillside Apartments in Honolulu is best suited for renters who want a pet-friendly, security-conscious, centrally located option and can tolerate some aging infrastructure and parking friction. The complex earns value for residents who prize a gated environment with 24-hour presence, a responsive maintenance culture, and ready access to amenities like a pool and gym. For renters who prioritize quiet interiors, in-unit air conditioning, guaranteed ample parking for multiple vehicles, and flawless, transparent move-out handling, this community should be weighed with caution. In short, it suits practical adults and military personnel who value safety, staff accessibility, and convenience over pristine, all-around perfection.

Those who may want to consider alternatives include households with multiple cars or heavy guest traffic, families who require consistent in-unit systems (AC and laundry) without extra notes or doctor's letters, and renters who insist on frictionless, fully transparent accounting and deposit refunds. Several reviews flag persistent parking challenges, restrictive parking policies, and towing practices as a primary downside. The same voices also point to communication gaps in the front office and occasional, high-stakes disputes over move-out charges. For these priorities, exploring other properties with clearer parking assignments, stronger tenant-service responsiveness, or in-unit amenities would be prudent.

The community's strengths largely offset its most troubling drawbacks when maintenance and safety are prioritized. A robust security presence and courteous, professional staff create a sense of "ohana" and evening safety that many Honolulu renters crave. The maintenance team - especially names like Bond, Frank, and Tala - consistently delivers rapid, knowledgeable, and considerate service, often resolving issues the same day or within hours. Pet-friendly policies and well-kept common areas - pool, gym, and grounds - add tangible daily value. The location itself also pays dividends: straightforward access to work, shops, and services reduces commute stress and supports a practical, low-stress lifestyle.

But the same pros don't erase the weight of the cons. Parking remains the loudest, most recurring complaint: one assigned stall per unit, a flood of unreserved spots, and frequent towing or near-towing confusion create daily friction and safety concerns at busy times. Complaints about noisy neighbors, occasional pest and maintenance headaches, and sporadic power or water issues temper the peace of mind that security and courteous staff foster. Move-out disputes and deposit-withholding fears surface repeatedly, underscoring a need for crystal-clear billing practices and proactive communication from management. In a market where parking and predictable costs matter, these gaps are not trivial.

On balance, Moanalua Hillside offers a pragmatic package for residents who can live with some irritants in exchange for safety, serviceable upkeep, and a decent overall value. The maintenance team's responsiveness and the security framework deserve particular emphasis: in emergencies, the staff consistently steps up, and the on-site team earns genuine reliability marks from tenants who have experienced urgent repairs or quick problem-solving. The heat of the parking debate, however, cannot be dismissed. If securing a second vehicle's space or guaranteeing guest parking is non-negotiable, this complex becomes a high-risk bet unless a well-structured, clearly communicated plan is in place.

Prospective renters should enter with a plan. Prioritize securing a clearly labeled reserved stall if two cars are unavoidable, and demand written confirmation of any parking assignments and towing policies before signing. Insist on an in-person walk-through focused on AC availability, laundry access, and the condition of plumbing and pest control arrangements. Ask for transparent, timely responses from the office for billing questions and move-out procedures, and request a recent, itemized history of any refunds or charges to avoid end-of-lease disputes. For those who still crave a centralized, security-forward, pet-friendly building near work or base, Moanalua Hillside can be a solid fit when parking and billing are clearly resolved and expectations are aligned with management. If those dealbreakers loom large, consider Bishop Place or other Honolulu properties where parking, fees, and in-unit amenities tend to come with tighter, more predictable controls.

Physicians

• Women's Health Clinic - VA Honolulu (0.2 miles)
• Melanie M Lau MD - Lau & Shigezawa MDS (0.5 miles)
• Community Living Center (Formerlly Center for Aging) (0.8 miles)
• McKoy, James Dr-Kaiser Mapunapuna Clinic (1.5 miles)
• Aloha Vision Consultants (2.1 miles)
• Pali Momi Neurology Clinic (2.7 miles)
• Maluhia Health Center (3.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center (0.3 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Hospital (0.3 miles)
• Sparks M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center (0.8 miles)
• Asn Consulting Services (0.8 miles)
• Tripler Orthopedics (0.9 miles)
• Hmce (4 miles)
• Kuakini Medical Center (4.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Zee Medical Service (0.4 miles)
• Longs Drugs (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Longs Drugs (2 miles)
• Times Supermarkets (2 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Longs Drugs (2.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Ani's Bake Shop (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• Wendy's (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• Restaurant 604 (2.3 miles)
• Leahi Market (2.8 miles)

Parks

• Salt Lake District Park (1.2 miles)
• Neal S. Blaisdell Park (3.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Philomena Church (1.7 miles)
• Community Lutheran Church Wels (2.1 miles)
• Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii (4.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• The Bishop Museum Café by Highway Inn (3 miles)
• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (4.8 miles)

Transportation

• Hertz Rent A Car (2.7 miles)
• United Airlines (2.8 miles)
• TSA Security Check Point (2.8 miles)
• Baggage Claim 9-11 (2.8 miles)
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) (2.8 miles)
• Terminal 1 (2.8 miles)
• Diamond Head Concourse (2.8 miles)

Theaters

• Sharkey Theater (2.8 miles)
• Regal Dole Cannery ScreenX, 4DX, IMAX & RPX (4 miles)