Waipahu Tower

Pros

• The view can be great depending on which side you lived on, such as the east or west.
• Management here is awesome.
• The building is secure with a key elevator.
• The living room is spacious.
• It was renovated a couple of years ago.

Cons

• The space is not suitable for a family with more than four people.
• The apartment is hot 24/7.
• There is a roach infestation even after renovations.
• Security in the building is not strict, allowing anyone to walk in.
• The rent is excessively high for a single paycheck.
• If a tenant gets another job, the rent will rise.
• Paying twice a month leaves little money for personal needs and saving to move.
• The neighbors stink and smell like weed.
• The surrounding area has nothing great besides the Managua truck that frequently passes by.
• The washing machines are not cleaned regularly and lack security on the doors.

Review

The set of impressions about this housing reflects a mix of daily frustrations and occasional positives, painting a complicated picture for anyone considering a move. One reviewer emphasizes that the living space simply isn't ample enough for a larger family; even though the apartment is described as having a reasonable layout, it becomes crowded for households with more than four people. The heat is relentless, with the unit staying hot around the clock, which compounds everyday discomfort. A persistent roach infestation lingers despite renovations to the building, adding yet another layer of aggravation to living there. The overall sense is that the physical footprint and comfort level don't quite meet the needs of a larger, bustling family.

Security and entryways emerge as a notable concern. The reviewer notes that security in the building isn't very strict, allowing just about anyone to walk in and roam around. This lack of controlled access creates a sense of vulnerability and undermines the feeling of safety at home. Such concerns can be especially disconcerting when there are children in the household or late-night arrivals to contend with. In contrast to the building's interior problems, the sense of security - or the lack of it - permeates daily life and colors how residents experience the space.

Financial strain stands out as a core issue in the review. Renting on a single paycheck is described as untenable, and there's a real fear that taking on a second job would simply trigger a rent increase, trapping residents in a cycle where earnings do not translate into greater financial freedom. The option to pay twice a month offers relief in the near term but barely leaves room for essential personal needs or for saving toward moving to a more suitable place. The narrator captures a frustrating tension: the quest for stability is directly hindered by the cost of rent and the way the system responds to additional income.

The social and neighborhood dynamics add another layer of complexity. Neighbors are described as having a pungent odor, specifically weed, which colors the experience of shared spaces and can affect overall comfort and ease of living. While people are generally kind, the mood isn't always steady, suggesting occasional friction or inconsistency in neighborly relations. The surrounding area is described as lacking notable amenities or attractions beyond a Managua truck that passes by frequently, which underscores a sense of limited nearby conveniences. View direction matters here too - the east or west orientation can offer a significantly different outlook, hinting that some units feel more appealing simply because of their position. Still, the maintenance is deemed acceptable, providing a modest baseline of reliability amid the more problematic issues.

Practical concerns extend to the building's amenities and day-to-day operations. Maintenance is described as acceptable, offering a baseline level of responsiveness and upkeep. However, the washing machines fall short: they aren't cleaned regularly and lack adequate security in their doors, making it easier for access to illicit use or tampering. The combination of these issues - nonsecure laundry facilities, pest persistence, and overall heat and crowding - paints a picture of a building that can feel tolerated more than truly hospitable. Even with some positive aspects, the overall tone remains shaded by ongoing inconveniences and compromises.

Amidst these challenges, a contrasting perspective shines through in the second portion of the feedback: a HUD-backed property designed to aid low-income families. This description highlights a secure, well-managed building with a key elevator and eight stories tall. It's a two-bedroom, one-bathroom layout featuring a spacious living area and a renovation completed a couple of years ago. In this account, management is praised as "awesome," suggesting a level of attentiveness, organization, and reliability that stands apart from the issues described in the other review. The emphasis on security and modernized amenities provides a markedly different experience and sets a higher bar for what residents might expect from a well-run HUD property.

Taken together, the two reviews offer a nuanced view of life in this type of housing. On one hand, there are real, tangible drawbacks - overcrowding, relentless heat, persistent pests, lax security, limited nearby conveniences, and financial pressures - that can make daily life stressful and unstable. On the other hand, a HUD-managed option within the same broad housing category appears to deliver stronger security, more consistent management, and refreshed living spaces, presenting a compelling alternative for families prioritizing stability and accessibility to well-maintained facilities. For prospective renters, the message is clear: experiences can vary significantly from one property to the next, and factors like management quality, building security, and recent renovations can dramatically influence satisfaction levels. If minimizing pests, ensuring security, and achieving financial predictability are priorities, exploring HUD-approved options with strong management may offer a noticeably more favorable experience.

Physicians

• Westgate Medical Clinic (0.1 miles)
• Rosalo Paeste Rosalo Paeste MD (0.1 miles)
• Dr Leticia Diniega (0.1 miles)
• Hawaii Vein Center (0.1 miles)
• Romero Ray, MD (0.3 miles)
• Gozun Medical Care (0.3 miles)
• Island Orthopaedics (0.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• Don Quijote Drugs (0.4 miles)
• Times Supermarket (0.8 miles)
• Times Super Market (1.3 miles)
• Times Supermarket - Royal Kunia (1.3 miles)
• Longs Drugs (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Honolulu Kitchen (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (1.5 miles)
• Zippy's Ewa (2.3 miles)
• Zippy's Pearl City (3.3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.7 miles)
• The Cheesecake Factory (4 miles)
• Moani Island Bistro An (4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)
• Chief's Luau (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente Hospital (3.4 miles)
• Waimano Hospital Dental Clinic (4.4 miles)

Transportation

• Pearl City Manana Bus Facility (3.4 miles)

Parks

• Manana Neighborhood Park (3.7 miles)
• Neal S. Blaisdell Park (3.9 miles)
• Manana District Park (3.9 miles)
• Mililani District Park (4.1 miles)

Theaters

• Consolidated Theatres Mililani 14 (5 miles)
• Sharkey Theater (5.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Community Lutheran Church Wels (5.8 miles)