Imagine living in a verdant, tropical valley tucked into the base of a mountain range in the middle of paradise. Let’s add a stream that meanders through that valley and a magnificent waterfall. Now, take that image and make it a reality by purchasing real estate in Manoa.

Manoa is the name of the valley, the falls, the university and the neighborhood. Minutes from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, the official boundaries of the neighborhood run from King Street on the makai side to Manoa Falls, on the mauka end.

The Manoa Valley is steeped in Hawaiian history. Although coffee is generally considered a Big Island crop, Manoa was the site of Hawaii’s first coffee farm as well as hosting the state’s first sugar plantation. Some of this heritage is reflected today in the architecture in the valley. 

One of the first things you’ll notice while touring Manoa Valley is the emerald-green landscape. It rains most every day here in the valley, making it the ideal location for the avid gardener. In Manoa, you’ll be able to grow just about anything. 

If you follow Manoa Road to its end you’ll be at the mouth of a hiking trail that will take you to Manoa Falls. The trail is classified as “easy,” although it can get slippery in the rain. The hike is well worth it though as it terminates at the base of a nearly vertical cliff, over which the falls tumble 150 feet into a pool below. 

Part of hunting for a new house may include researching the area’s schools and Manoa offers some of the best schools in the state. Home to the University of Hawaii’s flagship campus, the Manoa campus has educated Hawaii’s children since 1917. The school offers bachelors, masters and doctorate programs. 

There are schools for the keikis too. Noelani Elementary School is a past winner of the U.S. Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Schools award and is home to Hawaii’s 2011 Teacher of the Year, Kristen Brummel. Manoa Elementary School consistently exceeds the average State of Hawaii Department of Education benchmarks. 

The private, college-preparatory Punahou School dates back to the early 1840s. Located in a residential area in lower Manoa Valley, Punahou enrolls approximately 3,750 students, in grades K through 12.

Although Waikiki and Kahala shopping are just minutes away from Manoa, the valley does have its own shopping center. The Manoa Marketplace is a great place to pop in for daily necessities such as groceries and prescriptions. Banks and a post office offer yet more convenience to the Manoa resident. Of course there are restaurants – lots of them, including coffee houses.

The streets of Manoa are lined with mature trees and dotted with homes that exude classic Hawaiian charm. Many homes have views of the city or Diamond Head. Others open onto the lush, tropical landscape of the Manoa Valley.

Appointments on some of the vintage homes include koa or ohia wood floors, lava rock fireplaces and high ceilings. You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back to a time when plantation houses filled the valley.

Shopping for real estate in Manoa may be a challenge as inventory is typically low, while prices are high. The average price for a Manoa home in 2012 is $1,260,722, while condos are more reasonable -- $285,000.

If you’re looking for a serene community with understated elegance, populated with folks with strong cultural ties to the valley, Manoa real estate may be the answer.