Meet the Manoa Specialist
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community
Real estate in Manoa is more than a business — it’s a community built on connection, tradition, and love of place. And no one embodies that better than Diane Ito.
Nestled beneath the misty green ridges of Honolulu, Manoa Valley has a magic of its own. Rainbows appear almost daily, century-old trees line quiet streets, and architectural gems hide behind leafy driveways. For nearly two decades, one realtor has come to embody that valley spirit: Diane Ito, lovingly known throughout Honolulu as “The Manoa Specialist.”
But how did she earn that title? The answer lies in her deep neighborhood roots, her dedication to clients, and her heartfelt involvement in the community she calls home.
Before she was one of Oahu’s top real estate agents, Diane grew up on a farm in Kamuela on Big Island. That upbringing instilled in her the values that still guide her business today: cooperation, hard work, and genuine care for others.
Diane received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. then, she spent 25 years in the garment industry, working in Honolulu and California. But, something was missing. She longed to build more personal connections and help people on a meaningful level.
In 2003, she took a leap into real estate with Coldwell Banker Realty. It wasn’t long before her passion, professionalism, and people-first approach made her a standout. Since then, she’s been consistently recognized among Hawaii’s Top 100 Realtors by Hawaii Business Magazine and ranks within the top 1% of Coldwell Banker agents worldwide.
Diane’s success could have taken her anywhere on Oahu, but her heart kept her close to Manoa.
She not only sells homes here; she lives the Manoa lifestyle every day. Her home on Lowrey Avenue sits in the heart of the valley, surrounded by the same tree-lined streets and classic kama‘āina homes she helps clients fall in love with.
“Living and working in Manoa gives me a perspective you just can’t learn from the MLS,” Diane says. “I know which houses get morning sun, which streets have the best mountain breezes, and where the keiki ride their bikes after school.”
Her clients often comment that working with Diane feels less like a transaction and more like being welcomed into a community. And that’s exactly how she’s earned her name as The Manoa Specialist.
Over the years, Diane has curated an impressive portfolio of listings that celebrate Hawaii’s unique architecture and lifestyle. She’s particularly known for representing mid-century and architecturally significant homes, many designed by local legends such as Vladimir Ossipoff.
A few of her standout sales include:
3285 Beaumont Woods Place Unit #9 – a 4-bedroom, 3-bath A-frame home with koi pond that sold for $2.3 million.
2338 Sonoma St. – a luxury home sold after just 3 days on market with views of the South Shore and Diamond Head for $2.495 million.
2115 Haena Dr. – a design-forward home with multiple dwellings that sold for $3.45 million.
Each property reflects Diane’s eye for detail and understanding of what makes a Hawaii home special, from open lanais and indoor-outdoor flow to the stories woven into every architectural line.
What truly sets Diane apart isn’t just her sales record — it’s her heart for the community.
Every year, her home on Lowrey Avenue becomes a beloved stop during Manoa’s Halloween festivities. She and her family fill 1000 bags of candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters. Kids know to expect friendly smiles, festive décor, and a generous helping of aloha from “Aunty Diane.”
Come November, she keeps the spirit of gratitude alive with her annual pumpkin pie delivery, personally visiting past clients and neighbors to share a sweet treat from favorite local restaurant, Zippy's, and a warm mahalo.
And when December rolls around, Diane hosts a holiday trolley ride that brings joy (and jingle bells) to the valley. Friends, clients, and local families gather to celebrate — a tradition that captures the close-knit, small-town feeling that still thrives in Manoa. Santa makes a special stop at her house during the Manoa Holiday Parade, and revelers take the trolley from Manoa to downtown Honolulu to see the Honolulu City Lights display.
These traditions aren’t marketing tactics. They’re genuine expressions of community: the kind of gestures that make Manoa feel like home.
Ask Diane for her favorite spots around town, and she’ll light up talking about the local eateries that make Manoa special.
🥪 Andy’s Sandwiches & Smoothies – a longtime neighborhood staple where students, hikers, and locals gather for hearty sandwiches after a morning walk.
🍣 Off The Hook Poke Market – her go-to for fresh poke bowls and friendly conversation.
☕ Morning Glass Coffee + Café – her favorite morning ritual, complete with a pour-over and a chat with the baristas who know her by name.
By supporting these local gems, Diane keeps her business grounded in the same community she serves, and reminds her clients that buying in Manoa is about so much more than square footage. It’s about belonging.
Whether helping a young family find their first home or matching a design-savvy buyer to a mid-century masterpiece, Diane approaches every sale with the same goal: to help people fall in love with the lifestyle she treasures.
Her clients trust her not just for her market knowledge and negotiating skills, but for her authenticity. She knows the history of the valley, the stories behind its homes, and the names of the neighbors who make it special.
As she puts it: "Manoa isn’t just where I work. It’s where my heart is.”
If you’re dreaming of life beneath the rainbows and banyan trees, or ready to sell a home with history and heart, work with someone who lives and breathes the valley every day.
👉 Contact Diane O. Ito — The Manoa Specialist
Coldwell Banker Realty | dianeito.com
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Specializing in mid-century, modern Hawaii homes, her desire to broaden the scope of the service has been successfully achieved as a 5-time award winner of the Top 100 agents in Hawaii by Hawaii Business Magazine.