Hawaii’s connection to Las Vegas runs deep — and it’s worth $1.8B in real estate

A new report from commercial real estate brokerage Colliers reveals the depth of Hawaii's financial ties to Southern Nevada. Hawaii-linked entities own more than 5,300 parcels in Clark County, with a total real estate value of $1.8 billion spread across 792 acres. The vast majority are residential properties—including over 4,400 single-family homes—valued at approximately $1.6 billion, with Summerlin, northwest Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas being key areas of ownership.

The commercial side includes significant holdings in office space, warehouses, and shopping centers. The connection between Hawaii and Las Vegas is historically credited to marketing efforts by Boyd Gaming at its downtown California Hotel & Casino in 1975. The company used direct charter flights and Hawaiian themes to draw visitors, transforming Las Vegas into a preferred mainland destination and earning it the nickname 'The Ninth Island.'

This enduring link continues to influence the local business landscape. For example, Las Vegas broker Jason Otter, after discovering the Hawaiian restaurant chain Zippy's on vacation, helped bring it to the valley in 2023. Its successful openings, which drew large crowds and required police traffic control, exemplify the ongoing cultural and economic exchange. The Colliers report estimates as many as 50,000 people of Hawaiian descent may live in Clark County.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal