An unincorporated community of Hawaii, a suburb of Honolulu on the southeast coast of Oahu on Kailua Bay, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean. Population: 36,500.
Dictionary:
Kai·lu·a (kī-lū'ə) ![]() |
| Columbia Encyclopedia: Kailua |
| Weather: Kailua |
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Temperature: 70°F /
21°C
RealFeel Temperature™: 75°F / 23°C Humidity: 73% Winds: ENE 12 mph / 19 kmh Pressure: 30.03" Visibility: 10 mi. / 16 km |
| Sunday |
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HI:
83°F /
28°C LO: 70°F / 21°C |
| Monday |
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HI:
84°F /
28°C LO: 70°F / 21°C |
| Tuesday |
|
HI:
83°F /
28°C LO: 69°F / 20°C |
| Wednesday |
|
HI:
82°F /
27°C LO: 71°F / 21°C |
| Thursday |
|
HI:
82°F /
27°C LO: 70°F / 21°C |
| Honolulu: Windward Oahu: Kailua |
At a Glance
Kailua is a laid-back beach town with some fabulous beaches. The community has a great shopping center, access to beaches and relaxing eateries. The town is cute and is a great place to stop when you're traveling around. In fact, in Kailua, a local decree states that no building may rise higher than the tallest palm tree in town. Be wary though – this side of the island can get as much as 80 inches of rainfall a year.
Kailua is actually the shopping center to go to on the Windward Coast – it has grocery stores, surf shops, activity centers, restaurants and tons of little shops. Take the time to stroll through the town center before hitting the beaches.
Shopping
Alii Antiques of Kailua I & II, 9-A Maluniu Avenue, tel. 808-261-1705, has wooden bowls and trays, etched-glass platters and cocktail shakers from the thirties. This is the spot to get vintage Hawaiiana like Koa lamps and rattan furniture circa the 1930s and 1940s.
Across the street, the owner of the Alii shop runs the second part of the shop. This one offers jewelry, clothing, linens and collectibles filling the place from floor to ceiling.
Sightseeing
Popoia (Flat Island)
Popoia (Flat Island) is one of a bunch of islands that comprise a designated seabird sanctuary (home to wedge-tailed shear-waters and Bul-wer's petrels) where you will often see endangered green sea turtles. The island is about a quarter-mile offshore (across from the boat ramp by Alala Point in Kailua Bay) and is popular with surfers who paddle out on their longboards. The island, which is 3.7 acres in size, is also popular with kiteboarding and windsurfing.
Flat Island is open to the public during daylight hours and is accessible by kayak, surfboard or, when the tide is low and the water is calm, by foot.
Beaches
Kailua Beach
This picture-perfect beach, with its powdery white sand, is popular with swimmers and kay-akers. The beach, officially called Kailua Beach Park and located at 450 Kawailoa Road, encompasses several small islets, some of which are considered bird sanctuaries, so be careful where you venture.

The beach is partly a state park but continues for several miles along Kailua Bay. Kitesurfers and windsurfers will find the strong tradewinds enticing. You can rent sailboards and kayaks at the beach.
There are three ways to get to Kailua Beach Park – the H3 Freeway, the Likelike Highway (Route 63) and the Pali Highway (Route 61).
Visitors to the beach will be happy to find lifeguards, picnic areas, phones, showers and restrooms.
Lanikai Beach

Lanikai Beach is a beautiful spot once you find it. The beach is on Kailua Road past Kailua Beach and access is available through footpaths between houses. These are private residences (many owned by celebrities) so be respectful when you walk by. The water is usually a spectacular blue and the scenery is highlighted by two islands (the Mokuluas) in the background. There are no lifeguards or facilities but Lanikai is worth the effort if you're looking for a nice swimming and snorkeling beach or a fantastic spot for a romantic walk.
Adventures in Water
Windsurfing
Kailua Sailboards & Kayaks, Inc., 130 Kailua Road, tel. 808-262-2555, www.kailuasailboards.com, offers windsurfing lessons and rentals as well as equipment for kayaking, surfing and kite-surfing. The steady trade-winds and protective reef make Kailua Beach a premier spot for all of these sports. Kailua Sailboards & Kayaks has all the goodies you'll need for a good time – eco-tours, double kayaks, boogie boards and surfboard rentals, windsurfing gear, as well as lessons in all of the above and kayaking journeys.
Tours
Mokulua Kayak Guides, tel. 808-206-8508, www.moku-luaguides.com, offers eco-tours where you can snorkel, kayak and explore small islands while learning about the Hawaiian culture and sea life from an expert. The company is dedicated to environmental awareness and limits the size of their groups, so call early. The tour includes all kayaking equipment, snorkeling gear, lunch and a free pickup from your Waikiki hotel.

Twogood Kayaks Hawaii, 345 Hahani Street, tel. 808-262-5656, www.twogoodkayaks.com, runs guided kayak tours on regular or clear-bottom kayaks. This all-day tour is led by a naturalist and will take you to a seabird sanctuary, for a picnic on a secluded island, snorkeling with turtles and then enjoying Kailua Beach. This is the only company that offers clear-bottom kayaks that allow you to see tropical fish, turtles and other marine life as you paddle along. The company can also set you on your way with all the equipment for a self-guided tour. This package includes instruction, gear, a picnic lunch and hotel pick-up. Tours generally run from 8:15 am to 3:30 pm.
Surfing
Popoia (Flat Island) is about a quarter-mile offshore (across from the boat ramp by Alala Point in Kailua Bay) and is popular with surfers who paddle out on their longboards. The island (which is 3.7 acres in size) is great for beginning surfers, especially early in the morning when water is calm.
Where to Eat
Lanikai Juice, 600 Kailua Road (in the Kailua Shopping Center), tel. 808-262-2383, www.lanikaijuice.com, offers smoothies, juice and bowls of fresh fruit. You can add spirulina, bee pollen, ginseng, protein powder and more to your smoothie! Lanikai Juice is open Monday through Friday from 6 am to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 7 pm. $.
Baci Bistro, 30 Aulike Street, tel. 808-262-7555, www.bacibistro.com. Chef Reza Azeri described the bistro's cuisine as "European cuisine with an Italian flair." Veal, pork, chicken and fish highlight the menu. They make their own pasta, with ravioli being the house special. Baci Bistro has been open since 1997 and is a favorite among Kailua residents. Lunch is served from 11:30 am to 2 pm Monday through Friday and nightly from 5:30 to 10 pm for dinner. Reservations are recommended. Lunch $$. Dinner $$$.
Cinnamon's, tel. 808-261-8724, 315 Uluniu St, www.cin-namonsrestaurant.com. Open for breakfast daily from 7 am to 2 pm. This is THE place for breakfast! The signature dish is eggs Benedict and the variety is amazing – traditional, veggie, mahi mahi, crab cake, kalua pork, lox or a combo. They also have a great selection of pancakes, including guava chiffon, banana and fresh carrot. Local favorite, loco moco, is also popular and if you're really hungry, there is a broiled prime rib breakfast or a skilled breakfast which is homefries topped with and egg and your choice of three extras (chicken, beef, ham, mushroom, etc.). $.
Pinky's Pupu Bar & Grill, tel. 808-254-6255, 970 N. Kalaheo Ave. Seafood and local favorites are the specialties of the house. For something different, try an appetizer of fish tacos, boiled peanuts or crab cakes. Big appetites will be satisfied with "ohana style" family combination platters, including a local sampler with kalua pig, beer can chicken and fried mahi mahi. Pinky's is spacious with a large bar in the middle and a lively atmosphere. This is a great place for kids and families and Tuesday is kids' night, with fun activities for the little ones. Pinky's is open from 3 to 10 pm Monday through Friday with happy hour from 3 to 6:30 pm; from 4 to 10 pm Saturday and Sunday with happy hour from 4 to 6:30 pm. $$.
Kalapawai Market, 306 S. Kalaheo Avenue, tel. 808-262-4359, www.kalapawaimarket.com, has been around since 1932. This is a great place to grab a quick breakfast or a sandwich to go. They also offer 10-inch pizzas, salads and hot sandwiches. The deli has gourmet sandwiches that you can grab and go. The historic market is open from 6:30 am to 9 pm and the store from 6 am to 9 pm. The tapas menu is offered daily after 5:30 pm. $$.
Boston's North End Pizza Bakery, 29 Hoolai Street, tel. 808-263-7757. This is one of about a dozen restaurants in this popular pizza chain. The slices of pizza are huge so be cautious when ordering! This location is open from 11 am to 8 pm Sunday through Thursday and from 11 am to 9 pm (sometimes earlier, though) on Friday and Saturday. $.
Buzz's Original Steak House, 413 Kawailoa Road, tel. 808-261-4661. Buzz's is considered a classic throughout the island and you will not be disappointed. This site was established in 1962 and sits across from Kailua Bay. They specialize in kiawe-broiled steaks and fancy fish dinner. All dinners include a trip to the salad bar. Lunch is served from 11 am to 3 pm and dinner from 5 to 10 pm. They don't accept credit cards – only debit cards. Lunch $$. Dinner $$$.
Where to Stay
Bed & Breakfasts
Beach Lane B&B and Studios, 111 Hekili St, tel. 808-262-8286, www.beachlane.com. Just a few steps from Kailua Beach, this lovely B&B has been around for 17 years. Rates are $125 per night plus tax, based on two-person occupancy. The studios have private entrances and range from $95 to $135 per night plus tax. There is also a $40 cleaning fee (a charge I don't believe in!) Check out the website for pictures of the accommodations. $$.
Nightlife
Boardriders Bar and Grill, 201-A Hamakua Drive, tel. 808-261-4600, is known for having 12 beers on tap, live entertainment and mediocre food. It has pool tables, dart machines and about eight TVs spread through the room. Local bands frequently play in this tucked-away spot. Open daily from 11 am to 2 am. $$.
| Wikipedia: Kailua, Honolulu County, Hawaii |
| Kailua, Hawaii Lanikai |
|
|---|---|
| — CDP — | |
| View of Kailua from the Kaiwa Ridge Trail (Keolu Hills) | |
| Location in Honolulu County and the state of Hawaii | |
| Coordinates: 21°20′1″N 157°41′53″W / 21.33361°N 157.69806°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Hawaii |
| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 36,513 |
| - Density | 5,495.8/sq mi (2,123.2/km2) |
| Time zone | Hawaii-Aleutian (UTC-10) |
| Zip Code | 96734 |
| Area code(s) | 808 |
| FIPS code | 15-23150 |
| GNIS feature ID | 359894 |
Kailua (IPA: [kaɪluːə]) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States. It lies in the Koʻolaupoko District of Oʻahu on the windward coast at Kailua Bay. It is in the judicial district and the ahupua'a named Ko'olaupoko. It is 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Honolulu - over Nu‘uanu Pali. The population was 36,513 at the 2000 census.
In the Hawaiian language Kailua means "two seas," or "two currents," a contraction of the words kai (meaning sea or sea water) and ʻelua (meaning two); it is so named because of the two lagoons in the district or the two currents which run through Kailua Bay.
Kailua is primarily a residential community, with a centralized commercial district along Kailua Road. It has a compact, easy-to-shop business district surrounded by mostly single-family homes. By 1992, 50,000 residents encompassed a central urban core with surrounding residential areas.[1]
Places of note in Kailua include Kailua Beach Park, Lanikai Beach, Kawai Nui Marsh, and Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi.
Contents |
It is possible that Kailua was home to Hawaiian families at least 1,500 years ago. The earliest settlers are thought to have lived, fished, and played on the slopes surrounding Kawainui Marsh. A report on archaeological excavations of the marshland concluded that when the marsh slopes were first occupied about 500 AD, agriculture was not possible.[2] Early Hawaiian occupants of Kailua apparently lived beside a lagoon or bay open to the sea, hundreds of yards shoreside of today's shoreline.
In the 16th century, Kailua attracted the ali'i. During the reign of King Kakuhihewa and his successors, Kanekapu, Kahoowaha, Kauakahiakahoowaha, and Kualii; Kailua replaced Waikiki as the residential seat of the Alii Aimoku of Oahu. Many legends were born, including the menehune, who were known for working at night in Kawai Nui Marsh, and mo'o, who took the shape of a large lizard that attracted fish.
Kailua was densely populated before the arrival of Captain James Cook, and was the ancient capital of Oahu's kings. The biggest event in Kailua and the entire Windward side was in 1795 when King Kamehameha I conquered O'ahu in his quest to unite the Hawaiian Islands. The King granted Kawai Nui Marsh and old Kailua, which included large freshwater fish ponds and saltwater ponds at Mokapu, to warriors and chiefs who had helped him. The land was used in various forms for agriculture (e.g., sugarcane, rice, and taro), and eventually was used primarily for cattle raising. Many ancient temple ruins, such as those at Ulupo Heiau State Historic Site, are in the area.[3]
Kailua was a small town of barely 3,000 in the 1940s. However, the events of World War II changed the appearance of Kailua. Kaneohe Ranch sold portions of land to the government for expansion of the Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay (now Marine Corps Base Hawaii) and the Army's Fort Hase. Finally, in 1942, Kaneohe Ranch closed down its cattle-raising operations entirely, freeing thousands of acres for post-war development. Harold K.L. Castle, owner of Kaneohe Ranch, donated the land for churches, schools, and a new hospital.
In 1946, a small Liberty House (now Macy's) shop opened with three employees and upgraded to a full-line department store in 1953, with nearly 50 employees. The first bowling alley, a branch office of the telephone company, and the very first supermarket in Hawaii opened in Kailua in 1947. A new four-lane highway, tunneling through the Koʻolau Range, was completed in the late 1950s. By the end of the 1950s, Hawaii had become a state and Kailua became the official postal designation (previously known as Lanikai). By 1960 the population was up to 24,400. Castle Hospital (now Castle Medical Center) opened in 1963. Craig's Bakery was also a well recognized bakery that opened in the late 1950s and finally closed soon after the September 11 attacks in 2001.[4]
Kailua Beach is often cited as Hawaii's best beach. It was also ranked as the finest American beach in 1998 by coastal expert Dr. Stephen Leatherman, and then "retired" from subsequent consideration.[5] It is a crescent-shaped, about 2 miles (3.2 km) in length and 50-150 feet wide. The ocean bottom fronting the beach slopes gently to overhead depths without any coral heads. Light to medium waves support surfing and bodysurfing.
The steady trade winds make Kailua Beach one of the world’s preeminent windsurfing and kitesurfing destinations. Robbie Naish, regarded by most observers as the windsurfing's greatest champion, grew up at Kailua Beach.[5]
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding to the protected seabird sanctuaries Flat Island and Mokulua Islands have become increasingly popular water activities at the beach.
Kailua is located at 21°23′51″N 157°44′22″W / 21.3975°N 157.73944°W (21.397370, -157.739515).[6] Nearby towns include Kāneʻohe, Maunawili, and Waimānalo.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.5 square miles (24.7 km²). 6.6 square miles (17.2 km²) of it is land and 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²) of it (30.33%) is water. A significant portion of this water area is Kawai Nui Marsh, the largest wetland in the Hawaiian Islands and a nominated Ramsar Convention site.
Lanikai is an unincorporated community in Kailua on the windward coast at Kailua Bay. Lanikai Beach was rated as one of the top ten beaches in the world by Sherman's Travel Magazine.[7] It is served by Kailua's zip code 96734.
As of the census of 2000,[8] there were 36,513 people, 12,229 households, and 9,318 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 5,495.8 people per square mile (2,123.2/km²). There were 12,780 housing units, at an average density of 743.1/km² (1,923.6/sq mi). The racial makeup of the CDP was 43.84% White, 0.76% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 21.11% Asian, 8.07% Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races, and 24.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.10% of the population.
There were 12,229 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 16.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98, and the average family size was 3.33.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $72,784, and the median income for a family was $79,118. Males had a median income of $46,789, versus $35,612 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $29,299. About 3.3% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under the age of 18 and 1.5% of those 65 and older.
Hawaii Department of Education operates public schools.
Elementary schools in the CDP include Aikahi, Enchanted Lake, Kaelepulu, Kailua, Kainalu, Keolu, Lanikai, and Mokapu. Kailua Intermediate School and Kalaheo High School are in the CDP. [9] Kailua High School is in the Maunawili CDP.[10]
Movies and TV shows that have been filmed in Kailua include the following:
Kailua hosts various events throughout the year, from block parties to fireworks.[11]
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