$1,729,849Average Value$1,016Average Price per Sq Ft92Homes For Sale
Popular beach town on O’ahu’s Windward Coast
Kailua is known for its powdery coastline and easygoing attitude. “It has a beach vibe similar to Santa Cruz or Carmel-by-the-Sea,” says Myron Kiriu, owner and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty. “It’s grown from a sleepy little town to one of O’ahu’s top coastal destinations.” Windsurfing on Lanikai Beach and the quaint boutiques of Kailua Town draw crowds of tourists, who drive 10 miles north from Honolulu and stay for a few days. Military service members might stay for a few years, with Marine Corps Base Hawaii on the city’s northern peninsula. Nevertheless, short-term visitors and long-term residents mix together like nowhere else on O’ahu. “I haven’t seen community like you see it in Kailua, where people are so connected,” says Sherine Duncan, founder of Hawaii LUX Team with eXp Realty, who lives in Kailua. “The beach brings everybody to one place with all the water sports, and the town center has all the shops and restaurants. Everybody knows their neighbors, and everybody participates in neighborhood get-togethers. You can’t go anywhere without running into someone.”
Homes in Kailua boast amazing views of the water and mountains.
Kailua Town Center hosts a mix of shops and eateries.
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Top-rated Lanikai and Kailua beaches, hikes in the Ko’olau Range
Crowded with both locals and tourists, Lanikai and Kailua beaches are on countless lists for top 10 beaches in the world. “They’re the most beautiful places you could ever imagine,” Duncan says. “If you live in Kailua, it’s because of the beaches.” Sea turtles frequent their turquoise waters, and their white sands have views of Ulupa’u Crater and the Mokulua Islands. Nicknamed The Mokes, these islands are popular with kayakers and paddleboarders, who often make the milelong trip from shore. They’re also visible from Lanikai Pillbox, one of the most traveled hikes in the area. This trek follows a ridgeline just above Kailua Bay, with southern-facing views of the Ko’olau Mountains. Other standout hikes are in these mountains, including Maunawili Falls and Olomana Three Peaks Trail, and forest reserves cover the area.
Its pristine white sandy beaches are a major draw.
Lanikai Beach is one of Kailua's world renowned beaches.
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Sunny weather and afternoon showers on the Windward Coast
Kailua mostly has year-round sunshine and temperatures in the 70s. However, the Ko’olau Range can cause clouds to form; afternoon showers are common, especially from November to March. Kailua is on the island’s windward side, so it has a near-constant breeze. O’ahu residents should be aware of earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, wildfires and other environmental disasters.
Rainfall is a near-daily ocurrence on the windward side of Oahu
Expect a mix of rain and bright blue skies in Kailua
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Kailua Town’s walkable restaurants and events
Besides the beaches, most tourists and locals hang out in Kailua Town. This walkable area, also called Downtown Kailua, has surf shops, fish markets, international restaurants and colorful boutiques. Its eastern side also has the city’s top grocers and department stores, and tight streets pack for community events. Aloha Home Market is a pop-up street fair throughout the year, and vendors sell everything from home goods to artisan crafts. Local restaurants set up more booths for Kailua Farmers’ Market every Thursday; Kailua Fall Fest has 130-plus vendors, live music and a beer garden in September.
Kailua is home to many local and national restaurants.
Morning Brew is one of the most popular spots in Kailua for a cup of coffee.
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Mountain views in Olomana, beachfront homes in Lanikai
Most homes have views of the Ko’olau Mountains, and they’re within walking distance of the beach. Westernmost neighborhoods like Olomana and Enchanted Lake are on the lower end of the market since they're farther away from the water, hovering around $1.5 million. Oceanside neighborhoods like Lanikai and Beachside are more toward $3 million, but estates right on the water can sell above $25 million. The city’s median sale price is $1.4 million, more than double the median for Honolulu.
Bungalow style homes are common in the hillside neighborhoods in Kailua.
You are never far from the beach if you live in Kailua!
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Top marks with Windward School District
Stretching along the island’s eastern shore, Windward School District serves more than 170,000 students across 300-plus schools. It doesn’t have an overall rating from Niche, but most schools in Kailua receive a B or better. Nearly 10 schools receive an A-minus, including the standout Ka’ohao School. This school ranks No. 4 out of the 26 charter elementary schools in Hawaii, and it serves kindergarten through sixth grade.
Aikahi Elementary's playground also doubles as a park for Kailua residents after school hours.
Kailua High School's campus is tucked away in a secluded valley.
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Crime averages in Kailua
Honolulu Police Department serves Kailua and the region overall. In 2023, they reported an average of monthly violent offenses that aligned with the state average and was about 30% less than the national one. The average of monthly property offenses aligned with both state and national averages. Overall crime rates as of December 2023 were the lowest since 2018.
Kailua is one of the safest and most family-friendly neighborhoods on Oahu.
The police department is located off Kailua Rd in the heart of town.
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Traffic in Kailua Town, walking to the beach
Like many touristy towns in Hawaii, Kailua can back up with traffic. That’s especially true during rush hour. Most congestion is in popular parts of town — Kawailoa Road near the beaches, Ku’ulei Road and Oneawa Street toward downtown. The latter thoroughfares connect to Kailua Road, which becomes state Route 61 in the mountains and makes for a 10-mile trip to Honolulu. Most of Kailua is flat, though, so it’s common to see people walking and biking. TheBus is another option; this island-wide public transportation system has several routes through the city, including one from Downtown Honolulu to Kailua Town.
The town embraces sustainability with eco-friendly initiatives.
Public transportation in Kailua is on time and not as crowded as the Honolulu side.
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Written By
Matt Medl
Photography Contributed By
Paul Peck
Video By
Jeffrey Knight
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dale Bordner,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Kailua, HI sell after 74 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Kailua, HI over the last 12 months is $1,495,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Priced below market! Nestled on a hillside cul-de-sac in the quiet end of Lanikai, this move-in ready, architect-designed, custom-built home offers a perfect blend of luxury & tranquility. Built new in 2011, it features seamless indoor/outdoor flow. The gourmet kitchen includes Thermador appliances & abundant custom Pyinkado cabinets. Custom mahogany sliders in the great room open 24' to a
This beautiful 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo comes with 2 side-by-side, covered parking stalls and a storage unit, offering both comfort and convenience in the heart of Kailua. The home features an oversized, private 266 sq ft lanai overlooking lush green space and gardens—perfect for relaxing or entertaining.Inside, thoughtful upgrades include luxury vinyl flooring, new ceiling fans, new
Live where others vacation. Enjoy effortless island living in one of the most walkable and desirable areas of Kailua-Kona. Located just steps from Coconut Grove and minutes from oceanfront dining, shopping, and entertainment along Aliʻi Drive, this updated ground-floor condo delivers both lifestyle and long-term value. Thoughtfully refreshed with updated kitchen, flooring, renovated bathrooms,
John GillespieAloha Sotheby's Intl Realty - Hawai'i
LOWEST PRICE, rarely available and spacious 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence offering over 1,500 square feet of interior living space within the coveted gated Bluestone community. This beautifully maintained home features upscale finishes, including travertine flooring on the first level, Berber carpet in the bedrooms, and granite countertops in the bathrooms. Designed for seamless indoor-outdoor
This beautifully remodeled 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom home is a rare find, just 2 houses from the world-famous Lanikai Beach. Situated on an 11,662 square foot lot, the property offers a fully landscaped yard with copper lighting, fruit trees, and a serene water feature. The 180 square foot separate flex space provides additional versatility for office space or work out area. The entire home was
Welcome to this exceptional Kailua beachfront estate. This gated resort-like retreat is situated on nearly an acre of land fronting one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With over 14,000 sq ft of sophisticated living space, the main residence is a masterpiece of design featuring a luxurious, expansive primary suite with panoramic ocean views, and an additional 9 bedrooms-each boasting a
Property Id: 2343759Discover the charm of island living in this 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom single-family home located in desirable Kailua. Built in 2019, this bright and airy 800 sq.ft. residence features 9-foot ceilings and modern finishes throughout. The home includes a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and microwave, as well as an in unit washer and dryer for added
This traditional 3 bedroom 1 bathroom home in Kailua features vinyl plank floors, ceiling fans, covered carport & a large yard. Near Kalama beach park, Kawainui Regional Park, and bus lines. Minutes away from Cinnamon's, Boots & Kimo's, Safeway, Target, and various other restaurants and shopping establishments. A $150 yard service charge will be billed monthly.
Property Id: 2341027Welcome to your dream home in Kailua! This charming 3 bed, 2 bath single-family unit modern amenities including a gourmet kitchen, fenced yard and garage. Pets welcome! Enjoy the convenience of included utilities and on-site laundry. Contact us now! High on a hill with panoramic views of Kailua town from your living room windows, this stunning modernized home with
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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