Kailua

Kailua

Located in Honolulu County

$1,704,252 Average Value
$928 Average Price per Sq Ft
99 Homes 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.
Homes in Kailua boast amazing views of the water and mountains.
Kailua Town Center hosts a mix of shops and eateries.
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.
Its pristine white sandy beaches are a major draw.
Lanikai Beach is one of Kailua's world renowned beaches.
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
Rainfall is a near-daily ocurrence on the windward side of Oahu
Expect a mix of rain and bright blue skies in Kailua
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.
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.
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.
Bungalow style homes are common in the hillside neighborhoods in Kailua.
You are never far from the beach if you live 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The town embraces sustainability with eco-friendly initiatives.
Public transportation in Kailua is on time and not as crowded as the Honolulu side.
Public transportation in Kailua is on time and not as crowded as the Honolulu side.
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Matt Medl
Written By
Matt Medl
Paul Peck
Photography Contributed By
Paul Peck
Jeffrey Knight
Video By
Jeffrey Knight

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Daniel Ulu, an experienced agent in this area.

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Schools

Source:
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

Kailua Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$1,397,000
Median Sale Price
$1,329,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,651,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$980,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$718,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
342
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-$10
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$928

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes for Sale
99
Months of Supply
3.50

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Jun 15
    2 - 5pm

    114 Kaelepulu Dr, Kailua, HI 96734

    $4,600,000

    • 5 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,346 Sq Ft
    • 114 Kaelepulu Dr
    • New 9 days ago

    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

    Agent Photo
    Sherine Duncan
    eXp Realty
    (808) 215-6357
  • Sunday, Jun 15
    2 - 5pm

    269 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI 96734

    $2,498,000

    • 6 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,064 Sq Ft
    • 269 Kailua Rd

    Discover the perfect blend of comfort, flexibility and island charm in this immaculately maintained 6 bdrm/3 bath single-family home in the highly desirable Kailua Estates. Situated on a 10,000 sq. ft. LEVEL lot with over 2,000 sq. ft. of interior living space, the front portion of the home offers 4 bdrm/2 bath and the back has 2 bdrm/1 bath with separate entry, ideal for extended family living

    Agent Photo
    Myron Kiriu
    BHGRE Advantage Realty
    (808) 204-4220
  • Sunday, Jun 15
    2 - 5pm

    191 Oko St Unit 2501, Kailua, HI 96734

    $845,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,307 Sq Ft
    • 191 Oko St
    • Unit 2501

    Welcome to Aikahi Gardens, a charming Kailua community conveniently located in the sought after Aikahi School District, and just around the corner from K Bay military base and Aikahi Shopping center that has Starbucks, Safeway, sushi restaurant and more. Close to the white sands of 3-mile long Kailua Beach. This spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1,307 square foot CORNER unit has extra windows, light

    Agent Photo
    Sherine Duncan
    eXp Realty
    (808) 435-8607

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Condo Buildings

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Kailua Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
34,003
Median Age
43
Population under 18
21.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$138,176
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$162,289

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97%
College Graduates
50%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
23.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
53''
Average Winter Low Temperature
67°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Kailua