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
Karla Casey,
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 71 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Kailua, HI over the last 12 months is $1,380,000, down 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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
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
Quaint and charming two bedroom with one bath cottage nestled in the “heart” of Kailua in the Coconut Grove district. The property boast’s a 7440 ft.2 level lot. The possibilities are endless on this property with unique advantages to expand, build an ADU/Ohana unit, install a pool/spa or just kick back and enjoy your own piece of paradise. This fully enclosed - fenced property is primely located
You must see this home to appreciate the opportunities! Offering modern, quality construction, & flexible living spaces to accommodate extended family, guests, a home office or provide supplemental rental income. This beautiful property offers a 7 bedrm/3 bath Main Home, as well as a 2 bed/1 bath ADU, for a total of 9 bedrms/4 baths. For the investor, the home has a 4 year history of excellent
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
Property Id: 921109Looking for a long term tenant to reside in stand alone studio cottage 1.5 blocks to beach. Not a vacation home. Located off North Kainalu Drive. Secure cottage that is unfurnished and has a kitchenette, including full size refrigerator. Washer and dryer dedicated to unit. Nothing shared and quiet place. $2300.00 rent includes all utilities: cable ready,
Rarely available 1 bedroom, 1 bath with 1 garage parking stalls in secured building! New paint and new carpet! Appliances include refrigerator, dishwasher, range/oven, disposal, washer/dryer, and A/C in the living room and bedroom Unit also comes with additional storage locker. Windward Passage boasts a number of amenities, which include a heated salt water pool & spa, tennis, racquetball &
Property Id: 1999381This charming rental property boasts 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and 2 parking stalls. This residence offers both comfort and convenience. This unit features washer and dryer, along with ample storage space. Situated in a prime location, you'll find easy access to nearby restaurants, a grocery store, and parks, making it an ideal central location for your lifestyle needs.
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