Kailua
Kailua is a vibrant beach town on Oahu's windward coast, renowned for its white-sand beaches, outdoor recreation, and relaxed community charm. With a lively downtown, access to award-winning Kailua and Lanikai Beaches, and the expansive Kawai Nui Marsh, Kailua blends scenic beauty with a laid-back lifestyle and is one of the island's most popular places to visit or live.
Kailua, Oahu
Kailua (view panorama) × is located on Oahu's windward coast, about 12 miles (19 km) northeast of downtown Honolulu. It is one of the largest residential communities on this side of the island (after neighboring Kaneohe). Kailua has a central commercial district, located along Kailua Road. It is surrounded by mainly single-family homes and a few low-rise apartment buildings.
Kailua's main attraction is its beautiful white-sand beach. Kailua Beach has white, soft and powdery fine sand. It's a beach lover's dream, a typical tropical beach we all know from postcards. In fact, Kailua Beach has been repeatedly ranked among the best beaches in the world. In 1998 and in 2019, it was ranked as the #1 beach in the United States by coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach.
Kailua Beach is about 2 miles (3.2 km) long and perfect for beach strolls. The ocean bottom slopes gently to overhead depths. It's a good beach for swimming, bodyboarding and kayaking. Because of the steady tradewinds year-round, Kailua Beach is also an ideal location for kite and windsurfers.
Kailua is also home to the largest wetland in the Hawaiian Islands – Kawai Nui Marsh. It encompasses over 800 acres (3.2 km2). Located just south of Kailua Beach is the small community of Lanikai. It also has a wonderful beach (Lanikai Beach) that was rated as one of the top ten beaches in the world by Sherman's Travel Magazine.
In the Hawaiian language, Kailua means "two seas," or "two currents." The word "kai" means sea or sea water, and the word "elua" means two. So Kailua is a contraction of these two words. The town was named Kailua because of the two lagoons in the district or the two currents that run through Kailua Bay.
Key Features of Kailua
- Award-winning beaches: Kailua Beach has been ranked #1 in the U.S. for its soft sand, turquoise waters, and excellent conditions for swimming and kayaking.
- Outdoor recreation hub: Ideal for bodyboarding, kitesurfing, and hiking nearby Pillbox Trail above Lanikai.
- Kawai Nui Marsh: Largest wetland in Hawaii, home to native birds and scenic walking trails.
- Vibrant town center: Kailua Road features shops, eateries, local markets, and services for residents and visitors.
- Population: 40,514 (2020 Census)
- Zip code: 96734
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kailua best known for?
Kailua is known for its beautiful beach, small-town charm, and active outdoor lifestyle including kayaking, kiteboarding, and hiking.
Where is Kailua located?
Kailua is on the windward side of Oahu, about 12 miles northeast of downtown Honolulu.
What is Kawai Nui Marsh?
It's the largest wetland in Hawaii, a protected area great for birdwatching and walking trails near the heart of Kailua.
How do I get to Kailua from Waikiki?
You can take the Pali Highway or Likelike Highway by car, or access public buses that connect Honolulu to Kailua.
Is Kailua Beach good for water sports?
Yes, it's ideal for kayaking, windsurfing, and stand-up paddling thanks to calm waves and consistent tradewinds.