Kailua, Oahu

 

If you’re looking for adventure, look no further than Kailua, where every day is filled with an opportunity to soak in the beauty of Hawaii. Located on the east coast of the island, Kailua is made up of long stretches of sand. The town’s gentle waves and beautiful year-round weather make it the perfect water sports hub that residents and visitors seek out and enjoy. Living in Kailua means access to stunning views of Oahu up high on the Ka’iwa Ridge Trail, or toes in the sand on the quiet Lanikai Beach.

 

The locals are extremely warm, welcoming, and inviting. The community is down-to-earth and is composed of all types of people. Residents like to take advantage of the natural and beautiful landscape with outdoor sports and adventurous activities, like windsurfing and kite-flying, on the two lagoons located on the island or the two currents that run through Kailua Bay. Nearly every place in Kailua is walkable and can be reached by foot or bike, with most residents living within 1 mile of the beach, as well as a stone’s throw away from eclectic-cool retail stores, coffee shops, and restaurants in iconic Kailua Town.

 

Culinary highlights include places like Baci Bistro, a quaint Italian restaurant with a covered garden-like patio, and Buzz’s Steakhouse, a fun surf n’ turf spot that serves up drinks in a tiki hut-style space. For a cold drink after a long day on the water or hiking local trails, Maui Brewing Co. Kailua offers a dynamic array of craft beers on tap. Casablanca Restaurant is one of the longest-running restaurants in the area, offering traditional Moroccan cuisine served in fixed-price 5-course meals. For Hawaiian-American breakfast and lunch in a casual setting, visit Boots & Kimo’s Homestyle Kitchen. At Hibachi Market, you can take home raw meats, fish, and marinated specialties prepared to cook at home, plus wine and beer to top it off. Their poke is to die for!

 

Lanikai Beach, called “Heavenly Ocean,” ranks as one of the best beaches in the world. Kailua Beach Park features pristine white sand and accessible facilities that make it a popular spot for aquatic activities. Mokulua Islands are two beautifully photographed islets off the coast, and Olomana Hike is a 4.4-mile trail in an incredible forest setting.