Kailua

Kailua

The Kailua area is a haven for those who value ‘beach-style living’. With no hotel towers or other massive developments, this quaint community still offers plenty of things to do including family-run restaurants, inviting coffee shops, and postcard-worthy white sandy beaches. Kailua Beach Spans for roughly 2.5 miles and is enhanced by a backdrop of lush green rolling slopes of Olomana and the Ko’Olau mountain range. Kailua has been repeatedly coined the "Ultimate Beach Town" by many, and "a paradise within a paradise" by Coastal Living magazine in 2015.

Where to Shop and Eat:

Kailua restaurants feature more creative, trendy, local eats than big-box franchise restaurants. A few of the favorites are-

Cinnamon’s, brunch done Hawaiian style. If you’ve never had Kalua Pork eggs Benedict or Guava Pancakes this is a must. 

Beet Box Cafe, for all my vegan friends. Beet box is one of those places where you forget that you’re eating vegan. They have amazing breakfast burritos, veggie burgers, smoothies, and more! 

Kalapawai Market, this island market aims to pay homage to simpler times. You can find anything here from baked goods and coffee to go before a surf, poke for lunch, or a steak dinner with wine. Kalapawai features local ingredients and makes each dish with Aloha. 

Kailua Farmers' Market, This is a can't miss. Dozens of food and restaurants vendors set up tents at the Kailua town center every Thursday evening and Saturday morning. Enjoy some of the best street food, desserts, and local music, making it a family-friendly event. Try the French Dip Sandwich from Pig and the Lady!

What to do:

The Beach! Though this goes without saying. I mentioned it above but it's worth driving the point home again; Kailua and Lanikai Beaches are some of the most famous in the world. In addition to the most beautiful beaches, all-year-long trade winds on the windward side of the island make for perfect windsurfing conditions. If you happen to be the athletic type, Kailua is the perfect place to start a new hobby! If not, watching the windsurfers catch air off the waves from the safety of your beach chair is just as enthralling!

A few other of my favorite Kailua activities include:

Lanikai Pillbox Hike, a quick ridge climb behind the exclusive Lanikai neighborhood, offering breathtaking views of the iconic Mokulua Twin Islands, and shades of ombre blue ocean from Waimanalo, all the way to the Kaneohe.

Hike Maunawili Falls, The falls offer an entirely different experience; a shaded, muddy jungle terrain will take you deep into a valley with a secluded waterfall and watering hole as your prize. Bring mosquito spray for this one. 

What to Expect - The Market: 

The Kailua region spans about 12 miles total and consists of roughly 20 smaller neighborhoods. Kailua is a diverse market including 1 bedroom Condominium units in the heart of Kailua Town, to humble single-family homes with great neighbors. Finally, it is home to beachfront estates in Lanikai rightfully deserving their multimillion-dollar price tags. A few of the most popular neighborhoods to start your search in are Lanikai, Keolu Hills, and Waimanalo. While vastly different; the one common thread between all of these neighborhoods is their desirability. In December of 2021 Sellers on average received 105.1% of the list price for a compelling $1,662,500 median sales price. This may be the highest neighborhood increase we saw at a whopping 39% compared to December 2020. In 2021 year-over-year Kailua finished strong at $1,500,000 average. Luckily, Kailua homes often come with multigenerational living ‘Ohana’ units which offer great rental potential. In congruence with the housing shortage, you’ll find the long-term rental market in Kailua is as competitive as residential sales; this provides a great opportunity to offset your mortgage and make new friends! 

 Kailua is the perfect place to ease into island life. Start your search here!