Overview
Kailua (pronounced cai-luu-ah) is on the Windward Coast of Oahu in Hawaii.
9 things to do · 11 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Kailua
Kailua Beach
If you are coming from Honolulu, follow Kailua Road by taking the fork curving off to the right once you get into town. you'll pass a Ford dealership, Bank of Hawaii, Lanikai Juice, and a Whole Foods. Pass through the fi…
Lanikai Beach
Lanikai Beach is just past Kailua Beach. Take Kawailoa Rd to Aalapapa Drive. Aalapapa Drive and Mokulua Drive form a large one-way loop. One of Hawaii's most picturesque beaches with fine white sand, exceptionally clear …
Lanikai Pillbox (Kaiwa Ridge Trail)
Kaiwa Ridge Trail climbs up the ridge behind Lanikai and ends at a WWII bunker. The trail is one mile 1.6 km) in length with a 600 ft elevation gain, offering hikers 360° views of Lanikai, Kailua, the Mokalua islands, an…
Maunawili Falls Trail
This popular trail leads to a 20 ft waterfall that feeds a deep, wide swimming hole. 2.5 mi round trip.
Mount Olomana
A strenuous hike with steep ascents, narrow, rocky pathways; and windswept ridgeline. 5 mi round-trip with 1,300 ft elevation gain.
Windsurf
Windsurfers in Kailua Bay get the best of both worlds, with waves on the outer reef and cleaner slalom conditions inside. Spots such as 'Castles', 'Zombies', 'Flat Island' and 'Jump City' can be reached for those who wan…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 67°F. Wettest: Mar and Nov. (climate data from nearby Honolulu)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HNL Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Honolulu, Oahu — 13 mi away (major hub). Directions
- MKK Molokai Airport, Kaunakakai — 45 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $10 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Kailua Beach, Lanikai Pillbox (Kaiwa Ridge Trail), Mount Olomana
- Lunch Baci Bistro
- Afternoon Kiteboarding, Stand-up Paddle
- Dinner Boot's and Kimo's Homestyle Kitchen
- Evening Lanikai Juice Company
Day 2
- Morning Lanikai Beach, Maunawili Falls Trail
- Lunch Buzz's Original Steakhouse
- Afternoon Windsurf, Kailua Sailboards and Kayaks
- Dinner Cinnamon's Restaurant
- Evening Creekside Lounge
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Early birds will find that Kailua has two excellent breakfast places: Boots and Kimo's and Cinnamon's. Both places are quite popular which means that they will fill up quickly; you may wish to get there early to avoid crowds.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Understand
The area includes the following districts:
- Aikahi - north Kailua
- Enchanted Lake & Keolu Hills - south Kailua
- Kaneohe Marine Corps Base - north of Kailua
- Lanikai - south-east Kailua
- Maunawili - south-west of Kailua
- Coconut Grove - Central Kailua
Get in
By car
- From Honolulu: Take the H-1 to Pali Highway (route 61), and follow the Pali through the mountains about 12 miles into Kailua town. The road name on route 61 changes twice: once after Castle Junction (Kamehameha Hwy., route 83) to Kalanianiole Highway, then again after Castle Hospital to Kailua Road. Don't let this confuse you.
- From the North Shore/Kaneohe: There are two routes:
- Take Kamehameha Highway (route 83) west to the Kaneohe Bay Drive & Kamehameha Highway intersection. Take the left turn at the intersection to get onto Kaneohe Bay Drive. Keep going straight as you go over the hill (turns into Mokapu Saddle Road, which becomes Mokapu Blvd.). Take a right turn at the Mokapu Blvd. and Oneawa Street intersection (2nd intersection after the overpass) and keep going straight for about a mile; as this will lead you into Kailua Town.
- You can also follow Kamehameha Hwy to its end and turn left at the junction with Kalanianaole Hwy (route 61); from there it is about 4 miles to Kailua town.
By bus
- From Honolulu: Take TheBus route 67 from the beach side city bus stop at Ala Moana Center into Kailua (to get to Ala Moana from Waikiki take route 8, 19, or 20). Wait for the 56 or 57 near the Windward 56/57 sign. One of these buses comes by about every 25 minutes, travel time is approximately 35–50 minutes, the last bus returning to Honolulu is at about 9:30PM.
Get around
By bus
TheBus has 4 routes that travels throughout the Kailua District.
- 56 (Westbound: Kailua/Kaneohe) (Eastbound: Honolulu/Ala Moana or Downtown/Bishop Street)
- This route is Ala Moana to & from Windward Mall. It uses Kailua Road, Oneawa Street, and Kaneohe Bay Drive as its main roads.
- 57 (Westbound: Kailua/Sea Life Park, Kailua/Waimanalo, or Kailua/Keolu Drive) (Eastbound: Honolulu/Ala Moana or Downtown/Bishop Street)
- Sea Life Park Route: This route uses Kailua Road, Keolu Drive, and Kalanianaole Highway.
- Waimanalo Route: This route uses Kailua Road and Kalanianaole Highway.
- Keolu Drive: This route uses Kailua Road and Keolu Drive.
- 70 (Westbound: Kailua/MCBH/Maunawili) (Eastbound: Lanikai/Kailua Town)
- 8AM-2PM: starts in Maunawili, goes through Kailua Town, circles on Mokapu Blvd (enters & exits Kaneohe Marine Corps Base), and loops route.
- 2PM-7PM: starts at busstop on the corner of Hamakua Drive & Kailua Road, passes by Kailua Beach Park, circles around Lanikai, circles around Maunawili, and loops route.
See
- Sunrises - Got to go to Waikiki for sunsets.
- Sea Turtles
- Mokulua islands
- Mount Olomana
Do
Beaches
Do Kailua Beach
If you are coming from Honolulu, follow Kailua Road by taking the fork curving off to the right once you get into town. you'll pass a Ford dealership, Bank of Hawaii, Lanikai Juice, and a Whole Foods. Pass through the first stop light (at Hahani St. in front of the Kailua Shopping Center). At the next stoplight (in front of a Mormon church), turn left to continue on Kailua Road for about 1 km. Then take the fork curving to the right. Kailua Beach Park is past the curve. TheBus is Hawaii's award winning transit service which can be taken into Kailua, where a traveler can then catch Route 70 in front of Macy's which goes to the beach. It might be faster to walk, since the 70 only comes by every 60-90 minutes.
Do Lanikai Beach
Lanikai Beach is just past Kailua Beach. Take Kawailoa Rd to Aalapapa Drive. Aalapapa Drive and Mokulua Drive form a large one-way loop. One of Hawaii's most picturesque beaches with fine white sand, exceptionally clear and blue water, and two offshore island known as the Mokuluas. No public facilities, and access is only available by public access walkways. Please respect local residents' property. Also there are parking restrictions in Lanikai on weekends and holidays, in which case it may be best to park at Kailua Beach Park and take a 10-20 minute talk to Lanikai.
Hiking
Do Lanikai Pillbox (Kaiwa Ridge Trail)
Kaiwa Ridge Trail climbs up the ridge behind Lanikai and ends at a WWII bunker. The trail is one mile 1.6 km) in length with a 600 ft elevation gain, offering hikers 360° views of Lanikai, Kailua, the Mokalua islands, and the Ko`olau Mountains.
Do Maunawili Falls Trail
This popular trail leads to a 20 ft waterfall that feeds a deep, wide swimming hole. 2.5 mi round trip.
Do Mount Olomana
A strenuous hike with steep ascents, narrow, rocky pathways; and windswept ridgeline. 5 mi round-trip with 1,300 ft elevation gain.
Other
Do Windsurf
Windsurfers in Kailua Bay get the best of both worlds, with waves on the outer reef and cleaner slalom conditions inside. Spots such as 'Castles', 'Zombies', 'Flat Island' and 'Jump City' can be reached for those who want to try their hand at wave sailing and jumping.
Do Kiteboarding
Kailua has been known as one of the best spots for kiting in the world due to the combination of sandy beach, warm water and extreme beauty. Trade winds blow year round and can range from 12-25 knots, averaging around 16 in the summer.
Do Kailua Sailboards and Kayaks
Half-day or full day kayak rental, singles and doubles. Back rests, dry bags are extra. You can pull the kayaks on trucks (provided) to the beach, push off and kayak out to the various tiny islands there. Flat Island is a seabird sanctuary. Reef shoes are not a bad idea, as the bottom rocks around the islands are rather sharp if you flip or to push off. Beautiful views.
Do Stand-up Paddle
A sport that anyone can enjoy and the perspective you have while standing up and paddling on these boards is truly unique and enjoyable.
Buy
Shop Lanikai Bath & Body
All-natural locally made bath and body products with distinct and unique Hawaiian scents.
Shop East Honolulu Clothing Company
Home of Double Paws Wear and Horsechicks Hawaii, it is a combination retail store and fashion design and production studio. Here you will find cool threads, beautiful locally made product, funky retro pop-culture items, fun, artsy, horsey, eclectic and one of a kind gifts.
Eat
Early birds will find that Kailua has two excellent breakfast places: Boots and Kimo's and Cinnamon's. Both places are quite popular which means that they will fill up quickly; you may wish to get there early to avoid crowds.
Eat Baci Bistro
Romantic Italian restaurant.
Eat Boot's and Kimo's Homestyle Kitchen
Offering a signature breakfast dish of pancakes with macadamia nut sauce.
Eat Buzz's Original Steakhouse
Beautiful beach setting across the street from Kailua Beach Park.
Eat Cinnamon's Restaurant
One of the best breakfast places in Kailua; their signature dish is their Eggs Benedict.
Eat Crepes No Ka 'Oi
Sweet and savory crepes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and in-between. Also a great assortment of gourmet loose leaf teas and Illy Italian coffee.
Eat Down to Earth
Vegetarian deli & natural foods store.
Eat Kalapawai Cafe
Coffee, sandwiches during the day; wine bar and small plates at night.
Eat Nico's Kailua
Pure beach house decor, family-casual local menu with over 25 pupus, and full bar with tropical drinks, beer and wine.
Eat Times Coffee Shop
A small cafe that serves the great fried rice.
Eat Zippy's
Hawaii's favorite local restaurant.
Drink
Drink Lanikai Juice Company
Smoothies & more.
Drink Morning Brew
Coffee and more.
Nearby
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