Kailua Things to Do

Kailua Beach is not only beautiful and unspoiled, but it's also a very long beach that's perfect for walks. It's amazing how your worries just fall away when you've got sand under your feet and the sound of the waves in your ears.

The remains of a huge heiau (an ancient Hawaiian temple) can be found on the outskirts of Kailua, sandwiched in between the YMCA and a taro patch (lo'i). It is a serene, spiritual place where you can picture what old Hawai'i was like.

Ulupo Heiau is one of the oldest in the Islands. Although some sensational reports claim that it was used by royalty for human sacrifice, most historians disagree, saying that it was more likely a place for commoners to worship. It was also the largest heiau on Oahu, and its lo'i and 450 acre fish pond provided food for an estimated 17,000 people in the area.

After the fall of the Hawaiian monarchy, Ulupo Heiau was looted and fell into ruins. However, an ongoing restoration project, staffed by volunteers, was begun in 2005, and you can now discern the shape of the original massive structure. Native plants are being reintroduced, and there are plans eventually to make the heiau, now a state historical monument, into a cultural and educational center.

When you visit, please be respectful and remember that this is a sacred place of worship. Be careful not to walk on or remove the stones.

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This is the view from the yard of my house in the Maunawili section of Kaiklua. Normally, I never saw waterfalls, but after an especially heavy rains they magically appeared! In fact, you can usually count on waterfalls after heavyu rains, but you have to be lucky enough to have the clouds lift to see them. Drive to Maunawili or through the tunnels on the H3 tyhe next time you get a heavy, persistent rain that covers the entire island and you'll be stunned! I estimate this happens about 5 times a year, so you have to be lucky.

When you're in Kailua, you have the choice of two beaches that are rates #1 in different publications as the best beach in America. As of this writing, I favor Lanikai Beach, which is just south of Kailua beach and used to be connected. There's less sand but the view of the Mokolua's really takes our breath away. If you've seen pictures of bathing suit models whiling away the time with islands off the coast, chances are you're looking at Lanikai Beach. The sand is the softest, whitest around and the surf is virtually nonexistent.
...Kailua Beach offers slightly rougher sand but a playful body surfing are near Kalama Beach park. It's wider, longer and less crowded than Lanikai, and you're less likely to get a parking ticket. Kailua Beach is where the Obama family chose to spend their Christmas right before their inauguration, so it stands up pretty well to most competition. If you have a chance visit both of these jewels.

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ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES IN THE WORLD!!!!!
A GREA T PLACE TO ENJOY HEAVEN ON EARTH. .EVERYTHING FROM EATING A PICNIC ON THE BEAUTIFUL GRASSY AREAS TO WINDSURFING ON THE BEST WAVES !!! !!!!! !!!!!!!.. Kailua is first and foremost a beach community. In fact, the steady onshore trade winds makes Kailua Beach one the world’s preeminent windsurfing destinations.

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ONE CAN NOT BUT JUST BE OVERWHELMED WITH THE BEAUTY OF KAILUA BEACH.... !!!!!
In 1998, Kailua Beach Park was named "America’s Best Beach" by coastal expert Doctor Stephen Leatherman and then "retired" from subsequent consideration. As one Kailua resident noted in ALOHA Magazine, "If I feel stressed out, boom, in three minutes I can be at the beach and rigging up my sailboard. Even if you’re not at the beach, it’s never far away. It’s in the air, you can smell it."

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If you are on the island of Oahu, it's worth it to travel to the windward side of the island to Kailua. Lanikai beach has gorgeous blue water and soft white sand. It's in a very nice area and great for families. My friends and I come here at sunset once a month to drink wine and enjoy the full moon.
The beaches between the town of Waimanalo and Sea Life Park are also gorgeous and sometimes practically empty. I would avoid the beach park in the town of Waimanalo. It has become a camp for the homeless. They get camping passes and just live there. There is much trash here and I would be nervous leaving my car unattended. It's unfortunate because it's such a beautiful area! The other beaches are fine. The water is a spectacular color of blue, especially on a clear sunny day!

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Lanikai is one of the most beautiful beaches on earth. Many beach ratings have confirmed that opinion. The beach is less crowded than many other beaches since it is located in a residential neighborhood. Many choose to explore the area by kayak or snorkeling.
The beach is perhaps most well known for the two Mokolua islands that are located just 1 mile away from the shore. These islands are probably what all the kayaking is all about. They are bird sanctuaries though and access may not be permitted.