About KAILUA, HI
The Windward Oahu town of Kailua—population 36,513—is only a 15-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of downtown Honolulu, but it may as well be a world away. There are Oahu residents who go for years without making the drive over to this part of the island. Getting to Kailua was always a challenge. Ancient Hawaiians only had two options: hiking over the Koolau Mountains or sailing around Makapuu Point along the island’s eastern shores. More often than not, they chose the direct route and climbed a trail up and over the pali (cliff).
Today, most drivers reach Kailua via the Pali Highway (Route 61). No matter how rough of a day Kailua residents may have, the feeling they get as they emerge from the highway’s tunnel and take in the sweeping panorama in front of them is one of instant comfort and reverence.
Kailua is first and foremost a beach community. In fact, the steady onshore trade winds makes Kailua Beach one of the world’s preeminent windsurfing destinations. Robbie Naish, regarded by most observers as the sport’s greatest champion, grew up at 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."
Learn more about this city.
City of Kailua, HI official site
City of Kailua, HI Chamber of Commerce
City of Kailua, HI newspaper
County of Kailua, HI official site
State of Hawaii official site