Top Things to do in Kailua
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Top 10 Things to do in Kailua, Hawaii (HI)
Oahu's Kailua, meaning "two seas" or "two currents," is named after either the two lagoons located on the island or the two currents that run through Kailua Bay. Steady trade winds make Kailua Beach a great windsurfing and kite-flying destination. Kailua Beach Park features pristine white sand and views of the offshore island known as Moko nui or "two islands."
Restaurants in Kailua
1. Kailua Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,987 reviews
Reviewed By Vladimiramirela - Mississauga, Canada
For less experienced and brave swimmers, this is a perfect setting. Close to washroom facilities, with lots of parking within convenient distance and many shaded spots under the trees, this beach offers enough room for everybody to sit or walk around, without feeling crowded, even during the weekend days. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, with nearby rock formations, and amazingly turquois water. As the slope into the waves is not too steep, even when the ocean is pretty rough, swimming is quite safe. The villages of Kailua and nearby Lanikai also offer many places to eat, have a good coffee or browse for souvenirs. Excellent location!
2. Lanikai Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,992 reviews
Reviewed By Scubaluvr - Coto de Caza, United States
Had a great afternoon at this beach. Cannot imagine how crowded it must be in the summer. Hard to get parking in the side roads. Take an umbrella for shade. Nice for the day
3. Olomana Three Peaks Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By riverbenthic - Los Angeles, United States
Here's the deal - this hike is extremely dangerous. You're risking your life to get a photo on top of the first peak. Past that it get's even riskier. I read all of the reviews before my wife and I hiked it, and came to the faulty conclusion that all of the extreme danger came into play if you went past the first peak and attempted the second and third peaks. That is false. There is a section where you risk your life to make it to the top of the first peak. It is a cool hike, and you get a great workout because it's all uphill. But you end up having to make a ridiculous choice at the end of the hike. There are four or five roped sections because the incline is so steep - nearly vertical in some places. If you fall on one of these sections, there's a high probability that you'll break a bone. Of course, if you hit your head, it could be fatal. That's pretty bad, but just wait... The most dangerous section is at the very, very end. When you're about 20 to 30 feet from the top of the first peak, you have to climb a giant rock section to summit in order to get your picture. It's nearly vertical, and if you would slip and fall, you will die. There is no rope, and the fall is hundreds of feet down. You're on the knife-edge of the ridge, and you have to do short section of straight-up free climbing. It's ridiculously dangerous. Of course, you'll want to risk it to get your picture since you hiked for hours to get there, and you're just about there. And you've seen all of the pics online of the folks who have summited. And you can't get the view and picture from the spot you're in. Maybe there's even some folks coming down from the peak - they did it, so why can't you? So we scaled that section to get the picture, but the whole time I knew that it was stupid and risky. Coming down from the peak is even worse because you can clearly see that you will absolutely die if you slip even once. Your nervousness does not help. Then coming down the roped sections becomes worse too because you can see that you'll break a limb or crack your head open if you fall. The fact that so many people summit the first peak without fatal consequences must show that when your life is on the line, you will tend to rise to the challenge out of an instinctive will to live. But why take that chance for a picture? But make no mistake, you are risking your life and the lives of your family/friends/partner/etc.,... if you do this hike. That last pitch to the first peak should technically only be attempted with a harness, ropes, and a belay partner. It's true rock-climbing with deadly consequences. Obviously, we made it back o.k but I told myself that I'd write a review to warn others that you do indeed have to risk your life to summit the first peak. It's just stupid. Attempting the second and third peaks is even more dangerous. Google Olomana Trail/Olomana Mountain to read all of the stories of people losing their lives or having to be rescued with helicopters. There are other hikes on Oahu that give you spectacular views of the ocean from up high. Even though it's also an intense workout to get to the top of the other hikes, you don't have to risk death to get the picture and have a great day. I would recommend choosing one of the pillbox hikes instead. We did those too, and I think that the pictures are even better. (I rated this hike with five stars in the hope that more people would read it).
4. Kailua Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Like the more famous Saturday market at Diamond Head, this market features amazing foods and the nicest people -- very full of aloha!
Reviewed By 798tammyc - Boston, United States
A moderate sized farmers market on Sunday mornings with decent selection of produce, prepared foods, coffee, flowers, skin care and women’s clothing. There’s plenty of parking when we got there at 9am. Had breakfast at the crepe place - island special for $9 with bacon, avocado, tomatoes, pesto sauce. Many of the vendors also make the rounds at Kakaako (Saturday morning) and Blaisdell (Wednesday evening). The market is in walking vicinity of Whole Foods, Longs and other local shops and restaurants. Worthwhile to check it out while you’re there.
5. Lanikai Pillboxes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 916 reviews
Reviewed By jamesml2018 - Luzerne County, United States
Have done this hike a few times. Parking can be a challenge, as it’s street parking. The entrance is well marked, and the onset is up a dirt hill which can be tricky when wet. It opens up to an amazing view of Lani Kai and the bay, and from there you follow the exposed ridge to the pill boxes. Some steep area with poor footing, with loose first and rocks. This first part is often crowded, and then end point for many folks. You can continue on through brush and tress, partly covered, but exposed areas continue with amazing views of Kailua, Waimānalo, and the Ko’olaus. The descent to Kano Kai Drive is via a gulley and requires careful navigation, due to loose rocks. There are branches to use to hold onto.
6. Kalama Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 156 reviews
Reviewed By Woody0675
This is a beautiful family-friendly beach with restrooms & outside showers to rinse off. Parking is limited, so you may have to wait a few minutes for someone to leave. I would definitely recommend this beach :)
7. Kailua Town Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
KailuaTown Farmers Market: Sundays, 8am-12Noon, now located at Pali Lanes in the heart of downtown Kailua. Peruse local farms, food artisans, locally made art and much more under the shade of beautiful monkeypod trees to the sound of live music. Nestled right in the middle of downtown Kailua with plenty of public parking, this farmers market is a necessary stop on your Sunday shopping trip. Get the best fresh, local produce, green smoothies, locally-caught fish, meats, sourdough bread, brickoven sourdough pizza, Hawaiian honey slushies, monkeypod cutting boards, woodwork, clothing, glass art and MORE!
8. Lanikai Brewing Company
9. Grace In Growlers
10. Maunawili Falls
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 226 reviews
Reviewed By aparnac2013
We started our hike to the Maunawili Falls around 10:00 AM. The hike itself is not bad, but we got lucky as there was no rain that day or a few days prior. I can only imagine how difficult this can get if it has been raining though. I would totally skip this trail if it has been raining to be honest. The entire can get very muddy and mushy and you will probably be covered in mud by the time you are done. Another recommendation, get bug spray or put on at least a few layers before you get on the hike!!! We forgot, my husband and kid were (10) just find, but I have never been buttin with so many mosquito/bugs ever in my life!! Now to the best part - the waterfall! It is absolutely gorgeous. There were a lot of people swimming in the water fall and jumping off the cliffs when we were there. It can get pretty crowded so be careful if you are jumping off the cliffs, to make sure you avoid accidents.
