Alexis's Guidebook
Paddle or kayak to the Mokulua Islands or “da Mokes” off Kailua Beach
I recommend a double kayak for two - it’s further away than it looks!
21 locals recommend
Mokulua Islands State Seabird Sanctuary
I recommend a double kayak for two - it’s further away than it looks!
Sightseeing
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, USS Bowfin Submarine and the excellent Pearl Harbor museum.
97 locals recommend
Pearl Harbor
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, USS Bowfin Submarine and the excellent Pearl Harbor museum.
Sacred to Hawaiians of old, Kawai Nui Marsh sprawls over 800 acres and is considered the largest remaining emergent wetland in Hawaii. The marsh is home to four of the state’s endemic and endangered waterbirds, including the koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck) and nene (Hawaiian goose), and important cultural resources such as an ancient loi (terraced taro field) and Hawaiian fishpond. There’s a popular 3-mile walking path that meanders through the protected wetland that starts at Kawai Nui Neighborhood Park. 704 Kaha St.
10 locals recommend
Kawainui Neighborhood Park
704 Kaha StSacred to Hawaiians of old, Kawai Nui Marsh sprawls over 800 acres and is considered the largest remaining emergent wetland in Hawaii. The marsh is home to four of the state’s endemic and endangered waterbirds, including the koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck) and nene (Hawaiian goose), and important cultural resources such as an ancient loi (terraced taro field) and Hawaiian fishpond. There’s a popular 3-mile walking path that meanders through the protected wetland that starts at Kawai Nui Neighborhood Park. 704 Kaha St.
Film Tours, Zipline, ATV Raptor Tours, Horseback Riding, Kayaking
Incredible private nature reserve that has been the scene for a multitude of Hollywood movies and television shows. Loads of activities for all tastes.
Kualoa Ranch
49-560 Kamehameha HwyFood scene
Great for drinks & “pupus” , lunch or dinner, buzzy atmosphere.
16 locals recommend
Maui Brewing Co. Kailua
573 Kailua RdGreat for drinks & “pupus” , lunch or dinner, buzzy atmosphere.
Local Hawaiian laid back spot, great poke & fish (tempura ahi bites are a must) live music most nights.
44 locals recommend
Nico's Kailua
970 N Kalaheo AveLocal Hawaiian laid back spot, great poke & fish (tempura ahi bites are a must) live music most nights.
Close to beach near Lanikai, great Mai Tais, Tiki torches atnight, sit on the outside Lanai if you can- delicious kiawe wood grilled fish & steak. Little pricey.
136 locals recommend
Buzz's Steakhouse
413 Kawailoa RdClose to beach near Lanikai, great Mai Tais, Tiki torches atnight, sit on the outside Lanai if you can- delicious kiawe wood grilled fish & steak. Little pricey.
Over Easy
418 Kuulei RdElevated food at this local breakfast/brunch spot - go early!
Kailua Favorite for 35 years...famous for red velvet or guava chiffon pancakes topped with haupia (coconut) syrup. Lunch as well.
84 locals recommend
Cinnamon's
315 Uluniu StKailua Favorite for 35 years...famous for red velvet or guava chiffon pancakes topped with haupia (coconut) syrup. Lunch as well.
GOEN Dining + Bar
573 Kailua RdPeople come here for the views and the prime rib! Picturesque setting. Happy hour.
114 locals recommend
Haleiwa Joe's Haiku Gardens
46-336 Haiku RdPeople come here for the views and the prime rib! Picturesque setting. Happy hour.
When Whole Foods Market opened in the Kailua Town Center in 2012, it quickly became the community hub. Everyone shops here, from longtime residents grabbing groceries on the way home to visitors stocking up on essentials for the weekend. While the market boasts a variety of local products—from Maui grass-fed beef to local eggs from Oahu—one of its most popular items isn’t food at all. The $19.99 organic cotton totes emblazoned with Kailua or Lanikai—in a rainbow of colors including turquoise, red, olive and navy—make great keepsakes.
370 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
629 Kailua RdWhen Whole Foods Market opened in the Kailua Town Center in 2012, it quickly became the community hub. Everyone shops here, from longtime residents grabbing groceries on the way home to visitors stocking up on essentials for the weekend. While the market boasts a variety of local products—from Maui grass-fed beef to local eggs from Oahu—one of its most popular items isn’t food at all. The $19.99 organic cotton totes emblazoned with Kailua or Lanikai—in a rainbow of colors including turquoise, red, olive and navy—make great keepsakes.
Great burritos & bowls - very casual, bar with live music some nights - the pulled pork Nachos are highly recommended.
10 locals recommend
Bowles Burritos
270 Kuulei RdGreat burritos & bowls - very casual, bar with live music some nights - the pulled pork Nachos are highly recommended.
Hawaiian Asian fusion, Fresh, local, lots of fish, featured on Food Network- Triple D with Guy Fieri.
46 locals recommend
Uahi Island Grill
33 Aulike StHawaiian Asian fusion, Fresh, local, lots of fish, featured on Food Network- Triple D with Guy Fieri.
Hibachi
515 Kailua Rd
Hibachi
515 Kailua RdMarket selling an amazing choice of poke - perfect after the beach.
Hiking
Easy hike with great views of Windward Oahu. Best spot for whale watching Jan-April.
Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail
Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse TrailBeautiful fairly easy hike to falls at the end. Great for those Instagram shots. Park on residential street. Not super busy.
8 locals recommend
Hamama Falls
Beautiful fairly easy hike to falls at the end. Great for those Instagram shots. Park on residential street. Not super busy.
You can drive and park in Lanikai (be aware of no parking signs....wear swimsuit underneath and walk straight out to Lanikai beach to swim after hiking.
178 locals recommend
Pillbox Hike
265 Kaelepulu DrYou can drive and park in Lanikai (be aware of no parking signs....wear swimsuit underneath and walk straight out to Lanikai beach to swim after hiking.
Local Spots in Kailua
Thursday 5.00 - 7.30pm near Whole Foods /Longs Parking lot.
Sunday morning market 8am - noon
Kailua Farmers Market
609 Kailua RdSkip the hassle of finding parking in Kailua and rent a bike instead. The Bike Shop has a range of cruisers, mountain bikes and road bikes for rent, complete with helmets and bike locks. Electra cruisers—the most popular bikes—start at $15 for up to four hours. You can book online and pick up at the shop. Kailua’s main streets have bike lanes and you can only ride on sidewalks in residential areas. 767 Kailua Road, (808) 261-1553, bikeshophawaii.com
8 locals recommend
The Bike Shop - Kailua
767 Kailua RdSkip the hassle of finding parking in Kailua and rent a bike instead. The Bike Shop has a range of cruisers, mountain bikes and road bikes for rent, complete with helmets and bike locks. Electra cruisers—the most popular bikes—start at $15 for up to four hours. You can book online and pick up at the shop. Kailua’s main streets have bike lanes and you can only ride on sidewalks in residential areas. 767 Kailua Road, (808) 261-1553, bikeshophawaii.com
Swing by BookEnds to buy one of its beach books for under $5. The new and used bookstore has an incredible array of reads on Hawaiian history and culture as well. The expansive shelves and unique finds make this spot a book-lover’s paradise. 600 Kailua Road #126, (808) 261-1996
6 locals recommend
BookEnds
600 Kailua RdSwing by BookEnds to buy one of its beach books for under $5. The new and used bookstore has an incredible array of reads on Hawaiian history and culture as well. The expansive shelves and unique finds make this spot a book-lover’s paradise. 600 Kailua Road #126, (808) 261-1996
A short walk from Kailua Beach, shave ice shop Island Snow (its original location) is the perfect place to cool off after catching too much sun. President Obama would agree; he’s a fan of the cherry, lemon-lime and melona combo. Or choose from the shop’s all-natural Hawaii-made flavors like Makaha mango and jaboticaba, which tastes like a cross between a blueberry and a Concord grape.
61 locals recommend
Island Snow Hawaii
130 Kailua RdA short walk from Kailua Beach, shave ice shop Island Snow (its original location) is the perfect place to cool off after catching too much sun. President Obama would agree; he’s a fan of the cherry, lemon-lime and melona combo. Or choose from the shop’s all-natural Hawaii-made flavors like Makaha mango and jaboticaba, which tastes like a cross between a blueberry and a Concord grape.
Twin Islands is a shop with a story. Twin brothers Mike and Peter Miller grew up in Lanikai and surfed the breaks off the Mokulua Islands. After high school, both surfed professionally before becoming pilots (like their dad). In 2006, Peter died in an airplane crash. Three years after that, to the day, Mike started Twin Islands in his honor, creating a logo that depicts the Mokulua Islands they loved so much with an iwa (great frigate bird) flying overhead. “That’s my brother,” Mike says. The shop sells a range of apparel with this design, from board shorts to hoodies. “This logo represents a beautiful place,” he adds, “and that’s why people love it.”
Twin Islands
131 Hekili StTwin Islands is a shop with a story. Twin brothers Mike and Peter Miller grew up in Lanikai and surfed the breaks off the Mokulua Islands. After high school, both surfed professionally before becoming pilots (like their dad). In 2006, Peter died in an airplane crash. Three years after that, to the day, Mike started Twin Islands in his honor, creating a logo that depicts the Mokulua Islands they loved so much with an iwa (great frigate bird) flying overhead. “That’s my brother,” Mike says. The shop sells a range of apparel with this design, from board shorts to hoodies. “This logo represents a beautiful place,” he adds, “and that’s why people love it.”
SoHa Living Kailua
539 Kailua RdBeautiful Tropical Island lifestyle home goods store.
The iconic Kalapawai Market, the original green store, is located right next to Kailua Beach and sells locally made sundries such as Island Bee Honey, Hawaii Cookie Kitchen cookies and Manoa Chocolate, as well as beach gear, snorkeling masks and reef-safe sunscreen. Kalapawai Café & Deli, in the heart of Kailua, is known for its sandwiches and housemade lilikoi bars and cookies. If you’re in town early, grab one of its vegan muffins, which sell out early in the morning.
70 locals recommend
Kalapawai Historic Market
306 S Kalaheo AveThe iconic Kalapawai Market, the original green store, is located right next to Kailua Beach and sells locally made sundries such as Island Bee Honey, Hawaii Cookie Kitchen cookies and Manoa Chocolate, as well as beach gear, snorkeling masks and reef-safe sunscreen. Kalapawai Café & Deli, in the heart of Kailua, is known for its sandwiches and housemade lilikoi bars and cookies. If you’re in town early, grab one of its vegan muffins, which sell out early in the morning.