On the windward side of Oahu, lies the relaxed community of Kailua. Surrounded by the breathtaking Ko‘olau Mountain Range to the west and glistening waters with silky-soft sandy beaches to the east, Kailua is known for its natural beauty and outdoor activities. Kailua also boasts a variety of shops, schools, medical facilities, and restaurants, including Target and Whole Foods, along with farmers’ markets and community events. And, Kailua is a great destination to enjoy fun times with kids.
Did you know Kailua is rated as having the best beaches in the world – and they are kid-friendly, too? In 2019, Kailua Beach was named the best beach in the United States by “Dr. Beach,” Dr. Stephen P. Letherman. The beach guru cited qualities like Kailua’s white sands, small waves, and amenities that include picnic tables, restrooms, and showers.
What Is The History Of Kailua?
Before you embark on an adventure to Kailua, share with your kids (in an age-appropriate manner) a little about the history of the community.
Here are some fun facts to include in your conversations:
- Kailua means “two seas” or “two currents” in Hawaiian, alluding to the two lagoons in the area – Kaelepulu and Kawinui – or the two currents that run through Kailua Bay.
- Hawaiians settled in Kailua as early as 500 A.D., communally enjoying the rich irrigated lands, the freshwater ponds, the cool windward breezes, and the plentiful food provided by pristine Kailua Bay.
- In 1795, King Kamehameha I fought his famous Battle of Nu‘uanu on the Pali cliffs to unite the Hawaiian Islands, after which he granted Kailua lands to warriors and chiefs. The rich soil was used to cultivate an abundance of agriculture – from taro to bananas to sweet potatoes.
- After the Great Mahele and Kuleana Act of 1850, lands were divided and distributed for sale and lease. Soon taro fields turned to rice paddies, and Chinese immigrant workers came to Kailua to work the land and establish businesses. Around the turn of the 20th century, the land would once again transform; this time the Castle family’s Kaneohe Ranch cattle grazed the windward side. The Castle family held an estimated 80 percent of the property in Kailua by the time World War II broke out.
- In 1942, Kaneohe Ranch closed, leading to the establishment of many of the Kailua residences and businesses seen today.
- After the completion of the Pali Highway in 1961, even more people decided to call Kailua home, creating a close-knit community filled with an abundance of amenities.
