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Kailua town
Kailua sits on the windward coast of Oahu, about 12 miles northeast of Honolulu across the Nuuanu Pali. The 2020 census counted 40,514 residents.
History
Before Honolulu, Kailua was a royal seat: Oahu's rulers lived here instead of Waikiki under King Kakuhihewa and his successors. After Kamehameha's victory at the Battle of Nuuanu in 1795, political power moved to Honolulu. The Ulupo Heiau State Historic Site, a temple platform, is a reminder of that period.
What people come for
| Place | What to know |
|---|---|
| Kailua Beach | crescent-shaped, about 2.5 miles long and 50 to 150 feet wide |
| Lanikai Beach | formerly Kaohao; has been ranked among the world's top beaches |
| Kawainui Marsh | the largest wetland in Hawaii |
| Ulupo Heiau | state historic site at the edge of the marsh |
Kailua also became known as President Obama's holiday spot: he vacationed there from 2008 to 2012.
A town that pushes back
Tourism drives the economy, but residents have repeatedly pushed for limits. In 2022 Honolulu's Bill 41 set a 90-day minimum for short-term rentals and required booking platforms to report listings. The same instinct showed up in 2010, when the neighbourhood board questioned the Target plans over traffic and small businesses (see store history).
- Kailua, Honolulu County, Hawaii, Wikipedia
- Target keeps plans quiet, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 10 February 2010