Guidebook for Kailua
Food Scene
This is the closest "nice" restaurant to walk to from our place. We love the famous fish curry, but everything else on the menu is awesome too. Happy hour drink specials enjoyed on their outdoor seating is a great way to close out a day exploring.
46 locals recommend
Uahi Island Grill
33 Aulike StThis is the closest "nice" restaurant to walk to from our place. We love the famous fish curry, but everything else on the menu is awesome too. Happy hour drink specials enjoyed on their outdoor seating is a great way to close out a day exploring.
Our favorite spot to pick-up poke, snacks, and drinks before the beach. Be sure to ask for samples on the poke so you know you'll love your picnic treat.
58 locals recommend
Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquors
3496 Waialae AveOur favorite spot to pick-up poke, snacks, and drinks before the beach. Be sure to ask for samples on the poke so you know you'll love your picnic treat.
You do NOT need to be vegan to love this vegan cafe! Best banana-based soft-serve "ice cream," creative lunches, zen outdoor seating or take your food down the block to the wild and wonderful Waimanalo beach.
39 locals recommend
'Ai Love Nalo
41-1025 Kalanianaʻole HwyYou do NOT need to be vegan to love this vegan cafe! Best banana-based soft-serve "ice cream," creative lunches, zen outdoor seating or take your food down the block to the wild and wonderful Waimanalo beach.
This longtime bakery is run by a darling elderly couple who take pride in their delicious baked good and helpful service. Nothing here is particularly healthy, so give in to temptation and indulge in anything that looks tasty (and that's pretty much everything).
Nene Goose Bakery
1090 Keolu DrThis longtime bakery is run by a darling elderly couple who take pride in their delicious baked good and helpful service. Nothing here is particularly healthy, so give in to temptation and indulge in anything that looks tasty (and that's pretty much everything).
You really can't go wrong at any of the breakfast places in Kailua, but this is my sentimental favorite. Crepes are my happy food and the service is always so friendly.
29 locals recommend
Crepes No Ka Oi
143 Hekili StYou really can't go wrong at any of the breakfast places in Kailua, but this is my sentimental favorite. Crepes are my happy food and the service is always so friendly.
Parks & Nature
Maybe without even realizing it, you've already seen this beach. It is an iconic image of Hawaii beauty and the reality does not disappoint. The softest sand, the bluest water, the loveliest vibe. Just know that parking is tough, it has no restroom/shower facilities, and no food is available close-by.
276 locals recommend
Lanikai Beach
Maybe without even realizing it, you've already seen this beach. It is an iconic image of Hawaii beauty and the reality does not disappoint. The softest sand, the bluest water, the loveliest vibe. Just know that parking is tough, it has no restroom/shower facilities, and no food is available close-by.
This is a closest beach park to our place (a beach access to left is even a little closer if walking, directly across from Kapaa St). Our favorite is to turn right and walk along the beach until we reach Kailua Beach Park, and then stop at Kalapawai Market for coffee/lunch/snacks. All that walking is a good excuse to indulge in treats.
39 locals recommend
Kalama Beach Park
248 N Kalaheo AveThis is a closest beach park to our place (a beach access to left is even a little closer if walking, directly across from Kapaa St). Our favorite is to turn right and walk along the beach until we reach Kailua Beach Park, and then stop at Kalapawai Market for coffee/lunch/snacks. All that walking is a good excuse to indulge in treats.
Fun, quick hike that is steep and can be muddy. Great way to start or end the day with the most beautiful views. If the first pillbox is overrun with people, you can hike further to a second pillbox for more tranquility. Be careful to find legal parking and pack-out all your rubbish.
178 locals recommend
Pillbox Hike
265 Kaelepulu DrFun, quick hike that is steep and can be muddy. Great way to start or end the day with the most beautiful views. If the first pillbox is overrun with people, you can hike further to a second pillbox for more tranquility. Be careful to find legal parking and pack-out all your rubbish.
This is rare-to-find and very popular paved trail. The views all along the trail are great. You can get off the paved trail to reach some swimming hole sized tide pools if you are feeling adventurous.
261 locals recommend
Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail
Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse TrailThis is rare-to-find and very popular paved trail. The views all along the trail are great. You can get off the paved trail to reach some swimming hole sized tide pools if you are feeling adventurous.
A state park all about snorkeling? That's my kind of park! Yes, it's crowed, you have to pay, and you have to watch a video before the steep walk down (unless you take their trolley), but I think it's totally worth it. You are pretty much guaranteed to see gorgeous aquatic life even if you have no snorkeling experience. Go early before the parking lot reaches capacity.
52 locals recommend
Hanauma Bay Nature Park station
A state park all about snorkeling? That's my kind of park! Yes, it's crowed, you have to pay, and you have to watch a video before the steep walk down (unless you take their trolley), but I think it's totally worth it. You are pretty much guaranteed to see gorgeous aquatic life even if you have no snorkeling experience. Go early before the parking lot reaches capacity.
Essentials
This is the grocery store we shop at the most, followed by Target and Whole Foods, depending on our needs. Foodland wins out because of it's excellent deli, fresh & local produce, and good customer service. You could eat exclusively from their deli during a week's stay and eat sometime new and yummy every day.
63 locals recommend
Foodland
108 Hekili StThis is the grocery store we shop at the most, followed by Target and Whole Foods, depending on our needs. Foodland wins out because of it's excellent deli, fresh & local produce, and good customer service. You could eat exclusively from their deli during a week's stay and eat sometime new and yummy every day.
Arts & Culture
One of my all-time favorite places, and it's a "three in one" opportunity. The tour starts at the Honolulu Museum of Art to explore before or after your tour of Doris Duke's dreamy Shangri La. Plus, it features a high-end lunch cafe and coffee bar. If you go, this will probably be your fanciest day on island!
67 locals recommend
Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design
4055 Pāpū CirOne of my all-time favorite places, and it's a "three in one" opportunity. The tour starts at the Honolulu Museum of Art to explore before or after your tour of Doris Duke's dreamy Shangri La. Plus, it features a high-end lunch cafe and coffee bar. If you go, this will probably be your fanciest day on island!