A Local's Guide

Kailua, Oʻahu

Two and a half miles of sand, a marsh full of birds, and a town best explored on foot. Here's where to spend a day — what to do, where to eat, and where to shop, kept to the places actually worth your time.

Good to know

Before you head out

It's a residential town

Kailua and Lanikai are quiet neighborhoods, not resort zones — keep beach access points and noise in mind, especially early morning and around Lanikai's narrow streets.

Parking fills up early

Lanikai and Kailua Beach Park both have limited street and lot parking. Arrive before 9am on weekends, or bike/walk in from town.

Getting here by bus

No car? TheBus routes 66 and 67 both reach Kailua. Route 67 runs via the Pali Highway straight from Ala Moana Center into Kailua and on to Waimanalo; Route 66 comes from Downtown by way of Kāneʻohe, ending nearby in Aikahi. Both run frequently, all day, every day. From Kailua Town, Route 671 continues on to Lanikai, running daily from early morning into the evening.

Markets rotate by day

Kailua Town Farmers Market runs Thursday evenings; Lōkahi Kailua Market and Kailua Farmlovers Market run Sunday mornings; Koʻolau Sunset Market runs Saturdays. Worth timing a visit around one.