Beaches you'll actually use
Kailua Beach Park and Lanikai are regularly ranked among the best beaches in the country. Calm turquoise water, kayak trips to the Mokulua islands, and plenty of room for kids.
Oʻahu neighborhood guide · Windward Oʻahu
Living in Kailua
World-famous beaches, a walkable small-town center, and a slower windward pace, about 25 minutes from downtown Honolulu. Here's our honest take on what life in Kailua is really like.
What it's like to live in Kailua
Kailua sits on the windward side of the Koʻolau mountains, so it's a little greener, breezier, and rainier than town. Life here revolves around the water: morning paddles at Kailua Beach, sunset walks in Lanikai, and weekend errands in Kailua Town. It's one of Oʻahu's most sought-after places to live, and home prices reflect that.
- Side of the island
- Windward (east) Oʻahu
- Vibe
- Beach town, active, family-friendly
- Home types
- Mostly single-family homes, few condos
- Typical prices
- Roughly $1.2M–$2.5M+ for houses
- Nearest base
- MCB Hawaiʻi Kāneʻohe Bay, about 15 min
- To downtown
- About 25 min off-peak via the Pali
Kailua at a glance
What people love about Kailua
A real town center
Kailua Town is walkable, with local coffee shops, restaurants, Whole Foods, Target, Foodland, and a weekly farmers market.
Trails and green space
Hike the Lanikai Pillbox and Maunawili trails, bird-watch at Kawainui Marsh, or bike the path between Kailua and Kāneʻohe.
Close to the base
MCB Hawaiʻi Kāneʻohe Bay is just up the road, which makes Kailua a favorite for Marine Corps and Navy families.
Homes and prices in Kailua
General ranges to help you plan. Every home is different, so we'll pull exact, up-to-date numbers for the homes you like.
| Home type | Typical range | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family homes | Roughly $1.2M–$2.5M | Higher near the beach. Lanikai and beachfront homes often sell for several million. |
| Townhomes and condos | Roughly $500K–$900K | Very limited supply, so good ones move fast. |
| Land tenure | Mostly fee simple | You'll usually own the land, but we check every listing for leasehold. |
Approximate ranges as of fall 2026. Prices change often. See today's Kailua listings
Getting around from Kailua
Typical drive times. Rush hour on Oʻahu can add a lot, so we'll test-drive your commute with you.
| To | Typical drive | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Honolulu | About 25 min off-peak, 40+ min at rush hour | Pali Highway |
| MCB Hawaiʻi Kāneʻohe Bay | About 15 min | Kaneohe Bay Drive / H-3 |
| Pearl Harbor-Hickam | About 30–40 min | H-3 Freeway |
| Ala Moana Center | About 30 min off-peak | Pali Highway |
Military move? See which neighborhoods fit every base in our PCS to Oʻahu guide.
Schools in Kailua
Public schools serving Kailua include Kailua High, Kalāheo High, Kailua Intermediate, and elementary schools such as Aikahi, Kainalu, Enchanted Lake, and Maunawili. Le Jardin Academy is a popular private PreK–12 school in Kailua.
School boundaries can change, so always confirm the assigned school for a specific address with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education.
Who Kailua is great for
Beach lovers
If you want to live minutes from world-class water, this is it.
Families
Parks, beaches, good schools, and a strong community feel.
Marine Corps and Navy families
A short drive to MCB Hawaiʻi Kāneʻohe Bay, with beach-town living right outside the gate.
Neighborhoods within Kailua
Lanikai
Iconic beach, quiet streets, and some of Oʻahu's most expensive homes.
Enchanted Lake
Family neighborhood around a lake, close to shopping.
Aikahi and Kalāheo Hillside
Near the base gate and Kailua Beach, with mid-century homes and ocean views.
Coconut Grove
Flat, walkable streets close to Kailua Town and the beach.
Maunawili
Lush and rural, tucked against the mountains with bigger lots.
Search homes for sale in Kailua
Live MLS listings, updated daily. Kailua is already selected; adjust price, beds, and baths and hit search.
Kailua FAQ
Is Kailua a good place to live?
For many people, yes. Kailua offers some of the best beaches on Oʻahu, a walkable town center, good schools, and a strong community feel. The trade-offs are higher home prices, more rain than the leeward side, and a commute over the Pali to town.
How much does a house cost in Kailua?
Single-family homes in Kailua generally sell from roughly $1.2 million to $2.5 million, with Lanikai and beachfront homes going much higher. Condos and townhomes are limited and usually range from about $500,000 to $900,000. Prices change often, so check current listings for today's numbers.
How long is the commute from Kailua to Honolulu?
About 25 minutes off-peak over the Pali Highway, and often 40 minutes or more at rush hour.
Is Kailua close to a military base?
Yes. Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi at Kāneʻohe Bay is about 15 minutes from most of Kailua, which makes it popular with Marine Corps and Navy families.
What's the difference between Kailua and Lanikai?
Lanikai is a small beachfront neighborhood within Kailua. It's quieter, has limited parking and no stores, and its homes are among the most expensive on the island.
Thinking about Kailua?
Let's chat. We'll share what the listings don't tell you and help you find the right street, not just the right house.