KAILUA, HI

Kailua () is a census-designated place (CDP) in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States. It lies in the Koolaupoko District of the island of Oahu on the windward coast at Kailua Bay. It is in the judicial district and the ahupua'a named Ko'olaupoko. It is northeast of Honolulu – over Nu‘uanu Pali.

In the Hawaiian language Kailua means "two seas" or "two currents", a contraction of the words kai (meaning "sea" or "sea water") and elua (meaning "two"); it is so named because of the two former fishponds in the district (Kawainui and Kaelepulu) or the two currents which run through Kailua Bay.

Kailua is primarily a residential community, with a centralized commercial district along Kailua Road. The population was 50,000 in 1992. In 2017 census, the population had dropped to 38,000. The population was 40,514 at the 2020 census.

Places of note in Kailua include Kailua Beach Park, Kaōhao or Lanikai Beach, Kawainui Marsh, Maunawili Falls, and Marine Corps Base Hawaii. It was home to Barack Obama’s winter White House.

History

Early history

During the reign of King Kākuhihewa and his successors, Kanekapu, Kahoowaha, Kauakahiakahoowaha, and Kualiʻi, Kailua replaced Waikiki as the residential seat of the Oʻahu Rulers (aliʻi nui of Oʻahu). Many ancient temple ruins, such as those at Ulupo Heiau State Historic Site, are in the area.

Beach

Kailua Beach is crescent-shaped, about long, and ranging between wide. The ocean bottom fronting the beach slopes gently and beautifully to overhead depths without any coral heads. Light to medium waves support surfing and bodysurfing. The steady trade winds make Kailua Beach a top windsurfing and kitesurfing destination. Robby Naish, first World Champion of windsurfing and Professional Windsurfers Association Hall of Fame inductee, grew up in Kailua.

Sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding to the protected seabird sanctuaries Flat Island and the Nā Mokulua, popularly known as "the Mokes", have become increasingly popular water activities at the beach.

Geography

thumb|upright=1|Kailua Bay

Kailua is located at (21.397370, −157.739515). Nearby towns include Kāneohe, Maunawili, and Waimānalo.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of . of it is land, and of it (26.62%) is water. A significant portion of this water area is Kawainui Marsh, the largest wetland in the Hawaiian Islands and a Ramsar Convention site.

Kaʻōhao/Lanikai

thumb|The Hawaiian voyaging canoe, Hokulea, arrives off Kailua Beach

Kaʻōhao () is the earliest known Hawaiian name for the place known as "Lanikai." Kaʻōhao means "the tying" and is derived from an old story in which "two women were tied together here with a loincloth after being beaten in a kōnane game". Kaʻōhao was commercially developed in the 1920s and renamed "Lanikai." It is now an unincorporated community in Kailua on the windward coast at Kailua Bay. Lanikai Beach was rated as one of the top ten beaches in the world by Sherman's Travel Magazine. The area is known for its white powder-like sandy beach and its hiking trail along the Kaiwa Ridge to the World War II military bunkers commonly known as the "Lanikai Pillboxes". Because of its small community and easy access to its famous beach, Lanikai has one of the most expensive real estate markets in Hawaii. It is served by Kailua's zip code, 96734.

Climate

Climate

Kailua has a tropical rainforest climate.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 36,513 people, 12,229 households, and 9,318 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 5,495.8 people per square mile (2,123.2/km²). There were 12,780 housing units, at an average density of 1,923.6 per square mile (743.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 43.84% White, 0.76% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 21.11% Asian, 8.07% Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races, and 24.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.10% of the population.

There were 12,229 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 16.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98, and the average family size was 3.33.

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $72,784, and the median income for a family was $79,118. Males had a median income of $46,789, versus $35,612 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $29,299. About 3.3% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under the age of 18 and 1.5% of those 65 and older.

Government and infrastructure

The Honolulu Police Department operates the Kailua Substation in Kailua. The United States Postal Service operates the Kailua Post Office.

The Hawaii Department of Public Safety operates the Women's Community Correctional Center; it was defined in the Maunawili CDP as of the 2000 U.S. Census, but was redefined as being in the Kailua CDP as of the 2010 U.S. Census. NBC News stated that the prison was in Kailua.

The Hawaii Department of Human Services operates the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF), which was defined as Maunawili by the Census Bureau in 2000, and as Kailua by the same organization in 2010. The United States Department of Justice also stated the facility was in Kailua.

Winter White House

Barack Obama has taken winter vacations in 2008 & 2009 in Kailua and in the rented, ocean-front house Plantation Estate in the Paradise Point Estates in 2010, 2011 & 2012. The house was built by developer Harold Kainalu Long Castle, who also lived there. Obama also took a vacation break in August 2008 at a different Kailua house, Oahu Lani, during the 2008 United States presidential election.

Controversy

The arrival of Obama as well as various social media and travel sites have contributed to Kailua becoming overrun by tourists looking to get out of Waikiki.

Education

Public schools

The Hawai'i Department of Education operates the public schools.

Elementary schools in the CDP include Aikahi, Enchanted Lake, Kaelepulu, Kailua, Kainalu, Keolu, and Maunawili. Kailua Intermediate School, Kalaheo High School, and Kailua High School are also in the CDP. Kailua High and Maunawili Elementary were defined as being in the Maunawili CDP as of the 2000 Census, but in Kailua CDP as of the 2010 Census.

Kaōhao Public Charter School was previously known as Lanikai Elementary Public Charter School and opened in 1964. It became a charter school in 1996, and it received its current name in 2017.

Mokapu Elementary School is on the nearby Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), outside of the CDP but with a Kailua address.

Area private schools

Catholic schools of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu:

Others:

Films

Movies and TV shows that have been filmed in Kailua include:

#Hawaii Five-O (1968): "King of the Hill" – TV episode

#Waikiki (1980) (TV)

#Mädchengeschichten (1998): Shea – "Surfer girl" – TV episode

#Lost (2004–10) – TV episodes

#Magnum, P.I. (1980–88) – TV episodes

#Hawaii Five-0 (2010)- TV episodes

Community

Kailua hosts various events throughout the year, from block parties to fireworks.

Notable people

Gallery