Honolulu metro, HI relocation guide
Moving to Kailua, HI
$1,689,000Median list
Honolulu metro, HIArea
Commuter-friendlyCommute profile
About Kailua
Kailua is a windward (east-side) beach town on Oʻahu and one of the island's residential communities — a census-designated place (2020 population 40,514) known for Kailua Beach and neighboring Lanikai, a walkable town center with Whole Foods-era dining and boutiques, and a strict no-large-hotel, residential character. Housing is mostly single-family homes, many beachfront or near-beach, at the island's highest price levels. Kailua sits at the foot of the Koʻolau mountains, reached from Honolulu via the Pali Highway or H-3.
Home prices in Kailua
The median list in Kailua is $1,689,000.
Top places in Kailua
- Kailua Beach Park — long white-sand beach, windsurfing and kayaking launch (shown in the Commons photo below).
- Lanikai Beach — repeatedly ranked among the world's best beaches, with the Mokulua Islands offshore (shown in the Commons photo below).
- Kailua town center — boutiques, cafés, and farmers' markets along Kailua Road.
- Lanikai Pillbox hike (Kaʻiwa Ridge) — sunrise views over Lanikai and the Mokuluas.
- Kawainui-Hāmākua Marsh — the state's largest freshwater wetland, with walking paths.
Commuting from Kailua
- Approximate drive to downtown Honolulu: 20–30 minutes off-peak (Rome2Rio: ~22 min; TravelMath: ~28 min; read September 24, 2026), via Pali Hwy (Route 61) or H-3; longer in peak periods.
- TheBus express routes connect Kailua town to downtown/Waikīkī in roughly 30+ minutes.
Kailua FAQs
- What is the housing market like in Kailua, HI?
The median list in Kailua is $1,689,000. Median listing price · Sep 2026 - How is the commute from Kailua, HI?
Approximate drive to downtown Honolulu: 20–30 minutes off-peak (Rome2Rio: ~22 min; TravelMath: ~28 min; read September 24, 2026), via Pali Hwy (Route 61) or H-3; longer in peak periods.
Town links
Schools
Official town resources. School report cards via the National Center for Education Statistics.