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Kailua and Lanikai
Breakfast at Kalapawai, the beach, the pillboxes, shave ice and a steak by the sand.
9 placesA full dayRead the guide ↓
1. Kalapawai MarketCoffee and a sandwich from the green corner market.WindwardFood & drink20–30 minCoffee and sandwiches about $8–15
2. Lanikai Pillbox (Kaʻiwa Ridge)Climb at sunrise, before the heat.WindwardFree to visit1–1.5 hoursFree
3. Lanikai BeachSwim after the hike; walk in from Kailua.WindwardFree to visit2–3 hoursFree
4. Kailua Beach ParkLifeguards, kayaks and space to spread out.WindwardFree to visit2–4 hoursFree (park in the beach lot)
5. Kalama Beach ParkThe quieter end of the bay.WindwardFree to visit1–2 hoursFree (small lot)
6. Island Snow, KailuaShave ice after the beach.WindwardFood & drink15 minShave ice about $6–10
7. Ulupō HeiauA huge stone heiau above Kawainui Marsh.WindwardFree to visit20 minFree
8. Lanikai Brewing CompanyLocal beer with a Hawaiian twist.WindwardFood & drink1 hourPints about $8–10
9. Buzz’s Original Steak HouseA steak and a mai tai across the road from the beach, a Kailua fixture for decades.WindwardFood & drink1.5 hoursMains about $35–60
The guide
How to do it: Kailua and Lanikai
Kailua is a beach town 30 minutes from Waikīkī with one of the best beaches in the islands. Lanikai, next door, is a small residential neighbourhood with no parking and a beach everyone wants to photograph.
Treat it as one day: hike first, swim second, eat third.
- The order to do it in
- Coffee at Kalapawai, the Lanikai Pillbox at sunrise, a swim at Lanikai, the afternoon at Kailua Beach, shave ice, then Buzz’s for dinner.
- When to go
- Weekday mornings. Weekends and holidays are busy, and Lanikai bans street parking on holiday weekends.
- Getting there
- Drive over the Pali Highway and park at Kailua Beach Park; walk to Lanikai. TheBus #67 goes to Kailua town.
- What to bring
- Reef-safe sunscreen, water for the hike.
- What it costs
- Free beaches; budget $40–80 a person for food.
Worth knowing
- Don’t park in Lanikai’s bike lanes; tickets are certain.
- Kayak rentals for the Mokulua islands are in Kailua town; landing rules apply on the islands.
Started from the pins on Love Big Island’s day in Kailua. Places, notes and the guide checked and written by us; prices and opening times change, so check before you go.