Kailua, Hawaii

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View across Kailua Beach to the offshore islet known as Moku nui, one of Nā Mokulua off Lanikai

Kailua is a beach town, located in the City & County of Honolulu, in the Koʻolaupoko District of Oʻahu on the windward coast at Kailua Bay.

It is in the judicial district and the ahupua'a named Ko'olaupoko. It is 12 miles northeast of Honolulu - over Nu'uanu Pali, the tallest mountain peak in the Ko'olau mountain range.

In the Hawaiian language Kailua means "two seas," or "two currents," a contraction of the words kai (meaning sea or sea water) and ʻelua (meaning two); it is so named because of the two lagoons in the district.

Kailua is primarily a residential community, with a centralized commercial district along Kailua Road. It has a compact, easy-to-shop business district surrounded by mostly single-family homes. By 1992 50,000 residents encompassed a central urban core with surrounding residential areas.[1]

Places of note in Kailua include Kailua Beach Park (photo at right), Lanikai Beach, Kawai Nui Marsh, and Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi.

1 History
- 1.1 Early history
- 1.2 20th century
2 Beach
3 Geography
4 Demographics
5 Film
6 Kailua Events
7 Miscellaneous
8 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Early history

It is possible that Kailua was home to Hawaiian families at least 1,500 years ago. The earliest settlers are thought to have lived, fished, and played on the slopes surrounding Kawainui Marsh. A report on archaeological excavations of the marshland concluded that when the marsh slopes were first occupied about 500 AD, agriculture was not possible.[2] Early Hawaiian occupants of Kailua apparently lived beside a lagoon or bay open to the sea, hundreds of yards shoreside of today's shoreline.

In the 16th century, Kailua attracted the ali'i. Many legends were born, including the menehune, who were known for working at night in Kaiwainui Marsh, and mo'o, who took the shape of a large lizard that attracted fish.

Kailua was densely populated before the arrival of Captain Cook, and was the ancient capital of O'ahu's kings. The biggest event in Kailua and the entire Windward side was in 1795 when King Kamehameha I conquered O'ahu in his quest to unite the Hawaiian Islands. The King granted Kaiwainui Marsh and old Kailua, which included large freshwater fish ponds and saltwater ponds at Mokapu, to warriors and chiefs who had helped him. The land was used in various forms for agriculture (e.g., sugarcane, rice, and taro), and eventually was used primarily for cattle raising. Many ancient temple ruins, including Ulu Po Heiau State Monument, are in the area.[3]

[edit] 20th century

Kailua was a sleepy town of barely 3,000 in the 1940s. However, the events of World War II changed the appearance of Kailua. Kaneohe Ranch sold portions of land to the government for expansion of the Navy base (now Marine Corps Base Hawaii) and the Army's Fort Hase. Finally, in 1942, Kaneohe Ranch closed down its cattle-raising operations entirely, freeing thousands of acres for post-war development. Harold K.L. Castle, owner of Kaneohe Ranch, donated the land for churches, schools, and a new hospital.

In 1946, a small Liberty House (now Macy's) shop opened with three employees and upgraded to a full-line department store in 1953, with nearly 50 employees. The first bowling alley, a branch office of the telephone company, and the very first supermarket in Hawaii opened in Kailua in 1947. A new 4-lane highway, tunneling through the Ko'olau Mountains, was completed in the late 1950s. By the end of the 1950s, Hawaii had become a state and Kailua became the official postal designation (previously known as Lanikai). By 1960 the population was up to 24,400. Castle Hospital (now Castle Medical Center) opened in 1963.

[edit] Beach

Kailua Beach has been repeatedly ranked among the best beaches worldwide. It was ranked as #1 U.S. beach in 1998 by coastal expert Dr. Stephen Leatherman, and then "retired" from subsequent consideration.

It is a crescent-shaped, about 2 miles in length and 50-150 feet wide. The ocean bottom fronting the beach slopes gently to overhead depths without any coral heads. Light to medium waves support surfing and body surfing.

The steady trade winds make Kailua Beach one of the world’s preeminent windsurfing and kite boarding destinations. Robbie Naish, regarded by most observers as the windsurfing's greatest champion, grew up at Kailua Beach.[4]

[edit] Geography

Kailua is located at 21°23'51" North, 157°44'22" West (21.397370, -157.739515)^GR1. Nearby towns include Kāneʻohe, Maunawili, and Waimānalo.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 24.7 km² (9.5 mi²) with 17.2 km² (6.6 mi²) of land and 7.5 km² (2.9 mi²) of water. Thus, total area is 30% water. A significant portion of this water area is Kawai Nui Marsh, the largest wetland in the Hawaiian Islands and a nominated Ramsar Convention site.

The Hawaiian voyaging canoe, Hokuleʻa, arrives off Kailua Beach

[edit] Demographics

As of the 2000 Census, there were 36,513 people (approximately as many as in nearby Kāneʻohe) and 9,318 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,123.2/km² (5,495.8/mi²). There were 12,780 housing units, at an average density of 743.1/km² (1,923.6/mi²). 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. 6.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino.

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 is 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. 5.4% of the population, and 3.3% of families, were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.3% of those under the age of 18 and 1.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

[edit] Film

Among movies and TV shows that have been filmed in Kailua are the following:

"Hawaii Five-O" (1968): King of the Hill -- TV Episode
Waikiki (1980) (TV)
When Time Ran Out...(1980) ...aka "Day the World Ended, The" and "Earth's Final Fury"
Apple (1995)
"Mädchengeschichten" (1998): Shea - Surfergirl -- TV Episode

[edit] Kailua Events

Kailua has various events throughout the year, from block parties to fireworks.[5]

[edit] Miscellaneous

The U.S. ZIP code for Kailua is 96734.

[edit] External links

Kailua ahupuaʻa - non-commercial community website
Kailua Beach Community Action Network - A non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining the cleanliness and beauty of Kailua's beaches and bay. A resource for residents of Kailua interested in local conditions and grassroots environmental activities. Members can post notices about local beach conditions, alert the community to environmental clean-up concerns, and organize clean-up efforts.
Kailua Beach information and Photographs.