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Hawaii, United States

Kailua & Lanikai

A slow Jan 1 on the windward side, with calm turquoise water, a ridge hike and an old beach steakhouse. We have mapped 1 sight, 3 outdoor spots and 1 place to eat here, each with a reason to go.

Plan Kailua & Lanikai with friendsBrowse 6 places
Kailua & Lanikai, Hawaii, United States
Places
6

1 See · 3 Outdoors · 1 Eat · 1 Shop

Curated routes
1

Honolulu New Year's Eve

Best season
Dec 30 – Jan 1

from our route notes

Warmest month
September

27°C / 81°F avg high

Coolest month
February

24°C / 75°F avg high

Wettest month
March

about 77 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Kailua & Lanikai

6 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

1 sight worth building a day around in Nuuanu.

  • Nuuanu Pali Lookout in Kailua & LanikaiPhoto: Lukas · CC BY 2.0
    See

    Nuuanu Pali Lookout

    Windy lookout at the top of the Pali Highway with a view of the green Koolau cliffs and the windward coast.

    Tip Stop on the drive over to Kailua; it is often windy and cool.

    • Nuuanu
    • $
    • 30 min
    • Morning Jan 1

Outdoors

3 outdoor spots for fresh air across Kailua and Lanikai. All 3 are free to visit.

  • Kailua Beach Park in Kailua & LanikaiPhoto: Tony Webster · CC BY 2.0
    Outdoors

    Kailua Beach Park

    Long, soft-sand beach with calm water, a park with showers, and kayak rentals to the Mokulua islets.

    Tip Park here and walk to Lanikai, which has no public parking.

    • Kailua
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Midday Jan 1
  • Lanikai Beach in Kailua & LanikaiPhoto: claralieu · CC BY 2.0
    Outdoors

    Lanikai Beach

    Narrow strip of white sand in a residential neighborhood, facing the twin Mokulua islets.

    Tip Use the marked public beach paths between the houses.

    • Lanikai
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • Morning Jan 1
  • Lanikai Pillbox Trail in Kailua & LanikaiPhoto: Raita Futo · CC BY 2.0
    Outdoors

    Lanikai Pillbox Trail

    Short, steep climb up Kaiwa Ridge to old concrete bunkers with views over Lanikai and the islets.

    Tip Wear shoes with grip; the dirt trail gets slippery after rain.

    • Lanikai
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • Early morning Jan 1

Eat

Where we would book a table in Kailua & Lanikai in Kailua.

  • Eat

    Buzz's Original Steakhouse

    Wood-paneled steakhouse across from Kailua Beach since the 1960s, with a salad bar and grilled fish.

    Tip Go for an early dinner straight from the beach and book ahead.

    • Kailua
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Dinner Jan 1

Shop

Markets and shops worth the detour in Kailua.

  • Kalapawai Market in Kailua & LanikaiPhoto: Robert Linsdell · CC BY 2.0
    Shop

    Kalapawai Market

    Green general store at the beach road since 1932, now selling coffee, sandwiches and beach supplies.

    Tip Pick up sandwiches here on the way to the beach.

    • Kailua
    • $
    • 20 min
    • Morning Jan 1

How to fit Kailua & Lanikai into a trip

Kailua & Lanikai is stop 2 of 2 on our Honolulu New Year's Eve route. Follow it as-is or lift Kailua & Lanikai into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Kailua & Lanikai month by month

Average daily highs run from 24°C / 75°F in February to 27°C / 81°F in September. March is the wettest month, with about 77 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Kailua & Lanikai weather and the best time to visit →

Near Kailua & Lanikai

4 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.

Kailua & Lanikai questions, answered

How many days do you need in Kailua & Lanikai?

On our Honolulu New Year's Eve route it is stop 2 of 2 in a 3-day trip. Split evenly, that is about 2 days here, an estimate rather than a rule. The listed visit times for our 6 places add up to roughly 7 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Kailua & Lanikai best known for?

A slow Jan 1 on the windward side, with calm turquoise water, a ridge hike and an old beach steakhouse. Standouts on our list: Nuuanu Pali Lookout (Windy lookout at the top of the Pali Highway with a view of the green Koolau cliffs and the windward coast); Kailua Beach Park (Long, soft-sand beach with calm water, a park with showers, and kayak rentals to the Mokulua islets); Lanikai Beach (Narrow strip of white sand in a residential neighborhood, facing the twin Mokulua islets).

When is the best time to visit Kailua & Lanikai?

Our Honolulu New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in September (27°C / 81°F), the coolest in February (24°C / 75°F) and the most rain in March (about 77 mm).

What are the best things to do in Kailua & Lanikai?

Start with Nuuanu Pali Lookout, Kailua Beach Park, Lanikai Beach and Lanikai Pillbox Trail. Our guide lists 6 places in all, from 1 sight, 3 outdoor spots, 1 place to eat and 1 shop.

What is near Kailua & Lanikai?

The closest destinations in our guides are Waikiki (about 17 km / 11 mi), Oahu (about 29 km / 18 mi) and Maui (about 159 km / 99 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Kailua & Lanikai with your crew

Open the Honolulu New Year's Eve route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 6 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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