Jaunted

The highlight of the windward side is the beach town of Kailua and its strong honky-tonk beach town vibe. You could see and feel a strong sense of community, and even on a weekday afternoon there was a lot of foot traffic and everyone seemed to share the Aloha spirit. If we were to relocate to Oahu, Kailua would be on the short list.

Kailua’s not too far from the essentials of Honolulu and has its own main drag--where you can easily fill your shopping bags and stomach. The chain establishments have invaded but blend in well with the existing storefronts.

We spent most of the afternoon at Kailua Beach Park enjoying the clear blue water while trying to avoid the Portuguese Man o' War. Thankfully we were safe from them in the water, but one did wash up on the beach.

As the sun began to set, the local outrigger canoe club began to convene on the shore. The frequent onshore winds make it a renowned destination for windsurfers--too bad we didn’t see any on our visit.

Related Stories:
· Kailua Beach Park [Official Site]
· Oahu Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: kjb]