Explore: Kailua

I love Kailua. It was so nice to spend a few days away from the hustle of Honolulu and take some time to slow down. We were about a 4 minute walk to the beach, and we took a lot of time just to enjoy the moments of quiet and relaxation. Everything is very centralized with grocery stores and shops within a mile to two-mile bike ride. There a few things that Will and I love to do when we travel: go to local coffee shops, spend time in bookstores, find a record store, and go to the Farmer’s Market. We definitely did all of that and more in Kailua.

We went to Chadlou’s Coffee a lot while we were staying there. It’s a comfy spot nestled between local clothing shop BettyxJoe as well as stand alone Olive and Oliver boutiques. I spent a lot of time browsing through the shops because they were all so well-curated and fun to be in. I enjoyed the vibes and chatting with the people who work there.

I also made it my mission to stop by Aloha Beach Club and get Will an Aloha print shirt that is made in-house. Their shop is super cool supporting local gear and up and coming brands like Crap Eyewear. They also house The Local, a shaved ice joint that uses fresh fruit juice and syrups. It was so delicious and refreshing. We sat outside the shop with our shaved ice while watching the bustle from Boots & Kimos.

And, right outside of Kailua, in the neighboring city of Kane’ohe, is the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens. It felt like a dream going through the gardens…and it’s completely free! Unfortunately, we were pressed for time and couldn’t stay very long. I’m making sure that I have a picnic in the gardens next time I’m in Oahu.