Just 12 miles northeast of capital city Honolulu, the community of Kailua, Hawaii, is located on the island of Oahu on the windward coast along the bay that shares its name. It is home to a population of more than 35,000. The Kailua real estate consists mostly of single-family homes, though there are also several condominium complexes. Though the market was initially affected by the downturn in the economy and flagging trends in real estate markets across the islands and the entire U.S., recent stats show improvement in nearly every category, a sign for high optimism among those in the Kailua market.

According to the Honolulu Board of Realtors’ monthly report, in March 2010, there were 37 new single-family Kailua homes for sale listed. This was a decrease from last year, when there were 51 new listings in March, of 27.5%. Sales activity increased slightly in March, with 16 homes sold versus 15 last year, while the average number of days homes spent on the market before selling dropped dramatically, to just 65 from 112 a year ago, a decline of 42.5%. The median sales price in Kailua in March was $859,500, a 22.8% rise year-over-year. The average sales price, too, saw marked improvement, up an astonishing 65.2% to $1.35 million. With activity up and listings down, the inventory of homes in Kailua was down as well. March saw 140 homes still on the market, versus 185 last year at the same time.

The windward side of Oahu, notably centered around the prolific Kailua and Kaneohe neighborhoods, has seen a remarkable increase in popularity for tourists in search of a scenic getaway that is a far distance from the highly commercialized visitor experience in Honolulu. A large number of Kailua vacation rentals cater to the needs of visitors in search of a personal and quiet experience on the windward side.

Not only do they serve as a tropical and relaxing environment but they are also the shore that welcome trade and commercial interests to the tiny island chain. As more people come to value the magnificent beaches of Hawaii, there has been a surge in interest for Hawaiian real estate.

Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island are both located across from the world-famous Ala Moana Shopping Center. The two combined are 76 acres in area and are quite popular for a variety of recreational activities, family gatherings, and company.

Lanikai Beach, a small stretch of thing white, sandy beach on the windward side is known for its two spectacular and gorgeous offshore islands, known as the Mokuluas.

Sunset Beach, named so for its beautiful sunsets, has one of the island’s l

In fact, several international surf competitions are held there every year.

In the much calmer summer months, Sunset Beach is a nice spot for tanning, swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Perhaps the most well-known beach in Hawaii is Waikiki Beach, literally “sprouting water.” Often filled with tourists, the beach is known for its exciting catamaran rides, beach boys, calm surf, and shallow waters that are perfect for first-

Waimea Valley is the center of the ancient sites found on the North Shore of the island of Oahu. Waimea Valley is a beautiful, lush, and scenic region situated between two verdant mountain tops that are marvels in their own right. The largest heiau in the entire island is found on one of the ridges above Waimea Valley – Puu o Mahuka Heiau was operational until the year eighteen nineteen, and encompasses about two acres. Hale o Lono Heiau is also found in the region, and is at least three hundred years old. The South Shore of Oahu is home to several fascinating ancient sites of its own – this is the place to find Keaiwa Heiau, the “healing” or “wizard” stones of Na Pohaku Ola Kapaemahu a Kapuni, petroglyphs along Nuuanu Stream, and a throne-shaped lava formation found near the Hawaii Kai Golf Club.

Central Oahu is home to the first officially recognized protected ancient site on the entire island. This site is the state monument to the Kukaniloko Birthstones, which was used by the royal families or “ali’i” of Hawaii during birth, due to the supposed palliative properties of the area. Leeward Oahu was home to Kaneaki Heiau, which dates back more than five hundred years and is considered the most interesting heiau on the island. Windward Oahu is the place to find Kapaeleele Koa, a shrine intended to improve fishermen’s catches as well as the legendary Ulupo Heiau, which according to myth was constructed by the menehune or little people of Hawaii.

One of the most interesting ancient sites on the island of Oahu is the Pali Lookout. The Nuuanu Pali Lookout, also known as the Cool Height Cliff is located between Central and Leeward Oahu, along the Koolau Mountain Range at an altitude of roughly one thousand feet. At this site in the year seventeen ninety five, King Kamehameha and his armed forces finally defeated the armies of Oahu, finishing a long and grueling campaign to unite the islands of Hawaii under a single monarch. The significance of the Nuuanu Pali Lookout does not come from the location or beauty of the ancient battle, but rather from the manner in which the victory was one. Kamehameha’s warriors literally drove the armies of Oahu over the cliffs to their deaths nearly one thousand feet below. When taken together, all of the ancient sites of Oahu paint a fascinating picture of a rich, highly traditional, and ritualistic culture.

Although there are eight major islands that make up the Hawaiian Islands, and the state of Hawaii, there are really only four islands that are ideal vacation destinations: Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. Often, many people travel to Hawaii to experience the famous, beautiful beaches, but visitors can also find many other great things to do in Hawaii, as well as great shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities.

Although Oahu is the most crowded island, with over 90% of the state’s population located there, Oahu has the most to offer its guests, especially in Waikiki, the major tourist center in Hawaii.

Aside from the great shopping and dining offered in Waikiki, check out Pearl Harbor, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and the numerous beautiful golf courses located there.

If you wish to travel to Kaui, you will find that it is a lot less city-like than Oahu, but you will find some of the world’s most beautiful natural sceneries, with the breathtaking cliffs of the NaPali Coast and numerous beaches that are great not only fro swimming, but also for snorkeling and diving.

In Maui you can find numerous luxury resorts and like Kauai, great natural attractions.

In Maui you can take tours to look for humpback whales, see the Maui Ocean Center, which is Hawaii’s largest aquarium, and enjoy numerous events such as the Maui Film Festival. Also go to the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, or maybe the Haleakala National Park.

The Big Island is known especially for its volcanoes, some of which are still active.

Go to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park if you wish to see famous volcanoes such as Mauna Kea and Kilauea. The two major settlements on the Big Island are Kailua-Kona and Hilo, both of which offer great shopping, dining, and entertainment.