Kaaawa is a small town located along Oahu's eastern (windward) coast just to the north of Kaneohe Bay. This area is known for its exceptional beaches as well as great hikes, shopping, and dining with everything you need for a relaxing and luxurious Hawaii vacation.

Things To Do
Kaaawa Valley extends up from the ocean and is part of Kualoa Ranch which offers various activities. Explore the area on horseback, ATV, or from offshore on a catamaran ride including a tour of Kaneohe Bay with views of Mokolii Island (Chinaman's Hat) and the lush and verdant Koolau mountains. This scenic area has been seen in many movies and television shows and these sites can be seen on the movie tour. Tours also visit the 800-year-old ancient Hawaiian fishpond in the valley. Horseback riding adventures cater to all skill levels including 5-minute introductory rides for children. Nearby Kahana State Park has important archaeological sites and hiking trails.

Nearby Beaches
Kaaawa Beach Park is fronted with a fringing coral reef and has a narrow beach nice for walks with good snorkeling when the ocean is calm. Just to the north is Swanzy Beach Park which is nice for picnics and fishing. For water sports head south to Kailua Bay which is fun for kayaking, bodyboarding, snorkeling and other ocean activities. Take a drive along the north shore to see many spectacular beaches including the famed surfing beaches of Sunset Beach, Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay.

Restaurants
Numerous dining options can be found in the nearby towns of Laie to the north and Kaneohe and Kailua to the south. The Windward Mall in Kaneohe has an array of eateries including a food court. Koa's Pancake House in Kaneohe serves up delicious breakfasts, and if you're looking for a late lunch to take to the beach check KJ's Local Grindz. Kailua has a walkable downtown area where you will find lots of great restaurants, and for a spectacular luau feast with elaborate entertainment visit the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie.

Shopping
Shopping opportunities can be found in nearby Kaneohe and Kailua as well as Laie. More than 100 shops and restaurants can be found at Kaneohe's Windward Mall along with movie theaters. Kailua has boutique gift shops as well as department stores and art galleries to browse. The Laie Shopping Center also has a variety of interesting shops as well as a movie theater.

Getting Around
Renting a car is recommended when staying in Kaaawa so you can explore the nearby beaches and attractions of the eastern shore and also enjoy day trips to the north shore as well as Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. Most major populated areas of Oahu can also be reached on the public transit system known as "TheBus."

Weather and Ocean Conditions
Kaaawa weather ranges from about 70 to 85 degrees F. throughout the year with rain and wind conditions varying in different areas throughout the Island. The eastern and northern shores are generally a bit wetter and cooler than the south and west shores, and the winter months typically see more rain than summer. Sunny skies, mild temperatures and warm trade winds make Kaaawa an excellent vacation destination all through the year.
Rain showers are typically brief and light with ample sunshine even on the rainier days. Hawaii's predominant trade winds blow from the northeast bringing moisture-laden clouds that typically rain onto the mountains of the east and north shores creating green and lush landscapes.Trade winds are almost always calmest in the mornings so it's a good time to visit the beach. Ocean conditions vary each day though typically the north shore will have the calmest waters during the summer months and the south shore will have the calmest waters during the winter. Some beaches provide more protection from the open ocean, and if the waves are too big at the beach you visit then you may be able to find a more sheltered beach where water activities are safe. For swimming and ocean activities visit Oahu's lifeguarded beaches, obey all posted warnings and ask about the conditions on that day for the activities you choose.

Vacation Info
Kaaawa vacation homes provide the optimal way to enjoy your Hawaii vacation with all the luxuries of resort living and all the comforts of home. Browse through our Kaaawa vacation rental listings to get an understanding of the different amenities and property features we offer. Our goal is to provide you with a with an unforgettable Kaaawa accommodation for your dream Hawaii vacation. We take pride in having the largest selection of high-quality vacation rentals on Oahu and we stand behind our product, making sure only the best of the best Kaaawa properties are listed on our site. If you have questions about our Kaaawa rentals or which Oahu destination is best for your vacation needs, please give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.

History
Kualoa Ranch in the scenic Kaaawa Valley has long been a favorite Hollywood movie filming site with hits like Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, George of the Jungle, Mighty Joe Young, 50 First Dates and the television shows Lost and Hawaii Five-O incorporating valley scenery. One of Hawaii's most filmed locations, Kaaawa Valley has earned its nickname as the Backlot of Hawaii and is still largely untouched by modern development. This area is also steeped in history and legend from ancient times and is the site of ancient burials and Hawaiian fishponds. Kaaawa Valley was the site of a sugar mill and also a World War II military airstrip. In 1974 the valley was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.