Kailua

Gazing across Kailua Bay, can you sense the whispers of ancient Hawaiians? They were drawn here, to this windward Oahu district, as early as 500 AD. Kailua, meaning “two seas” or “two currents,” was a haven. It offered fertile lands nourished by streams, cooling breezes, and the bounty of Kailua Bay. The name itself, a fusion of “kai” (sea) and “ʻelua” (two), likely refers to the two fishponds, Kawainui and Kaʻelepulu, or perhaps the two currents gracing the bay. Imagine Kailua around 1200 AD. Terraced farms carved into the Koolau Mountains’ foothills and valleys flourished with taro, bananas, sweet potatoes, and other native crops. This abundance attracted high chiefs and Hawaiian royalty, making Kailua a cherished stop on their island journeys. For centuries, life here revolved around fishing and agriculture. By the mid-1800s, rice cultivation replaced taro as the dominant crop. Chinese immigrant workers, arriving with Hawaii’s burgeoning sugar industry, settled in Kailua after their contracts ended. They established rice farms and mills, with as many as five mills operating in the district. However, this prosperity was short-lived. By 1910, changing immigration laws and competition from mainland growers led to a decline in rice production. Dairy farms began to dot the landscape, a sign of Kailua’s evolving economy. The early 1900s also saw the first glimmers of commerce. Chinese-owned grocery stores sprang up in Maunawili, followed by a poi factory, a blacksmith, a barbershop, a tailor shop, and other small businesses. Traveling vendors brought a vibrant array of goods, from housewares to perishables, further enriching the community. During this period, the Kaneohe Ranch Company, under the ownership of the Castle family, became a major force in Kailua. They acquired vast tracts of land, eventually owning around 80% of the property by World War II, shaping Kailua’s development and leaving an indelible mark on its history.