A Case For Kailua - Why Locals Should Live Here

[@sirij8784]

Grew up in kailua in the 90s and 2000s...best place on earth. I come back every few months to Kailua, can't stand it. Too crowded, people are not as friendly and it feels like another california beach town. A simple test I've done to see if people are changing or not. I walk the beach down the beach access paths in Kailua. Every year more and more people don't say hi and just look straight ahead. No more local people, no more hawaiians, the aloha is just getting lost. Its not neccessary all the people that move ins fault. They are just doing what they've always done and acting how they were raised. But in that process what made Hawaii and Kailua special is being lost. An unfortunate situation

[@garymarkley7219]

Kailua draws folks from all over the world. Certainly changed since the 1960s-70s.

[@adrianbartley8173]

I was born and raised in Kailua in the 80’s and 90’s. I grad Kalaheo in ‘01, my first job was at Agnes’ Portuguese bakery and then morning brew (when it was at the old location), it was maybe the best place on earth to grow up. But there is definitely a pre 2000 Kailua and a post 2000 Kailua.

[@sirij8784]

it was the best!

[@ainakoa2]

Grew up in Enchanted lakes/Keolu hills in the 80’s - 2020. I consider myself a Kailua Boy. Back in the day you knew all of your neighbors and their families. Now days you see tourists walking down the roads from air BnBs where we used to play. Sad what is happening to this beloved town by so many true Kailua locals. To the mainlanders buying up the land and turning them into air BnBs “I LOVE KAILUA BEFORE YOU CAME!” If you OG Kailua you know what it means. 🤙🏽

[@Cletus_the_Elder]

If there's an economy in Kailua that can support those smaller stores, like the one with the Christmas display, that's amazing. It might look like mainland frou-frou to locals, but these stores are struggling in a lot of mainland cities, due to a shift toward online shopping and a hard uptick in crime. Support those small stores if you can. You will miss them when they're gone. When the big stores come, it is a loss, in varying degrees, of community, respect, and courtesy.

[@ChronicallyMandyMay]

I lived in Kailua during the pandemic and This analysis is so spot on IMO... Kailua is a little bit of everything... I met a friend for life during my time there... I pray to be back soon 🙏❤❤❤🙏

[@guslevy3506]

Kailua is Manhattan Beach with a few more Asians…it’s essentially comfortable living with nice national chains and local stores next to a nice beach. Safe, clean, convenient and with good schools…that’s the American dream. It’s the good life, which is why it’s not cheap since everyone wants that…

[@matthewaguilar5031]

Kailua is the #1 town in America

[@dollface2516]

Just discovered your channel a few days ago. I'm addicted. Grew up on Oahu, stayed in Cali since college days. LOVE your channel!!!! I will definitely tell everyone I know about you guys for their real estate needs. Your videos are so well done and real. 🤙💓

[@movingtohawaii]

Thank you! Where in California are you now?

[@dollface2516]

@@movingtohawaii Watsonville

[@juilanisabella]

Brroo! I have family on my father's side sprinkled throughout the islands, especially in Oahu. Long story longer, I moved my family from the Bay (Cali for my Hawaiian folks) to Kailua 3 years ago. I like many, have seen the change in the "city" rapidly digressing. So unfortunate for such a beautiful city that I was proud to say I grew up in. My PRO about Kailua, it's self-contained, we've got everything here to be self-sustained. The little mom and pop stores just add to that feeling and vibe of being a self-sustained community. Best of all, it has the aloha culture we wanted our kids (filipino and italian) to grow up in i.e., family, respect for the kupuna and people in general. Cali has lost its spark man, there is no such thing as mutual respect, its doggy dogg world out in the west :)) People are blessed to live on this land, there's no other place like it. My only CON is the loud ass mopeds that be speedin around:))), but besides that it is still better than the Cali. We enjoy your channel guys, much appreciate yall, Happy Holidays, mahalos..

[@seanspencer8179]

Raised in Waimanalo from age 4 to age 23 years old and been living in Kaelepulu (correct place name for Enchanted Lakes) every since. My wife, raised in Kailua, and I are lucking to have our 4 kids born and raised in Kailua. I am really happy what Kaneohe Ranch and its successor A&B has done with Kailua Town. Love the restaurants and small local shops. My biggest pro of Kailua, close to the beach, the restaurants, local shop, speciality food places.

[@sirij8784]

you like kailua beaches better than nalo?

[@benh3427]

Everyone love to move and live in oahu,hawaii but let's take a look at what you need to make in order for your dream to happen in kailua,oahu. Need around 250k for the down payment and closing costs, now another million dollars for mortgage, insurance also don't forget that you need extra money for moving, and any odds and ends before moving in.how many of us can get a job with high enough income to support a small family and enjoy living in hawaii?

[@garymarkley7219]

oh yeah grew up in Kailua and loved it. Kailua High graduate......then off to the main land and Europe with the USAF. (grew up on 1235 manulani st in Keolu hills. Fond memories fishing and crabbing in and around enchanted lake.....

[@HamRadioLiveShow]

Derek, is there any “famous streets” or neighborhoods that are known for decorating their houses at Christmas time? I was wondering about that. Akua be with you & yours. Keep up the good work. Taking my brother to Oahu in January. He’s dying of cancer and this will be the last trip he can take before he passes away. Kailua sounds GREAT for us. We have 4 DOGS!! Lol! His goal is to put his own 2 feet on the Arizona Memorial. We were there in 2018 when they had to close the dock at the memorial for foundation repairs. I’ll close this long post, by saying it’s my dream to live there someday. That dream is over 40 years old. I am very grateful for great friendships that have helped to pay for this trip. Hope the weather is nice. For sure better than it will be here. Merry Christmas! Larry

[@joannebaker4925]

I love, love Kailua. The windward side of the island is beautiful. We were stationed there for 3 years back in the late 1990's lived on Kaneohe Marine base, and my husband was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Kailua was expensive then, and I suspect it's even more expensive. If we could afford Kailua, we would be there in a heartbeat.

[@leilareggie1826]

Kailua ain't no how like before and never will be again. Kids walking to school with no shoes on is long gone. Some of the best island restaurants are there because otherwise they do not survive particularly at the necessary high prices. I think the geography and economic demographics are pretty well fixed much like Sausalito, CA. There is a really limited housing inventory of ever increasing housing costs. It is the Most Best Place and My Personal Happiest World Class Beach is right there at Kailua. There is no comparison anywhere in my view. Hey Guys...wish I had seen a Core Hawaii representation at the Lions Club Ewa Beach Xmas Parade yesterday. Hope to see y'all there in 2024!

[@jcab79]

This was a great video! Loved especially the interviews. I’m local born and moved to NorCal. The plan is to retire and move back to Oahu. 🤙🏽

[@4RunnerRuss]

5th generation Californian - I laughed watching this; quit throwing shade and saying Kailua is what we’re about 😂 I like the beaches but in my experience the people in Kailua are just cold rich people not like local multi-gen Californians I grew up with. Of course there are exceptions, good Kailua people I see you!!

[@sirij8784]

yup exactly. Cold rich people with no aloha. We need the cool californians like you my bruddah!

[@realestatearbitrage1124]

Kailua is Kailua. It's fine. Don't apologize because you like something Derek. I bet you move there next house!

[@gwinmeyer1053]

My son took me to a great Mexican restaurant over there and it was some of the best food I've had in a long time!

[@tutukailua2001]

Aloha to you! I grew up in .Lanikai and graduated from Kailua High. I live in Georgia right now and went home last year and went shopping in the Times shopping center, so happy "Bookends" was still in business. Had a pretty SAD experience at one of the shops as we were treated as if we didn't belong in the store. (We are Hawaiian). Hope the store owners are more aware of how their staff treat the local people. Good video!❤

[@TinaPauHana]

What you guys need is a Trader Joe’s

[@ChronicallyMandyMay]

💯

[@mt2766]

Yessss!

[@reelone595]

If they ever do open one then Kailua would Deff be the first spot lol

[@flakeypuff9462]

You not getting it. You're asking more stuff to come and for it to be even more taken over. You do not want more mainland stores.nothing good will happen. The US capitalism tricks keep coming

[@Michelle-ur1sx]

Kailua is like the burbs of Hawaii. Yes pricey but what isn’t. One thing to mention here, there were fewer businesses that went out of business during COVID than most island places. Why? Because this tight community supports local businesses. They won’t go town side unless they have too. Amazing restaurants with parking is a highlight. Back to the people, yes ca. be snobby but I’ve been Westside and they look at me like who she? No different. With that said, once you get use to being part of a community no matter, that community has your back here. Born and raised So Cal… this is the California of the late 70s. Not like today. People helped one another here. You’re going to pay the price but the lifestyle is worth it. Even if you have to rent and work 2 jobs. As for the Dog Bakery - one of our favorite spots. They support local. They love our dogs and everything is baked fresh. No sugars. No wheats. The owner works hard and helps out kids at the local schools, homeless by giving out treats and it’s just a great place to visit.

[@movingtohawaii]

Mahalo for your comment

[@aupsychobilly]

Dang…that got dark in the end with da Menlo Park incident

[@drako1888]

i feel like if disneyland were to make a Hawaii section, they would make a combination of Kailua and Haleiwa….. Pali lanes was the jam tho never had a reason to go back to kailua after they closed

[@user-ld5sb5tq4g]

Kalilua is beautiful 😊. I always stopped by Sunrise Shack after a hike on the windward side. I need to try Boots and Kimo. I remember when my cousins and I got locked in the Kailua Beach parking lot 😂. Good times

[@marclehmkuhler7566]

If we could afford it, for sure we'd love Kailua. Thankfully it's only 30 min drive away from where we're going to be moving to. It's changed so much in the past 25 years, really went upscale

[@davidmiller5995]

Good job brother we love all of Hawaii and will be back in March. One day we would love to live there and when we do we will be calling you guys for sure much love brotha 😊

[@brendamclean8447]

This was a necessary video to bring light to the fact that good people can be in any and all areas of Oahu. And good people who care about their community and open a variety of local businesses does not make it any less Hawaii. I love the interview with both the guy from Texas and the girl from the dog bakery. It just goes to show you that you can’t assume this is just some trendy shop, these owners are trying to do something good for this community. People do care about the health and well-being of their animals. Also, I would take locally owned quaint shops like these anyway over all the designer stores in Waikiki and Ala Moana Shopping Centre. There are hardly any local stores with handcrafted items anymore. Who needs Louis Vuitton and Chanel and Hermes and Prada in Waikiki? Where is the beach vibe, where is the support for local craftsmen. Where are all the Hawaiian shops? It’s so sad to me to see all these ridiculous designer stores suffocating the island. Awesome video Derek, as usual! You have such a great way of shedding light on controversy ❤

[@sirij8784]

I think a place losing Hawaiians def make it less Hawaii though. You can't keep the culture without the people the culture is from

[@K808G1]

I get that you're trying to make a positive case for Kailua, but the locals that grew up in Kailua won't all agree with you. Many shops that Kailua has now are more geared toward tourists, not locals. Gone are Cornet, Fast Eddie's, Comic Connection, Craig's bakery, Hugh's drugstore, Brett's gym, Holiday Mart, etc. Not saying that they were for locals only, but it wasn't yet a mini Waikiki. We used to go crabbing and throw net on the bridge near Buzz's. Now you can hardly find parking if any, and there's too many people on the beach. During the 70's, I remember Kailua beach only with a few families on the weekend here and there. Lanikai still had sand too. Kailua always was more of a haole town (nothing wrong with that), but now it's full of tourists.

[@Tr0nzoid]

"These people have a bakery for their dogs; I get it." If there are people out there willing to pay for that, then that is a good business for those people. I also do not understand the appeal of eating outside by a busy street and sidewalk. I bought a few Crazy Shirts several years ago out of nostalgia, but they cost so much. I'm not into wearing t-shirts with prints anymore anyway, especially thick cotton ones.

[@lgv3051]

Best thing about Kailua... It's way over there 😂 You guys can keep it🤙

[@khultherro8613]

Went to school in Kalihi elementary, Dole and Kalakaua intermediate, Pear City High . I live in Kailua 3-5 months every year at my condo behind Target, and live in LA. I love the beach, so I am very tan. lol. And very fit, but when I go to any where, I get the looks from . . Hhhrrmmm. . . White people, as a novelty item. The younger crowd has the, “ hey look, so that’s what locals brown people look like.” lol. From the older crowd., it’s more like, “I see him, but I should not make movements that would be interpreted like I wish he would not be here. I hope he behaves.” If you see brown people, it means they’re at work.

[@Paul-qt2ok]

I think the conversation about which state is safer Hawaii or California is nuance. Yes, California has its problems but so do all 49 other states. I being from and living in California do see the issues that we face daily but also visiting Oahu I see the homeless problems that California cities also experience. We just can't continue to bash and denigrate California because of its politics. Also, ppl in California can afford homes albeit in May have to be in the Central Valley regardless though, Hawaii as a state continues to have the issue where “locals” don't have that same opportunity given that the state will continue to rely on ppl who are not from Hawaii to purchase the expensive real estate that Hawaii offers. Nonetheless, both states have their problems and we can't just ignore that Hawaii is perfect when in fact there is real real-life struggle there.

[@1988remixx]

I honestly don’t like when the videos veer into the political “talk”, which Derek rarely does buuuuut I like how Derek keeps it balanced & shows ALL sides, like he says in the video, “We don’t want to blow smoke & only concentrate on the good/positives”. Keep up the great work Derek!!! 👍

[@patrickrivera7404]

I'm from Hawaii, moved to the Mainland (currently in Stockton, CA) and moving back to Hawaii. Hawaii has just as many Tweekers/Chronics as California and is just as dangerous as Stockton...

[@sofiadober1239]

This was so interesting! Love this neighborhood❤

[@59suddenrush]

ho braddah! I enjoy your videos, i watch um all the time. this one however, you was rambling. ish ok tho. keep doing what you do.

[@professlch6347]

The chickens as evidence? I mean, you aren't wrong, but? LOLOLOL! In all seriousness, you did a GREAT job. Your "honest broker" energy is a strength in this one.

[@JohnnyO-bi1pb]

You da man keeping it real.

[@anthonyir3408]

Hey guys love your videos. I just found out that I have family in Hawaii due to the sugar plantation. Currently in Puerto Rico and curious if there is a big Puerto Rican community? Much love from one island to another salud mi gente 🇵🇷.

[@RobinsinaG]

Hahahah ok, hapa from Bay Area Peninsula (Oahu~ country for yrs now) even us Peninsulites call it "Shallow Alto."

[@JanetVJohnson]

I'm part-Hawaiian & out of all of the places that I've lived on the mainland, here in El Paso, TX would I say that the people are more comparable to back home. The locals (mostly Mexican) are the friendliest & respectful people in my opinion. I don't know what Joey means about people being "cold" here.

[@JWH808]

Kailua is great for those that can afford that mortgage, but I know a lot of people that just like to say they live in Kailua without discussing the cons.

[@ramblr5900]

I never been to Kaulia and Maui. Are they similar?

[@djpak1]

Damn this was a good episode.

[@user-ue3ts9xo2r]

Good comparison... Alameda, Ca.

[@kanakamaoli6508]

Lots of entitlement down there 💯 if they ain’t clearly giving local vibes I stay away 🙅🏻‍♀️ ain’t got no time to be dealing with Karen kine tings

[@patrickrivera7404]

Derek, how is the commute from Enchanted Lake to Iolani School daily? Bearable?

[@movingtohawaii]

Definitely bearable by Oahu standards. Where are you coming from?

[@brienmacgearailt7801]

no......over doing it. its obvious

[@movingtohawaii]

You don’t understand our intent and that’s ok.

[@Jose_Jimenez]

Where is Kailua? I grew up in Ewa Beach, right across from Ewa Beach Elementary. Never been to Kailua. And where is all the cane fields? It is what it is, but that sucks what they did to the home prices.

[@movingtohawaii]

Haha no way you grew up Palio road and don’t even know about Kailua??!