Lani-Kailua Treasures

Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty in and surrounding Kailua. It is almost impossible to take the natural wonders of Kailua for granted—they surround us and inspire us.

LKOC would like to know which of our natural endowments inspire you. We’ve listed some nominated by observant Kailua residents; please let us know if these are places in your heart, too. Picture Kailua without each of them. Would you feel a loss?

Help us identify the beauty spots we need and want to protect. Please tell us your ideas by e-mail.

The Eleven Monkey Pods and the Six Kamanis

Although these two groups of trees were separately nominated for our Kailua Treasures list, they have a lot in common. Both are examples of large trees that are difficult to fit into our average yards. They do more than provide shade for the cars parked there—they help show you are in a town that incorporates natural beauty into its very heart. Towns all over America are realizing the benefits of urban forestry and are planting trees in their cities. The owners of these parking lots (Kaneohe Ranch and City and County of Honolulu) show they were years ahead of this trend and that they have been committed to incorporating natural beauty for over 45 years.

Find the monkey pods in the parking of Pali Lanes on Hahani Street, and the Kamanis in the parking lot surrounded by Aulike, Kuulei Road, Maluniu Avenue, and Uluniu Street.

Kawainui Marsh and Mount Olomana

These two natural wonders surrounding Kailua are daily reminders of what a special place we live in. They are spiritual landmarks of old Hawaii and modern Kailua. Mount Olomana, her slopes uncluttered by human works, is Kailua’s inspiring sentinel. Historically-significant Kawai Nui Marsh has evolved through the ages to become one of the country’s most interesting wetlands—filter for our mountain rainfall and wetland bird habitat.

The Coconut Palm Median on Kainui Drive

What a treasure it is to have this palm-filled area to remind us of Kailua’s past as a coconut grove. The beautiful, tall coconuts are a pleasure to see as your drive down Kainui Drive, even when you have to stop for the ducks that cross the road going to and from Kau’ainui Canal. They also add to the beauty of the view when you look down on Kailua from the top of the hill on Mokapu.

The Grazing Land Mauka of Hamakua Drive

The nomination of this “treasure” mentioned the “sense of contentment” the Kailua resident feels when she sees horses grazing on this land. Is there another city that has water birds and grazing horses bordering its business district?

The Banyans Above Maunawili Stables

These majestic giants buffer the stable area from the road, giving a feeling of serenity, away from bustling civilization. The person who nominated these trees challanges residents to find bigger trees in Kailua.