Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Kailua, HI for Tourists — 2026 Guide
25 neighborhoods ranked by walkability, transit access, safety, air quality, and bikeability — the factors that matter most for a great tourist experience.
Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Kailua for Tourists — Key Takeaways
The #1 recommended neighborhood for tourists in Kailua is Hawaiian Paradise Park CDP with a Tourist Score of 80/100. The safest neighborhood is Volcano Golf Course CDP with a violent crime rate of 2.2 per 1,000 residents, 39% below the national average.
Data sourced from Walk Score, FBI Crime Data Explorer, EPA AirNow, DOT, and the US Census Bureau. Last updated: March 2026.
Top 3 Neighborhoods for Tourists
| # | Neighborhood | Tourist Score | Walk Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaiian Paradise Park CDP | 80 | — | ||
| Waihee-Waiehu CDP | 80 | — | ||
| Mililani Town CDP | 80 | — | ||
4 | Mililani Mauka CDP | 80 | — | |
5 | Ahuimanu CDP | 80 | — | |
6 | Ewa Gentry CDP | 80 | — | |
7 | Wailua Homesteads CDP | 80 | — | |
8 | Ewa Beach CDP | 80 | — | |
9 | Volcano Golf Course CDP | 78 | — | |
10 | Royal Hawaiian Estates CDP | 78 | — | |
11 | Keaau CDP | 78 | — | |
12 | Launiupoko CDP | 78 | — | |
13 | Kaumakani CDP | 78 | — | |
14 | Pahala CDP | 78 | — | |
15 | Naalehu CDP | 78 | — | |
16 | Hawaiian Acres CDP | 78 | — | |
17 | Waikoloa Beach Resort CDP | 78 | — | |
18 | Paukaa CDP | 78 | — | |
19 | Papaikou CDP | 78 | — | |
20 | Waimanalo Beach CDP | 78 | — | |
21 | Kualapuu CDP | 78 | — | |
22 | Puhi CDP | 78 | — | |
23 | Waimanalo CDP | 78 | — | |
24 | Waipio Acres CDP | 78 | — | |
25 | Anahola CDP | 78 | — |
Rankings by Category
Top neighborhoods in Kailua for each tourist-relevant metric.
Best overall for tourists
- 80/100
- 80/100
- 80/100
Lowest violent crime rate
- 2.2 per 1K
- 2.2 per 1K
- 2.2 per 1K
Lowest Air Quality Index
- AQI 25
- AQI 25
- AQI 25
Neighborhoods are ranked using the Tourist Score, a composite index designed to identify the best areas for visitors. It prioritizes the factors that matter most for a safe, convenient, and enjoyable tourist experience:
- Walkability (Walk Score)
- 35% weight
- Safety (Violent Crime)
- 25% weight
- Transit Access (Transit Score)
- 20% weight
- Air Quality (AQI)
- 10% weight
- Bikeability (Bike Score)
- 10% weight
Walkability is weighted highest because tourists benefit most from being able to explore on foot. Safety is critical for visitors unfamiliar with the area. Transit access enables easy movement without a rental car. Air quality and bikeability round out the score for an overall pleasant visit.
Data Sources: Walk Score, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR), US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, EPA AirNow, and DOT National Transportation data. All data is refreshed on a rolling basis as new 2026 government releases become available.