We loved our stay at Kara and Tom's beachside apartment. It was just what we needed for a family of four (13 year old and 10 year old). The 5 minute walk to the beach was awesome and made going for a quick ocean swim (at my favorite beach on Oahu, Kailua Beach) possible before a day of activities around the island. No excuses! Each morning a walk or run on the beach was too convenient to pass up.

Loved the few minute walk to the Kalapawai market for morning coffee/hot chocolate and to load up on snacks and local beer. Steps further was Island Snow, for shave ice with tropical flavors and the must-do li hing mui syrup. In that same shopping center we set out for our kayak tour of Kailua Bay with Kailua Beach Adventures -- tour guide Tommy was really cool. A short drive got us to Foodland and Whole Foods for more homemade food supplies in their kitchen. Glad we went out for breakfast at Moke's in Kailua town, for awesome lilikoi pancakes and french toast.

Kara and Tom were very responsive and even checked in half-way to make sure our stay was going well. Highlights of the apartment: Comfortable beds, spacious living and dining areas, ceiling fans throughout and air conditioning (not common in the islands) and a nice lanai for relaxing or eating outdoors. The kitchen was minimalistic, and had all the essentials. They had beach towels, boogie boards and other beach gear for us to use.

As a "kekei o ka aina" (born in Hawaii) and now living in California, I really wanted to show my family the "real" Oahu, away from the crazy touristy areas. The Windward side is where it's at. We made many memories in Kailua. Much aloha to Kara and Tom!