Vacation Rental - Oahu (Kailua, Waimanalo: hotels, vacation home, adult)

[popscanuck]

We are planning a vacation to Oahu in May/08. We'll be a group of 6 adults - 2 parents and 4 in their 20's. We hope to do some touristy stuff as well as chill on the beach. We would like to rent a vacation home somewhere on the island that is within a block of a good swimming beach. The young folk are looking more for adventure and sites - night life is not an issue. The East side of the island is appealling with the Waimanalo, Kailua, Lanikai beaches. Can anyone advise what communities / neighborhoods might suit us best to look for a rental? Are there ones where tourists fit in better than others? Any safety concerns? Thanks for any help!

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by popscanuck

We are planning a vacation to Oahu in May/08. We'll be a group of 6 adults - 2 parents and 4 in their 20's. We hope to do some touristy stuff as well as chill on the beach. We would like to rent a vacation home somewhere on the island that is within a block of a good swimming beach. The young folk are looking more for adventure and sites - night life is not an issue. The East side of the island is appealling with the Waimanalo, Kailua, Lanikai beaches. Can anyone advise what communities / neighborhoods might suit us best to look for a rental? Are there ones where tourists fit in better than others? Any safety concerns? Thanks for any help!

I think you would be happier in Kailua or Lanikai. Waimanalo does not have much of a town center. Lanikai is a small enclave of Kailua, really.

Here is the VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) list for Kailua:

Kailua Vacation Rentals - VRBO® is Vacation Rentals by Owner Kailua - Kailua Hotels, Kailua Lodging, Kailua Travel and Tourism

Here is the one for Lanikai:

Lanikai Vacation Rentals - VRBO® is Vacation Rentals by Owner Lanikai - Lanikai Hotels, Lanikai Lodging, Lanikai Travel and Tourism

and here is a map to show you their relationship:

Kailua, HI 96734 - Google Maps

"Downtown" Kailua is at the intersection of Kailua Road and Kuulei Road.

Hank

[kani-lehua]

i agree with hank. kailua/lanikai are your best bets for walking to the beach. safety concerns are really not a problem down here for tourists. the only thing i would do though, would be to keep the noise down. remember you will be in a "neighborhood" not in a hotel.

[popscanuck]

Thanks for the advise - I focus my search accordingly!

[kani-lehua]

in today's honolulu star bulletin there's an article on bike hawaii tours take clients from mountains to sea. starbulletin.com | Travel | /2008/01/20/ you would have to drive to get there.