Kailua, Hawaii Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave

Last updated September 02, 2023

Kailua Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

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  • Short Term City Rating
    6.0
  • Competition

    3.2
  • Real Estate Cost

    6.2
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    4.7
  • Rental Rates

    9.9

Kailua, Hawaii Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
40,514
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
December to April
County
Honolulu
Airports
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
Kahului Airport (OGG)
Review our Kailua Hawaii short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Kailua?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Kailua rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Kailua rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Kailua.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Kailua Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Kailua guests.

Interested in other Hawaii cities?

Check out the Hawaii Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Kailua a great place to invest?

Kailua, located on the windward coast of Oahu, Hawaii, is a picturesque town that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and modern amenities, making it an ideal location for investing in short-term rentals.
  1. Stunning Natural Beauty: Kailua is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, from its pristine white-sand beaches to the lush Ko'olau mountain range. The turquoise waters of Kailua Bay and the famous Lanikai Beach attract visitors from around the world, making it a sought-after destination for those looking to experience Hawaii's natural beauty.
  2. Wide Range of Outdoor Activities: Kailua offers a plethora of outdoor activities that cater to all age groups and fitness levels. Visitors can enjoy kayaking, windsurfing, hiking, and snorkeling, among other activities. The presence of the Kailua Beach Park and the nearby Pillbox Hike ensures that there is always something to do for the outdoor enthusiast.
  3. Proximity to Major Tourist Attractions: While Kailua itself has plenty to offer, it is also conveniently located near major tourist attractions such as the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and the historic town of Haleiwa. This makes Kailua an ideal base for visitors looking to explore the wider Oahu region.
  4. Well-Developed Infrastructure: Kailua boasts a well-developed infrastructure with a wide range of amenities including restaurants, shops, and healthcare facilities. This ensures that visitors staying in short-term rentals have easy access to all the necessary services during their stay.
  5. High Demand for Short-Term Rentals: With its popularity as a tourist destination, there is a high demand for short-term rentals in Kailua. This, coupled with the fact that Hawaii, in general, is a year-round destination, ensures a steady stream of visitors, making it a lucrative investment opportunity for short-term rental properties.

Kailua Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Kailua?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Kailua has decreased -8% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $778, which is higher than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$465,445

-8% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$778

-5% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$2,449

3% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Kailua, Hawaii

Word Cloud for Kailua, Hawaii Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Kailua short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Kailua has a description approximately 2,191 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 7,358 listings in Kailua, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Waikiki Beach, Waikiki, Hotel, Ala Moana, Resort, Days, Lanai, Desk, Beach, and Coffee maker.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Kailua?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Kailua involve Swimming, Snorkeling, Surfing, the Zoo, and the Beach. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Swimming

Snorkeling

Surfing

Zoo

Beach

Hiking

Scuba Diving

Sailing

Outlet Shopping

Museums

Whale Watching

Eco Tourism

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Kailua, including Waikiki Beach Walk, Ala Moana Center, Royal Hawaiian Center, Honolulu Harbor, and Honolulu Zoo. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Well Known Attraction

Ala Moana Center

Included on 79% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Honolulu Harbor

Included on 79% of listings

Regional Landmark

Iolani Palace

Included on 79% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Royal Hawaiian Center

Included on 79% of listings

Well Known Attraction

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Included on 79% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Honolulu Zoo

Included on 79% of listings

Regional Landmark

Duke Kahanamoku Beach

Included on 79% of listings

Regional Landmark

Duke Kahanamoku Statue

Included on 79% of listings

Regional Landmark

Magic Island

Included on 78% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Kaimana Beach

Included on 77% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Waikiki Beach Walk

Included on 77% of listings

Regional Landmark

Sans Souci Beach

Included on 77% of listings

What’s the weather like in Kailua, Hawaii?

The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 81°, while the average low is about 73°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 16 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Kailua are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

70° Low 78° High

Precipitation
6.5"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
44.9 days
Cloudiness
25%

Spring

March through May

72° Low 80° High

Precipitation
4.0"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
49.0 days
Cloudiness
30%

Summer

June through August

76° Low 83° High

Precipitation
1.7"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
86.3 days
Cloudiness
26%

Fall

September through November

75° Low 83° High

Precipitation
3.8"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
82.7 days
Cloudiness
37%