The windward side consists of 3 major areas: Kailua, Kaneohe, and Laie. Because of its iconic beaches and scenic beauty, it has some of the more expensive homes in Hawaii. Since it does receive a decent amount of rain, the Ko’olau mountains are lush and green year round, providing a gorgeous backdrop.
Kailua used to be a small town, but in recent years, there has been quite a bit of development. Some of the best beaches in the world are a short distance away from homes in this neighborhood. This explains why house prices have increased substantially in recent history.
Kaneohe has also been updated. Kaneohe bay is a large body of water, where there are some beautiful homes. It is also a military influenced town, since the Kaneohe Marine Corp Base is near by.
North of Kaneohe is a series of small waterfront towns, including Laie, Ka’aawa, and Hauula. These towns are a reminder of old Hawaii, primarily because they are quite far from the other areas of the island. Real estate here would be more suitable for those who want a vacation rental or second home.