I guess I was meant to become a surfer. I mean, how could you avoid it if you went to Kainalu Elementary School? Kainalu literally means "ocean wave." And get this -- the school's mascot is the dolphin.
Its official colors are blue and green. Harold K. L. Castle was the primary donor of the land for my elementary school. The initial "K" stand for "Kainalu."
Kailua is often described as a "paradise within a paradise." It's famous for its oceanside culture. It is wetter and lusher than the leeward side (Honolulu). Constant trade winds meant that air conditioners were deemed superfluous. For us keiki who grew up there, the beach was our whole world -- reef break, island break, point break, and, of course, a fantastic shorebreak.
Every evening we played tennis, volleyball, or basketball at Kailua Regional Park. Even today it has a laid-back lifestyle.
Visiting Oahu? Don't forget a day trip to Kailua.