Separated from Honolulu by the formidable Pali, Kailua has always been viewed as a place apart from the downtown core, divided by geography and temperament, city versus country, the urban life versus the beach life... Change of the landscape began with the arrival of the Hawaiians. Core samples of sediment reveal burning of forests for construction of loi for raising taro. Change came even more quickly in the late 1800s, with the arrival of large herds of cattle and horses in Maunawili valley, as well as Chinese-run rice mills. In 1909, Albert and Fred Waterhouse leased 200 acres of land from J.B. Castle, leveling sand dunes to plant coconut trees, which gave the Coconut Grove area its nickname. Picture here: Kailua has evolved from being a mainly agricultural area to residential. Above, Mark Puikuli-Stride shows his lo'i, fed by Pikoakea Spring. >Read the article in the Honolulu Star Bulletin

Kailua showcases the rich cultural and environmental history of the ahupua’a through vintage and contemporary photographs, maps, insightful essays and stories, and songs written by residents. The book features the perspective of 23 contributors on topics such as early land ownership, culture, archaeology, geology, environment, and the reflections of kama’aina – past and present. Kailua- the book is available at Bookends and Under a Hula Moon. For more information in the book check out the Kailua Historical Society's website>www.kailuahistoricalsociety.org

Doc Burrows shares the magic of Kawainui Marsh on Voices of Truth TV.

The story of Hawaii's largest remaining wetland in Kailua, Oahu created by 6th grade students and first place middle school winner in the Island Movie competition 2008 in Hawaii.