Best Cities and Towns in Hawaii to Raise a Family

Oahu | Image credit: Peter Thomas

Hawaii is a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean that makes for one of the world’s most beautiful places to live. It is a tropical paradise with year-round heat, unspoiled natural beauty, and some of the best beaches in the world. Hawaii has always been an appealing place to live, but in recent years it has seen its population swell as people seek out a home in its stunning environments. One of the biggest drivers of Hawaii’s appeal is all that it offers families.

Hawaii is an excellent place to raise a family, with high safety ratings and a stunning environment to help in promoting an active lifestyle. Its vibrant culture and endless activities for families to enjoy together make it an idyllic place to settle down. Let’s look at some of the cities and communities in Hawaii that are best for raising a family.

Honolulu

Honolulu is Hawaii’s biggest city, a scenic metropolis on Oahu’s south shore. Honolulu is famed for its bustling nightlife, gorgeous beaches, and high-end shopping and dining. It is a cosmopolitan city along deep blue waters with abundant picturesque natural beauty nearby. The natural settings and high-end amenities make Honolulu a terrific place to raise a family.

Honolulu has everything one could want in a city for families. There is a great selection of schools, with many high-ranking institutions to pick from. It is safe for a big city and has many family-friendly activities ranging from museums and theme parks to snorkeling and surfing. There is also an abundance of wildlife near Honolulu, so nature-loving families will have endless hiking and exploration opportunities.

Honolulu

Kailua

Kailua is a picturesque community that is on the eastern coast of Oahu. It has a medium-sized permanent population of around 38,000, but it feels much busier due to the influx of tourists in the area. Kailua is a hub for outdoor recreation, with picturesque beach parks offering some of the best water sport settings in the state. There are also scenic hiking trails that offer incredible views of the surrounding area, inspiring a highly active lifestyle.

Living in Kailua is ideal for families because it is extremely safe, has tons of fun outdoor activities to enjoy, and still has quality schools nearby. It is relatively small compared to Honolulu but still has several superb shops and restaurants, and the weekly Kailua Farmers Market is a fun place to shop for local goods. It is a peaceful, scenic place to make a family home.

Kailua

Kaneohe

Kaneohe is a community near Kailua famous for its long, beautiful bay, stretching eight miles around the area. It has gorgeous coastal scenery, including one of Hawaii’s two barrier reefs, making it a hub for snorkelers. There is much to do for families in Kaneohe. Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, sunbathing, kayaking, surfing, or almost any other outdoor activity, Kaneohe is perfect for family recreation.

Living in Kaneohe with a family is a great decision for several reasons. For starters, it is a very safe community with a low crime rate and welcoming residents. Kaneohe also has nearby quality schools and is one of the more affordable options in the area. While home prices aren’t low anywhere in Hawaii, Kaneohe is a gorgeous setting where the prices are markedly lower than other neighboring communities.

Kaneohe | Image credit: Cosmin Serban