By Sean Yano Realtor Associate

Growing up on the Windward side of Oahu has been a great experience for me, so much so that
I chose to raise my own children here as well. Besides the beautiful surroundings and scenery,
from the lush Koolau Mountain range to beautiful Lanikai Beach, Windward Oahu offers its
residents an easy, laid-back lifestyle that can't compare to any other area on the island.

It is an ideal location for families and anyone who loves the outdoors. For those who enjoy
hiking, there are several trails in the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens, Maunawili Falls trail and the
Lanikai Pillbox trail, just to name a few. For the beach lovers, Lanikai and Kailua beaches are
top-rated and offer endless recreation from stand-up paddling, kayaking, snorkeling, surfing,
windsurfing and more. For those fortunate enough to own a boat or jetski, the Kaneohe Bay
sandbar, located about one mile offshore from Heeia Kea pier, is the go-to destination. There
are also several golf courses - MidPacific Country Club in Lanikai, Luana Hills Country Club  in
Maunawili, Koolau Golf Club and Bay View Golf Course in Kaneohe.

Oahu is home to some of the biggest and best waves in the world, and is known as the "Mecca" of surfing.  One of surfing's biggest events rolled through the North Shore of Oahu this past weekend. The 2011 Pipeline Masters was the final jewel of surfing's coveted Triple Crown and final stop on the ASP's World Tour. Huge waves between 10-15 feet challenged the planet's best surfers which included 2011 World Champ Kelly Slater, tour veterans Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow, and Fred Patacchia, along with upstarts Julian Wilson, Gabriel Mendina, and Hawaii's own John John Florence.