Deck Builders in Kailua, HI

Deck Builders in Kailua face a very different climate than builders in town. Kailua sits on the windward coast at Kailua Bay, about 12 miles northeast of Honolulu over the Nuuanu Pali, and rainfall records from 1985 to 2013 show an annual average of 53.82 inches. Compare that with roughly 16 inches in Honolulu and it is clear why a deck here needs drainage, ventilation and moisture-tolerant materials as a priority, not an afterthought.

Wet months and dry months

Rain is not spread evenly. The wettest months in Kailua's record are November at 7.01 inches, March at 6.97 and December at 6.24, while June and July average just 2.71 inches each. For homeowners, that has two practical effects:

• Scheduling. Concrete footings, staining and sealing go best in the drier stretch from late spring through summer.
• Design. Boards need gaps that let water fall through, framing needs airflow, and joists benefit from protective tape on top so water does not sit in fastener holes during the long winter wet spell.

Trade winds hit Kailua head on

The National Weather Service in Honolulu says trade winds blow from the northeast about 90 percent of the time in summer and about 70 percent in fall, and that in spring, especially March through early April, they can reach 30 mph or more for days at a time. Kailua faces straight into that air. Steady trades are why Kailua Beach is known for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and they are also why we take a careful approach to lanai covers and shade structures here. A roof over a deck acts like a sail, so we size the posts, beams and connections to hold it down, and we suggest open slat or louvered designs when a solid roof is not needed.

Close to the sand: setbacks and salt

Kailua Beach runs about 2.5 miles along the bay, and Lanikai, developed in the 1920s, sits just beyond it. If your lot is near the water, the city's coastal rules matter before anything else. The Department of Planning and Permitting says development in the shoreline area generally within 60 feet of the shoreline needs coastal permits, and that since July 1, 2024 the shoreline setback is at least 60 feet from the certified shoreline, increasing on eroding lots. Minor structures in the setback require a Minor Shoreline Structure Permit; other development needs a variance. On these lots salt spray reaches everything, so we specify stainless steel fasteners and connectors, following Simpson Strong-Tie's corrosion guidance, which treats marine environments as their own exposure class.

Near Kawainui Marsh

Much of Kailua's water area is Kawainui Marsh, described as the largest wetland in the Hawaiian Islands. Kailua takes its name from two former fishponds, Kawainui and Kaelepulu, and homes on lower ground near them can sit on damp soil. On those lots we check the city flood map, since properties in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area must follow ROH Chapter 21A, and we plan footings for the soil we actually find.

Services for Kailua homes

We build composite and wood decks, repair or replace weathered decks, add covered lanais and shade structures, install railings and stairs, and clean and reseal existing wood. With 72.3 percent of Kailua homes owner-occupied and 22.3 percent of residents 65 or older, safe, easy steps, sturdy handrails and level transitions from the house to the deck are worth planning in from the start.

Getting a quote

Call (808) 509-2733 to set up a free visit. We look at your lot, the wind exposure and your distance from the beach, then give you a written, itemized quote.

Get a Free Estimate