Kaarela is a subdistrict in a Western major district of Helsinki, Finland. Kaarela is split into four subareas: Kannelmäki, Maununneva, Malminkartano and Hakuninmaa and has a total population of 26,414

Jari Kaarela is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League and SM-liiga. He played for HIFK, and Colorado Rockies.