How do I remove heavy grease build up on cabinets and walls?

Use TSP.

Get some tri sodium phosphate from a local paint store and use it as directed on the package. It leaves no residue and cuts grease very well. The only thing you'll have to do is rinse well as after you wash the surfaces. Another name for the product is TSP.

Dawn dish washing detergent

Blue Dawn is great for everything!! even taking grease stains out of clothing!

Never let it build up: Buy a low cost Degreaser and do the chord every month.

Definitely TSP. I use it on all of my painting projects. It cuts through everything. Use gloves. I have on occasion used a putty knife first and scraped some off on some particularly nasty jobs or if they had a really bad wax or grease build up depending on the surface.