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O'ahu's North Shore is a hybrid of various cultures. It is the home of some of surfing's most sacred spots as well as O'ahu's true country and Mormon community. A majority of the North Shore's history is caught up in O'ahu's once thriving Sugar Cane industry. Historic as well as exotic, the North Shore is definitely a sight worth seeing in Hawai'i.
By definition, the North Shore encompasses everything between Ka'ena Point all the way on up to Kakuku Point. For our purposes though the North Shore also includes La'ie on down to Ka'a'awa which are located on the Northeaster shore.
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This quiet, peaceful town is home to the once thriving Waialua Sugar Company. Waialua is by all means a plantation town. A drive thru this town reveals a small, quiet, peaceful secluded town very much caught up in the old life. Mom and pop stores line its streets as well as old plantation era homes. |
| At nights, however, Waialua lights up the nightlife at the locally popular Sugar Bar. The Sugar Bar is clearly the place to be at night on the North Shore. Popular, established as well as up coming local entertainers perform there regularly. |  |
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Hale'iwa is the quintessential surf town. High volumes of traffic rip thru this town daily as surfers pass thru on there way to the many popular surf spots on the North Shore. Dozens of surf shops and eateries line the streets on Hale'iwa. Popular surf shops include Tropical Rush. A few places of interest in Hale'iwa include the North Shore Marketplace. Popular surf shops include . Hale'iwa is also known for its popular eating spots. Among them are Kua'ana Sandwhich, known and recommended for its high quality/low cost burgers and sandwhiches, and Cholo's Mexican restaurant located at the North Shore Marketplace.
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One definite MUST STOP is Hale'iwa is Matsumoto General Store world famous for its Shave Ice. You can't experience the true North Shore experience without trying Matsumoto's Shave Ice. Business thrive daily at Matsumoto's as tourists and hot surfers swap it daily for it's special treat. For those of you who do not know, Shave Ice is similar, but different to snow cones. It is shaved ice topped with flavor syrups (your choice from a variety of tropical flavors). If you wish you can also have it with ice cream or azuki beans. |
These areas are home to some of O'ahu's most popular beaches and visitor destinations. Waimea is home to both Waimea Bay and Waimea Adventure Park. The town of Pupukea is home to Shark's Cove, a haven for snorkelers. Finally, Sunset Beach is home to some of surfing's biggest surf spots, including 'Ekukai Beach, and the Banzai Pipeline.
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The town of Kahuku represents the true "country" of the North Shore. Like many other towns on O'ahu, it too started off as a plantation town. The sugar mill still stands at the heart of Kahuku town as a reminder of its plantation past. |
| Today Kahuku remains a true country town. Along the roadsides of Kahuku commuters are witness to many roadside grocery stands. Local residents can be seen daily selling goods such as corn, watermelons and other assorted fruits from the backs of pick-up trucks. If lucky you may also happen upon someone selling fruited bread (banana, mango, etc.) These are true island treats. If you're hungry you'll also see shrimp stands on the roadside selling shrimp plates. |  |
Kahuku has a high percentage of Polynesians among its population, and it is very proud of that. In local high school athletics Kahuku is well known for its powerhouse football team which has won championships many years in a row.
La'ie is known as the home of the world famous Polynesian Cultural Center. It is also known locally as the home of Hawai'i's Mormon community. While not popularly known worldwide, La'ie is also home of the Hawai'i branch of Bringham Young University. Another site worth seeing while passing through La'ie besides the Polynesian Cultural Center is the Mormon Temple. You can combine this with a tour of the BYUH campus.
Another added attraction to La'ie is that it has its own shopping center, complete with super markets, restaurants and its own movie theatre. If you are planning on living on the North Shore you'll want to note this since it is the only shopping center on this end of the North Shore, the others being back in Pupukea and Hale'iwa.
Luckily in the case of the North Shore, there is only one road in and out. There are two primary ways to the North Shore by car.
Route 1: If you want to head out to Hale'iwa side for surfing get on the H-1 West. Get into your right hand lane once you near Pearl City, you'll need to take the H-2 cut-off shortly there after. Stay on H-2 until you run out of freeway. It will eventually merge with Kamehameha Highway. Stay on Kamehameha Highway and it will eventually take you to Hale'iwa. To see the rest of the North Shore just stay on Kamehameha Highway and it will wrap around the coast, taking you pass everything else.
Route 2: If you want to go up La'ie side first to hit the Polynesian Cultural Center you can do it this way. Get on the H-1 West and stay in your right hand lane. Take the Likelike cut off and stay on it till you get through the Wilson tunnel. This will take you through Kane'ohe town. Get onto Kahekili Highway and stay on it. Eventually it will merge with Kamehameha Highway. Stay on Kamehameha Highway all the way and it will take you to La'ie. Along the way you'll also pass Kualoa Ranch and Chinaman's Hat.
There are only two bus routes to go up this way. The #52 (Wahiawa Circle Island) will take you up through Hale'iwa Side and the #55 (Kane'ohe Circle Island) will take you up La'ie side. To connect to these two buses catch the #8, 19, 20 or 47 on Kuhio Avenue back to Ala Moana. Transfer onto either the #52 or 55 depending on where you want to go.
The Virtual Guide to O'ahu Created by:
Jonathan Wong and Randy Gomabon
This site maintained by Jonathan Wong. Mail all comments, suggestions, etc to:
Copyright 1999-2000. The People's Productions