Haleiwa, The Surfer's Mecca
Places to visit > Haleiwa - More in this category > Honolulu > Hanauma Bay > Kailua > Kaneohe > North Shore > Pearl City > Pearl Harbor > Sunset Beach > Wahiawa > Waikiki > Sea Park > Honolulu Zoo > WaterfallsIn the 1960's Haleiwa became a 'Mecca' for surfers all around the world. Hippies and beachcombers alike were lured to Haleiwa by the 1964 surfing classic movie Endless Summer, and remained there for the rest of their lives. Haleiwa has not been obscured by rebuilding and development so the town still possesses those sixties qualities. It is bursting with hippie-style shops, organic restaurants and tie-dyed clothing. Be prepared to take a trip back to the swinging sixties and live for the surf, the sun and love man!
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In 1832 the first missionaries to the North Shore of Oahu built a grass house and a little missionary school on the river bank. They called the school Haleiwa meaning house (hale) of the great frigate bird (iwa). Over time as a town began to form around the school, the name came to represent the entire village. So the main town of the North Shore was born.
Haleiwa is 24 miles north of Honolulu and is pronounced " ha-lay-eve-a". It is a very enticing and intriguing town with a blend of upfront tourists traps and authentic sixties stores. Although the hippy traditions are very evident in this town, surfing is integral to the town's character. To see the local devotion to the surfing lifestyle for yourself, be sure to visit the North Shore Surf and Cultural Museum in the North Shore Marketplace . The museum has a collection of vintage surfboards, period photos and ancient surfing artefacts.
A definite stop in Haleiwa is at a Japanese grocery store called Matsumoto's. It is here that the renowned "shave ice" is served, and is a tasty treat for your wonders around the streets of the town. Shave ice is the answer to the mainland's snow-cone; it consists of finely shaved ice smothered in sweet syrup. The result will have you wondering back to the store again and again on those hot summer days.
Opposite Matsumoto's is the Liliuokalani Church which dates back to 1832. The most unusual sight is a seven-dial clock that Queen Liliuokalani gave the church as a gift. The clock shows the hour, the day, the month, the year and the phases of the moon. The queen's 12 letter name replaces the numerals on the clock face.
The Haleiwa Alii Beach Park is a famous site for several top surfing competitions. It was also the filming location for Baywatch Hawaii. With its generous white sand beach and up to 20ft waves, surfing is king! When waves are about 5ft it is a great place for local kids to learn to surf. There are even free surfing lessons on weekend mornings in winter. When waves increase to about 6ft, it is advised that only experienced surfers try to tame them. The currents are very strong and can easily overpower those not used to their boards.
A better place to swim is at the Haleiwa Beach Park. Though not as spectacular as the Alii, the park offers full beach facilities such as basketball and volleyball courts and an exercise area.
As you drive down the highway along the north coast of Oahu, be sure to heed the road sign "Don't Bypass Haleiwa". Stop, have a look around and imagine you are back in the swinging sixties!The other islands of Hawaii - Big Island - Kauai - Lanai - Maui - Molokai - Cruises
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