101 Things To Do in Hawai‘i

Hang in Hale‘iwaO‘ahu

Life on O‘ahu’s North Shore is centered around a lively surf town with a colorful past. Once the playground of Hawaiian royalty, Hale‘iwa gained celebrity as the location of the television hit “Baywatch.” However, the big winter waves that roll into the town’s nearby beaches are the major draw.

The more than century-old town is a picture of the past, with rustic old buildings dominating the landscape. Many of the structures are listed on the State Register of Historic Sites, including the vintage 1921 building that has been the home of Surf N Sea Ocean Sports headquarters for over 35 years. The collection of surfboards hanging from the ceiling of the building trace the evolution of the sport from ancient wooden boards you would expect to find at the Bishop Museum to examples of every era since.

Hale‘iwa is also known for its shark encounter tours, roadside shrimp plate vendors and active art community.

There are at least six art galleries in Hale‘iwa featuring dozens of artists, many of whom are from the Islands, and several gift shops that sell arts and crafts. In the North Shore Marketplace,

the seascapes of Roy Tabora and Walfrido Garcia are on display. World-famous marine artist Wyland has established his headquarters here. In addition, watch for murals created by the late artist and musician Ron Artis, which appear in ocean vessels, on skydiving aircraft and in public places. In Hale‘iwa and the neighboring community of Waialua, you’ll find an eclectic combination of marine art, pottery, sculptures, watercolors, and arts and crafts.

The iconic M. Matsumoto shave ice store has been serving cool treats for more than 50 years. Shave ice packed into a cone and mixed with flavored syrups, sweet azuki beans and ice cream is a local favorite.

In Hale‘iwa, you can rent or buy just about anything you need for fun on the water. If you need help learning to surf, windsurf, scuba dive or stand up paddle, an instructor is nearby.

• Hawai‘i Shark Encounters (808) 351-9373
• Kua ‘Aina Hamburgers and Sandwiches 
(808) 637-6067
• North Shore Shark Adventures (808) 228-5900
• Surf N Sea (808) 637-9887
• North Shore Swimwear 1-800-24-SUITS
• Aloha General Store (808) 637-2288