FREE KIDS SIZE YOGURT WITH ONE TOPPING!

TO REDEEM:  

1. Give them a 'shaka' by tapping on the blue shaka button above!
2. Follow @onoyohawaii on instagram or facebook 
3. At the counter show the cashier your Shaka Guide app!

**Offer is limited to just one (1) free kids size yogurt per app**

ABOUT ONO YO

Ono Yo is a frozen yogurt and acai truck focused on making naturally simple frozen yogurt and authentic acai that’s deliciously good for you. They use high quality ingredients of real fruit, organic plain Greek yogurt, and Brazilian acai to create their product. Their toppings are always fresh, season-specific, and locally-produced.

ONO YO

• Kahuku, HI 96731
• (808) 799-2110
• Mon - Sat 11AM - 9PM
• Sun 11AM - 7PM
• Click here for menu

Just before kualoa ranch, turn into kualoa beach park on your right and follow the road towards the end where you can get a good view of this little pointy island to your right. We locals call it chinaman’s hat for its resemblance to the straw hats worn by early chinese immigrants.

The park here has sprawling green grass with huge shade trees to relax under and have a picnic. If you are looking for an adventure, you may want to come back another day with a kayak and and paddle out and explore the island! Be aware that ocean conditions can sometimes be hazardous. 

You’ll also find a restroom here at the park if you need it. 

Laie beach park is on your right just before you arrive at the polynesian cultural center. It is nicknamed pounder’s beach by locals. It got its naame by the relentless pounding shorebreak, making it an ideal spot for body surfing and boogie boarding. It is quite a beautiful beach. If you’d like, stop here and explore a bit before continuing your journey.

Hukilau is a traditional hawaiian net fishing method, where a net is cast off the shore, and large crowds of people help pull the net in, often with an abundant catch.   On a saturday afternoon in 1948, the first hukilau took place at laie bay, which would be later named hukilau beach. And instead of the 700 tickets that were originally printed, more than 2,000 visitors showed up that day! 

This beach is a beach with a lot of history and a nice beach to stop by on your way to the north shore. It is located just on the edge of town. It has ample parking, showers, but no restrooms. The ocean conditions here vary, but generally is calmer during the summer months.

Hukilau is a traditional hawaiian net fishing method, where a net is cast off the shore, and large crowds of people help pull the net in, often with an abundant catch.   On a saturday afternoon in 1948, the first hukilau took place at laie bay, which would be later named hukilau beach. And instead of the 700 tickets that were originally printed, more than 2,000 visitors showed up that day! 

This beach is a beach with a lot of history and a nice beach to stop by on your way to the north shore. It is located just on the edge of town. It has ample parking, showers, but no restrooms. The ocean conditions here vary, but generally is calmer during the summer months.

Sunset beach is one of the stops. Even though it has an overwhelming fame for surfing, the beach, as its name suggests, actually has a gorgeous sunset view. For those who are romantically inclined, this is a perfect place to be during sunset.

One thing you should know is that the surfing season is between november and february when the calm summer ocean turns into monstrous winter waves. However, the waves are usually pretty flat during other times of the year. So don’t be surprised if no surfers are in sight during your visit. 

There is street parking along the beach here and also a parking lot with showers and a 

Restroom across the road from the beach.

The legendary surf beach – banzai pipeline is officially named ehukai beach. “Pipeline”, as surfers call it, is known for its quintessential barreling waves that curl like a pipe and frequently gets featured on magazine covers. However the powerful surf break actually forms right on top of a shallow reef. This means that if the surfer “eats it” or falls onto the wave, he is likely to be pummeled into sharp reef with great force.

Despite being one of the deadliest surf beaches in the world, every winter, hundreds of pro surfers flock to pipeline to catch that wave of their lives.  

One thing you should know is that the surfing season is between november and february when the calm summer ocean turns into monstrous winter waves. However, the waves are usually pretty flat during other times of the year. So don’t be surprised if no surfers are in sight during your visit. 

The parking here is limited, so if you can’t find a spot just look for street parking. There is a restroom with showers here if you need.

We are approaching one of the best places for snorkeling in oahu called shark’s cove.  Shark’s cove is actually a marine conservation district, with a diversity of sea life just below the water.

If there are children with you today, to the left of shark’s cove is an area of tidepools, perfect for kids to wade through and paddle around. A word of caution for all, the lava rocks here are very sharp. Use caution as you get in, and out of the water.

there is ample parking here as well as showers and a restroom.  One thing you should know is that the between november and february the calm summer ocean turns into monstrous winter waves here. So even though it is a cove, I recommend not swimming or snorkeling here during the winter months.

Waimea bay is a gorgeous moon-shaped white-sand beach. But what you can do here depends on the time of the year, and the conditions. During winter, the shorebreak is fierce and not suitable for casual swimming. However, when the water is calm, all kinds of wonderful water activities present themselves!  Swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing, come to mind.. . And if you want an adrenaline rush, there is also a 20-ft rock that’s very popular for rock jumping. 

Parking at waimea bay is limited, and can fill up fast. If this is the case today, you can pay $10 and park at waimea valley, otherwise, you will need to drive past the bay and find street parking. A local tip to avoid the parking problem here at the bay is to come early in the morning or late in the afternoon before sunset.

There are restrooms and showers here at the bay.

Called Laniakea beach, also known as Turtle Beach, this little beach is a natural feeding ground for honu, or sea turtles. If you happen to be here at the right time, you can see them lying and chilling here right on the beach or feeding just offshore.

But remember, it’s against the law to harm turtles - or even touch them. So if you do get lucky and see one of these gentle creatures, please admire them from a distance.

In recent years, Laniakea has gained so much popularity that parking has become somewhat difficult. Your only option is parking across the from the beach in a small dirt parking lot. Watch out for oncoming cars as you walk to the beach. Also note that traffic here can be difficult with so many people wanting to see the turtles, so just be patient.

In the wintertime, haleiwa is a popular place for surfing. But besides surfing, there are a lot of things to do here. In fact, with a river and harbor, haleiwa is the main hub of all ocean activities here on the north shore. You can kayak, stand-up paddle board, take a surfing lesson, scuba dive, or go fishing. You can even get in a cage while sharks swim around you. 

There are showers and restrooms available. Look in highlights under “adrenaline rush” for more information about activities you can do in haleiwa.

Waimea bay is a gorgeous moon-shaped white-sand beach. But what you can do here depends on the time of the year, and the conditions. During winter, the shorebreak is fierce and not suitable for casual swimming. However, when the water is calm, all kinds of wonderful water activities present themselves!  Swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing, come to mind.. . And if you want an adrenaline rush, there is also a 20-ft rock that’s very popular for rock jumping. You can’t miss the rock, towering from the left side of the beach. Make sure you only jump when and where the locals jump. They know the ocean conditions best and especially when to avoid jumping during low tide. 

Parking at waimea bay is limited, and can fill up fast. If this is the case today, you can pay $10 and park at waimea valley, otherwise, you will need to drive past the bay and find street parking. A local tip to avoid the parking problem here at the bay is to come early in the morning or late in the afternoon before sunset.

There are restrooms and showers here at the bay.

There are a ton of companies that will take you out to surf if you like. Some are based in Waikiki while others are based in Haleiwa. Depending on what your surf experience includes, it usually includes surf instructions, a 2 hour surf lesson, and transportation (depending). If you have never learned to surf before it is a lot of fun, especially when you finally are able to stand up on your surfboard! Here are a few good surf companies that I recommend based out of Haleiwa: 

Sunset Suratt Surf School
Haleiwa Beach Park
Phone number (808) 783-8657
www.surfnorthshore.com

North Shore Surf Girls Surf School
66-008 Kamehameha Hwy
Phone number(808) 637-2977
www.northshoresurfgirls.com

Take an outdoor adventure on one of O’ahu’s best ATV tours. Kualoa offers a one and two-hour ATV ride that take guests through scenic valleys and remote areas rarely visited by others. You will even see some of the movie scenes where Jurassic Park was filmed.  The ATV tours go out rain or shine but getting a little dirty is really just part of the fun! Prices and availability vary so call ahead and check the website for more information.

www.kualoa.com/oahu-tours/atv-tours

Come and see what all the craze is about Stand up paddle boarding! This is similar to surfing except instead of laying down on your stomach paddling you stand up and use a paddle. These boards are usually much larger and stable. It takes a while to find your balance but once you get the hang of it, it can be a lot of fun. If you are a beginner, it is best to learn by paddling up a river near Haleiwa instead of on the open ocean. This is because the waves can sometimes be choppy. The “core” workout is awesome but be prepared to get wet because it doesn’t take much to loose your balance on a SUP board! The best place to rent is the 2 shops just next to the river mouth so you don’t have to haul those big boards too far:

Rainbow Watersports
Haleiwa Beach Park
Phone number (800) 470-4964
www.rainbowwatersports.com

Buttons Surf School
Haleiwa Beach Park
Phone number (808) 497-8140
www.buttonssurfschool.com

Kayaking is a safe alternative to Stand up Paddling where you will likely not even need to get wet at all. There are single man and two man kayaks available but the double man kayak is a better deal and allows you to share the experience as well as the paddling effort with someone else. The best place to rent is the 2 shops just next to the river mouth so you don’t have to haul those kayaks too far. The river is not very long but a lot of fun for adults and children alike. If you get lucky you may even see some sea turtles who come up the river hear to sunbath. Plan on about 1 hour roundtrip. Make sure to bring sunscreen.

Surf N Sea
62-595 Kamehameha Hwy
Phone number (808) 637-7873
www.surfnsea.com

Tropical Rush Surf Co.
62-620 A Kamehameha Hwy
Phone number(808) 637-8886
www.tropicalrush.com

On Oahu there are only a handful of decent ziplines. Climbworks is definitely one of them. It is located in Kahuku on the northern top of the island. Depending on what package you purchase this zipline experience includes not only some sweet ziplines but also a series of rope bridges and boardwalks connecting each zipline. There is also one zipline that is a 1/2 mile long! Talk about a thrill! This place also give you some freedom in how you want to control you clips and zoom down the line. Consider adding this zipline experience to your Circle Island adventure. 

Climb Works Keana Farms
56-452 Kamehameha Hwy
Phone number (855) 282-1092
www.climbworks.com/keana_farms

Something you have got to do while on Oahu is to go Scuba diving or snorkeling to see the colorful marine life just beneath the ocean surface. Snorkeling is great from either Hanauma Bay or Shark’s Cove. You can either rent gear and go yourself or go with a tour group. Scuba Diving, on the other hand, I recommend going with a tour group, especially if this is your first time. Tours frequent a natural turtle feeding ground just off shore where you are likely to see a turtle. But remember, it’s against the law to harm turtles - or even touch them. So if you do get lucky and see one of these gentle creatures, please admire them from a distance.

www.hanaumabaysnorkel.com  |  www.oahudiving.com

This place serves up awesome local style pupu’s. For you mainlanders, that means appetizers. But not only does this place serves up a wide variety of appetizers that are fun to share with friends but also a ton of great pizza’s and entrees. Just depends on what you are feeling like. The eating ambiance is perfect and a nice break from the standard Waikiki chain restaurants. Be prepared for a wait if you come around dinner time.

Uncle Bo's Kapahulu
559 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815, United States
808.735.8310
Open Daily 5:00PM - 1:00AM

If you like good local style breakfast, then you should check out Cafe Kalia while in Kapahulu area. Their menu has a wide range of options from omelets to yummy waffles that are to die for. The only downside is you may die waiting for a table here in the morning. The wait can be quite long depending on the day so plan accordingly especially if you plan to go for breakfast. Their lunch and dinner menu is also yummy and great option if you are here around noon. The eating ambiance is also delightful.  Another breakfast option is Eggs N Things in Waikiki not too far down the street but also busy at breakfast time.

Cafe Kalia
Market City Shopping Ctr
2919 Kapiolani Blvd
Phone number(808) 732-3330
www.cafe-kaila-hawaii.com

On kapahulu ave there is a famous local bakery called leonard’s. You can recognize it by its tall vintage-style neon sign. Leonard’s is most famous for their delicious malasadas. A malasada is a portugese-style doughnut without a “puka” or hole in the middle. After the dough is fried they put your choice of sugar on the outside, and cream on the inside.  There is usually a line of customers, but it moves fast, and the malasadas are worth the wait! So type by and grab a snack before you get on the freeway and start the circle island tour.

Leonard’s Bakery
933 kapahulu ave kaimuki
Phone number (808) 737-5591
www.leonardshawaii.com

When Kapahulu was the main hub of town back in the day, Rainbow Drive-In was where everyone would come to hang out. Now it is less popular but still a noticeable icon just outside of Waikiki. If you are looking to try some solid local food like Loco Moco or BBQ mix plate than this is the best place around. Come check out this blast from the past drive-in dinner if you are looking for down-home Hawaiian style plate lunch. The only downside is parking is sometimes limited here so just be patient and there is only outdoor seating.  

Rainbow Drive-In
3308 Kanaina Ave
Phone number (808) 737-0177
www.rainbowdrivein.com

This is a true local hole in the wall place on Kapahulu. The general type of food is Japanese and sushi but even if you aren’t a fan or seafood you will love this place! The poke, Garlic ahi, and anything tempura are all to die for. The decorations here are interesting to say the least but that’s what makes this restaurant quirky and fun to experience.

Irefune Restaurant
563 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone number(808)737-1141

If you have not tried poke since you have come to hawaii, then here in the kapahulu area is your best bet! Developed with heavy influence from japanese immigrants, poke in its basic form is diced raw fish, usually tuna, with onions, green onions, soy sauce, and sea salt. My favorite is the spicy ahi poke served over rice. Even if you are not a big fan of fish, poke is unlike anything you have had before. So ono!  The only downside is there is a very tiny parking lot so be patient looking for a spot. They are open daily between 9am - 6-pm. Only limited outdoor seating available.

Ono seafood
747 kapahulu ave
Apt 4 kaimuki
Phone number (808) 732-4806

It all started out with just a few trucks that sourced their shrimp from the nearby freshwater ponds. But with the growing fame and demand, there are now at least a dozen trucks and roadside restaurants all claiming to sell this world-famous kahuku shrimp. I am not going to recommend any shrimp truck in particular, since they are all pretty good and around the same price.

And just a quick tip: eating shrimp is a hands-on experience, and it can get messy at times! You first need to suck all the delicious juice out before you peel it and eat. And it works best to use your hands. So remember suck, peel and eat. In that order! Enjoy!

Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
56-505 Kamehameha Hwy
Kahuku, HI 96731
Phone number(808) 293-1839

Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp
56-777 Kamehameha Hwy
Kahuku, HI 96731
Phone number(808) 232-8881

Romy’s Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp
56-781 Kamehameha Hwy
Kahuku, HI 96731
Phone number(808) 232-2202

Famous Kahuku Shrimp Truck
56-580 Kamehameha Hwy
Phone number (808) 389-1173

This is a family farm that serves up some great farm-to-table smoothies, panini sandwiches, and pizza all using their own locally grown produce. This place is a nice break from the many nearby shrimp trucks serving up about the the same thing. Their menu is simple, prices reasonable and the food is excellent.

Kahuku Farms Cafe
56-800 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731.
808-293-8159
open daily 11am-4pm, closed Tuesdays

This little restaurant is just off the road near Hukilau beach in Laie. The building and interior are a little antique with a nice surfer North Shore charm. If you want to get away from the tourist traps and eat where the locals eat, this is the place for you!

This place is open for only Breakfast and Lunch, I recommend going for breakfast as there is no air conditioning. The whole menu is great but my personal favorites are the banana pancakes or the loco moco if I am really hungry. This place only accepts cash so be prepared.

Hukilau cafe is not the same restaurant from 50 first dates. They did take the name from this restaurant but it was filmed in a Hollywood studio somewhere.

This place has great food and a great place to experience the North Shore.

Hukilau Cafe
55-662 Wahinepee St
Laie, HI 96762
6:30 am – 2:00 pm
(808) 293-8616

On your drive to the north shore you will see a lot of little fruit stands along the way. But the best one (that is mostly always open) is just past turtle bay called the kahuku fruit stands. I recommend stopping by for some locally grown fruit all cut, chilled and ready to eat. You will like the selection of papaya, coconut, pineapple and mango. Trust me, freshly cut and chilled tropical fruit taste so much better than the ones from cans!

Ted’s bakery, home of the famous chocolate haupia cream pies.  They also serve up some great garlic shrimp if you haven’t tried some already. But for sure the pies is what they are known for.  Stop by and grab a slice of pie. You won’t be disappointed!

Ted’s bakery
59-024 Kamehameha Hwy
Haleiwa, HI
(808) 638-8207
Open daily 7:00 am - 8:00 pm

This shave ice place was originally established in 1951 and was what made Hawaii famous for shave ice. The original store has now been recently renovated and expanded with outdoor seating area where you can enjoy your rainbow colored treat under a banyan tree. Don’t forget to get ice cream with the shave ice... so ono! And when eating your shave ice, remember to not eat too fast or you will get brain freeze!

M Matsumoto Grocery Store
66-087 Kamehameha Hwy
Phone number(808) 637-4827
www.matsumotoshaveice.com

This place hand’s down has the best view and eating ambiance. Try the coconut shrimp, prime rib, or any of their fresh fish entrees for the day and you can’t go wrong. Patio seating here is nice especially at sunset. The downside is it can get a little pricey but the view and relaxed restaurant decor make a great place to eat slow and chat. Be prepared for a 20-30 min wait around dinner.

Haleiwa Joe’s Seafood Grill
66-011 Kamehameha Hwy
Phone number(808) 637-8005
www.haleiwajoes.com

There is an open-air marketplace next to the polynesian cultural center that you can walk around, and use the restroom if you need to. There is a quaint collection of restaurants and shops that are fun to browse and stretch your legs. The marketplace opens at 11:00am daily, except sunday.

At the dole pineapple plantation is a great place to try fresh hawaiian pineapple, and get a feel for what plantation life must have been like. I recommend checking out the narrated pineapple train that takes you through a pineapple field. The train is a lot of fun for kids and adults and takes about 20 minutes. 

There is a restaurant here with plenty of good local food. Or if you already ate earlier on your North Shore experience, just try the dole whip soft serve ice cream. It is soo yummy.... but of course a little overpriced! There is also a gift shop and restrooms here to check out.

FREE KIDS SIZE YOGURT WITH ONE TOPPING!

TO REDEEM:  

1. Give them a 'shaka' by tapping on the blue shaka button above!
2. Follow @onoyohawaii on instagram or facebook 
3. At the counter show the cashier your Shaka Guide app!

**Offer is limited to just one (1) free kids size yogurt per app**

ABOUT ONO YO

Ono Yo is a frozen yogurt and acai truck focused on making naturally simple frozen yogurt and authentic acai that’s deliciously good for you. They use high quality ingredients of real fruit, organic plain Greek yogurt, and Brazilian acai to create their product. Their toppings are always fresh, season-specific, and locally-produced.

ONO YO

• Kahuku, HI 96731
• (808) 799-2110
• Mon - Sat 11AM - 9PM
• Sun 11AM - 7PM
• Click here for menu

While in the islands, one of the best ways to experience ancient island life is to visit the polynesian cultural center. This center is an all day polynesian experience that starts with a self-guided tour through 7 island villages of not only hawaii, but also tahiti, samoa, fiji, tonga, marquesas, and new zealand. At each village there are hands on activities perfectly suited for children. The canoe ride and canoe races is also a lot of fun for adults and children alike. 

The experience at the cultural center is enchanting to say the least; it’s perfect for couples and families.  It is, however, an all day adventure, from noon when the center opens, to 9pm when the night show is finished.  I also highly recommend that you plan for a visit and stay for the luau and night show, where more than 100 dancers perform on stage, and climaxes with a jaw-dropping fire knife dance. Your kids will love it!

One of the best places for snorkeling in oahu is called shark’s cove.  Shark’s cove is actually a marine conservation district, with a diversity of sea life just below the water.

If there are children with you today, to the left of shark’s cove is an area of tidepools, perfect for kids to wade through and paddle around. A word of caution for all, the lava rocks here are very sharp. Use caution as you get in, and out of the water.

There is ample parking here as well as showers and a restroom.  One thing you should know is that the between november and february the calm summer ocean turns into monstrous winter waves here. So even though it is a cove, I recommend not swimming or snorkeling here during the winter months.

Waimea valley is a paid attraction with a beautiful botanical garden, a 1 ½ mile round-trip hike to a 45-ft waterfall, and a variety of historic sites significant in hawaiian history. The trail is paved and suitable for families. There is even a paid golf cart service that can shuttle you to the waterfall and back if you like. A visit to the valley here is a great way to get the wiggles out of your kids and break up the long circle island drive. Be prepared with your swimsuit if you plan to swim at the waterfall. Tickets are $16 for Adults, $8 for Children

Waimea Valley
59-864 Kamehameha Hwy.
Hale`iwa HI 96712
(808) 638-7766
www.waimeavalley.net

Called laniakea beach, also known as turtle beach, this little beach is a natural feeding ground for honu, or sea turtles. If you happen to be here at the right time, you can see them lying and chilling here right on the beach or feeding just offshore.

But remember, it’s against the law to harm turtles - or even touch them. So if you do get lucky and see one of these gentle creatures, please admire them from a distance.

In recent years, laniakea has gained so much popularity that parking has become somewhat difficult. Your only option is parking across the from the beach in a small dirt parking lot. Watch out for oncoming cars as you walk to the beach. Also note that traffic here can be difficult with so many people wanting to see the turtles, so just be patient.

At the dole pineapple plantation is a great place to try fresh hawaiian pineapple, and an amazing pineapple ice cream called dole whip. Besides pineapple, dole plantation also has some fun activities, like a life-size maze that made the guinness record, a koi pond where you can feed fish, and a narrated pineapple train that takes you through a pineapple field explaining the early plantation life. The train is a lot of fun fun for kids and adults and takes about 20 minutes. If you want to check out the maze, plan on about 45 minutes. 

There is a restaurant here with plenty of good local food. Or if you already ate, just try the dole whip soft serve ice cream. There is also a gift shop and restrooms here.

In laie there is a peninsula that you can follow until it ends and park at the cul-de-sac. There are some great views of the sea arch. Hawaiian legend has it that the sea arch is the remains of a gigantic lizard! This lizard was cut into 3 pieces by the legendary warrior kana and his magic spear. Again, use some imagination, maybe you can also see the shape of a lizard tail in the sea arch while here? Be sure to watch your step on the jagged rocks. And while you are on the point, remember to turn around and take in the view of the coastline and the koolau mountains in your backdrop. It is truly breathtaking.

The cul-de-sac can get crowded around noon here so be patient trying to find a parking spot. If you are hoping to get away from the crowd, the best time to come visit laie point is in the morning at sunrise or in the afternoon before sunset. Then you will have the beautiful view all to yourself.

In ancient times, women from high-ranking families would come to give birth at this unique collection of large boulders, to ensure the child’s royalty. The name kukaniloko, means “to anchor the cry from within.”  It was thought that the stones have a special power so that those who gave birth here would do so with ease and no pain. After centuries of chiefs being born here, some say that there is a special mana, or power, that can be felt from the stones.

Now just imagine, with a large group of chiefs and midwives watching, the deliverying woman would sit on one of the rocks, as if sitting on a birthing chair, and had to push the baby out without even flinching. Whew! So glad that’s not the case anymore! 

This area here is usually deserted but a great place to spend some time away from the crowd with that special someone.

Sunset beach is one of the stops. Even though it has an overwhelming fame for surfing, the beach, as its name suggests, actually has a gorgeous sunset view. For those who are romantically inclined, this is a perfect place to be during sunset.

One thing you should know is that the surfing season is between november and february when the calm summer ocean turns into monstrous winter waves. However, the waves are usually pretty flat during other times of the year. So don’t be surprised if no surfers are in sight during your visit. 

There is street parking along the beach here and also a parking lot with showers and a 

Restroom across the road from the beach.

After following a small road for a few minutes past shark’s cove, it ends abruptly at a heiau. This national historic landmark might look nothing more than a series of rockwalls now. But over 250 years ago, it was a major temple in oahu.  This heiau is considered a luakini heaiu, in which sacrificial ceremonies, and even human sacrifice, were performed to help ensure success in wars. With a commanding view of the shoreline, this 400-year old temple was built with rocks hauled from the valley below. 

If you walk around the back side of the heiau opposite of the parking lot, there is a great view of waimea bay, especially if you go at sunset with that special someone.

In ancient times, women from high-ranking families would come to give birth at this unique collection of large boulders, to ensure the child’s royalty. The name kukaniloko, means “to anchor the cry from within.”  It was thought that the stones have a special power so that those who gave birth here would do so with ease and no pain. After centuries of chiefs being born here, some say that there is a special mana, or power, that can be felt from the stones.

Now just imagine, with a large group of chiefs and midwives watching, the deliverying woman would sit on one of the rocks, as if sitting on a birthing chair, and had to push the baby out without even flinching. Whew! So glad that’s not the case anymore! 

This area here is usually deserted but a great place to spend some time away from the crowd with that special someone.

To see a little piece of japan, you need to check out the Byo-do Inn temple. Nestled under the koolau mountains, the temple is a replica of a 950-year old japanese temple in uji, japan that is listed as a united nations world heritage site. 

The name byodo-in, literally means “temple of equality.” 

On the temple ground, there is a large 3-ton sacred bell that you can ring. It is said that the sound of the bell can instill peace of mind, and bring happiness and a long life.

Inside the temple, you will find a 9-foot tall statue of buddha, positioned in such a way as to catch the first rays of the morning sun.  The gift shop sells fish food that you can purchase to feed the large koi in the pond. The temple is open daily at 9am and charges a nominal cash only entry fee. I recommend bringing mosquito repellent if you plan to look around.

After following a small road for a few minutes up the the mountain past shark’s cove, it ends abruptly at a heiau. This national historic landmark might look nothing more than a series of rockwalls now. But over 250 years ago, it was a major temple in oahu.  This heiau is considered a luakini heaiu, in which sacrificial ceremonies, and even human sacrifice, were performed to help ensure success in wars. With a commanding view of the shoreline, this 400-year old temple was built with rocks hauled from the valley below. You can learn more about this heiau and see artist depictions of what it must have looked from the informational displays near the parking lot. 

Also, if you walk around the back side of the heiau opposite of the parking lot, there is a great view of waimea bay, especially if you go at sunset with that special someone.

While in the islands, one of the best ways to experience ancient island life is to visit the polynesian cultural center. This center is an all day polynesian experience that starts with a self-guided tour through 7 island villages of not only hawaii, but also tahiti, samoa, fiji, tonga, marquesas, and new zealand. At each village there are hands on activities as well as canoe ride and canoe races that is a lot of fun for adults and children alike. It’s perfect for couples and families.  It is, however, an all day adventure, from noon when the center opens, to 9pm when the night show is finished.  I also highly recommend that you plan for a visit and stay for the luau and night show, where more than 100 dancers perform on stage, and climaxes with a jaw-dropping fire knife dance. It is the best luau and show on island!

No one knew how exactly pineapple was introduced in hawaii, but it wasn’t until james dole came along in 1901, that pineapple production in hawaii rose to an industrial scale.  With the latest technology at that time, dole had the pineapple peeled, processed and shipped off in cans. In fact, dole’s business grew so large that he eventually purchased the island of lanai and turned it into a 20,000-acre pineapple plantation. 

At the dole pineapple plantation is a great place to try fresh hawaiian pineapple, and get a feel for what plantation life must have been like. I recommend checking out the narrated pineapple train that takes you through a pineapple field explaining more about the early plantation life. The train is a lot of fun for kids and adults and takes about 20 minutes. There is a restaurant here with plenty of good local food. Or if you already ate, just try the dole whip soft serve ice cream. There is also a gift shop and restrooms here.

There is an open-air marketplace next to the polynesian cultural center that you can walk around, and use the restroom if you need to. There is a quaint collection of restaurants and shops that are fun to browse and stretch your legs. The marketplace opens at 11:00am daily, except sunday.

Just before kualoa ranch is a pit stop called the tropical nut farm. It’s a souvenir shop with coffee and macadamia nut samples that you can try for free. So if you’re feeling a little nutty, stop by the tropical nut farm.

There is a fun family owned soap factory further down the road from haleiwa where they make fresh soap daily with elegant island fragrances. The factory is in the old cone-shaped waialua sugar mill. It is fun to buy some soap here and put your own stamp on it with one of the many soap stamps. 

North Shore Soap Factory
67-106 Kealohanui St, Waialua, HI 96791, United States
Phone: (808) 637-8400
http://www.hawaiianbathbody.com/

If the beautiful scenery of Haleiwa has inspired you during your vacation, you may want to consider taking a little piece of Hawaii back home with you in the form of art! Hawaii has long inspired artists starting way back with Georgia o'Keeffe. Haleiwa is a great place to browse some of the many art boutique stores. And don’t worry about shipping, many stores will help you with that too!  

Haleiwa Art Gallery
66-252 Kamehameha Hwy # 1, Haleiwa, HI 96712
(808) 637-3368
Open:  10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Clark Little Gallery - Haleiwa
66-165 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712
clarklittlephotography.com
(808) 626-5319
Open:  10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Wyland Galleries
North Shore Marketplace
66-250 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712
wylandgalleries.com
(808) 637-7498/p>

Britton Gallery
North Shore Marketplace
66-250 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712
brittongallery.com
(808) 637-6505
Open: 10:30 am – 6:30 pm

This place hand’s down has the best view and eating ambiance. Try the coconut shrimp, prime rib, or any of their fresh fish entrees for the day and you can’t go wrong. Patio seating here is nice especially at sunset. The downside is it can get a little pricey but the view and relaxed restaurant decor make a great place to eat slow and chat. Be prepared for a 20-30 min wait around dinner.

Haleiwa Joe’s Seafood Grill
66-011 Kamehameha Hwy
Phone number(808) 637-8005
www.haleiwajoes.com

Kono’s brings a solid breakfast place to Haleiwa. The breakfast burrito’s aka “Bombers” here are huge and amazing; seriously like an explosion of flavor. On the downside this place can be a little more pricey than a food truck but the location makes up for it.  Only open for breakfast and lunch. Look for the sign with the surfing pig!

Kono’s
66-250 Kamehameha Hwy  Ste G110
Phone number(808) 637-9211
https://www.konosnorthshore.com/

This is a fun local-style bakery right across the parking lot of the grocery store Malama market. Their variety of smoothies, and sandwiches totally hits the spot. To top it off, be sure to grab some of their ono cookies for the road, completely homemade. I love the surfer style art and decorations in the store. Just taking a picture at the front entrance is a great way to keep the memory of this awesome little town of Haleiwa.  

Waialua Bakery & Juice Bar
66-200 Kamehameha Hwy
Phone number (808) 341-2838
Open 10am - 5pm daily, closed Sunday

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Honolulu International Airport (HNL)

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445 Seaside Ave #3c, Honolulu, HI 96815

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