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Have you been to the quaint little town called Haleiwa in Oahu? There, you can find restaurants to sit down, rest, refresh yourselves and take a break if you’re exploring the island or on your way to the north shore. 

More than a century ago, Haleiwa was just a little plantation town in the middle of nowhere. In 1898, the owner of a sugar plantation constructed a railroad from Honolulu to Haleiwa. At the end of the line, he opened up a grand Victorian hotel and called it “The Haleiwa Hotel”. Back in those days, a two-day excursion from Honolulu to Haleiwa, plus a night at the grand hotel cost just $10. Don’t you wish you can pay that price now?! The Haleiwa Hotel is no longer around, but the town still carries its name. 

As you approach the town, you will see a brown sign to your right that says “Historic Haleiwa Town”. A little distance behind it, just off the road, is the famous “Haleiwa Sign”, with a surfer girl dropping into a wave.

In the wintertime, Haleiwa is a popular place for surfing. But besides surfing, there are a lot of things to do. In fact, with a river and harbor, Haleiwa is the main hub of all ocean activities 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.

As for food, there are a variety of options. One place you need to check out is Matsumoto’s Shave Ice. You can recognize it by the line of people outside the store, waiting for their rainbow-colored treat.

Want to learn more about Oahu's history?

Check out our Grand Circle Island Tour!