This Is Hawaii's Quirkiest Little Town

Located on the island of Oahu, along the renowned North Shore, travelers will find the small town of Hale‘iwa. This town, home to just under 5,000 residents, has earned a name for itself as a prime surfing destination and beach town. However, in addition to its beaches, it has several lesser-known, but equally beloved attractions, such as The Ukulele Site, a local ukulele store, and Waimea Falls, a 45-foot cascading waterfall. If you are looking to experience the most eccentric side of Hawaii, Hale‘iwa should be on your radar.

Hale‘iwa's History

Although Hale‘iwa was once a community largely rooted in agriculture, it has since evolved into one of the world’s most beloved surfing destinations. In the early 19th century, native Hawaiians in Hale‘iwa town and the neighboring community of Waialua depended heavily on agriculture, cultivating crops like taro and cane sugar. Following the arrival of the Europeans, agricultural practices experienced a shift, with a major plantation company known as Waialua Sugar becoming a key component of the town’s economy by the turn of the century. During that same period, tourism began to take root in town, with the Victorian-style Haleʻiwa Hotel opening in 1899.

Although the town’s economy faced many ups and downs in the subsequent years, surfers discovered the powerful waves of the North Shore in the 1950s, ultimately turning it into a surf capital. In addition to the town’s surfing opportunities, travelers from around the world come to Hale‘iwa to appreciate its 19th-century architecture and historical agricultural significance, which continues to shape its identity today.

Waimea Falls & Hike

One of the most popular waterfalls on Oahu, Waimea Falls, is located just a 15-minute drive from Hale‘iwa on the North Shore. Travelers can easily reach these falls on a fully paved and short hike, walking about an hour each way. There are several cultural stops along the hike as well. Travelers can pause to appreciate Kauhale, an ancient Hawaiian living site that highlights the culture and lifestyles of early Hawaiians, and speak with resident artisans who share traditional local crafts. The hike also winds past beautiful botanical gardens, home to more than 5,000 tropical and subtropical plants, trees, and the alaeʻula—native birds often seen near the area’s ponds. At the end of the trail, travelers may have the opportunity to swim at Waimea Falls, which drops 45 feet into a large pool with plenty of space to enjoy the water, depending on daily waterfall conditions.

Hale‘iwa Beach Park

Located along the beautiful North Shore, there are several beaches near Hale‘iwa that travelers must visit. One of the most well-known is Hale‘iwa Beach Park, offering sandy shores, calm waters, and spectacular sunsets. There are plenty of amenities in the park as well, such as a playground, picnic areas, a basketball court, showers, restrooms, and free parking. With calmer waves, this beach is a great spot for swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and fishing. Travelers can also easily access the Ana'hulu River from this beach via kayak or paddleboard, crossing under the iconic Hale‘iwa Rainbow Bridge.

Ali'i Beach Park

Ali'i Beach Park, also referred to as Hale‘iwa Beach, is located near the Hale‘iwa Boat Harbor and is another popular place to unwind. Upon arriving at the park, travelers will find a large grassy picnic area, showers, restrooms, and lots of shady spots under the trees. This park is also great for watching sunsets, along with observing surfers riding the waves in the winter. If you will be visiting in the summer, consider scuba diving in the Hale‘iwa trench, which is home to live coral, sea turtles, fish, and even reef sharks!

Pua'ena Point Beach Park

Just north of Hale‘iwa Beach Park, visitors will reach Pua'ena Point Beach Park, which is a particularly good spot for surfing. Numerous surf schools in town offer lessons here, as the waves are ideal for beginner-level surfers. Paddleboarders and longboarders can enjoy the water here as well. If you are not a surfer, the shoreline is also a wonderful place for a walk, surrounded by views of the mountains and oceans. Some of the amenities in this park include picnic tables, shady areas under the trees, showers, restrooms, and free parking.

Surfing Spots

While travelers are welcome to surf at Puaʻena Point Beach Park, there are also several other spots around town for catching waves. Chun's Reef is an excellent surfing spot for beginner surfers and longboarders, particularly when the swells are smaller. The beach has a wide channel for paddling out with waves on the mellower side, making it fairly easy to ride. Intermediate surfers may want to head to Laniakea Beach. The waters here feature a wide channel for paddling out, with swells arriving from the north and northeast, resulting in longer rides than other beaches.

Advanced-level surfers will find several great beaches along the North Shore, where many waves are fast and powerful, and break over shallow reefs. Sunset Beach is the perfect example of these powerful waves, with rides often being long and the current becoming strong during bigger swells. Using a larger board in this surfing area is recommended. Meanwhile, surfers from around the world come to experience the waves of Pipeline and Backdoor, which feature extremely difficult waves that break over the reef. Those hoping to surf here should ideally look for swells coming from the west or northwest.

Shopping

Visiting Hale‘iwa’s markets and shops is one of the best ways to experience the area’s strong sense of community. If you are in town on a Thursday, make sure to stop by the Hale‘iwa Farmers Market, which takes place from 2 to 6 pm. The market sells a wide variety of products, including local produce, meats, bubble tea, pickles, Mochi waffles, poke, jewelry, glass art, and more. North Shore Goodies is another excellent place to grab food products, with one of their specialties being their locally made peanut butter with flavors like coconut, white chocolate raspberry, and pumpkin pie! If you are looking to buy a ukulele, stop by The Ukulele Site, which is known for its high-quality ukuleles. Visitors can visit the shop from 11 am to 5 pm on Wednesday through Saturday.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are a world-class surfer or a ukulele player in search of a new instrument, there are plenty of quirky things to do in Hale‘iwa. Even if you have not yet surfed, there are plenty of beginner surfing spots and schools willing to teach you. Beyond the beach, beautiful gems like Waimea Falls mix the outdoors with cultural experiences, making it easy to tailor your trip to your interests.