"Lost" in Waialua
The North Shore - a place of beautiful scenery, quaint shops, youthful energy, and wild surf. But there's another North Shore, if you know where to look. If you aren't a local you almost have to be "lost" to find it. It's the quieter area including the old sugar plantation town of Waialua and the more remote beaches of Mokuleia all the way to Kaena Point where the road ends. So ditch the crowds and the traffic jams, and head west from Haleiwa Joes, to the quirky, old-fashioned charms of Waialua and the attractions of Mokuleia just a few miles further.
A Favorite Local Getaway
The Waialua and Mokuleia areas are favorite spots for Oahu families to gather. Practically unknown to tourists, Waialua is just 5 minutes from Haleiwa town. Many well-known local families have Crozier addresses for their principal residence or as weekend retreats. Successful business people, media figures, and well-known families with roots going back generations choose this location to leave city life behind. Here they can kick back, away from the city. It's just 45 minutes from Honolulu, yet worlds away. This area is served by 2 roads from Honolulu and Central Oahu, so traffic tie-ups are rare.
The Beach
Mokuleia Beach seems to go on forever. It is unusual in that it is a year-round beach with opportunities to enjoy so many water sports in one location. There is a reef close to shore to minimize the seasonal wave action which can endanger beachgoers and homes alike. Here it's sheltered by a reef, which provides year-round calm-water activities. Snorkeling right from the sandy beach is great from Au Street and west. You may see monk seals, green sea turtles, as well as dozens of tropical reef fish. Kayaking here is perfect for the beginner, or go out beyond the reef for a thrill ride. Spear fishing is also popular. What you won't find is crowds. What you are likely to find is yourself, alone on the beach. But if you like more excitement, kite surfing is a rush at Mokuleia Beach Park.
Of course there are various surfing spots including Changes and others. Check out the Mokuleia Live SurfCam here: http://livesurfcamhawaii.com/oahu/mokuleia.html.
Homes on and off the beach
The Waialua and Mokuleia has an great variety pf properties to buy, both condos and houses. You can get the gorgeous beach home pictured above - with cottage- for a cool $2,950,000, located on a prime section of white sand beach. For more details, see http://www.halehoohuli.com/.
Off-water homes in Waialua are mostly in the $400,000 - $800,000 range. Simple condos centered in the Au Street area are available within a block of the beach from $150,000 to $400,000 or more depending on condition, size, and distance from the beach. Rentals are available in all prices too, from luxury vacation homes to cheap surf shacks and apartments.
Businesses and Attractions
The Old Waialua Sugar Mill is still standing, and now features local agricultural products, surfboards, and crafts. Purchase the ultra dark and delicious Waialua chocolate, coffee, and other interesting gourmet products. You can find out more here http://www.sugarmillhawaii.com/. The Waialua and surrounding areas also grow other produce such as papaya, banana, mango, lychee, dragon fruit, pineapple, taro, tomato, Japanese cucumber, corn, radish, lettuce. Many of our beautiful tropical flowers are grown around or nearby the area as well. These are favored by chefs from the best restaurants on the island.
Waialua Farmer's Market is open for business every Saturday morning. It's worth getting up early to plan your day over a steaming cup of local brew. Both have outstanding North Shore produce, crafts, as well other local specialties edible and otherwise.
Community Features
A convenient Bike Path stretches 2.5 miles from the well known Haleiwa ‘Weed Circle’ all the way to Crozier Loop.
The Waialua Public Library is a remarkable and award-winning library. They host interestingTuesday Evenings at the Library. Example: August 30, 6:30 p.m. – “Afghanistan: An Historic Travelogue.” You can also enjoy outdoor concerts at the Waialua Bandstand.
Camp Erdman YMCA and the Salvation Army both have camping facilities serving the ecommunity. Check out the excellent North Shore Chamber of Commerce web site at http://www.gonorthshore.org/history.htm for more local activities and attractions.
Dry Land Recreation
The Hawaii Polo Club plays from spring through summer at Dillingham Polo Field in Mokuleia. This is one of the only clubs in the U.S. Polo Association to play on a beachfront field. It is great fun to watch and the players, who are from all over the world, and their amazing ponies, put their hearts and souls into the game. And just like in other worldwide locations, the Polo Club spectators traditionally "dress up" for games, at least by Hawaii standards.
Dillingham Airport is famous for skydiving, glider rides, and old fashioned biplane rides.
Hiking is popular, especially Peacock Flats, up the Waianae Mountain Range where you can see both sides of the island, and whales frolicking in the ocean during the winter months.
The Arts
There are many galleries and ongoing special events and exhibitions all year round. For example, on August 27, 2011 the Haleiwa Town Art Walk featured special events at many of the galleries and shops.
Every summer also brings an open air Art Fair Market at our popular Haleiwa Park (where the main building and life guard towers used in the ‘Bay Watch’ TV series are still in use).
Haleiwa Boat Harbor is just minutes away. This is the only boat harbor on the entire North Shore, more info at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dbor/oahuharbors/haleiwahrbr.htm.
Schools -they're Great!
Waialua Elementary School was just named a 2011 Blue Ribbon School Winner for meeting high academic standards - one of just 3 in the entire state of Hawaii. Right next to Waialua Elementary there is a huge soccer/baseball/football field with stadium lighting for night games.
Waialua Intermediate and High School is celebrating its 75th anniversary with special celebrations involving the entire community. For a private schooling option, St Michaels School grade K-8 in Waialua offers a Holistic Catholic education.
Restaurants - A short drive takes you to some nearby favorites:
Haleiwa Joes, Jamison’s and The Breakers
Matsumoto's Shave Ice is just around the corner, and attracts throngs of tourists and locals alike.
Weekend breakfasts at Cafe Haleiwa.
Cholo's Mexican Restaurant is a landmark.
It's worth a drive to Ted’s Bakery for its famous Chocolate Haupia (coconut) Pie from their Sunset Beach bakery.
History Nuggets
Hawaiian settlements are documented in the Waialua and Waimea areas around 1100 AD.
In 1779 Captain Cook’s ship came to Waimea Bay after his death, searching for fresh water.
Almost 200 years ago, missionaries John and Ursula Emerson settled in Waialua and founded the Queen Liliuokalani Protestant Church, which still stands.
The Waialua Sugar Mill was first built in 1865, amd re-built by Castle and Cook in 1898. The mill ceased operations in 1999, and was the last sugar plantation to operate on the island of Oahu.
Fun Facts
For you ‘Lost’ TV fans, Mokuleia Beach was also home to the downed jumbo jet, which was featured in many episodes. The beach where the jet crashed, and the cast was stranded, is not far from the Dillingham Airfield.
Beautiful, gusty, dramatic, Kaena Point is locally rumored to be the burial point for the ancient Hawaiian royalty, the Ali’i.
You can still hike around the point, past “Land’s End” to the west shore – in fact, it is the only way you can get there by land.
And you can still find people collecting sea salt, just as their ancestors did, from the crevices in the seaside lava rocks at Kaena Point.
Mokuleia
With all its many natural beauties and attractions, it’s no wonder that “Mokuleia” means Isle of Abundance in Hawaiian.
Your comments and ratings are appreciated, but please use the email link by my name if you wish a personal response, or email directly to stephanieg@remax.net.
Article © 2011 Stephanie Gieseler, Honolulu, Hawaii. All rights reserved.
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