The O’ahu North Shore is famous for its surfing. Two of the World Surf League’s winter events are held there, at Pipeline and Sunset Beach. Waimea Bay is also where the big wave contest “The Eddie” takes place.
When family came to visit earlier this month, we took a leisure drive northward. They wanted to try those donuts we kept talking about. Our first day trip together, we made it as far north as Kailua, where we had lunch at Bowles Burrito. We had started at the Hālona Blowhole, close to Sandy Beach.
To Ted’s Bakery
This time to the North Shore we went west from Waikiki instead of east. It’s a faster route up north. Before too long, we passed through Hale’iwa and closing in on Ted’s Bakery for lunch and the soft heavenly donuts we’ve been telling our family (and everyone) about.
Hale’iwa
Hale’iwa is a small coastal town on the North Shore. Its name means “home of the frigate bird” for the birds above surfers on the waves. The whole North Shore is a surfing mecca and this part of O’ahu is no exception. Here we can find gentler waves, an easier entry point for some surfers and swimmers. It’s also a spot for other water sports and activities. And maybe a honu will bless you with its presence.
Like many towns on the islands, it has roots as a sugarcane plantation town. The growth of the industry brought workers from around the world. The diversity in Hawai’ian community continues today.
This laid back town also has art galleries, shops, and food options such as Hale’iwa Joe’s which has been there since 1998.
You may also want to check out Anahulu Bridge or “Rainbow Bridge” so nicknamed because its arch design looks like a rainbow. Officially it is Kamehameha Highway Bridge No. 603. This double-arch bridge is located at the northern entry to Hale’iwa and dates back to the 1900s, making it one of Hawai’i’s oldest bridges.
While you can walk over the bridge, you can also rent a paddleboard to experience it on the Anahulu stream. You may see kids jumping off the bridge. A common sight in Hawai’i.
Ted’s Bakery for Lunch
When we arrived, the parking lot was full, as it often is, and the covered picnic tables were already filled up. The line was long, with everyone waiting to order lunch.
There is a good selection of food, from plate lunches common to Hawai’i to sandwiches and of course, desserts.
The plate lunch is like a bento, the Japanese set meal. It is two scoops of rice, one scoop of mac salad, and a choice of protein. In the 1880s, workers on the sugarcane plantations brought their leftovers in bento boxes for lunch. The name “plate lunch” came later when food wagons began to serve meals on plates with partitions for each food item. By the time the plantation era was over, the plate lunch had become an Hawai’ian staple.
I had the garlic shrimp plate lunch, which comes with a piece of pie. Wade and his parents all got mahi burgers and donuts. The French Twist was sadly not available that day. The pastry shelves were actually already mostly empty, many of their donut varieties gone.
Beach Stops
Pipeline
The first beach we stopped at was Pipeline. Winter is when you want to come watch the amazing waves and the surfers on the North Shore. Summer is when you want to come if you want to get into the water. Even then, be aware. Never turn your back to the ocean.
It was calm enough for us to go in, just for bobbing around a bit. Still, both Wade and his dad, being surfers, kept an eye on us. It felt great to be in the ocean. I always keep a bag of swimwear, towels, and a change of clothes in the car so we can jump in anywhere. There’s also always a surfboard or two in the car, when we don’t have visitors in the backseat.
Pipeline is understandably a popular place to visit. It is one of the stops on the World Surf League world tour. Showcased is the powerful waves, amazing skills, and the beautiful barrels that Pipeline is famous for.
Wade and I came earlier in the year when we were in O’ahu for a look-see trip and vacation. It was quite packed with visitors. While Wade was watching the spring waves and surfers, I took the opportunity to capture that with my camera.
After we got out of the water, we sat on the beach with his parents to enjoy the sun. It was quickly getting crowded with both people there to enjoy the sun and curious onlookers to check out what this spot is about. There is no shade so be sure to bring an umbrella.
Kokololio Beach Park
The next stop was a more remote beach, further east, at Kokololio Beach Park. Kokololio, which means “gutsy” is near Hau’ula on the northeastern side of O’ahu.
Home to Hauula Forest Reserve, Hau’ula is a small town. Its community has members who can trace their ancestry back to original settlers of the island. Its name refers to the Hibiscus tree with red blossoms.
Kokololio Beach Park is also a camping site (permits required). The water was perfect for swimming. The sand was so soft and getting into the ocean was easy, without worrying about navigating rocks and sharp reef. We placed our beach towels on the grass under the shade of trees to relax and enjoy the afternoon sun.
Then we headed back into town, down the eastern shore of O’ahu. We passed by Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve. It is also a working cattle ranch, though most people would know this place as where many movies were filmed. This includes several Jurassic movies, Jumanji, Kong Skull Island, and Pearl Harbour. It is also backdrop for shows such as Magnum PI and LOST.
