THE NORTH SHORE: Your rented Ford Mustang or Toyota Corolla will enter the beautiful North Shore via two roads;
either Highway 803 from the west or Highway 99 coming from Wahiawa. I used to enjoy the scenic route along 803,
which you take as the road forks just north of Schofield Barracks. It's a windy, twisty stretch of road that gives
an impressive view of Kolekole Pass to your left, looking towards the Waianae Mountains. You crest the ridgeline
and start down a very curvy stretch towards Waialua, until you reach the intersection at Highway 930. Continuing
straight takes you into Waialua and Dillingham; bearing right takes you into Haleiwa and towards Kahuku. You'll
know the intersection when you see two beautiful old-style Ka'maina houses on your right, shaded under some large,
beautiful eucalyptus tress.
You can almost taste the homemade ice tea and feel the beautiful trades blowing as you
marvel at these beautiful homes. A true touch of old Hawaii at its best.
Let's continue straight for a while first and head towards Dillingham beach. There is a gas station and a few
small local stores before you pass under an overpass and head towards Waialua School on your left. This is a great
place to stop, get some freshly made barbecue chicken and grab a cold one (beer or non-alcoholic). You will pass
a series of old sugar plantation houses in various states of repair as you head west towards Dillingham beach.
Note the beautiful view off to your left of Wai'anae mountains, including the highest point on the island. The
sugar fields are no more which once boasted lush, deep fields of cane as far as the eye could see on your left and
right.
Now a series of farms have sprung up trying to grow palm trees and Bird of Paradise plants. There is a
great flower and garden shop tucked in on your right after you come out of Waialua. Look for a small sign on your
right, go in a few hundred meters and turn left. Its a few meters own the street. Lots of orchids, fruit trees
and assorted plants to choose from. Dillingham airfield will appear on your left and by now you would have seen
the numerous gliders and parachute planes flying and circling around your head. You can take your chances going
hang gliding or trying tandem and freefall parachuting here. You can call "The Original Glider Rides" at 677-3404 to
talk prices and availability. It'll set you back around $100.00 but the views are spectacular. Off to your right
before you enter Dillingham is a nice state park that offers a great beach walk for several miles each way.
This is a great place to see sea turtles spawning and swimming close to shore, and during the winter months boasts an
impressive view of humpback whales splashing about off the coast. This area is usually quiet and a nice place to
take a walk with your loved one(s) or pets. Kite flying is popular here, as is parasailing. The winter winds
kicks up quite a sandstorm on your feet and knees, and can get a bit uncomfortable at times. Watch the weather
reports to save an unpleasant beach trip here. Not to worry though, because its only 20 minutes down the road to
Waianae or Sunset if you have to change. Dillingham Beach is another place you can relax, have a barbecue, drink
a beer or two and enjoy the sunshine without the throngs of tourists. Make sure you lock you car and hide all
valuables, as in any other area of the island.
The quietness here will make you a bit more vulnerable to the trunk
popper of window smasher if they see unsecured or easy valuables to hoc. You can follow the road all the way west
until it ends, passing the YMCA summer camp on your right. Be advised the road does not take you around Ka'ena point
into Waianae, and turns into an undrivable dirt stretch. This part is very uninhabited except for some local
fisherman and residents camping out. Great place to walk the dog, or enjoy a private sand dune to yourself.
Go back for a meoment to the road intersection at Hwy. 930 and Kaukonahua Road, and this time let's proceed right
towards Haleiwa instead of straight towards Dillingham. You will see a nice little store on your left about 250 meters
down which sells an assortment of macadamia nut and local edible products.
You've gone too far if you reach the rotary,
and I just can't remember the name for the life of me. Upon reaching the rotary, proceed around and head into Haleiwa for
a beautiful tour of peaceful Hawaii. Haleiwa is a lot like Key West, Providence Town, Virginia Beach areas which are
laid back, tranquil and relaxing. Loads of beachgoers, surfers, locals and shops to choose from. There's a Mc Donalds
on your left as you come into town (for fast food junkies), and across the street is a nice little place to have a delicious
and cheap local breakfast. Eggs, bacon, Kona coffee with the ceiling fans buzzing overhead. Under $5.00 and you'll love
every bite. Great little art and sculpture shop tucked in here too, with lots of reasonably priced local crafts, Hawaiianna
items to choose from. There's a post office, pizza parlor and health food store across the street at the bus stop for your
convenience. Proceed East into Haleiwa and turn right into the North Shore Market Place.
This contains a large variety of stores, botiques and food outlets to browse through. Another Power Breakfast stop is
the Coffee Gallery you will see towards the back right corner. Walking in here you will be accosted by the strong, sweet
smell of fresh coffee beans roasting in their open cooker. Sit down in their screened in patio and enjoy the local artwork
or take a quiet table out back and read your morning edition of the Honolulu Advertiser. I used to love being here at around
0630-0700, drinking that frst cup of Vanilla Macadamia Nut Coffee, watching the big sugar cane trucks rumbling by towards the
Wialua mill. Unfortunately they are now a thing of the past, but the morning haze, sweet smells of Hawaii and incredible view
towards the Waianae Mountains remain. A little pricey here for breakfast, but the Waffles and coffe are a must. In the middle,
tucked in behind KFC is another group of great local shops with loads of local crafts, clothes and items to choose from. One
store always keeps out lots of free samples of sugar cane candy, macadamia nuts, hot coffee varieties and others.
Great way to save a few bucks nibbling while you hold over for lunch or dinner. Once back on Hwy. 83, you'll be bombarded
with a huge selection of local clothes shops, art galleries, and shaved ice hang outs. Don't miss the Kua Aina Sandwich shop on
your right for a big burger, string fries and drink. You'll have to pull off the pound of romainne lettuce to get to the burger but its the
best place for a half pound burger on the north shore. Glance at the great selection of memorabilia on the walls of old
photographs, surfers and such. Meg's Barbecue and Grille is a few feet further and now boasts a selection of Tex-Mex,
burgers and food. This used to be my #1 spot for an 8oz burger, large fries and drink under five bucks, but changed hands
last year. Too bad 'cause now its off my best eat list. Haleiwa shopping center will be next on your left, again with a large
selection of stores to choose from. Then its on to a series of great shaved ice stores on your left. A must for cooling off your sunburn,
tired eyes and dry throat. Continuing on, you'll come to the Haleiwa bridge, where you'll yeild right of way to buses or
trucks unless you want to get a new Hertz rental. Here you'll see a great antique store on your right, and access on your
left to Haleiwa Boat Harbor and Brach Park. Once across the bridge, you'll have a bunch more of great local stores to choose
from for t-shirts, post cards, clothes and food. There's a gas station here also if you're almost on empty. Harbor side along the higway,
you'll see some jet-ski rentals if you want. A bit Pricey but fun and easy to do with small break in the bay. Proceeding East, you've got
the beach on your left, a field to play frisbee, have a picnic or walk the kids a bit, and usually a few locals peddling fresh roasted
macadamia nuts, pineapples and things along the road. This finishes up Haleiwa, and you will come back to Hwy 83. Hang left and proceed towards
Waimea and the north shore, or right to get back to Wahiawa and towards Honolulu.
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