Overview
Hale'iwa (Ha-lay-eee-va) is a small beach town on the North Shore of Oahu. It's the most built up of the towns in the region, has some of the better restaurants, and is generally the place to go if you're staying within half an hour or so of here.
1 sights · 3 things to do · 11 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Hale'iwa
Hale'iwa Historical town
You may recognize the location as being the site of a former television series called 'Baywatch', but this more than 100-year-old historic town offers more than that. Many of the buildings are on the State Register of Hi…
Hale'iwa Art Festival
Held each July, is a treat.
Hale'iwa Beach Park
Located in the Historical town of Hale'iwa fronted by a narrow brown sand beach. While its shallow, rocky ocean bottom does not attract many swimmers, the park is well-used by canoe paddlers as a training and regatta sit…
Mokule'ia Beach Park
Mokulēʻia means "isle (of) abundance" in Hawaiian. Located on the northwestern tip of the island, this long white sandy beach is frequented by many of the local Hawaiians for its enticing windsurfing conditions and nice …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 67°F. Wettest: Mar and Nov. (climate data from nearby Honolulu)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HNL Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Honolulu, Oahu — 22 mi away (major hub). Directions
- MKK Molokai Airport, Kaunakakai — 72 mi away. Directions
From Honolulu or Waikiki: Or if you have a car, take the H1 west to the H2 north, follow signs for the North Shore and you'll end up on the Kamehameha Hwy. Look for signs to Hale'iwa. The journey is about 40min.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $10 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Hale'iwa Historical town, Hale'iwa Beach Park
- Lunch Pizza Bob's
- Afternoon Mokule'ia Beach Park, Hale'iwa Art Festival
- Dinner Matsumoto Shaved Ice
- Evening Island Vintage Coffee
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
From Honolulu or Waikiki: Or if you have a car, take the H1 west to the H2 north, follow signs for the North Shore and you'll end up on the Kamehameha Hwy. Look for signs to Hale'iwa. The journey is about 40min.
From Schofield Barracks Area: There is a sign on Highway 99 indicating where to turn to reach Hale'iwa.
From Waimea Bay: Head west on Kamehameha Hwy, and take a right turn at the sign for Hale'iwa.
By bus
From Honolulu/Waikiki, it's pretty easy to bus it instead of driving. Catch the Number 52 bus at Ala Moana Shopping Center, or the Number 55 "Kaneohe/Circle Island" and get off in Hale'iwa to stretch your legs. Help the planet, help reduce Oahu congestion and don't rent a car, catch the bus. You'll save money and meet real people who really live here.
You might want to take a jacket or fleece with you since the air conditioning inside buses is often pretty fierce.
Get around
The town is small, and best seen on foot. However, there are several other options to see the town, and the whole of the North Shore. You can rent a bike, moped or even an Uber if need be. With the North Shore being visited by over half of the visitors that come to Oahu, you will want to take advantage of nimble transportation.
See
See Hale'iwa Historical town
You may recognize the location as being the site of a former television series called 'Baywatch', but this more than 100-year-old historic town offers more than that. Many of the buildings are on the State Register of Historic Sites, and the rustic old building that dot the town are simply charming.
Do
Do Hale'iwa Beach Park
Located in the Historical town of Hale'iwa fronted by a narrow brown sand beach. While its shallow, rocky ocean bottom does not attract many swimmers, the park is well-used by canoe paddlers as a training and regatta site, by kayakers as an access point to the bay, and by surfers who ride the waves at Pua’ena Point.
Do Mokule'ia Beach Park
Mokulēʻia means "isle (of) abundance" in Hawaiian. Located on the northwestern tip of the island, this long white sandy beach is frequented by many of the local Hawaiians for its enticing windsurfing conditions and nice fishing spots.
Buy
Shop Rainbow Bridge Gift Shop
Beach towels, snorkel equipment, surf boards are just a few of the items for sale or rent here. Handmade Ukuleles can be found here. You might be lucky and find Pettra in the store. If so, Pettra sometimes plays a Ukulele and sings--a real treat.
Eat
Budget
Eat The Beet Box Cafe (in Celestial Foods)
Lacto-ovo-vegetarian, natural foods
Eat Pizza Bob's
Haleiwa. An American/Italian restaurant on the north shore in Haleiwa which is popular for both families on day trips and local surfers after their session. They use all locally farmed ingredients which makes their food quite special. A typical entree is around $10-12.
Eat Grass Skirt
Popular with the locals, excellent food for the price. Three types of fish steak dinners (ahi, mahi, or ono) with rice, side salad and locally grown greens. Or opt for a sandwich. Take-out is available.
Eat Killer Tacos
One stop taco joint. Tasty and cheap. Sells Tacos, Burritos, Nachos, and Taco Salads. Friendly and helpful staff. Motto is "Let us roll you a fatty!".
Eat Matsumoto's Shave Ice
It's been open since 1951 and is the best place to get shave ice on the north shore. For a twist on this local favorite, try it with ice cream, azuki bean or both. Also a great place to pick up crack seed (preserved fruit candy), souvenirs or a signature t-shirt. Expect a long line during peak tourist season.
Eat Shrimp Trucks
Kahuku's shrimp farms provide fresh shrimp for many trucks scattered between Kahuku and Haleiwa. A good place to get a relatively quick and cheap lunch plate on the north shore.
Eat Ted's Bakery
A must-visit for anybody on a north shore day trip. Their food is pretty good, but the cream pies are the main draw. They are celebrated for the chocolate-haupia pie, which is world-class.
Mid-range
Eat Banzai Sushi
Tasty sushi in the heart of Hale'iwa.
Eat Cholos Homestyle Mexican
Mediocre but popular, it's the place to be for dinner if you're lookin' to get your tequila on.
Eat Hale'iwa Joe's
A popular seafood grill in the heart of town.
Splurge
Drink
Drink Island Vintage Coffee (Island Vintage)
Great place for latte's, coffee, breakfast or healthy lunch. The best option I personally think for coffee drinkers.
Go next
From Hale'iwa it is 13.5 mi (22km) to Turtle Bay Hilton, 16 mi (26km) to Kahuku, 17 mi (27km) to Malaikahana and 19 mi (31km) to Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie.
- Waimea Valley - Stunning botanical gardens and waterfall. 0.5 mi (1km) stroll to waterfalls, reasonable prices for admission and lunch. Thursday and Sunday at 2PM, the Native Plant Tour is offered. Also look for Full Moon Walks and Historic Hawaii Living Tours.
Nearby
Pūpūkea
City / town · 11 listings · 7 mi away
Waianae
City / town · 13 listings · 12 mi away
Kahuku
City / town · 4 listings · 12 mi away
Nanakuli
City / town · 14 mi away
Kapolei
City / town · 8 listings · 18 mi away
Aiea
City / town · 4 listings · 18 mi away
Honolulu
City / town · 25 listings · 26 mi away
Kailua
City / town · 27 listings · 28 mi away
My experience
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