What island is Haleiwa Hawaii?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 16, 2026
Haleiwa is located on the northwest corner of Oahu, nestled conveniently along Highway 99. In fact, the town is located only about an hour's drive from Waikiki.
What is Haleiwa known for?
Haleiwa is a small town located on Oahu's North Shore, widely (and wildly) known for its fierce surfing competitions. This charming town has acquired a bohemian personality, which is a reflection of both the artistic and surfer community intertwined here.
Is Haleiwa worth visiting?
Yes, Haleiwa is definitely worth visiting. If you're visiting Oahu and never leave Honolulu, I believe that you are truly missing out! While there are many things to do in Honolulu or Waikiki, Oahu is so much more than that.
What island is North Shore on in Hawaii?
If the perfect wave exists, you'll find it on Oahu's North Shore. The towering, glassy winter waves of this legendary surf mecca draw the best surfers in the world, while smaller and gentler summer waves are better for beginners.
Is Haleiwa considered North Shore?
Haleiwa is the town center of the North Shore. This is a popular tourist spot, full of boutiques, gift shops, restaurants, cafes, and North Shore staple, Matsumoto's Shave Ice.
27 related questions foundIs Haleiwa safe?
Haleiwa is in the 83rd percentile for safety, meaning 17% of cities are safer and 83% of cities are more dangerous. This analysis applies to Haleiwa's proper boundaries only. See the table on nearby places below for nearby cities. The rate of crime in Haleiwa is 15.67 per 1,000 residents during a standard year.
What is the meaning of Haleiwa?
In 1898, businessman Benjamin Dillingham opened a hotel here and named it Haleiwa (meaning "home of the frigate birds" in the Hawaiian language).
What island is Banzai Pipeline?
If you're ever on the island of Oahu and you want to checkout where the locals stay, Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore is the "happenin' place to be.
Which beach in Hawaii has the biggest waves?
Jaws, Maui
Jaws (Pe'ahi in Hawaiian) is the biggest and baddest surf spot in all of Hawaii. With waves that are rumored to reach 120 feet, the reef break was largely inaccessible to surfers before the advent of tow-in surfing, led by Laird Hamilton.
Why is North Shore famous?
Famous for its surfing, snorkeling, and of course the fifty-one beaches that stretch for more than 11 miles along this incredible expanse of Oahu coastline. Gigantic 30-foot waves are prevalent in the winter months but calm down in the summer to allow for glorious diving and snorkeling conditions.
What island is Waialua?
Waialua (Hawaiian pronunciation: [vɐjəˈluwə]) is a census-designated place and North Shore community in the Waialua District on the island of Oʻahu, City & County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. As of the 2020 census, the CDP had a population of 4,062.
Where is Turtle Beach Oahu?
Turtle Beach heralds the entrance to the North Shore, and is located near Kahuku Point, the most northerly point of Oahu.
Where are the biggest waves in Oahu?
Pipeline, Waimea Bay & Sharks Cove, all found on the North Shore, are home to some of the largest waves you can see on the island of Oahu or even in the entire state of Hawaii. Most big waves average about 6-12 feet, with the really big waves reaching 30-50 feet.
Why is Waikiki Beach so famous?
Waikiki Beach became famous for its surf, the man who invented modern surfing, and his friends who would come surfing with him. Waikiki is a surfing hotspot now.
Can you swim at Waimea Falls?
Swimming at the waterfall is allowed but the status of swimming changes throughout the day depending on the weather. There are three waterfall conditions: regular swim, limited swimming, and no swimming. Be sure to check on the waterfall swimming status before your visit by calling (808) 638-7766.
Which Hawaiian island has best surfing?
Oahu is the proverbial heartbeat of surfing in Hawaii. The island's North Shore is the place to catch the perfect wave, regardless of your skill level.
How deep is Pipeline in Hawaii?
This is about 20-25ft Deep according to underwater bathymetry models. This wave only breaks on 15-20ft swells and the period has to be over 15 seconds. 3rd Reef- This wave is basically the same as Outer Log Cabins.
Where did Bethany Hamilton lose her arm?
While out with her best friend and her best friend's dad and brother, Bethany was attacked on October 31, 2003 while surfing in Tunnels Beach in Kauai, Hawaii. The 14-foot tiger shark bit off her left arm just below the shoulder in the vicious attack.
How many surfers died at Mavericks?
Mavericks is a challenging — at times, even deadly — surfing location on the California coast. It's about a half-mile offshore from Half Moon Bay's Pillar Point, about 25 miles south of San Francisco. Two surfers have died here, one in 1994, the other in 2011.
What island is jaws on in Hawaii?
Peʻahi (/peɪˈɑːhiː/ pay-AH-hee; Hawaiian: [peˈʔɐhi]) is a place on the north shore of the island of Maui in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It has lent its name to a big wave surfing break, also known as Jaws.
What beach is Pipeline on in Hawaii?
'Ehukai (Pipeline) Beach
The world-famous Banzai Pipeline surf break at 'Ehukai or Pipeline Beach O'ahu is the surfing mecca of the world. Located on O'ahu's North Shore 'Ehukai and the Pipeline are home to the Triple Crown of Surfing Competition.
How did Haleiwa get its name?
In 1898 a businessman named Benjamin Dillingham opened a hotel in the North Shore area and named it Haleʻiwa. In the Hawaiian language, hale means "house", and the ʻiwa is a frigatebird.
What Ahupuaa is Haleiwa in?
AHUPUA'A OF KAWAILOA
The loko iʻa fishpond in Haleiwa, traditionally named Loko Ea is a rare, significant cultural site nestled on Oʻahu's North Shore. Loko Ea is located in the ahupuaʻa of Kawailoa, a land division from mountain to sea, in the moku land district of Waialua.