Waialua, HI

The community of Waialua sits on the North Shore of Oahu, about an hour’s drive northwest of Honolulu. Formerly the site of numerous sugar plantations and mills, the community has largely shifted away from agriculture and manufacturing, although many of the old industrial buildings have been repurposed into popular shops and other locally-owned businesses.

While the nearby beaches are popular among surfers and tourists, Waialua enjoys more of a “locals only” atmosphere than many of Hawaii’s coastal communities. With the neighboring town of Haleiwa hosting a much more active commercial sector, Waialua is the perfect place to enjoy the seclusion of a largely hidden stretch of beach without being far from a thriving shopping and dining district.