Historic Haleiwa town, pronounced hah-lay-EE-vah and meaning "home of the Iwa (Frigate) Bird," is a seaside community established by missionaries during Hawaii's booming sugar industry in the early 1900s. Located at the gateway to Oahu's legendary North Shore, recognized by many as the surfing capital of the world, Haleiwa was designated a State Historic, Cultural and Scenic District in 1984. Rich with island history, Haleiwa town embodies local style and rustic ambience with its gift shops and clothing stores, featuring Hawaiian Shirts and Hawaiian Dresses, art galleries and laid back restaurants. Highlights of Haleiwa town include the North Shore Surf Museum, the Haleiwa Sea Spree in May, Oahu Taro Festival in September, and the Haleiwa Craft Festival in October. Haleiwa's Alii Beach Park is accessed by turning left off Kamehameha Highway before the town's famous "old bridge." Continuing along the Highway leads to Waimea Valley, the Banzai Pipeline, historic Kahuku Sugar Mill and the Polynesian Cultural Center. |