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- Festival in Haleiwa town
- The shops, galleries, and restaurants
- Haleiwa town
A great destination, particularly for water sport lovers, Haleiwa Town has much to offer. It can be reached in under an hour's drive from Honolulu International Airport and Waikiki. ... moreIt is located on the north shores of Oahu island. The town grew out of the inspiration of business man, Benjamin J Dillingham, who about a century ago opened a lodge in the middle of nowhere and named it Haleiwa meaning " House of Iwa"
His
plan which involved placing railway tracks for transportation of products from his sugar plantation was to capitalize on his investment with a hotel where visitors would come to spend quality time and enjoy the nearby beach. Residents and visitors rode the train for years as the town grew, it adopted the name Haleiwa.
The old plantation town continues to welcome visitors from all over the world, even though the hotel is no longer. In 1984, it was designated as an historic, cultural, and scenic district.
The
town provides a laid back environment, with shops, restaurants, galleries, and the perfect ambiance for spending quality time, taking advantage of the beach nearby and enjoying various water sports, or having an exciting and wonderful experience at Oahu north shores. The town offers various attractions and many different types of activities such as: Golf, gliding, hiking/biking, kayaking, skydiving, horseback riding, surfing and much more.
You will also be able to dine in some great restaurants offering fantastic Hawaiian cuisine, have the opportunity to learn the history and culture of the region from the Polynesian Cultural Center, visit places of interest such as Waimea Valey. Haleiwa town has lots on offer for enjoying Hawaii and the Pacific.
Type: Cultural, Historic, Town
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- Spectalar moments watching The Eddie competition
- Jumping of the Waimea cliff
- Body boarding and snorkeling
Waimea Bay has become renowned worldwide since the 1950's when adventurous surfers challenged the powerful waves that forms on its coast, hence giving birth to the big wave-riding ... morephenomenon. Waves at Waimea Bay can reach 20 feet or more in height. Surfers from all over the world gather at the location in the months of November through February, the big wave season, to take part in the thrill and excitement.
Waimea Bay is home to the Quicksilver competition, in honor of Eddie Aikau, a legendary Hawaiian Waterman. The Quiksilver contest only takes place during massive swells. Several other famous competitions take place at Waimea Bay or the beaches in the vicinity. One such competition is the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing also known as the Super Bowl of surfing which happens between the months of November and December.
Despite being renowned for the big waves and surfing competitions at its beach, Waimea Bay is also a beautiful place to enjoy the beach. During the summer months, the water is calm and give the perfect opportunity to swim in the crystal clear blue waters or undertake any other water activities such as canoeing, scuba-diving, wind surfing and more.
Exploring the surrounding is another experience. Not far is the town of Haleiwa with shops and restaurant. A botanical garden and cultural attraction can be found nearby in Waimea valley and is home to very beautiful Waimea Falls. Waimea Bay nevertheless, still attracts surfers from all over the world seeking excitement and adventure and to take part in the most famous competitions in surfing.
In other seasons, the beach provides the perfect conditions for body boarding or body surfing. Another activity that is often undertaken is cliff diving from the popular 'Waimea cliff".
Overlooking Waimea Bay Beach Park is the Saints Peter and Paul Church, a popular landmark on the North Shores of Oahu. It can easily be seen from the beach. Humpback whales and dolphins can also be spotted particularly at dawn from the beach. The beach also has a nice grassy area, which is great for playing football or just relaxing in the shade of trees when it is too hot.
Nearby Waimea Bay Beach Park is also other attractions such as the Botanical garden home to the beautiful Waimea Falls. The town of Haleiwa is also not very far when shop, restaurant provides the opportunity to have some wonderful time. You may also want to try the famous cool shave ice.
Type: Beach, Park, Scenic Lookout
Features: Bathroom, Drinking water, Lifeguards, Parking, Picnic tables, Showers
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- USS Arizona memorial
- Shrine room with the names of victims engraved on the walls
- Sunken USS Arizona battleship
Japanese forces on the 7th of December 1941 made a sneak attack which crippled much of the United State Navy and abruptly brought the United State fully engaged into the Second World ... moreWar. The Pearl Harbor attack was undertaken when in need of oil and other raw materials, the Japanese engaged in a war against China in mid-1937 and other oil and mineral rich countries of the East Indies, and South East Asia has as allies Germany and Italy.
With peace negotiations ending in November 1941, the United State secret agency expected the Japanese to attack into the Indies, Malaya, and the Philippines but did not anticipate an attack east as well. Japanese aircraft carriers reached the US fleet at Pearl Harbor, launching an aerial strike that resulted in sinking 5 out of 8 US battleships, and the others badly damaged or sinking, the majority of the Hawaii-based combat planes were damaged and more than 2400 Americans lost their lives.
The USS Arizona memorial is part of World War II valor in the Pacific National Monument that commemorates the events of that day. 1,102 sailors and marines of the 1,177 crewmen of the USS Arizona were killed during the Pearl Harbor attack.
In 1949, the Pacific War Memorial Commission was created and charged to build a memorial which was erected on the site of the submerged hull. The memorial stands to represent the American pride before the war, the depression after the attack and the rise to new heights after the war.
Along side and perpendicularly docked to the USS Arizona is the USS Missouri. It was moved to Pearl Harbor from the west coast of the United State. On the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, the Japanese surrendered to General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz of the United State army effectively ending World War II.
Each year, millions of visitors embark on the Pearl Harbor tour, which provide a whole day tour of four historic locations that includes, the USS Arizona memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and park admission, the Pacific Aviation Museum, and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.
Type: Cultural, Historic, Memorial, Museum
Features: Bathroom, Food for purchase, Lockers / storage, Parking
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- Pineapple garden maze
- Insight on various fruits and plants grown in the region
- Scenic tour of the surounding
Dole Plantation began in 1950 as it operated as a food stand. Since, it has become a very popular attraction on Oahu. Visitors of the Dole Pineapple Plantation can experience a fun ... moreday trip and learn about the history of pineapples in Hawaii. Everything from the agricultural aspect, the soil chemistry, and the tale of James Dole.
Dole Pineapple Plantation is but two miles away from the town of Haleiwa and a
45 minutes drive from Honolulu. The train ride to the plantation offers the opportunity or some scenic views which can leave you breathless.
The Pineapple Garden Maze, which obtained the spotlight in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest maze in the world can also be seen at Dole Plantation. Going through the maze made of green hedges, twists and turns can have you painfully seeking the way
out! The maze covers more than two acres and incorporates 1.5 miles long.
Many different activities can be undertaken while at the plantation. The garden tour will have you explore many other plants and trees, some native to the region others brought to the country. They include, bananas, cacao, coffee, papaya, mango and lei flowers.
The
plantation also has a visitor center where snacks and drinks can be obtained or simply for relaxing. A gift shop provides the perfect opportunity for obtaining pineapple-related gifts and other souvenirs. It is thought that the first pineapples were planted on the island when a
shipwreck coming from Mexico brought with it plants, tools, garments and pineapples. From then on, Spanish explorers started growing pineapples and other fruits. Jim Dole, then pioneered the pineapple industry and established the Dole Pineapple Plantation in Hawaii.
Various
activities are organized on the plantation subject to a small fee. Some
of the activities even include a stop to Pearl Harbor or scenic excursions of the surrounding. Dole Pineapple Plantation is world famous and a distinct attraction of Oahu, Hawaii.
Type: Botanical Garden, Cultural, Historic, Plantation / Ranch
Features: Bathroom, Food for purchase, Parking, Wheelchair access
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- National Cemetery of the Pacific and Courts of the Missing at Punchbowl
- Medal of honor headstones
- Panoramic view of the island of Oahu
The Honolulu memorial was erected in 1964 by the "American Battle Monuments Commission" at the National Memorial Cemetery in honor of the sacrifices and accomplishments of American ... moreArmed Forces in the Pacific during both World Wars and the Korean War. The National Memorial Cemetery, informally known as Punchbowl, is located at the middle of the
"Puowaina crater" which is an extinct volcano that had been active some
75,000 to 100,000 years ago.
Punchbowl or Puowaina as it is translated in the Hawaiian language means "consecrated hill" or "hill of sacrifice" used to be the location where secret Royal burials were performed and where sacrifices of certain kapas (taboos) were made to pagan gods. The crater also served during the 1800s as a stronghold for Oahu in their resistance against the reign of Kamehameha, who united the Hawaiian islands in 1810. The Hawaiian National Guard used the crater as a rifle range during the 1930s and toward the end of World War II, offshore batteries were placed in tunnels dug at the rim of the crater to protect the Honolulu Harbor and the South edge of Pearl Harbor.
Punchbowl was officially recognized a national cemetery in 1943 when the governor of Hawaii offered the location for that purpose. The first internment took place on the 4th of January 1949 and the cemetery became open to the public on the 19th of July 1949. In 1980, the names of more than 28,788 military personnel missing in action
or lost in the Pacific during the war were added on marble slabs in ten
courts of the missing that flanks the Memorial grand stone staircase.
The
National Cemetery of the Pacific was the first cemetery to include medal of honor headstones which have an insignia in gold leaf. As in the graves of other National cemeteries around the country, no cross marks the
grave of the dead. The Punchbowl is among one of the most popular touristic destination with more than five million visitors each year. It also provides a panoramic breathtaking view of the island of Oahu.
Type: Cultural, Historic, Memorial, Park, Scenic Lookout, Landmark, Cemetery
Features: Bathroom, Food for purchase, Parking, Wheelchair access
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- The Amida Buddah
- The meditation pavillon
- The various wild life
Located on the island of O'ahu, Hawaii, The Byodo-In Temple at the foot of the Ko'olau mountains had been established on the 7th of June 1968 to
commemorate the 100th anniversary of ... morethe first Japanese immigrants arrival to the island. The temple is a smaller replica of the 900 years old Byodo-in Temple in Uji, Japan, which has been designated as a United Nations world heritage site.
The temple is a non-practicing Buddhist temple where people of any faith can go for worship, meditation, or to admire its beauty. The temple has a three meter lotus Buddah inside which is covered in gold and lacquer. The Amida Buddah is thought to be the largest figure carved outside Japan. The hall and the entire artistry reflects the essence of the culture of the Fujiwara aristocracy. On the outside, a large brass peace bell can be seen and the temple is surrounded by Koi ponds covering an area of 8000 square meters.
A
plush landscape gives a sense of serenity and tranquility. wildlife in the surrounding includes peacock, black swans, turtles, and other animals. The Byodo-In Temple has gained increased popularity as many sequences of famous TV series had been filmed there including: Hawaii Five-O, House of the Rising Sun, ABC series Lost and many others. Various events can be organized at the temple such as weddings, concerts, funerals, classes and so on. The Byodo-In temple is a landmark of Hawaii reflects all of Hawaiian heritage.
Type: Attraction, Cultural, Historic, Temple, Landmark
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- Great for surfing very powerful waves
- Beautiful coral reef, nice for snorkeling
- Swimming
Sunset beach on the north shore of Oahu offers a combination of nice surfing conditions, beautiful sun and soft nice sand at the beach. The sand is golden, and there are palm trees ... morethat line up the beach providing shade. In the summer the water is calm and perfect for swimming and snorkeling. A tide pool also can be seen where people often collect shells and observe marine life. The best place to snorkel is in the offshore tide pool around the protected area of the beach.
The winter period is most active. Many surfers converge to Sunset beach which is a world famous beach. Waves can reach 30 feet high, there are very powerful currents. The currents known as Sunset Rip runs on every big swell. Many well known international surfing competitions take place at the beach. Sunset Beach is not the place for beginners. The powerful current sucks back the water with great force that it could potentially hurl inexperienced surfers deep into the ocean.
Sunset Beach is about 2 miles long not very far to two other popular surfing beaches, Ehukai Beach and the Banzai pipeline. The powerful current is such that you may enter the water in a certain area, and just a few minutes later find yourself further down the beach. There are different amenities including lifeguards. Sunset beach is also a very nice place for watching the sunset, which is also the reason the beach was given the name Sunset Beach.
Features: Bathroom, Lifeguards, Parking, Showers
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- Riding some of the biggest waves in the world
- The Kahanamoku Classic Surfing competition
- The O'Neil World Cup of Surfing competition
The north shores of Oahu offers some fantastic opportunities for enjoying various water sports on some of the best beaches in the world. Sunset beach in particular is world famous ... morefor having some of the most monstrous waves that can be surfed upon. Sunset beach is the widest beach on the island of Oahu and spans some two miles in length.
The
surf season generally begins in the winter period, from October through
May. In the summer, the water is calm and mostly enjoyed for swimming.
Surfing at Sunset beach necessitates adequate experience as it can be quite dangerous for inexperienced surfers because of coral formations near the surface that can potentially cause injury. The current is also very powerful that it sucks backwaters with immense power which can potentially pull inexperienced surfers deep into the ocean. The best waves for surfing occurs during the months of December and January. Various contests are held throughout the year such as the O'Neil, World Cup of Surfing competition, or the Duke Kahanamoku Classic Surfing competition.
Many different amenities can be found on the
beach such as showers, restrooms, parking, and vendors selling cold drinks and snacks. Surrounding Sunset beach are attractions, restaurants, galleries, surf shops including the North Shore Surf & Cultural Museum and the North Shore Marketplace.
Features: Bathroom, Equipment rentals, Food for purchase, Lifeguards, Parking, Picnic tables, Showers
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- Movie of the attack at Pearl Harbor
- Shrine with the names of victims engraved on the walls
- The sunken USS arizona
On December 7, 1941 many of the 1,177 crewmen of the USS Arizona perished when Japanese Naval Forces launched an attack at Pearl Harbor. At the location of the sunken ship, a 184-foot-long ... moreMemorial had been built that spans from the midsection of the battleship. The USS Arizona memorial is part of World War II valor of the Pacific National Monument.
Visitors at the memorial can embark on a tour which includes a movie about the attack on Pearl Harbor, and a boat ride to the memorial. The memorial itself is made up of three sections: an entry room, an assembly room, and an area reserved for ceremonies and general observation. Also included is a shrine room with marble walls on which engraved are the names of those killed during the Pearl Harbor attack.
The
memorial had been built in honor of the victims at Pearl Harbor. The first suggestions were expressed in 1943 but not until 1949 had steps being taken for its realization when the territory of Hawaii established a
Pacific War Memorial Commission. Construction of the memorial was completed in 1961, the result mostly of public funding and private donations. In 1962, the memorial was dedicated.
The design of the
memorial by architect, Alfred Preis, is intended to indicate the initial defeat and then the ultimate victory. The structure sags in the middle, but stands strong and vigorous at the extremities. Visitors are overwhelmed with a sense of serenity which engages a person's personal reflection and innermost feelings.
The USS Arizona memorial had its initial recognition in 1950 on the ninth anniversary of the attack when Admiral Arthur Radford, Commander in Chief, Pacific (CINCPAC) had a flagpole erected over the sunken ship. At the base of the flagpole was placed a commemorative plaque. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose leadership had been crucial for the allies victory during World War II, acknowledges the creation of the memorial in 1958.
The USS Arizona
is no longer in commission, contrary to popular belief. The United State flag flies on the mainmast of the sunken ship as a tribute to those who lost their lives during the attack at Pearl Harbor.
Type: Cultural, Historic, Memorial, Museum
Features: Bathroom, Food for purchase, Lockers / storage, Parking, Wheelchair access
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