Oahu - "The Gathering Place"

On Oahu we have the best of both worlds. Known as the "Gathering Place", we have the nightlife of Waikiki & Honolulu, along with the country atmosphere of the North Shore just 50 minutes drive away. Shopping and dining are world class, but so are the beaches and water activities. Waikiki is the tourist hub with of course world famous Waikiki Beach, and Diamond Head setting the background. Beachside dining and drinking are extremely popular here. If you want to people watch, this is a great place to do it. We have extensive knowledge of shows and tours available if you would like to know more about Waikiki’s attractions. The International Market & Ala Moana Shopping Center are also minutes away from the beach and gifts of all kinds can be found. If your desire is more on the laid back side than come out to the "Country", otherwise known as the North Shore. The hub of the Country is Historic Haleiwa Town. That’s where you find Deep Ecology’s shop. Surf shops, restaurants, art galleries, gift shops and more can all be found here. Activities include hiking, biking, glider riding, sky diving, kayaking and of course, water activities of all kinds. The North Shore has very intently maintained its country atmosphere and you may very well fall in love with our little slice of paradise.

North Shore Oahu

As I sit on the beach writing this I look out to turquoise blue waters with a sea turtle popping his head up periodically as he feeds in the calm shallow waters. The temperature is ideally 80 degrees with a cool ocean breeze. I look down the coral sand beach with coconut trees along it s fringe reaching out to the sun I so contentedly bask in. Above me are perfect blue skies with heavenly white billowing clouds with the purest, cleanest air anywhere in the world. A little girl plays at the waters edge while here parents look on. Just another typical day on the North Shore’s World Class beaches. It’s easy to understand how many who come here do little more than soak up all our beaches have to offer. Some never leave, including myself.

Other North Shore Activities

For those who want more than the beach alone, the North Shore is ready to accommodate you. The hub of the North Shore is Historic Haleiwa Town (where we’re located). There are surf shops, a surf museum, gift shops, art galleries and a selection of restaurants in the town that stretches about one mile. Other activities include surfing lessons, skydiving, glider rides, mountain biking, hiking and more. All of these activities can be purchased at our shop, over the phone, and some of them online. Keep in mind that we have selected the activity operators with the highest standards and you will not pay more than the direct price.

Oahu Points of Interest

ALOHA TOWER - Honolulu's familiar landmark is open to visitors and offers an excellent view of the harbor area.
AQUARIUM - on Kalakaua Avenue across from Kapiolani Park at Waikiki, the Aquarium contains a world-famous collection of brilliantly colored tropical fish.
BEACHES - beautiful beaches, wherever you go, for swimming, surfing, fishing or a picnic.
BISHOP MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM - at 1525 Bernice Street, the Museum houses the world's foremost collection of Hawaiiana and Polynesian antiquities.
BLOW HOLE - near Koko Head, playful Mother Nature forces the mighty sea through a tiny hole in a lava ledge and blows miniature geysers high into the air.
BYODO-IN TEMPLE - Japan's 900-year-old architectural treasure is duplicated in exact detail at the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. beneath the majestic cliffs of the Koolau mountains. The beautiful Oriental garden setting also has a carp pool, massive nine-foot Buddha statue, and tea house.
CHINATOWN - unlike the Chinatowns in other American cities this section of downtown Honolulu is an exciting blend of shops, restaurants and markets displaying not only Chinese goods but wares and foods typical of the countries of origin of Hawaii's early-day immigrants.
DIAMOND HEAD- this world renowned landmark bounds Waikiki Beach on the south. An extinct volcano, it is said to have once been the home of Pele, the Fire Goddess.
EAST-WEST CENTER - a center for cultural and academic interchange between the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and United States.Established by the U.S Congress in 1960, the center has since become a public, nonprofit educational corporation with offices and facilities adjacent to the University of Hawaii campus.
FOSTER BOTANICAL GARDEN - remarkable botanic displays including photogenic orchid section, in a 20 acre setting in downtown Honolulu.
HANAUMA BAY - a delightful sea cove in Koko Head Park, its rugged grandeur was created by volcanic action 10,000 years ago when Pele made her last attempt to find home on Oahu, as legend tells. A favorite spot for swimming, picnicking, and snorkeling.
HAWAII MARITIME CENTER - includes a museum. Aloha Tower plus the square-rigged Falls of Clyde and the Hokule'a Polynesian sailing canoe.
HONOLULU ACADEMY OF ARTS - a registered national and state historic place, renowned for an extensive collection of Asian and Western art and the beauty of its grounds and buildings.
HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - nine miles west of Waikiki, the Honolulu Airport is the hub of the Pacific for transpacific airlines as well as several interisland airlines.
IOLANI PALACE - only throne room under the American flag, where Hawaii's last two monarchs lived and ruled. Completed in 1882, thebuilding has been entirely renovated,
displaying a magnificent interior.
KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS - established by a member of Hawaii's royal family for boys and girls of Hawaiian ancestry.
KANEANA CAVE - near Mauka just before the end of Farrington Highway, Kaneana, the sharkman deity, is supposed to have made his home in this cave which is volcanic and coral in formation.
KAWAIAHAO CHURCH - dedicated in 1842, the "Westminster Abbey" of Hawaii offers Sunday services in Hawaiian and English.
KEWALO BASIN - sampans and other fishing boats moor in this small boat harbor which is also the departure point for Pearl Harbor cruises.
MISSION HOUSES - the oldest existing buildings erected by the first missionary contingent to Honolulu are in the civic center area, whichis also locale of many other historic sites.
MORMON TEMPLE - built in beautiful Laie in 1920, it was the first Mormon Temple to be constructed outside of Utah.
NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC - Punchbowl or Puowaina, literally translated "Hill of Sacrifice" is the final resting place of thousands of World War II, Korean and Vietnam war veterans. Open seven days a week, it overlooks the vast expanse of Pearl Harbor, Honolulu and Waikiki.
NUUANU PALI - Oahu's scenic masterpiece, at the head of Nuuanu Valley, is where
Kamehameha the Great defeated the Oahuans in a bloody battle in 1795, by forcing thousands of warriors over the precipice, to meet death on the jagged rocks below, thus adding Oahu to his realm.
OLD SUGAR MILL - near Kaaawa are the stone ruins of the first sugar mill on Oahu erected in 1864.
PEARL HARBOR - the USS Arizona Memorial, above the sunken battleship, is a tribute to American fighting men killed during the attack on December 7, 1941. The USS Bowfin, a restored World War II submarine, is on exhibit next to the Arizona Memorial ground facility.
POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER AT LAIE - located on the north shore of Oahu, the center is made up of native villages representative of those in Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, Tahiti, Samoa, Marquesas, and Hawaii.
QUEEN EMMA SUMMER PALACE - a charming home, located in Nuuanu Valley, the former summer palace has been restored to its original appearance and houses a fine collection of Hawaiiana.
RABBIT ISLAND - near Waimanalo, this is one of the many interesting islets that border Oahu. It looks like the head of a rabbit and was once overrun by them.
ROYAL MAUSOLEUM - resting place of Hawaii's former rulers, with well-informed guide-custodian.
WAIMEA BAY - between Haleiwa and Kahuku, the beach is fine for picnicking but the bay is dangerous for swimming when surf is six feet or more.
WAIMEA FALLS PARK - this narrow canyon extending into the Koolau mountains was once a heavily populated Hawaiian village. Today the 1,800 acre site between Haleiwa and Kahuku, is a dwelling for Nature's lovely, unspoiled environment of tropical plant life, birds, hiking trails and a truly beautiful waterfall.

Oahu | Maui | Hawaii | Kauai | Niihau | Lanai | Molokai | Home