Haleiwa is located on the North Shore of Oahu, about 30 miles (48
km) north of Honolulu. The little town was built by Rev. and Mrs.
John Emerson in 1832. In 1898, businessman Benjamin Dillingham
opened a hotel here and named it Haleiwa. With the building of the
hotel and the Oahu Railroad, the town began to grow and flourish.
Today, Haleiwa is the largest town and commercial center on the
North Shore of Oahu, with a population of 2,225 as of the 2000
census. It features an old plantation town atmosphere and a popular
destination for tourists and residents alike. Here you can find
unconventional and unique shops, art galleries and surf stores, such
as the North Shore Art Gallery featuring paintings of master
seascape artist Walfrido. Also, there’s the Haleiwa Surf Museum and
Strong Current shop where you can buy surfboards designed by North
Shore surf legends Mike Diffenderfer and Dick Brewer.
If you like ice cream, you have to try the famous Hawaiian shave
ice. The two local stores Matsumoto’s and Aoki’s sell this delicious
treat, and often times there are many people standing in line –
that’s how good it is. Located on Waialua Bay, there is a small boat
harbor in Haleiwa, and the bay’s shore is lined by Haleiwa Beach
Park and Haleiwa Alii Beach Park.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Haleiwa has a total area of 2.5
square miles (6.6 km²). The population density was 1,218.1/mi²
(469.4/km²). The racial makeup was the following: 24.63% White,
0.49% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 28.85%
Asian, 9.98% Pacific Islander, 0.81% from other races, and 34.92%
from two or more races. 10.29% of the population was Hispanic or
Latino of any race. The median income for a household was $39,643,
and the median income for a family was $48,553. Males had a median
income of $31,750 versus $25,163 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $16,504. Of the total population, 17.6% were below
the poverty line.
Haleiwa in Bullet Points
Largest town and commercial center on the North Shore of Oahu
Old plantation town atmosphere with unique shops, art
galleries and restaurants
Try famous Hawaiian shave ice
Haleiwa Location
Take H1 west bound to H2 north. Get off at exit 5 (Wahiawa). Drive
through Wahiawa and continue straight on Kamehameha Highway. When
you see a sign for Haleiwa turn left.
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