Haleiwa, HI

Haleiwa is certainly not a place off the beaten path. In fact, in the 10 or so years since I’ve been back, Haleiwa has become one of the more touristy places around. Kamehameha Hwy through the town is swarming with people, jammed with rental cars and tour busses, and lined with restaurants, and stores (some super cheesy, some not so much). Still full from Shiro’s, we drove past a lunch spot fave, Kua Aina Sandwich Shop, and headed straight for Matsumoto's.

Pretty much the most famous shave ice place on the island and long-standing tourist destination, the place still delivers. We waited in line for about 10 minutes,* and then began devouring. I got a “Matsumoto’s,” Lemon-Pineapple-Vanilla with Azuki Beans and ice cream; LVL got Vanilla and Root Beer with just ice cream. We all ran across the street and wolfed them down while sitting on Maka’s truck.

When done, we piled back in the truck and set on our way to check out Waimea Bay. The famous big-wave beach (where in the winter the surf can reach upwards of 40 feet, sometimes so big it crashes on the highway, some 50 yards from the water) and home to the Eddie Aikau big wave tournament. I was less interested in big surf than I was in jumping off the huge rock to the far left of the bay, something that has been a favorite thing of mine to since I was probably no older than ten.

Parking was impossible, however, so we couldn’t really stay long enough to jump. Instead, LVL and I walked to the water, checked out the 30 or so people chilling on the rock (some jumping; some not), took some pictures, and then headed out. A very mild disappointment, but one forgotten as soon as we left.

* Marveling the entire time at the burned-to-a-crisp legs of a Japanese tourist sitting on the bench in front of the store. Wow.