9 New Things To Do on Oʻahu’s North Shore
There are new food trucks, boutiques and places to explore on Oʻahu’s fabled North Shore.
If you haven’t been to the North Shore—or haven’t been in awhile—this blog is for you.
We ventured out to the northern part of Oʻahu, which has long lured visitors with its winter surf and beach-y towns, to find new things to do—and eat.
Here are nine new things you need to put on your North Shore itinerary.
Read More: 6 Day Trips for Travelers Staying in Waikīkī
1. Corndog Co., Kahuku
The Corndog Co. in Kahuku serves made-to-order corn dogs with unique sauces.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
Love corndogs? Then you’ll love this food truck’s local twist on the classic hand-held snack. The Corndog Co. is Kahuku serves hand-dipped corndogs, made to order and paired with various drizzles including a honey and sweet chile sauce. The most popular is the Epic Dog, a 1/4-pound dog—even better with housemade kettle chips. The truck also makes cheese bombs, fried Snickers bars and deep-fried pineapple slices. What?
2. Kula Shave Ice, Kahuku
Kula Shave Ice is now open in Kahuku.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
The popular Maui-based shave ice, which uses scratch-made syrups and local ingredients, has a stand in Kahuku, near Turtle Bay Resort. Kula Shave Ice boasts unique Hawaiʻi and tropical flavors, too, including soursop, lilikoʻi (passion fruit), haupia (coconut) and pineapple.
3. Snoopy’s Surf Shop, Haleʻiwa
Snoopy’s Surf Shop opened its second Hawaiʻi location in Haleʻiwa.
Photo: Courtesy of Snoopy’s Surf Shop
Snoopy and surfing? Why not! Find the whole Peanuts gang at this cute surf shop in Haleʻiwa. It’s the second location for Snoopy’s Surf Shop in Hawaiʻi—the first is near Diamond Head—with a third store in Okinawa, Japan. It’s an official Peanuts store, too, and all designs are Hawaiʻi-themed and unique to the surf shop. Shelves are stocked with T-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, mugs, stickers, towels, slippers, even surf wax shaped like Snoopy’s head!
4. Alaia Restaurant, Kahuku
Kakimochi-crusted seared ʻahi from Alaia at the Turtle Bay Resort.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
The iconic Turtle Bay Resort recently underwent a multimillion-dollar transformation to its oceanfront property, which included a new restaurant called Alaia. With views of the ocean and a laid-back vibe, this open-air restaurant features locally grown ingredients, some of which comes from its own farm across the street. Dinner entrées include aliʻi mushroom tagliatelle, whole Keaholē lobster curry, furikake-crusted ʻahi, and a roasted half chicken raised on a nearby North Shore farm.
5. Chunky & Co., Lāʻie
The Pizookie from Chunky & Co. in Lāʻie.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
Tucked away in Pounders restaurant at the Polynesian Cultural Center is a counter that serves the biggest and chewiest cookies you’ll ever find on Oʻahu. Chunky & Co. is a family-run business that specializes in huge—we’re talking HUGE—cookies in flavors like espresso oatmeal chocolate chip, chocolate peanut butter, s’mores and white chocolate coconut mac nut. The most popular is the Chunky OG, a classic chocolate chip cookie that uses three types of chocolate (semisweet, milk and dark chocolates) and topped with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. It also serves Pizookies—cookies baked to order in a skillet and topped with ice cream and housemade brown butter fudge.
6. ʻEhukai Pillbox Hike, Sunset Beach
The view from the top of the ʻEhukai Pillbox trail.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
This may not be a new hike—but it might be new to you. The steep-but-short trek to the to of the ʻEhukai pillboxes above Sunset Beach offers one of the best views of the North Shore coastline. The trailhead is located in the parking lot of Sunset Beach Elementary School. It’s steep right at the beginning—and often muddy, if it’s been raining. But it’s not a long trail, and you can be at the top in less than 30 minutes. As with any hike, be prepared: Bring water, a charged cell phone, sun protection and snacks. The summit offers unparalleled views of the coastline, including the famous Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach.
7. Kuilima Farm, Kahuku
The start of the farm tour at Kuilima Farm in Kahuku.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
Turtle Bay Resort has its own farm, where it grows the greens, herbs, fruits and edible flowers it uses in the restaurants and spa. And you can visit this unique farm, located about 1 mile from the resort. Kuilima Farm offers 45-minute farm tours on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. You’ll learn about the agricultural history of this area, walk through a state-of-the-art hydroponics house, meander through native plants and banana groves, and see the new crops the farm is growing specifically for the culinary team at the hotel. Tours cost $45 for adults and $35 for children under 12, with discounts for kamaʻāina and military.
8. Kaya’s Store, Punaluʻu
The various snacks at Kaya’s Store in Hauʻula.
Photos: Catherine Toth Fox
The family-run Kaya’s Store has been a landmark in Punaluʻu for more than 75 years. It first opened in 1946 selling hardware supplies. Then it opened a butcher room, where the family sold various cuts of fresh meat. Since then, though, the store has evolved to sell general goods—sunscreen, sodas, canned goods—and hearty plate lunches. There are tasty grab-and-go snacks and desserts, too, including Spam musubi, butter mochi and li hing gummy bears.
9. Jim Little Nursery & Farms, Haleʻiwa
A Little plumeria creation.
Photo: Courtesy of Little Plumeria Farm/Rich Tully
Jim Little has been quietly growing some of the best and most beautiful plumeria since 1973. Recently, though, the farmer’s sons have started farm tours at Jim Little Nursery & Farms in Haleʻiwa, letting visitors see some of the rare and one-0f-a-kind hybrid plumeria grown here. On the hourlong tour, you’ll also get panoramic views of the North Shore, from Mokulēʻia to Haleʻiwa. Cost is $45 for adults, $25 for kids, with private tours available.
