Why You Should Stop in Wahiawā on Oʻahu
Wahiawā in Central O‘ahu is more than a gateway to the North Shore.
I don’t often stop in Wahiawā.
I’ve driven through it hundreds of times—growing up on the North Shore, I’d pass by the town on my way to, well, anywhere. Now that I live in Honolulu, I zip through Wahiawā on my way to surf in the country, but rarely do I stop. But the area has changed over the years. While the low-key charm and unapologetically local vibe of the town is unchanged, new shops, boutiques and places to eat have cropped up over the years. So I made it a mission recently to stop in Wahiawā and enjoy everything the place has to offer.
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One of the biggest changes here is the addition of a colorful spread of stores along Kamehameha Highway, the town’s main thoroughfare. Being a surfer who loves coffee, Surfers Coffee (63 Kamehameha Highway) speaks to me on a near-spiritual level. At this trendy café, vintage single-fin surfboards hang on the walls next to flat-screen TVs showing endless streams of surfing videos. Just note: Combating the hot weather, like I did, with an iced cold brew coffee and a freshly baked pastry from The Pâtisserie, a local bakery just down the road in Pearl City, might not be the best idea if you’ve got other things to do. I felt so at home in this cozy coffee shop, I didn’t want to leave. But to avoid ending my day prematurely, I stuck around to watch one more surf video and reluctantly departed.
The Vintage in Wahiawā.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Steps away, I found myself in The Vintage (43 Kamehameha Highway), a vintage clothing and accessory store that, unlike some of its competitors, hasn’t forgotten that used clothing should be affordable. As an avid thrifter, I was happy to see the store well-stocked with aloha shirts from yesteryear, a good selection of jackets that fit my small frame surprisingly well and other apparel and accessories, such as kimono, an assortment of rings and necklaces, as well as shoes that could easily sneak their way into present-day fashion and outfits. Vinyl records, vintage artwork and myriad knickknacks fill the rest of the store, perfect for visitors looking for something to take home with them or 28-year-olds like myself with poor spending habits.
Back on the street, I gaze at the stores on the strip I’ve yet to explore—surf and skate attire boutique SantaLoco (35 Kamehameha Highway) stands out to me, especially since the shop also sells surfboards made by local shapers like J. Splee. I consider taking a closer look, but my wallet, which has been getting lighter by the hour, screams: Don’t do it!
Wahiawā Botanical Garden.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Jumping back into my car, I make a quick drive to the Wahiawā Botanical Garden (1396 California Ave.), where entry is free. It’s ironic that Wahiawā’s name in ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i translates to a “place of noise”—despite the ocean being about 10 miles away, the noise of the sea was said to be heard here. But that’s not what I heard at this botanical garden. Here, it’s serene. Aside from the rustling of leaves and the occasional birdsong, the space holds a certain auditory tranquility uncommon in Wahiawā. The garden began as land leased to the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association for “experimental tree planting,” and was transferred back to the county of Honolulu in 1950. Seven years later, it opened as a botanical garden; today it spans 27 acres.
I meander through the garden, enjoying the free-roaming nature of the place. There’s a handful of well-maintained trails to follow, but no big vistas or jaw-dropping views like you might find at other botanical gardens on the island. But the deeper you go into the gardens, the more verdant your surroundings become, and massive camphor trees and rainbow eucalyptus provide excellent shade, making for comfortably cool walking conditions even on a hot day like today.
A delightful spread at Mānoa Honey & Mead.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Finally, I end my day in Wahiawā at Mānoa Honey & Mead (930 Palm Place), one of the only meaderies in the state. Finding a comfortable seat at its outdoor garden, I sip away at six varieties of mead, marveling at the smooth, sweet taste of the honey-wine. The meadery was started by Yuki Uzuhashi, a beekeeper from Japan, who took over Mānoa Honey in 2014. He wanted to make a drink that was fresh and fruity to pair with Hawai‘i’s tropical climes, and after purchasing a bottle of the store’s durian mead and sampling it after I got home, I can honestly say he’s accomplished just that.
Wahiawā is a living reminder that you shouldn’t take familiar places and sights for granted. There will always be something you’ve never seen before, even here, a place that for many people seems like a town frozen in time. So if you have the time, stop in Wahiawā—the North Shore will still be there waiting for you after you’re pau (finished).
This story was originally published in our Winter 2024 issue. Buy a copy here.
