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North Shore Oahu Travel Resources

North Shore Oahu Travel Resources

North Shore Oahu Hawaii, USA Travel Guide

Essential Apps

apps for navigation, dining, and real-time surf reports.

Useful Websites

Official tourism sites, state parks, and weather forecasts.

Social Media & Podcasts

Follow local accounts and listen to Hawaii-focused content.

Digital Resources

Essential Apps for the Destination

  • Google Maps / Apple Maps for navigation (driving, walking, cycling) and public transport routes. Real-time traffic updates.
  • Uber / Lyft for ride-sharing services, useful if you do not rent a car.
  • Yelp / OpenTable for finding dining options, reading reviews, and making reservations.
  • Surfline / Magicseaweed for real-time surf reports, forecasts, and webcams for surf breaks.
  • NOAA Weather Radar for accurate, real-time weather information, including rain forecasts and alerts.
  • TheBus App for real-time bus tracking and schedules if using public transport.

Useful Websites for Additional Planning

  • GoHawaii.com: The official tourism site for Hawaii, with general information, activities, and events.
  • Hawaii State Parks: For information on state parks and camping permits.
  • Honolulu City & County Parks and Recreation: For information and permits for county parks and beach camping.
  • National Weather Service Honolulu: For accurate weather and ocean forecasts, including surf and tsunami advisories.
  • Hawaii News Now: A local news source for current events, traffic, and conditions on Oahu.

Pre-Trip Download Tip

Download essential apps before your trip. Offline maps prove useful where cell service might be spotty.

References & Information

Print Resources

Recommended Guidebooks & Maps

  • General Hawaii guidebooks include sections on the North Shore.
  • Look for detailed road maps of Oahu.
  • Maps available at local gas stations or visitor centers.
  • Physical maps work well without a phone signal.

Books About the Destination

  • Shoal of Time: A History of the Hawaiian Islands by Gavan Daws for history.
  • Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen by Liliʻuokalani for a personal account.
  • The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings for fiction set in Hawaii.
  • Voices of the Land: A Love Story (The Life and Times of Eddie Aikau) by Stuart Holmes Coleman.

Local Publications

  • Hana Hou! (Hawaiian Airlines in-flight magazine) for culture, food, attractions.
  • MidWeek: A local weekly paper for news and event listings.
  • Honolulu Magazine: Covers local events, dining, and culture across Oahu.
  • Check community boards in Haleiwa for local flyers.

Emergency & Medical Contacts

Emergency Numbers

  • All Emergencies (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 911 (U.S. National emergency number).
  • Kahuku Medical Center: (808) 293-9221 (closest hospital on North Shore).
  • Queen's Medical Center (Honolulu): (808) 691-1000 (largest hospital on Oahu, in Honolulu).

Clinic Locations

  • Kahuku Medical Center is in Kahuku, on the eastern end of the North Shore.
  • Various urgent care clinics available in Mililani or Honolulu for non-life-threatening conditions.
  • Pharmacies can be found in Haleiwa and Laie.

Important Procedures

Embassy & Consulate Information

  • Most foreign embassies and consulates are in Washington D.C. Or major U.S. Cities.
  • Note down their emergency contact numbers before your trip.
  • Consider registering your travel with your country's embassy.

Lost Document Procedures

  • Passport: Report loss to local police immediately. Contact your country's embassy or consulate.
  • Credit Cards: Call your bank or credit card company immediately to report loss or theft.
  • Driver's License: Contact your home state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency.

Further Reading & Exploration

Documentaries & Films

  • Bones Brigade: An Autobiography: Features aspects of North Shore surf culture.
  • Blue Crush: A fiction film set on the North Shore, demonstrating the surf lifestyle.
  • The Endless Summer: A classic surf documentary that inspired many to explore surf destinations.
  • Eddie Aikau: Hawaiian Waterman: An ESPN 30 for 30 documentary about a legendary Hawaiian lifeguard and big wave surfer.

Music & Art to Experience

  • Listen to Hawaiian traditional and contemporary music, like the works of Israel Kamakawiwoʻole.
  • Explore local art in Haleiwa galleries.
  • Search for "Hawaii travel podcasts" or "Oahu history podcasts" on your preferred platform.
  • Many surf-focused podcasts frequently discuss the North Shore and its legends.

More Resources

Online Communities

Join TripAdvisor forums, Reddit communities (e.g., r/HawaiiVisitors, r/Oahu), or Facebook groups.

Language Learning

Use apps like Duolingo or Memrise, or Hawaiian language apps, to learn basic phrases.

Recommended Reads

Explore literature that deepens your cultural understanding of Hawaii and its people.

Natural Disaster Protocols

Tune into local radio or TV for official advisories during events like tsunami warnings or hurricane watches. Follow all instructions from civil defense authorities and lifeguards. Familiarize yourself with your accommodation's evacuation plan.

Connections

Cultural Immersion

Cultural Perspectives to Gain

  • Respect for the Land & Ocean

    Understand the deep respect for the 'aina (land) and kai (ocean) that permeates Hawaiian culture.

  • Hawaiian Traditions

    Observe the significance of Hawaiian traditions in daily life and special events.

  • Diverse Cultures

    Appreciate the rich blend of cultures that makes Hawaii unique.

Personal Growth Opportunities

  • New Water Sports

    Challenge yourself with new water sports like surfing or stand-up paddling.

  • Exploring Trails

    Step outside your comfort zone by exploring rugged trails.

  • Nature Connection

    Develop a connection to nature by observing marine life or hiking through lush valleys.

Explore & Learn

Documentaries & Films

Watch films like Bones Brigade or Blue Crush to glimpse surf culture.

Skillshare for related courses

Music & Art

Listen to traditional Hawaiian music and explore local art galleries in Haleiwa.

Online Communities

Connect with other travelers and locals on forums for advice and tips.

Prepare & Connect

Language Learning Resources

  • Use apps like Duolingo or Memrise to learn basic Hawaiian phrases.
  • Learning simple phrases shows respect and appreciation to locals.
  • Consider Hawaiian language apps for specific local vocabulary.
  • "Mahalo nui loa" (Thank you very much), "ʻOluʻolu" (Please), and "A hui hou" (Until we meet again) are good to learn.

Local Insight Integration

  • Engage in casual conversation ("talk story") with locals; it's appreciated and fosters connection.
  • Customary to remove shoes when entering homes or small local shops.
  • Use trash and recycling bins to keep Hawaii clean; do not litter.
  • Share the road with patience for cyclists and pedestrians.

Responsible Practices

  • Support local businesses directly by purchasing goods and services from small, locally owned shops and food trucks.
  • Participate in a local beach cleanup if opportunities arise.
  • Consider donating to a local conservation or cultural organization that works to protect Hawaii's environment and heritage.
  • Reduce plastic waste by using a reusable water bottle and shopping bags.

Cultural Etiquette

  • Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine ecosystems.
  • Conserve water by taking shorter showers and being mindful of your consumption.
  • Stay on marked trails to prevent erosion and protect delicate habitats.
  • Dispose of all waste properly in designated bins.

Preparation Encouragement

Use these resources to prepare thoroughly for your trip. A little research goes a long way.

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