OAHU NORTH SHORE

THEN and NOW -- HALE'IWA​
         Thinking back to 1979 when we were stationed on Oahu, where my Marine Corps husband was the chief NCO at Camp Smith’s PAO office for the South Pacific Command.  We lived at the Army’s new townhouse units, which housed all services, at Aliamanu, the kids went to school at Red Hill.  We spent many weekends traversing all over the Island (it didn’t take long to get from one end to the other).
          I remember going out to the North Shore many times.  When we had visitors we always went out to the Polynesian Cultural Center, usually spending the entire day and once in a while stayed for the nightly Luau—one of the best on the Islands. It certainly was then and probably vies with Germaine’s and others in this day and age which are much closer to Waikiki.
         We also took people by Schofield Barracks and the Dole Pineapple Plantation – always fun and usually stopped to get a taste of Hawaiian out of the Ground Pineapple.  My kids always loved pineapple and pure cane sugar.  We usually said no and their grandparents, who were often visitors from Oregon, said yes.  They certainly were not sugar starved children!
         I digress, the reason for this article is I was reading a trade magazine that was mentioning the hotels out at the North Shore now.  I can only remember, honestly, Del Webb Corporation’s Kuilima Resort Hotel and Country Club, now known as Turtle Bay Resort which recently came under new ownership with the Ritz Carlton brand.   It was well beyond the means of a family of 5, which meant we didn’t go there, but it was, even then, beautiful to look at.  Laie was there but for some reason we never went there.
            However, now I am amazed really at the renovated accommodation options for the North Shore.  The real “first” hotel was Hale’iwa Hotel constructed and owned by Benjamin Dillingham in 1989. The Hotel is presently Courtyard (Marriott) Oahu North Shore and has recently undergone an 11-month renovation. The resort has only 144 rooms and will fill quickly.  Hale’iwa  is located in Laie and today the 80 workers there are still mostly from the town of Laie. You will enjoy the laid back vibe which is far from the crowds and traffic of downtown Waikiki.  You will need a car in this area.
           North Shore waves are really something that will astound you in the winter.  We never went down to the beach in the winter – if you go be sure to pay attention to ALL the notices of water, sharks, etc and LISTEN to the lifeguards.  The ocean can be and is very temperamental.
             The Courtyard Oahu North Shore is very close to the Cultural Center, where you can obtain heartier fare at the Hukilau Marketplace at the Cultural Center.  You can order choices for lunch and dinner which could include garlic shrimp and gourmet hot dogs, crepes or kalbi short ribs.