Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [135]
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Grass Skirt Grill (637-hula; 66-214 Kamehameha Hwy; lunch/dinner from $10) It’s the micro-tiki room, with retro surf decor on the walls, which fits right in with the traditional fare of mixed plates and seafood specialities. Popular with locals and great for a takeout meal bound for the beach.
MIDRANGE & TOP END
Hale′iwa Joe’s (637-8005; 66-001 Kamehameha Hwy; appetizers $5-12, lunch mains $7-16, dinner mains $14-28; 11:30am-9:30pm Sun-Thu, to 10:30pm Fri & Sat) With a superb location overlooking the marina and some of the best food on the North Shore, Hale′iwa Joe’s shouldn’t be missed. While much of the dining in town reflects the laid-back feel of the area, the food here takes it up a notch. Brilliantly prepared seafood and hearty steaks pepper the menu. Freshness is key, with much of the fish coming from the boats you can see out the windows.
Cholo’s Homestyle Mexican (637-3059; North Shore Marketplace; 66-250 Kamehameha Hwy; combination plates $8-17; 10am-9pm) Solid home-style Mexican food is what attracts such a big crowd of locals and tourists alike. If you’ve never tried a fresh ′ahi taco or a grilled ′ahi burrito, here’s your chance to get one done to perfection. It serves good fajitas and chimichangas as well.
Banzai Sushi (637-4404; 66-246 Kamehameha Hwy; mains from $10; lunch & dinner) Hidden at the back of the shopping plaza, this sushi place does it right. It has a big menu filled with the classic rolls you’ll be looking for, but try the signature dish, the Banzai sushi and sashimi set – it’s the perfect postsurf scarf.
Shopping
Hale‘iwa shopping ranges from the trendy to the quirky, and most of the shops and galleries are either in or nearby the North Shore Marketplace (66-250 Kamehameha Hwy).
Oceans in Glass (637-3366; North Shore Marketplace, 66-250 Kamehameha Hwy) Who says glass figurines are just for Nana? These handmade fish, turtles and dolphins are made before you eyes and, even better, are replaced for free if you break ’em on the way home.
Hale’iwa Art Gallery (353-5763, North Shore Marketplace, 66-252 Kamehameha Hwy) At this gallery featuring the works of 20-plus local and regional artists, you’re sure to find something you like. There are a variety of styles on offer – everything from dreadful through to dramatic.
Turtles & More Photo Gallery (741-3510; 66-218 Kamehameha Hwy) If your holiday snaps don’t measure up, the photos in here will surely impress the gang back home, with stunning underwater images of sea life and some killer surfing shots thrown in. There are various sizes up for sale to suit most budgets.
Growing Keiki (637-4544; 66-051 Kamehameha Hwy) This kids’ shop has gear for junior surf grommets and budding beach bunnies, including mini aloha shirts, trunks and toys.
Barnfield’s Raging Isle Surf (637-7797; www.ragingisle.com; North Shore Marketplace, 66-250 Kamehameha Hwy; 10am-6:30pm) Packed full of beachwear, surfboards, skateboards and anything else you might need for life on the North Shore.
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WAIALUA
pop 3761
For travelers that are seeking to really get away from it all or for those that find the relatively slow pace of life on the North Shore just too hectic – head to Waialua. This sugar-mill town ground to a halt in 1996, when the mill shut for good. Since then, precious little has happened here and the cracks in the pavement are starting to sprout weeds.
The Waialua Sugar Mill (www.sugarmillhawaii.com) has been redeveloped into a model center for locally owned shops and businesses. While much of the North Shore has a distinctly rustic flavor, take one step into Hawaiian Bath & Body (637-8400; Old Sugar Mill, 67-106 Kealohanui St; 9am-5pm) and you are transported into a bubble of aromatic opulence. Peek through the glass and watch the soapmakers craft their bars, all made with local ingredients such as kukui (candlenut tree) nuts.
The rambling warehouse known as Island X Hawaii (637-2624; Old Sugar Mill, 67-106 Kealohanui