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The Oahu Windward Coast (South Coast)
Finding one's way around Oahu from Waikiki is not too difficult as long as you stick to the main routes. There is only one road, the Kalanianaole Highway 72, that follows the coast from Waikiki southeast around the island and continues up the length of the east windward coast. The road changes to the Kamehameha Highway 83 up the Windward Coast at Kaneohe and follows around to the North Shore and Haleiwa. The road, still the Kamehameha Highway but changed to #99, then turns back south to Waikiki through the central corridor of Oahu, linking up with the H-2 freeway at Wahiawa.
Bobby Mc Millen surfing Turtle Bay, North Shore of Oahu
The drive along the southeast coast is scenic, with lots of beaches and mountain scenery. The route passes through the residential areas of Kaimuki, Kahala, Waialae, Aina Haina, Niu and Hawaii Kai, past Maunalua Bay, Koko Head Crater, Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach, to Makapu`u Point and Sea Life Park. From Makapuu, the coastal route follows up the Windward Coast through Waimanalo, with numerous beach parks, to the Kailua and Kaneohe areas, providing views of the Koolau Mountain Range and Rabbit Island.
The Windward Coast route follows along the beaches of northeast Oahu and through the farming communities of Waiahole and Waikane, past Mokolii (Chinaman's Hat) Island, Kaawa, Kahana Bay, Hauula, Laie (home of the Polynesian Cultural Center and Brigham Young University-Hawaii), and the former sugar plantation area of Kahuku, before turning west to the North Shore.
The renowned surf on the North Shore can get huge, is very dangerous, and should only be surfed by professionals, or local's with lots of experience. A whole lot of experience!
North Shore Big Wave Surfing
Along the North Shore the route passes the world famous surfing beaches of Sunset Beach, Ehukai, the Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay, Waimea Valley and Adventure Park, then on to the surf center of Haleiwa and former sugarcane center of Waialua. From Waialua, the Farrington Highway 930 extends west through the Mokuleia area, past Dillingham Airfield, where the road terminates. From here, it is a five-mile hike to Kaena Point Natural Area Preserve, the remote westernmost point of Oahu.
From the North Shore, the route heads south to the central plain of Oahu and through the pineapple plantations of the Wahiawa and Mililani areas, with mountain views of the Ko`olau Range to the east. |
