Chick & Cookie’s Tips for Enjoying Our Hawaii Home

Our private beach access can be found by walking out our driveway and going left on the street. The access path is 5 houses down on the right side of the street. It is a grassy path between two fenced properties with waist-high wooden posts across the entry. The path leads you to a staircase down to the beach. The beach that you access is on the south side of the peninsula, looking back toward Kaneohe - opposite of the way our house faces. Cookie goes for daily morning swims.

Sunrise is spectacular. Consider walking to the end of the peninsula at the end of our road to watch it. The sun comes out of the water directly off the end at certain times of the year.

Sunset is fun to watch from Sunset Beach @20 minutes north by car. An alternate would be to have a drink outside at the Turtle Bay Resort @10 minutes north. Watch the turtles bobbing in the water or surfers on the waves while the sun goes down. Sunset is of course nice from our lanai too.

Goat Island is the larger island that you see from our lanai. Locals know that you can walk across the reef during low tide

(water will be @ knee to waist high). Time your trip so you are not coming back against a receding tide. You will be walking on reef so wear solid foot attire like reef shoes, sneakers, or Tevas. Once there, you will find a fabulous protected lagoon with pristine beach, sandy bottom, & no waves. A great find for the adventurous. Not for the faint at heart! Access is via Malaekahana State Recreation Area a few minutes north of Laie by car.

Shrimp is raised in ponds just north of Laie in Kahuku. Consider stopping at one of the many “shrimp shacks” along the road for a great platter of shrimp prepared in several island styles. Our favorite is the Famous Kahuku Shrimp Shack.

Malaekahana State Recreation Area is a great wooded beach park just minutes north by car. Like all beach parks in Hawaii it is free & well maintained. Fabulous! Grassy areas are interspersed within woods. Picnic tables @ BBQ pits. Camping allowed in parts. At low to moderate tide you can walk over to Goat Island on the reef.

Shark's Cove Grill is a casual lunch spot on the highway at Sunset Beach and one of our favorites. Great ahi fish burgers, shrimp, & chicken. We also like the banana-peanut butter protein shakes. All fresh locally grown ingredients!

Seven Brother’s Back Yard Burgers (808 744-6440) make probably the best burgers we have ever had. They are right down the street at the Laie Shopping Center.

Pounders Restaurant & Bakery is a recent addition & the first nice sit down eating establishment in our little town. Located in the Hukilau Marketplace by the PCC. Atmosphere is nice and the food is good. The bakery opens at 8:00 am and the restaurant at 11:00 am. Closed Sundays 808 293-3287.

Surf Lessons with Karen (808 372-6289) are very reasonable & educational. It is great to go as a whole family. She will teach you all at once & give you great tips & a super time.

If you want a Turtle Experience drive to Laniakea Beach (no sign). This is the last beach before the turn off for Haleiwa. They come up on the beach to bask oblivious to beach-going humans. Remember to stay at least 6 feet away so as not to disturb them.

Body Surfing or Boogie Boarding is excellent at Laie (Pounders) Beach (but a bit advanced) just south of the Polynesian Cultural Center. A good, fun beginner's beach is just north at Hukilau Beach. This is the beach you look at from the lanai.

Polo in Paradise takes place at Mokuleia on Sundays from @ May through August. First match starts at 2 p.m. A beautiful field on the ocean provides the stage for a fun afternoon. When we were there skydivers landed on the field at 1/2 time. The cost was reasonable.

Haleiwa is a great little town @30 minutes north by car. On the way don’t miss out on the famous surf beaches of Sunset, Pipeline, & Waimea. Don’t pass up a surf contest if you come upon one. Haleiwa is fun for shopping, eating, & beaches. The Grass Skirt is great for lunch and Cholo’s serves super margaritas.

Hukilau Cafe serves a good breakfast & friendly local charm. Turn left at Hukilau beach & a hard left at the roundabout. It's got

the yellow surfboard on top. Speaking pigeon is not required to order but sure helps. All is served on Styrofoam, which is common on the island but a bit of a downer.

Scooters and bikes can be rented at Turtle Bay Resort

Surfboards, Kayaks and other beach stuff may be rented at Ocean Sports Outfitters. 808 292-8323