Hawaii Oahu North Shore Beachfront Vacation Rentals...Hawaii Life

For those high school students and college returnees who are looking for a place to get a great education in a beautiful place, look no further than the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Founded in 1906, the university has over 20,000 students enrolled annually with Manoa as the main campus, the UH system has 9 other campuses to further your knowledge and get you that much-needed diploma.  With a law school in the top 100 of the US, the world-known East-West Center, and many other accredited programs such as the Shidler School of Business, you'll find everything you need here and more.  For student-athletes, it is also is a Division 1 athletics program for you to try out!  Good Luck and we'll see you in the Fall!

Hawaii Oahu North Shore Beachfront Vacation Rentals...Place to Eat

Driving up the east coast of Oahu to the North Shore, you'll find Uncle Bobo's BBQ stop in Ka'a'awa.  This perfect rest stop has everything you need for a satisfied tummy: awesome food, great selection, perfect price.  Right across from Swanzy Beach Park, this eatery has everything from BBQ ribs, to shave ice, to açai bowls!  With many different types of food from ribs and pork to sandwiches, there is a choice for everyone.  And after your meal, don't forget to buy a souvenir to remember the memorable meal with a t-shirt or cap!

Hawaii Oahu North Shore Beachfront Vacation Rentals...Hawaii Music

You cannot listen contemporary Hawaiian music without knowing "Na Leo Pilimehana," which means "voices together in warmth."  The most award-winning and album-selling Hawaiian group in the World, the trio is known for their melodic voices and beautiful songs.  Winners of 22 Na Hoku Awards (Hawaiian "Grammys"), they have played all over in the World including the first Hawaiian group to ever sing at the House of Blues in Hollywood and Los Angeles.  Graduates of Kamehameha Schools in 1984, they met here in high school and the rest is history.  Their first single, "Local Boys" is Hawaii's all-time highest-selling single of all time.  If you ever get a chance to see this group live, don't hesitate to go.  You will never be disappointed.

Hawaii Oahu North Shore Beachfront Vacation Rentals...Hawaii Life

Koa, or Acacia koa, is an endemic plant to the Hawaiian islands that has been used extensively here from centuries ago until our present day.  The name koa means brave, bold or warrior, and is named precisely for this large, strong tree, used in olden days for outrigger canoes, and surfboards.  In today's era, Koa is used extensively for furniture and cabinetry to 'ukulele, and guitars.  The Koa tree is endangered due to years of over-harvesting and animals eating the seedlings.  Thanks to education and reforestation, Koa trees can be found growing in abundance here in the islands.  Though humans have different uses for koa, the tree is also the preferred host plant of the Green Hawaiian Blue caterpillar, which eat the flowers and fruits of koa, while the Kamehameha Butterfly eats the sap of the tree.

Hawaii Oahu North Shore Beachfront Vacation Rentals...Place to Visit

In the heart of the North Shore, directly across from Waimea Bay, you will find a Valley rich in Hawaiian history, cultural and plain beauty.  Waimea Valley, home to the famous Waimea Falls photographed millions of times, is an awesome place to see how the ancient Hawaiians lived and thrived in the mid 1500's to our present time.  Learn the history of how this valley became so important to our people and what makes this valley so unique from the rest on O'ahu.  Hiking trails, beautiful tropical plants, scenic views, and even a restaurant await you at Waimea Valley.

Hawaii Oahu North Shore Beachfront Vacation Rentals...Hawaiian History

The first thing any person sees when they arrive in Honolulu is of course, the Honolulu International Airport.  One of the busiest airports in the US, HNL handled more than 21 million travelers in 2007.  Opened in 1927 as John Rodgers Airport, named after a WWII naval officer, it was taken under control by the military after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.  It was reopened in 1947 as Honolulu Airport (International added in 1951) as one of the largest airports in the US.  It had the World's longest runway in 1953 and the Reef Runway was the World's first major runway constructed entirely offshore.  This runway is also a designated alternate landing site for NASA's space shuttles. 

Hawaii Oahu North Shore Beachfront Vacation Rentals...Snorkeling

Snorkeling in Hauula Bay is absolutely magical.  Due to the low amount of traffic our bay receives, you will find many fish and reef dwellers you wouldn't normally see at high-traffic beaches.  Yesterday, I had the privilege of going snorkeling with an underwater camera and was able to capture a photo of a cruising green sea turtle or honu who just so happened to be swimming by.  I altered the photo to bring the turtle more into the view in the photo and to compensate for the zoom I had to use not to get too close.  These majestic and beautiful animals are frequently seen at our beach, where they come to eat the limu or seaweed off our rocks during low tide.  They are currently listed as an Endangered Species and are protected world-wide due to the over-fishing of these animals by humans. 

Honu sighted while snorkeling in Hau'ula Bay.