One of the most apt and direct phrases uttered upon my recent return to Oahu, Hawaii’s third largest island, came during a visit to the famed North Shore. That portion of the island is wonderfully isolated and my base of operations centred on the renovated Turtle Bay Resort. One of the guides said it ever so succinctly: “Get out of the pool.”
The directive wasn’t meant to avoid the pleasures of Turtle Bay’s swimming pool—recently reopened, beautifully designed, and ever so receptive—but to explore the many different elements that make the North Shore area so inviting, so captivating, so truly Hawaiian.
Those unfamiliar with Hawaii may simply group all of the islands together and think of them as one and the same. Anyone who has been there, however, knows full well that each island has its own character, appeal, and fan base.
One of the major things I’ve learned during my global travels is the need for authenticity—no pre-packaged, contrived, or staged places. Visitors want a real connection, adding a deeper meaning to the time taken and money spent. After all, the whole dimension of travel is pushing beyond your comfort zone—to seek out, learn, and embrace what is new and thereby adding a certain spice, a lasting memory, to one’s own life.
This is especially so with Oahu’s North Shore.
Beyond Waikiki Beach
Those going to Oahu for the immediate Honolulu area will no doubt head to Waikiki Beach, where the 24/7 go-go-go atmosphere is renowned for its non-stop party frenzy. The constant drumbeat is electric and oftentimes the choreographed conga lines are nothing more than cheap and obvious touristy connections meant to feed into the stereotypical images many novice visitors have of Hawaii. The shows are generally crowd-pleasing but essentially vapid. The quintessential Hawaii is more than a bland rollout of Las Vegas razzmatazz and old-time New York burlesque schlock.
The North Shore is geared toward the outdoor adventurist, embracing a real tie to the land and the water. Thankfully, such elements are still present for those wanting much more than surface-level connections.
