Weekend on the North Shore - December 2001

If you ever want to escape the hustle of Honolulu, but don't have the time or money to go off-island, consider the North Shore. I hear there a number of cheap ($70 per night) bed and breakfasts to stay in. Perhaps I'll check some of them out my next visit. One good solution in the Turtle Bay Hotel, formally the Turtle Bay Hilton. It's located on the water past Sunset Beach...just before you reach Kahuku. The hotel is surrounded by several hundred acres of undeveloped beachfront property, so if you're into hiking, picnicking, jogging, etc., you'll really enjoy the location. During the winter months, the waves are large and the water is a bit difficult for most swimmers. Occasionally, a nice right break forms next to the hotel. Bring your surf board or body board and fins! The hotel offers tennis, golf and horseback riding. The biggest draw, though, is just getting away from it all!

Rooms are $119 weeknights for kamaaina and $129 weekends and holidays. Rooms come with small fridges and a coffee maker, so load up on food and drinks at the markets in town. The hotel is now under new ownership. A lot of much-needed renovation is being done and should be completed around April 2001.

Bottom line: Great, not-so-expensive place for romantic weekend getaway.

The pictures on this page may need a little explaining. Matt is an old buddy from my days at Sony in Tokyo. Masumi is his new (and first!)wife. Matt and Masumi are mountain biking around the islands for 3 weeks and then will return to Tokyo, where they permanently reside...

Aloha,
Kimo