Oahu - Hawaii with Kids - page 137

Surfboards are also available for rent on the North Shore at Surf-N-Sea,
62-595 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa ( & 808/637-9887; www.surfnsea.com),
for $5 to $7 an hour. They also offer lessons for $65 for 2 hours. For the best
surf shops, where you can soak in the culture as well as pick up gear, also see
“Shopping with Your Kids,” later in this chapter.
On the windward side, call Kimo's Surf Hut, 151 Hekili St., across from
Daiei, in Kailua ( & 808/262-1644 ). Kimo and his wife, Ruth, couldn't be more
friendly and helpful. In addition to surfboards ($30 a day) and bodyboards for
rent, Kimo has his own personal collection of vintage surfboards, lovingly dis-
played on the walls of his shop. If you have the time, Kimo will gladly tell you
the pedigree and history of each board. Although Kimo doesn't have formal surf-
ing lessons, he'd be happy to give you pointers.
More experienced surfers should drop by any surf shop around Oahu, or call
the Surf News Network Surfline ( & 808/596-SURF ) to get the latest surf con-
ditions. The Cliffs, at the base of Diamond Head, is a good spot for advanced
surfers; 4- to 6-foot waves churn here, allowing high-performance surfing.
If you're in Hawaii in winter and want to see the serious surfers catch the
really big waves, bring your binoculars and grab a front-row seat on the beach
near Kalalua Point. To get here from Waikiki, take the H-1 toward the North
Shore, veering off at H-2, which becomes Kamehameha Highway (Hwy. 83).
Keep going to the funky surf town of Haleiwa and Waimea Bay; the big waves
will be on your left, just past Pupukea Beach Park.
WINDSURFING
If you have older kids (12 and above) and are looking for a real ocean adventure,
windward Oahu's Kailua Beach is the home of champion and pioneer windsurfer
Robbie Naish; it's also the best place to learn to windsurf. The oldest and most
established windsurfing business in Hawaii is Naish Hawaii/Naish Windsurfing
Hawaii, 155-A Hamakua Dr., Kailua ( & 800/767-6068 or 808/262-6068;
www.naish.com). The company offers everything: sales, rentals, instruction,
repair, and free advice on where to go when the wind and waves are happening.
Private lessons start at $55 for one, $75 for two for a 60- to 90-minute lesson
(depending on your skill level); beginner equipment rental is $20 for 2 hours
and $35 for a full day. Kite-surfing lessons are also available ($100 for 1 1 ⁄ 2 hr.).
Kiteboard rentals are $20 a day. Kailua Sailboards & Kayaks, 130 Kailua Rd.,
a block from Kailua Beach Park ( & 808/262-2555; www.kailuasailboards.com),
offers 3-hour small-group lessons ($79 per person, including all gear) and rentals
of windsurfing equipment, surfboards, snorkel gear, and ocean kayaks.
Windsurfer wannabes on the North Shore can contact Surf-N-Sea, 62-595
Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa ( & 808/637-9887; www.surfnsea.com), which
offers equipment rental ($12 an hour or $45 for the day), as well as private les-
sons (beginning at $65 for 2-3 hr.).
ON THE LAND
People think Oahu is just one big urban island, so they're always surprised to
discover that the great outdoors is less than 15 minutes away from downtown
Honolulu.
BICYCLING
Bicycling is a great way to see Oahu. Most streets here have bike lanes. For infor-
mation on biking trails, races, and tours, check out www.bikehawaii.com . For
information on bikeways and maps, contact the Honolulu City and County
Bike Coordinator ( & 808/527-5044 ).