Traveling Around OahuA Day Trip You Can Enjoy Both On and Off the Bike!

With cherry blossom season being declared one after another across Japan, many of us are starting to think beyond spring outings and toward summer plans. At the same time, it’s understandable that some travelers may still feel cautious about going abroad. These days, as we gaze at the blossoms, we’re reminded that both travel and sport are privileges made possible by a peaceful world.

This year’s Honolulu Century Ride (HCR) will take place on Sunday, September 27, following Japan’s Silver Week holidays (September 19–23). If you can manage an extended break, even better. The Global Ride editorial team recommends heading beyond Honolulu to the laid-back and distinctly local “North Shore” area—an easy day trip where you can experience another side of Hawaii.

Following our first feature, we’re back with more insights from seasoned riders and the editorial team as they share their North Shore trip.

The Global Ride editorial team extends its heartfelt thoughts to those affected by the disaster in Haleiwa in March 2026, and sincerely hopes for a swift recovery and the return of everyday life to this beautiful island.

Table of Contents

1. A Relaxed Sightseeing Trip for Just $2.50 on the Public Bus 🌈
Text & Photo by Naohiko Matsumoto
A regular HCR rider, Matsumoto, sets out on a casual day trip with a friend—all for just $2.50 on the public bus. With a senior HOLO card and a translation app in hand, the journey turns out to be surprisingly smooth and stress-free.

2. Feel the Heat! A Gentle Coastal Ride and Local Shop Hopping 🌺
Text & Photo by Eigo Shimojo
Head to the North Shore by car with your bike loaded up. The area is packed with local charm—cafés and boutiques line the streets, and just beyond them stretch smooth, rider-friendly roads. Cruise along Route 930 by the coastline, taking in the powerful waves rolling in from the Pacific.

1. A Relaxed Sightseeing Trip for Just $2.50 on the Public Bus 🌈

Day 5 in Honolulu — The Day After the HCR Ride
Text&Photo by Naohiko Matsumoto

We left the hotel at 7:30 a.m. and headed to Ala Moana to transfer to a bus bound for Haleiwa. But then—we spotted a notice saying the bus wouldn’t stop here due to road construction. What⁉︎
We had no idea where to catch it!
So we asked a nearby construction worker using an iPhone translation app. “Over there,” he pointed—and just like that, we were back on track. Translation apps really are a lifesaver!

With that small hurdle behind us, we settled in for a relaxed bus ride to Haleiwa.

We arrived in Haleiwa around 10:30 a.m. and made our way straight to the Patagonia store we’d been looking forward to. Prices felt slightly lower than in central Honolulu—maybe just a little, but enough to notice.

After that, we strolled around Haleiwa Town at a leisurely pace, soaking in the laid-back atmosphere. Of course, we couldn’t skip the classic stop at Matsumoto Shave Ice, where we each went for a colorful rainbow shave ice—definitely not our usual style, but too fun to resist 🌈

Since we arrived early, there was no line at all, which was a pleasant surprise. We’d seen videos on YouTube showing massive crowds, so it almost felt anticlimactic—in the best way possible.

We continued wandering around without any particular plan, picking up treats like banana cake along the way, before heading out for one of Haleiwa’s must-do experiences—garlic shrimp for lunch.
“Should we just go with the classic, Giovanni’s?” we said as we walked—but when we got there, Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck was already packed with people. So this time, we decided to skip it and head over to Jenny’s Shrimp Lunch Wagon instead.
No line at all—perfect. We quickly ordered the spicy shrimp along with a Pepsi (it somehow feels like Pepsi is more common at these Hawaiian food trucks).

We wasted no time digging in at a nearby bench. The shrimp had just the right level of spice, and they were butterflied, making the shells easy to peel and eat (I’m definitely on the “peel them first” side). With our hands covered in garlicky oil, we cleaned up using the alcohol wipes provided—such a thoughtful touch 👍
Honestly, I’d go as far as to say I prefer this place over Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck.

After lunch, we stopped by Dole Plantation on our way back to Honolulu. I vaguely remembered visiting Hawaii about 30 years ago, but surprisingly, I had no recollection of the buildings themselves.
At the shop, we ordered the classic pineapple soft serve—though “soft serve” might be misleading, as the texture felt closer to gelato. True to American sizing, it was huge, and finishing it was a bit of a challenge by the end.
It seemed we were the only ones who had come to Dole Plantation by bus. At the return bus stop, it was just the two of us—two guys waiting quietly, a slightly surreal moment to wrap up the trip.

The bus sped along the highway, and from the window we caught a glimpse of the King Kamehameha Statue as we passed by. Back at Ala Moana, we transferred to the free, Japan-favorite Waikiki Trolley Pink Line 🩷 and returned to the hotel for a short break.

The total transportation cost for our Haleiwa trip? Just $2.50 for the bus. The senior HOLO card is seriously unbeatable 💳!

2. Feel the Heat! A Gentle Coastal Ride and Local Shop Hopping 🌺

Day 2 in Honolulu — Two Days Before the HCR Ride
Text&Photo by Eigo Shimojyo

Since we had brought our bikes all the way to Hawaii, we wanted to make the most of it—so we packed our schedule with as many rides and photo opportunities as possible. With the Honolulu Century Ride (HCR) course mainly covering the southeastern part of Oahu, we decided to head north today. Our destination: the North Shore.

The North Shore coastline on Oahu offers a completely different atmosphere from the bustle of Waikiki, preserving the charm of a good old Hawaiian local town. With its laid-back vibe and global reputation as a mecca for surfers chasing big waves, it’s the kind of place you simply have to experience by bike.

We set off from Waikiki early in the morning by car and arrived in Haleiwa, the central hub of the North Shore, in about an hour. With plenty of early-rising surfers and visitors around, it’s great to find cafés open from dawn.

We stopped by Mele Mele Bakery, located in a renovated former sugarcane factory site. Fueling up with bagels and coffee on the sunlit terrace, we geared up for the ride ahead—our first destination being Kaʻena Point, the forest reserve at the island’s northwestern tip.

Before setting off, we made a quick stop at the remake shop Rosebeat located on the same grounds. The owner, who has a background in film, creates one-of-a-kind remade clothing pieces, and the shop is packed with unique items. What started as a bit of research quickly turned into full-on shopping mode.

The road out to Kaʻena Point is a dead end, which means very little traffic—making it wide, open, and perfect for riding. Even Editor K’s Brompton folding bicycle cruised along smoothly. To the right, white sandy beaches and the rolling waves of the Pacific; to the left, lush green cliffs rising dramatically. Whichever way you look, the scenery is spectacular.
Naturally, the team kept stopping to take photos of each other, which didn’t exactly help our progress.

Before long, we reached the entrance to the Kaʻena Point Trail. From here, an unpaved trail begins, closed to vehicles, and it’s even possible to make your way through to the west coast.

Surrounded by untouched nature, you might be lucky enough to encounter sea turtles or the endemic Hawaiian monk seal. A gravel ride in search of seals—what a unique adventure! We set off with high hopes, but alas… perhaps our eagerness gave us away, as we didn’t spot any this time.

Just as the breathtaking scenery began to fill our hearts, our stomachs were, unsurprisingly, running on empty. We headed back to Haleiwa Town and switched gears into lunch-mode—a proper gourmet ride.

Along the main drag, Kamehameha Highway, we stopped at the juice stand Aina Farm Stand. Taking the cheerful local staff’s recommendation, we ordered one of their signature drinks. Packed with locally grown fruits, the organic juice felt like it soaked right into our bodies after the ride—pure refreshment in every sip.

With the juice taking the edge off our hunger, we continued our easygoing ride around town. Haleiwa may be small, but it’s packed with things to see, making it perfect to explore by bike. Every turn brings something new, and it’s all part of the fun.

Before long, we found ourselves drawn into Seven Brothers, a spot that caught our eye. If you’re going for a true Haleiwa local classic, it has to be garlic shrimp—so that’s exactly what we ordered. Paired with a hibiscus-flavored craft ginger ale to boost the Hawaii vibes even further, it turned out to be an absolutely perfect match.

We spent the afternoon weaving through Haleiwa Town, making plenty of spontaneous stops at cafés, boutiques, local surfboard workshops, and even Aloha shirt tailors.
There’s nothing quite like this kind of easygoing ride—pure joy in every casual spin.

All in all, we covered around 50 km for the day. It’s hard to believe how much we experienced on what was essentially a flat 50 km ride. And yet, the fact that we only managed to explore a small part of what we had hoped to see on the North Shore left us all with the same thought—

we’ll definitely be back.