Saturday, August 5, 2017

A Paradise on Windward coast of Oahu: Heeia Kea Pier and Kaneohe sandbar

The Kaneohe sandbar

On the Windward coast of Oahu, soon after leaving the city of Kaneohe and traveling North off a sleepy, shore-hugging loop of Kamehameha Highway lies the beautiful, rustic Heeia Kea Pier.




It is an old fishing pier that juts into the aquamarine water. Even if you are not a fisherman or local the whole landscape is very inviting, that you are bound to make a right turn to take a break and enjoy the breathtaking surroundings.  Anchored here are also few dozen houseboats and rusty-hulled fishing boats giving you the feel of Hawaiian countryside. As you drive to the end of pier you come across a ramshackle bait-and-coffee shop that has served the fishermen and surfer the basic diner grub.


The Heeia Kia Pier Deli


The Heeia Kia Pier Deli

A view of Ko'olau Mountains 
The food benches at the pier


Ko'olau Mountains 


In earlier days, the General store and Deli was run by Mark Noguchi, a native Hawaiian from Big Island. Cook and entrepreneur he has worked with some of the Honolulu Top eating joints. At He’eia he serves the traditional Hawaiian plate lunch using local staples, fresh fish and meat.

He was recently featured in Travel and Leisure, , Cooking Channel, Food Network,) HONOLULU Magazine featured Heeia Pier General Store a year ago

“Hawaii has always been a melting pot of ethnicities, cultures, and cuisines, as much as New York or Miami, if not more so,” Noguchi says. “Look at us: we are fusion. Here it’s not just a concept or some fleeting trend—it’s a way of life.”

The deli serves one of the best Sweet potato fries, along with Garlic and skinny fries and phenomenal cheeseburger. It is also famous for guava chicken, Kuahiwi hamburger, fresh fish, ahi katsu, oio and luau stew.




A eating table inside the deli, with Photos of the Catch from the sea

Lion coffee and skinny fries 

chartered boats to Kaneohe sandbar 


A beautiful, rustic chair at the pier

A view from inside the deli 

The parking lot at the Deli 

Ko'olau mountains 
Coffee at the pier

Mark is also known to cook with many local overlooked ingredients such as such as akulikuli (a.k.a. sea purslane), a tidal succulent that he harvests just down the shore. He uses it to make a zesty salad with pickled limu seaweed, Hawaiian chiles, and plump local tomatoes.

In 2012 , Mark Noguchi is left Heeia Pier General Store and Deli, and the place is currently run by his business partner Russ Inouye. While he has kept the old menu intact he has added some kids' menu, an expanded breakfast menu, and some cheap and quick dishes for around $5.

There are several picnic tables which offer a mystic, majestic view of Kaneohe bay and cloud covered Koolau Mountain Range.

Picnic Table overlooking Kaneohe bay 


Kaneohe sandbar courtesy: Captain Bob’s Picnic Sail
Kaneohe sandbar courtesy: Captain Bob’s Picnic Sail




Tourists off to Kaneohe Sand Bar 




Just 15 minutes from the shores of Kaneohe Bay, surrounded by the Koolau Mountains and its reef-protected waters, lies a slice of paradise not known to routine flock of tourists in the Waikiki area. It is the largest saltwater sandbar in the world, which becomes an island at low tide.

The locals call it as "Ahua Laka," translated "Altar of Laka", or "Sand Bank of Laka," as suggested in an Hawaiian chant.  According to Hawaiian tales, the chief Laka was born in Kipahulu, Maui but died here in Ahua-a-Laka, hence the place is named after him.

The sandbar is protected by an impressive barrier reef, leaving it in seclusion as it shimmers and shines beneath the clear and calm, crystal waters. At high tide, its depths can vary from one to three feet, making it the perfect spot for snorkeling, swimming and simply relaxing the day away! Kids and beginner swimmers especially can benefit from the shallowness of the sandbar, as it creates a rare opportunity for them to jump in and splash around to their heart's content, without having to worry about safety!

You can also be greeted by friendly Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles swimming along the surface and saying "Aloha!" in this breathtaking area!

One visit to Kaneohe Bay and the sandbar, and you will easily understand why it has been chosen as the location for numerous Hollywood movies including "Gilligan's Island," "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Journey to the Center of the Earth," "50 First Dates," "Godzilla," and "Jurassic Park!"

The view of Kaneohe Bay from the sandbar is nice. Being protected by the barrier reef it remains calm throughout the year giving it the name - God’s country.  Coconut Island, Kekepa Island and Chinaman's Hat Island can also all be seen from this vantage point, as of course, can the majestic Koolau Mountains.

The sandbar is not approachable by land and the only way to explore these pristine surroundings, is to take a kayak or charter a private boat.

You can also take a catamaran ride from the Heeia Kea Pier. Many tour operators regularly charter rides from this location. Here is a link to the top tour operators in this area.


Directions to the Heeia Kea Pier and Kaneohe sandbar






1 comment:

  1. Very nice and clean beaches....good to see no rush at such beautiful places

    ReplyDelete