History of Haleiwa Town (Infographic)

Hawaii is among the numerous countries that will never be erased from the list of many people’s dream destinations, which is not surprising. In this archipelagic state, you will find a rich cultural heritage with ancient sights, friendly locals, clean beaches, and delectable foods. You can experience all these in any of Hawaii’s major islands.

Now, if you are traveling to Hawaii but are undecided about where to spend your vacation specifically, we have a suggestion for you–Oahu.

Oahu, also known as the Gathering Place, is the third-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Its nickname suits it best because despite not being the largest island, it welcomes the most tourists all year round. 

Dole plantation, Pearl Harbor, Waimea, and Byodo-in are just a few of the places you can visit in Oahu. But that is not where it ends. The ever-popular North Shore is also located in Oahu, and here you can find the quaint little town of Haleiwa, where you can enjoy a cultural tour Hawaii.

History of Haleiwa

Haleiwa (pronounced as hah-lay-ee-va) is a small beachfront and historic surfing town located in the district of Waialua, one of the first and largest Hawaiian settlements on the island of Oahu. The origins of the town’s name can be traced back to 1865 when the missionary Rev. Orramel H. Gulick established the Waialua Female Seminary when he moved to the town to help his fellow missionary, John Emerson. The name Haleiwa was the name of the seminary’s dormitory. 

The term Haleiwa also holds several meanings. In Hawaiian, “hale” means house, while “iwa” translates to a frigate bird. When these two words are combined, they lead to “house of the frigate bird” as its meaning. However, the term “iwa” can also be associated with the poetic symbol for an attractive person. So in a figurative sense, Haleiwa could also mean “home of attractive people.”

Despite all these origins and meanings, the name Haleiwa was only permanently established in the area by the Haleiwa Hotel when Benjamin Dillingham opened it in 1898. When the hotel was finally opened, Haleiwa was translated as “beautiful home.” For years, it has served as an accommodation for numerous affluent visitors. However, the doors of this distinguished hotel closed in 1943, and the building was torn down a decade later, in 1953. 

With the numerous plantation-era buildings scattered throughout the town, Haleiwa truly holds a strong presence of history, and they have successfully maintained its historical roots. The Queen Liliuokalani Church (formerly known as the Waialua Protestant Church) was first established by the Emerson family of missionaries in this town back in 1832. Up until today, the building and entry gate of the church is still standing alongside the early church graveyard. 

Furthermore, the steel and concrete beamed double arch bridge in the northern entrance to the old Haleiwa Town is the Anahulu bridge, or Rainbow bridge was built in 1921. The bridge spans over the Anahulu stream and is a famous destination for paddleboarding, kayaking, and river jumping.

In addition, the town has also become home to immigrants and hired farm laborers from Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, China, and the Philippines. It also nestled citizens from Portugal, Norway, and Scotland. All these have brought Haleiwa the colorful diversity of races.