Home Care In Waialua, HI

What: A 1.5-hour bee farm tour and honey tasting

Who: Fascinating for foodies, bug lovers and pollinator afficionados, but anyone age 3 and up is welcome. I was accompanied by “my guys,” a.k.a. husband and 6-year-old son.

Where: Hi Honey Farm in Waialua

When: Sunday morning

T his past spring, my son Duke was cast as a honeybee in his school play about pollinators, with pipe cleaner antennae and all. So, when I found out about the hands-on, up-close-and-personal experience at Hi Honey Farm, I figured we could piggyback on his base knowledge of the subject for an educational outing this summer.

Early on a Sunday morning, we whizzed up to the North Shore without a hint of traffic. We were greeted at the aptly colored yellow gate by staff who welcomed us onto the small farm down a short gravel road all the while avoiding chickens who roamed freely. We convened with the rest of the tour group participants, a family with grown children from the mainland, under the l?nai of a plantation-style cottage.

First, we had a chance to tour the farm, a honeybee paradise filled with all the plants they love to collect nectar from. Think: 800 banana trees, plus papaya, avocado, ginger, mamaki, taro and sweet potato. And I could go on and on. Duke was intrigued by the sleeping grass plant which retracted its leaves at his touch.

SEE ALSO: This Hawai‘i Island Family-Run Farm is Perfect for a Day with the Keiki

Next up, we got schooled with a mini lesson on bees and honey. Honestly, we learned more about bees than I ever thought possible, but in a good way. The lecture was light in tone with colorful visual diagrams, jokes, and kid-friendly references, such as “technically honey is bee vomit” and “bee boxes are stacked just like LEGO blocks.” Farm founder and owner, Stanislav has an 8-year-old daughter himself, so he knows how to keep kiddos engaged and interested.

Finally, the time had come to don the beekeeper suits and meet the bees! It was quite a process getting dressed in all the gear: boots, suit, gloves, and hood, which reminded me of getting dressed for a day of skiing. Luckily the staff was right there to assist however needed. In fact, since you can’t take photos while wearing all the protective apparel, the staff take photos for you throughout the experience and then send them to you at the end of the tour.

We trekked the short distance to the 130 bee colonies, equating to millions of bees, which call the farm home. Our mission: remove the frames (rectangular inserts where bees make beeswax and honey) from the bee boxes to get an up-close view and find the queen bee. In the process, we were able to witness a couple of newborn bees hatching. For each one, our group sang “Happy Birthday” to welcome them into the world. Amazingly, the new bees got to work right away helping the swarm clean the hive. At last, our guide found and pointed out the queen bee—an impressive insect almost double the size of the other bees.

Photo: Laura Dornbush

I will admit that it was VERY unnerving having a swarm of bees buzzing so close to my body. Duke was uneasy too, especially when our guide asked if he wanted to hold a frame of bees. But somehow, we got used to it—maybe because the staff was so calm and nonchalant. In the end, we didn’t get bit! Woohoo!

Photo: Laura Dornbush

Our bravery was rewarded with a comprehensive honey tasting of more than 10 varietals made by Hi Honey Farm. Their honey is harvested raw straight from the hive and is not pasteurized or filtered, leaving all of the beneficial enzymes and pollen intact.

Photo: Laura Dornbush

First, we tasted Ohia Lehua Honey, Eucalyptus Honey, and Macadamia Nut Honey—all made by bees from the nectar of these respective plants. Then, we were each served a plate of sliced avocado sprinkled with bee pollen (a good source of protein) and drizzled with spicy Hawaiian Hot Honey. The samples kept coming with a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with Matcha Honey and Pineapple Honey, and a fresh strawberry dotted with Cacao Honey.

Photo: Laura Dornbush

Photo: Laura Dornbush

All of the varieties we tasted were amazing, but our family’s favorites were the Eucalyptus Honey for its slightly crystalized texture and the rich, smooth Macadamia Nut Honey. We had a chance to purchase some jars to take home with us from the Bee Bus, a retrofitted truck turned boutique shop, painted with yellow and black stripes in honor of the honeybee. You’ll find us back up in Waialua again as soon as we need a refill!

Photo: Laura Dornbush

SEE ALSO: We Tried It: Farm Tour at 21 Degrees Estate

Our Tips

Hi Honey Farm offers tours daily, except Mondays, at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tours cost $110 for kama‘?ina adults and $80 for kama‘?ina children ages 3-12. 66-1128 Kaukonahua Rd., Waialua. (808) 462-6911, hihoneyfarm.com, @hihoneyfarm

Far away from the Waikiki crowds and Honolulu hubbub, North Shore's Waialua town is well worth the drive.

Nestled between the North Shore Oahu towns of Haleiwa and Mokuleia, Waialua is a former sugar plantation that’s turned into a trendy neighborhood. With hip cafés, stylish thrift shops and some of the freshest ahi you can find on the island, Waialua sets itself apart from Haleiwa with its chill plantation community vibes and local mom and pop shop appeal.

SUNNY WAIALUA

Sunflowers, as far as the eye can see. Standing tall with their bulbous, bright-yellow heads and long green bodies, hundreds of sunnies bloom at the DuPont Pioneer Sunflower Farms in Waialua in October and November. Shining a little extra sunshine on Oahu’s already vibrant North Shore, the seemingly endless rows of sunflowers are opened to the public in the way of free tours, which are organized and scheduled by DuPont Pioneer. If a single sunflower can brighten your day, just think what an entire field can do. To schedule a visit, call (808) 637-0100, ext. 149, or email [email protected].

ALL TO YOURSELF

Sometimes the best beaches are the ones worth finding, and Aweoweo Beach Park, tucked away in one of Waialua’s many sleepy neighborhoods, has an isolated, private beach vibe that’s worth the journey. With a long sparsely populated coastline, it’s easy to pick a spot you can call your own on this long stretch of sand. In the park that’s steps away from the beach are picnic tables, restroom facilities, a basketball court and a playground, ideal for family outings. 68-197 Au St.

THE NEW KID

Opened in early 2016, Brew + Foam’s too-cool-for-school coffee shop aesthetic, with vinyl records scattered across tables and low-hanging lights illuminating the rustic-wood seating area, brings an unseen level of hip to Waialua. Grab one of its classic brews, such as the hot haupia (coconut cream pudding) latte or a Dawn Patrol—drip coffee mixed with grass-fed cow butter and cold pressed coconut oil. Don’t forget to give Poncho, the café’s canine mascot, a good belly rub on the way out. 67-292 Goodale Ave., (424) 234-2244, brewandfoam.com.

DA POKE STOP

Coming in a no-frills Styrofoam container, the poke at Waialua General Store is focused where it should be—on the fish. With many flavors to choose from, such as the ahi shoyu poke or the spicy poke, each bowl is packed with as much white rice and ahi as the friendly aunties behind the counter can fit. And when you dig in? Expect some of the freshest poke you’ve ever had, with fish tasting like it was caught seconds before preparation. 67-272 Goodale Ave., (808) 637-3131 waialuageneral.com.

LET IT SNOW

Easily the most recognizable shop in Waialua, Paalaa Kai Bakery has all sorts of doughy treats waiting to be scooped up, but its best known for its world-famous Snow Puffy—a custard-filled flaky pastry, topped with powdered sugar and drizzled in chocolate. Get there early or call in advance to order some, as it’s often sold out by noon. 66-945 Kaukonahua Rd., (808) 637-9795, pkbsweets.com.

DIGGING FOR GOLD

At the Green Gypsy Thrift Shop, the age-old saying rings true: “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” Easy to miss, this vintage vendor is right next to Paalaa Kai Bakery, on the second floor of a large unmarked green building. If you’re on the hunt for one-of-a-kind knickknacks, secondhand aloha shirts or 1996 copies of Surfer magazine, you’re likely to find them all at this funky little shop. 66-935 Kaukonahua Rd., (808) 366-4000.

DESIGNER SOAPS AND SUDS

North Shore Soap Factory, which specializes in wonderfully fragrant suds, is part soap shop, part historical tour. Feel free to personalize your bar of choice by pounding into it, with a mallet, one of many premade stamp designs. Find it in the Waialua Sugar Mill, which is now a shopping center with world-class surfboard shapers, a general store and a Saturday farmers market. 67-106 Kealohanui St., (808) 637-8400, northshoresoapfactory.com.

On weekends, Wicked Hi Café in Waialua opens two hours earlier for coffee and sourdough waffles made with honey from hives in the backyard. Over in Hale‘iwa, The Coffee Gallery starts serving tasty baked goods at 6:30 a.m. for a leisurely sunrise start to the day.

For a North Shore perspective usually reserved for whales (and visitors and fishers), drive seven minutes to Hale‘iwa Harbor for a boat or whale-watching tour. There, Ocean Outfitters Hawai‘i and Banzai Adventures offer one- and two-hour trips along the beautiful North Shore coastline. When you have more time, book a half-day trip with knowledgable Capt. Porter Turnbull from North Shore Sailing Adventures. There’s really nothing like cruising under full sail.

. Video: Omar Ortiz

Head back into Hale‘iwa Town to shop. Boutique mainstays No. 808 and Guava Shop are always must-visits but there’s a new kid on the block. The K?kua Hawai‘i Foundation, run by Kim and Jack Johnson, will eventually include a few stores and an 8-acre learning farm on its new Hale‘iwa headquarters. In late spring, the K?kua General Store will open with eco-friendly reusable and refillable goods—we love the handmade ceramic mugs from North Shore-based Jac + Jil Studio—as well as a selection of vintage alohawear and T-shirts. Join a workday in the fields the first Saturday of the month.

♥ DID YOU KNOW Did you know: Hale?iwa used to have lo?i fields stretching all the way to the beach. At the K?kua Hawai?i Foundation Learning Farm, eighth generation-Hale?iwa resident Daniel Rodriguez is helping to restore the wetlands on part of the property.

Lunch at longtime favorites along Kamehameha Highway: Café Hale‘iwa for the avocado sandwich, a chicken pesto sandwich at Waialua Bakery, or the Hello Burger at Beet Box Café. Or stop by the newer food trucks: No. 7 Japanese Food Truck has great hand rolls; at Surf N Salsa, try the super fresh fish tacos. Maya’s Tapas has dine-in grass-fed burgers, flatbreads and tapas-style veggies. After you’ve loaded up, meander up the coastline toward Kahuku.

A word of warning: On a nice weekend day, it can take more than an hour to get from Hale‘iwa to Waimea Bay because of all the cars heading to Lani?kea and Chun’s. Prepare by going before 10 a.m., adopting a Zen attitude, or by sticking to only Hale‘iwa or Kahuku before going back to town.

On better days, it takes just about 20 minutes to get to The Cove Collection, a cute stand-alone boutique at Shark’s Cove run by four North Shore artisans, all of them women. Browse their well-edited selection of jewelry, art, home furnishings and beauty products, including beautiful Mi Nei Designs beaded necklaces by Katye Killebrew and recycled surfboard art by her husband, famed bodysurfer Mark Cunningham.

SEE ALSO: A Local’s Guide to an O‘ahu Road Trip: Wahiaw? to Salt Lake

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Drive 11 minutes to Turtle Bay’s revamped Kuilima Farm Stand across from Kawela Bay, where there are heaps of local produce to snack on. You can see some of the farmland right behind the stand.

Need an afternoon pick-me-up? Four miles away, grab an espresso or fresh orange and pineapple juice from The Country Eatery or a Raggamuffin smoothie—banana, strawberry, bee pollen and spirulina—from Raised by the Waves, both at the Kahuku Sugar Mill. Ono Yo, in the food truck area in front of the historic site, has a creative frozen yogurt menu that’s a hit with kids.

Work it off with a lesson at Sunset Skates, the new indoor skateboard ramp, school and shop at the sugar mill. Pro skater Willy Akers is an enthusiastic teacher, whether you’re learning how to tic-tac or perfect your 180 kickflip.

SEE ALSO: What It’s Really Like Inside the North Shore’s Exclusive Volcom Surf House

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

♥ DID YOU KNOW The Kahuku Sugar Mill ran for 90 years until it ceased processing operations in 1971.

After your lesson, grab takeout from any one of the surrounding trucks or restaurants (Makahoa Pizza Co. and Papi’s Tacos are solid picks) and pull up a seat at the open-air Kahuku Beer Garden, where there’s a smart selection of local beers on tap, as well as wine and kombucha, plus bottles and cans in the fridge to finish your day.

Itinerary

9 a.m. Breakfast at Wicked Hi Café.

9:45 a.m. Drive 7 minutes to Hale‘iwa Harbor for a 1-hour boat ride.

11:30 a.m. Browse K?kua General Store and other shops.

12:30 p.m. Pick up lunch at No. 7 Japanese Food Truck or Surf N Salsa and get ready to drive 20 minutes to an hour (depending on traffic) to P?p?kea.

2:30 p.m. Stretch your legs and browse art at The Cove Collection.

3 p.m. Drive 11 minutes to pick up fresh produce at Kuilima Farm Stand. Go 4 miles up the road to Kahuku Sugar Mill.

3:30 p.m. Get a quick coffee and a sweet treat from The Country Eatery or Ono Yo.

4 p.m. Book a skate lesson with Sunset Skates.

5 p.m. Have a post-skate drink at the Kahuku Beer Garden.

The 2024 High School season is just getting undeway in Hawaii and for the first time ever, Prep Baseball Hawaii brings you Season Previews on High School teams from across the State. Coaches and players have been working nonstop since the conclusion of the 2023 season in preparation for a highly anticipated 2024 spring season. Throughout our Preseason Previews, we look to give you an inside scoop on some of the most highly talked about teams going into the spring season. We continue to provide insight and analysis as the season gets underway and we'll continue providing coverage throughout the Spring.

Continue to check back throughout the season and stay tuned into our social media channels, as we strive to be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball in Hawaii.

With our sixth 2024 Season Preview, we stay on the Island of Oahu as we break down the 2024 Waialua Bulldogs baseball program coming out of Oahu II (Division II). Following a 4-10 season in 2023, the Bulldogs looks to start their new campaign on the right foot as they open up against Kahaku this coming Saturday afternoon. The 2024 Bulldogs are led by Head Coach Coryn Iwamasaand below we'll break down everything you need to know about his team entering the new season.

High School: Waialua High SchoolCoach: Coryn IwamasaHHSAA Classification: Division IIConference: Oahu II2023 Record: 4-10

Returning Strengths/Players: '24 SS/RHP Ian Dobecki (Uncommitted) impressed on the mound last year, posting a 4.20 ERA across 29.2 innings and his 41 punchouts were good for 3rd in Hawaii's Division II. Dobecki can also get it done with the bat as he batted .385 as the team's shortstop when he wasn't on the mound. '24 C/1B Kaipo Albeso-Notebo (Uncommitted) was one of the more impactful bats in the teams lineup last year, batting .375 with a HR, 5 doubles and 10 RBI. Albeso-Notebo will be relied upon to drive the ball for exta-bases again and provide some thump in the middle of the order.

'24 3B/RHP/C Davin Almeida (Uncommitted) started every game at third last year but will transition behind the dish this year and handle the majority of the teams catching duties. '24 INF/RHP Elden Myers (Uncommitted) was on-base machine for the Bulldogs in 2023 as he hit .423 and also led the team in walks while scoring 12 runs. His ability to get on-base and move around them, along with his ability to hold down any positon on the infield, make him one of the more important pieces to this baseball club.

Top Newcomers: The Waialua Bulldogs top newcomer comes in the fashion of a freshman with '27 MIF/RHP Sky Hirota (Uncommitted). Hirota will provide some youth to a lineup that returns five starters while also being able to contribute on the mound. The young freshman should be a fun watch over his scheduled four-year career at Waialua.

Top Uncommitted Upperclass: '24 SS/RHP Ian Dobecki provides plus speed and should be receiving looks from potential junior college programs on the positional side. Dobecki has also topped out at 81mph on the mound. '24 C Kaipo Albeso-Notebo has good bat speed and provides power to both gaps. Junior college caliber catcher with 2.1 pop-time. '24 3B Davin Almeida is a contact hitter with quick feet and can play at the junior college at either second base or third base.

Top Uncommitted Underclass: Waialua's top uncommitted underclassmen comes via previously mentioned incoming freshman, '27 MIF/RHP Sky Hirota, who will take the field for the first time in his high school career this coming Saturday as the Bulldogs open up their 2024 campaign.

UPCOMING EVENTS

RECENT NEWS

Even though I’m not perfect at choosing healthy options, I really do enjoy fresh and nutritious food. I hope I’m not the only one that orders vegetarian options just because I know they’ll be yummy. You can’t go wrong with fresh vegetables, fruit, and even freshly baked bread. With all that in mind, I have to tell you all about Waialua Bakery & Juice Bar, the place that I dream about at night.

Waialua Bakery & Juice Bar is located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, and sits cozy in the heart of the historic surf town of Hale’iwa. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t even notice this little place until someone introduced it to me. It is my foodie obligation to do the same for you. You cannot visit Hale’iwa without eating at Waialua Bakery & Juice Bar. The menu is full of various sandwich, salad and smoothie selections that cater to even the pickiest of pallets.

The best part is that Waialua Bakery & Juice Bar is a family run cafe AND all of the vegetables and fruit are grown on their family farm! That alone just blows my mind. I love it. The farm provides it all: papaya, banana, mango, avocado, sprouts, lettuce, tomato, eggplant, carrot, lime, lemon and wheat-grass. Everything at the bakery is homemade and fresh! They make their own bread, veggie burgers, pesto, hummus, as well as their sweets, like cookies and ice cream. Who doesn’t love a homemade meal?

My favorite veggie sandwich is the Avocado sandwich on the jalapeno bun (pictured above). (Wait, did I forget to mention that they have different kinds of homemade bread that changes daily?!) The Avocado is literally piled with lettuce, tomato, sprouts, onion, mayo and mustard. I love how fresh it tastes. All healthy food should taste like this sandwich, absolutely delicious.

If you’re not a jalapeno fan, there are many other homemade bread selections. Unless they have new ones, I have tried them all. You can choose from the jalapeno bun, sliced white bread, sliced wheat bread, a cheese and herb bun, the pesto wheat bun, and the potato rosemary bun. All of them are really delicious. I literally want all the recipes for everything here. And you can wash it all down with a fresh smoothie or juice. They also offer lemonades, frozen yogurt shakes, iced tea, and smoothie bowls. You cannot go wrong with a menu as full as this.

As I said before, I am not perfect and have a one of the worst sweet-tooth’s you have ever encountered. Instead of getting the Avocado sandwich, sometimes I’ll get the Crazy Nut sandwich (pictured above). I got the Crazy Nut once on a date, and my date tried it and said, “This isn’t lunch! This is dessert!” He couldn’t be more right. The Crazy Nut (on your choice of bread) is a coconut peanut butter and banana sandwich. It is mouth-watering goodness! I wouldn’t judge you at all if you licked your screen right now. It’s gooey, sweet, and the combination of coconut, peanut butter, and banana as flavors is absolute genius. You’ll be pleased with this sandwich for sure.

Other favorites pictured here are the Turkey Cranberry sandwich (who doesn’t love the taste of Thanksgiving in paradise?), and the Pesto Turkey sandwich. I love how both of these sandwiches have vegetables piled high; what is most important is how the turkey is NOT dry. I absolutely cannot stomach dry chicken or turkey, and Waialua Bakery & Juice Bar has only ever served tasty “not dry” meats. Another yummy and giant sandwich is the Triple Crown, which is layered with turkey, cheese, pastrami, bacon, lettuce, tomato, sprouts, and onion. I never snagged a picture of this one (foodie fail) because I couldn’t wait to get it in my belly.

Waialua Bakery & Juice Bar is a tasty and healthy experience. The location is small, but there is plenty of seating for everyone. I prefer to eat outside when I’m there, and I love the ambiance of the entire place. Waialua Bakery remains true to the historic town of Hale’iwa, which is rich with surf culture and beautiful sights. Visit this bakery to have a fun, paradise loving experience.

Waialua Bakery & Juice Bar

$ Juice Bars & Smoothies, Sandwiches

66-200 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712

808-341-2838

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