Facility Overview

Situated directly along the world-renowned North Shore of Oahu, the public parking area on Pohaku Loa Way in Haleiwa offers essential coastal access for beachgoers, surfers, and island explorers. This parking area consists of an open-air, ground-level roadway shoulder and unimproved turnouts bordering the coastal right-of-way. Because it is completely open-air without an overhead deck or height-limiting barriers, the location has unlimited vertical clearance. This makes it suitable for standard passenger sedans, crossover SUVs, rental minivans, and pickup trucks equipped with surf racks. However, drivers of oversized recreational vehicles, dually trucks, or vehicles towing trailers should exercise caution, as road space along Pohaku Loa Way is narrow, and turnaround space is limited.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

The Pohaku Loa Way public parking area serves as an immediate gateway to some of the North Shore’s most cherished surf breaks and secluded stretches of sand:

• Chun’s Reef: Located just a 2- to 4-minute walk south along the shoreline or Kamehameha Highway, this legendary surf break is popular among longboarders and shortboarders alike and is well known for frequent Hawaiian green sea turtle (honu) sightings.
• Kawailoa Beach: Accessible straight from the public right-of-way path at Pohaku Loa Way, offering a quieter, residential sand stretch ideal for sunbathing, beachcombing, and watching the evening sunset.
• Laniakea Beach ("Turtle Beach"): Located approximately 1 mile to the northeast along Kamehameha Highway, renowned for wild sea turtles resting on the golden sand.
• Historic Haleiwa Town: Situated roughly 2.5 miles southwest (a 5- to 7-minute drive), featuring historic plantation-era storefronts, Matsumoto Shave Ice, local art galleries, surf shops, and popular North Shore food trucks.
• Waimea Bay & Waimea Valley: Positioned about 2.5 miles northeast, home to iconic big-wave surf competitions, botanical gardens, and scenic waterfall hikes.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to Pohaku Loa Way is achieved directly off Kamehameha Highway (Route 83), the primary coastal corridor circling Oahu’s North Shore. Because Pohaku Loa Way branches toward the ocean, drivers must make careful turns onto and off the highway, where traffic moves steadily during morning and afternoon hours. Egress during peak North Shore surf season (November through February) or mid-afternoon weekend traffic crawls can take additional patience when turning back onto Route 83. For public transit travelers, TheBus Route 60 (Honolulu - Kaneohe - Haleiwa) operates frequent service along Kamehameha Highway, with nearby stops within comfortable walking distance of Pohaku Loa Way.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-air, ground-level parking adjacent to public coastal rights-of-way
• Direct footpath access to the shoreline and surf lineup
• Unrestricted vertical clearance accommodating lifted trucks and vehicles with roof boards
• Free public access with no automated gates or reservation barriers
• Proximity to TheBus Route 60 stops along Kamehameha Highway
• Unpaved/gravel and paved road-shoulder parking configuration

Ideal For

• Surfers heading out to Chun’s Reef and neighboring outer reefs
• Beach lovers seeking a quieter alternative to overcrowded park lots
• Photographers capturing world-class ocean swells and sunset vistas
• Day-trippers driving the scenic North Shore coastal highway
• Snorkelers and paddleboarders during calm summer ocean conditions

Visitor & Driver Tips

Given the popularity of North Shore surf spots, spaces along Pohaku Loa Way and nearby highway shoulders fill up very quickly—often before 8:00 AM on weekends and during winter swells. Arrive early in the morning to secure a spot and ensure smooth parking. Always obey posted "No Parking" signs to avoid citations or having your vehicle towed by the City and County of Honolulu, and do not block private residential driveways, mailboxes, or gates. Most importantly, practice aloha and protect your belongings: never leave valuables, luggage, or electronics visible inside your vehicle when heading down to the beach.