History of Haleiwa Town

Hawaii is one country where many people list in their dream destination, which is not surprising. Hawaii has a rich cultural heritage with ancient sights, friendly locals, clean beaches, and delicious foods that you can experience in any of Hawaii’s islands.

Pearl Harbor, Waimea botanical garden, and Byodo-in are some of the places you can visit in Hawaii. Tourists can also consider going on hidden gems Oahu tour to witness the beauty of Hawaii that is rich in culture and history. Oahu, also known as the Gathering Place, is the third-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Located on the north shore of Oahu is the quaint little town of Haleiwa, which is a small beachfront and historic surfing town.

The town’s name results from Rev. Orramel H.Gulick founded the Waialua Female Seminary in 1865 when he arrived to help John Emerson, a missionary. The seminary’s dormitory was named Haleiwa.

Haleiwa can also have many meanings. Hawaiian “hale” is a word that means house. “Iwa” refers to a frigate bird. Combining these two words will give rise to the meaning of “house of frigate bird”. However, the term “iwa” can also be used to refer to the poetic symbol of an attractive person. Haleiwa could be translated to “home of attractive persons” in symbolic meaning.

Haleiwa is prominent for holding a strong presence in Hawaii’s history. The quaint town had also succeeded in maintaining its historic roots. The historical Queen Liliuokalani Church, formerly known as the Waialua Protestant Church, was first established by the Emerson family of missionaries back in 1832. Until now, the building and the church’s gate are still standing alongside the early church graveyard. 

Furthermore, the double arch bridge in the northern entrance to the town is the Anahulu Bridge or Rainbow bridge which was built in 1921. The historic bridge spans over the Anahulu stream, and it is a famous destination for paddleboarding, kayaking, and river jumping.

The small town of Haleiwa is also home to many immigrants from other countries in Asia, such as Japan, Korea, China, and the Philippines. It also became the home to some citizens from Portugal, Norway, and Scotland. All these have brought Haleiwa a colorful cultural diversity.

For more information about the rich history of Haleiwa, here is an infographic provided by Go Hawaii Tours.