In 1899, the development of the Haleiwa Hotel and the extension of the Oahu Railroad led to a growth in Haleiwa's business community. The train transported guests from Honolulu across pineapple and sugar cane fields. Their half-day trip by train was considered long, so Haleiwa became a quaint vacation getaway. More and more businesses were popping up for visitors. Most were housed in front of family buildings while their living quarters were located in the back.

With the railroad coming to the North Shore, the newly built Waialua Sugar Co.'s business affairs grew by joining Haleiwa with Waialua. Sugar was king and in high demand at this time.

Today, Queen Liliuokalani Church, which was the site of the old Emerson House, still offers a touch of yesterday. While at her summer home, the Queen attended the local Protestant church and presented it with a clock using the letters of her name in place of numbers; the clock still graces the back wall of the church.

In 1984, Haleiwa was designated a State Historic, Cultural and Scenic District. Currently the town is involved in America's Main Street program for historic preservation and economic vitalization.

Rich with history, Haleiwa offers just about everything you would like to see and can't afford to pass up. However, it's just the beginning of your North Shore adventure. As you continue along Kamehameha Hwy., you'll come across some of Oahu's most popular sights-Waimea Valley, the Banzai Pipeline, the restored Kahuku Sugar Mill and the Polynesian Cultural Center-but that's a whole `nother story for a whole `nother day...