North Shore | Sunset at Malaekahana Beach

After a hectic work week (for Sly) and a lazy week of lying on the beach (for me), we left the tourist shops and crowded Waikiki beaches behind, picked up a few provisions at the store, and drove North to our favorite little camping spot on Malaekahana Beach.

Seven years had passed since we last camped on Oahu and since that time our camping spot had gone through a change in management and a complete renovation. We worried that it wouldn’t be the same as we remembered and, as we drove to the North Shore, we remarked at how much more commercial and built up everything seemed. We found ourselves constantly asking the other, “was that always here?” and “is that new?”

Years ago I recalled counting sign posts to find the entrance to the Malaekahana Beach Campground, and even then we were fairly uncertain that we had arrived at the correct location. This time around we easily located the entrance amid the barrage of signs, cars, and unfortunately, people.

Instead of tent camping we booked one of the small cabins, or hale. The hale, which didn’t exist the last time we visited with our campervan, replaced the sketchy, crumbling yurts after the most recent campground renovation. They perfectly situated cabins still smelled of fresh paint and were a welcome improvement.

We checked into our cabin and wasted no time kicking off our shoes, grabbing a few tasty beverages, and walking the short path in front of our hale to catch the sunset on our own private slice of Malaekahana Beach.

As we watched the sky change from bright blue to pink to purple we realized that the world beyond (and even within) the campground walls may have changed over time, but this place – this beach – would always feel as if it somehow belonged to us.

cheers! ps: I don’t recommend the Malibu drink

Ice cold beverages in hand, we sat together on our secluded little beach listening to the sound of waves crashing near our feet. The wind picked up as day majestically slipped into night. With all the day tourists and beach goers now gone, Malaekahana Beach returned to a place of quiet reflection.

It was as stunning and as beautiful as we remembered.