In March 2026, historic Kona Low storms brought record amounts of daily rainfall and significant flooding to Hawaii. On Oahu, many residents and businesses are still dealing with the aftermath, which has inspired the creation of a new visitor program to boost recovery on the North Shore.
On June 29, the Hawaiian Council, in partnership with the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, E Noa Tours and the Hawaii Tourism Authority, launched the North Shore Huakai, a 90-day pilot program that will bring travelers to the North Shore to support local businesses and discover the area’s history, culture and people.
“Recovery is also about restoring the economic vitality of our communities,” said Kūhiō Lewis, CEO of Hawaiian Council. “The North Shore is home to dozens of small businesses that provide local jobs and serve as the backbone of the community … Every dollar spent locally helps support families, strengthen our communities and move recovery forward.”
For just $5 round trip, travelers can take advantage of easy transportation to the North Shore through the program, which offers daily departures from Waikiki and Ko Olina. Pickup locations in Waikiki start at Prince Waikiki at 8:30 a.m. and continue along Kalakaua Avenue. In Ko Olina, the first pickup is at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at 9 a.m.
Visitors then enjoy a six-hour experience on the North Shore, including a one-hour stop in Waialua to explore the historic Waialua Sugar Mill district, and two and half hours hours in Haleiwa. Along the way, cultural practitioners share the history, traditions and cultural significance of the communities along the route. After visiting local restaurants, retailers, galleries, coffee shops and more, travelers simply show proof that they supported a participating North Shore business to board the return shuttle.
The Waikiki route accommodates up to 40 passengers, while the Ko Olina option hosts up to 25 guests, so advance reservations are strongly encouraged. Bookings can be made online at NorthShoreHuakai.com or by phone at 808-591-2561.
“The Kona Low storms devastated North Shore communities during one of our most important travel periods,” said Dr. Aaron J. Salā, president and CEO of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. “This program is an effort to respond to that devastation through intentional investment in the resilience of North Shore families and businesses through the visitor industry. Every stop on the North Shore Huakai is a local business, every local business is a local family and every local family carries a story with the power to transform how visitors come to know Hawaii.”
Representatives note that depending on the results of the pilot program and available funding, there is a chance the offering will be extended beyond the initial 90-day period.
