At press, the reimagined (copied?) VANS Pipe Masters just concluded on December 18 here on the North Shore. And in over a month the WSL’s Billabong Pro Pipeline is slated to begin. But there is one Pipeline event that locals and those in-the-know are most excited about – the annual Da Hui Backdoor Shootout – running from January 4 to 16 at the onset of the new year.
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The North Shore of Oahu is full of legends from the world of surfing. As a proud supporter of the local scene we see more than our fair share of familiar faces on our property. We’ve hosted a wedding party for the Florence family and have counted other big wave chargers in our ever-growing guest book. This past weekend we were stoked (oops, we mean PSYCHED) to have pro-surfing icon Jamie O’Brien along with YouTube surf star Ben Gravy (and crew) spend the day at Ke Iki Beach Bungalows. We’ll spare you further editorial by simply sharing Jamie’s latest clip from a day well spent at Ke Iki Beach:
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You can’t help but notice the signs leading to and from the North Shore. “Keep the Country, Country” is a monicker that has been adopted by this side of the island. However, it’s hard to envision the viability during certain times of the year, especially surf contest season which typically runs from October until late February to coincide with the winter swell. When the Billabong Pipemasters (now called the Billabong Pro Pipeline) and VANS Triple Crown are cued up it’s like a circus around here. And while all of the hoopla surrounding World Surf League (WSL) events are a lot of fun for locals and visitors alike, there is one contest that holds a special place in the hearts of us all here at Ke Iki Beach Bungalows – the Da Hui Backdoor Shootout.
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Our guests spend most of their leisure time peering out towards the sands of Ke Iki Beach. It’s understandable. Who can resist the cyan tone of the ocean and a sky that changes as the sunrise gives way to the afternoon before descending into the sea? However, we encourage you to look up from time to time as you walk around the garden side of our property. Within its lush embrace sprouts the trunk of a magnificent Monkeypod tree that has lived here for over a century. It is what provides guests with a comforting canopy from the hot midday sun and tropical rain alike.
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Ke Iki Beach Bungalows is a wonderful destination for celebrating an anniversary, and where to make a lifetime of memories with your ohana. But before any of these events unfold over the years, a union between devoted companions transpires – a wedding.
A wedding day is the genesis of generational celebrations to come, and as such a lot of thought goes into choosing a place that will honor enduring love. It must also be welcoming to friends, family, and loved ones, bringing them together in a setting that incites jovial conversation amidst fine dining, drinking, and dancing – even if barefoot in the sand. A wedding destination must be enchanting, dare we say fantastical, so where more appropriate than a Polynesian paradise that is affectionately known as The Gathering Place? The North Shore is the finest Oahu has to offer, and our oceanfront nook of the countryside is as paradisiacal as it gets. As a result, we have hosted a seemingly countless number of nuptials over the decades, and yet each feels as magical as the first.
We were recently honored to host the wedding of Andrea and Juha, local kama’aina who embraced Ke Iki Beach Bungalows as the place to begin their journey as kāne a wahine (husband and wife). It was an affair to remember, and we look forward to the beautiful couple’s return as they celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, and more as their family (and love) continues to grow.
Below is a behind-the-scenes look at their special day.
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There is no shortage of pre-booked things to do on the North Shore. There are shark and whale watching tours, bike rentals, surf lessons, zip lining excursions, farm visits, horseback rides, and much more. But one of the most enjoyable activities for visitors doesn’t cost a thing – beachcombing. The same swells that make this neck of the island a hot spot for wave watching, bring an onslaught of treasures to our sands. On any given day (especially in the winter) beachcombers may come across seashells, seaglass, fishing floats and sinkers, driftwood, and all sorts of goodies that are ready for display back home on the mainland. That said, the popularity of this activity can make finding those nautical gems a challenge. To make sure you don’t get skunked on your treasure hunt, follow our guide to the best beachcombing spots on the North Shore.
Once again we find ourselves expressing gratitude to our Ohana, not only for choosing us as the host for a dream Hawaiian vacation, but for reaching out afterwards to share their story. This week, we are happy to share the experiences of Tom and Melissa Kendall, a much deserving couple came to us to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary.
Mahalo Nui Loa to Tom and Melissa for imparting the following.
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Every once in awhile we receive an email from a guest, accounting the wonderful time that they shared with their friends, family, and loved ones at Ke Iki Beach Bungalows. While we most certainly appreciate all of the reviews we receive via TripAdvisor (etc.) it’s those special deliveries that pull at our heart strings. When we find that our property has helped bring households and extended family even closer together we remember why we got into this in the first place.
This week we opened a message from Sarah, a member of the Nimptsch family, who we were honored to host in the early spring of this year. Rather that summarize the narrative, we have chosen to simply leave her kind words right here. It is now an entry into the ever-growing time capsule of feedback that we have received from our cherished guests:
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Spring is upon us. The season represents a time of renewal, which is especially important as we all come out of the most trying time in our history. But it’s the latter we’d like to reflect on. Not 2020, but a look further back to the Ke Iki Beach Bungalows that our cherished guests first fell in love with. While we have undertaken some amazing renovations and our ohana (including you!) has grown in the last year, we’re taking a moment to time-travel through the expert eyes (and lens) of distinguished photographer Robert Ryder.
Robert and his family have stayed with us over the years. He could always be found at the break of dawn and again during the golden hours, wandering the oceanfront with camera in hand to capture the perfect shot. Recently, the esteemed lensman was kind enough to share his catalogue of breathtaking imagery of the property along with other vibrant scenes of the North Shore. We’ve selected a few photos to illustrate some impeccable moments that we hope you (and your own loved ones) will one day enjoy at Ke Iki Beach Bungalows.
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Most of us mortals don’t ride giants. We prefer to witness massive mounds of saltwater form and detonate from the safety of the shore. Yes indeed, it is a site to behold which is why people from all over the world flock to the North Shore of Oahu. Sure, the food is great. The boutique shops and galleries are delightful. The people are friendly, and the weather is impeccable (even when raining). But in the end, it’s all about the waves. That said, the seven mile miracle can be fickle and not all reef breaks and sandbars are created equally. To help with your plans to watch and photograph these natural wonders we have laid out the best spots to visit, and more importantly, where to stay.
One of the reasons visitors choose Ke Iki Beach Bungalows when staying on the North Shore is that our property provides immediate access to the best bike path on Oahu. From the moment you leave our gate you’ll find the world famous pathway running parallel to Ke Iki Road. While you can certainly point your beach cruiser northeast, peddle, and have a blast it’s good to have a little guidance. Below we take a look at five can’t-miss (including one secret!) stops to check out along the way.
