Field Guide: Wahiawa

From 100-year-old furniture to strawberry pancakes, this city houses more than Army facilities.

Hawaii Music Supply

For the musically inclined (and those who want to learn), Hawaii Music Supply has everything from full drum sets and tailor-made guitars to the picks and sticks with which to play them, plus drums, amplifiers and a wall of ukuleles. “We offer the full experience for musicians,” says owner and long-time bass player Andrew Kitakis. You can even take your instrument next door to Hawaii Music School for music lessons. 101 N. Kamehameha Highway, 622-8000, www.hawaiimusicsupply.com

Photo: David Croxford

Secret Treasures

What began as a teen hobby turned into a life-long business for Diana Lee, owner of the Wahiawa antique shop Secret Treasures. Tightly nestled in the little shop are furniture, paintings, ceramics, clocks and more which Lee chooses herself. “Each piece is my favorite. When I let one go it’s a heartache, it’s like giving away a baby.” On top of antique treasures, you can also find paintings from local artist Dennis McGeary or visit Charlie, a hairy baby pig Lee baby-sits. 177 Kamehameha Highway, 741-1273. 
 
  

Photo: David Croxford

Higher Grounds Coffee and Music Cafe

Forget rocking out to Guitar Hero in your living room, play real instruments in front of a real audience at Higher Ground Coffee and Music Café. Near Hawaii Music Supply (and also owned by Kitakis). The store premieres the guitar shops’ students, and hosts local favorites such as Led Kaapana and Ernie Cruz Jr. Those less extroverted might enjoy an iced coffee, made from locally grown beans. 70 Kukui St., Suite F, 622-0000, www.highergroundhawaii.com

Did You Know?   Ron Artis, whose studio is in Haleiwa, has painted 31 murals in Wahiawa. Check out his wildlife and Island landscape murals on nine businesses around town.

Photo: David Croxford

Koa Pancake House

Famous for its fluffy pancakes, the Koa Pancake House in Wahiawa dishes out breakfast goodness similar to the one in Kaneohe that got it all started. Order the strawberry pancakes, loaded with whipped cream and strawberries. 703 California Ave., 621-0123, www.koapancakehouse.net

Lake Wilson

The horseshoe shaped, manmade Wahiawa Reservoir, or Lake Wilson, surrounds most of Wahiawa. In fact, bridges on the north and south ends provide access to the town. It’s one of the best, and only, places on Oahu to fish for bass. “I’ve found that in general there are a lot more fish per acre in Lake Wilson than in the near-shore ocean areas,” says Arlen Meline, president of the local chapter of Trout Unlimited.
 

Hawaiian Sign Gallery

Harris Okuda is part surf shop owner, part woodturner. Walk into his store, Island Comforts and you’ll find surf clothing and accessories on one side and a sign gallery in progress on the other side. “Someone gave me a small scroll saw and I started tinkering around,” says Okuda. “And one thing led to another.” He has been crafting wood signs for five years now—for example, the Aoki Shave Ice sign in Haleiwa—and sells them in his store and online. 518 California Ave., 621-0136.