Haleiwa is about 35 miles from Honolulu and Waikiki, a drive that takes 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. The H-2 freeway heading north from the H-1 is the fastest route; it ends near Wahiawa, from which Kamehameha Highway (Route 99) continues north to Haleiwa. The drive through the central plateau, past pineapple fields and the Dole Plantation, is itself an introduction to the part of Oahu that most tourists never see.
There is no direct public transit from Waikiki to Haleiwa, though TheBus operates routes that connect through Wahiawa with a transfer — the journey takes well over two hours. A rental car is by far the most practical option, and it allows you to drive the full North Shore loop from Haleiwa to Kahuku and back via the Windward side, which is one of the best half-day drives on the island. Traffic heading north from Honolulu on Friday afternoons can be severe; heading back south on Sunday afternoons is similar.