Skate-cation top 10: Oahu with Jen O’Brien

To celebrate the launch of Autonomy’s new Jetsetter series we’re talking to their riders to get the lowdown on the best skate trip destinations in the cities that hold a special place in their hearts. To get us started, Jen O’Brien is taking us around Oahu, Hawaii, and introducing us to all her favorite places to skate, eat, surf and swim.

Banzai Skatepark

59460 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712

Banzai Skatepark is a fun cement park that has a big pool in the back with some ditch style bowls and flow lines. It’s right across the street from the beach. There’s also a healthy girls skate scene at this park; lots of lady rippers.

Skate Supply Hawaii

59460 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712

If you need any skate gear the mobile skate shop Skate Supply Hawaii is usually posted up out front of Banzai Skatepark. Noah Montes owns and runs it — he rips!

Waimea Falls Park and Botanical Gardens

59-864 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712

Waimea falls and botanical gardens are just up the street from Banzai Skatepark. It’s a short hike to go for a swim at a waterfall. You could also head to Waimea Bay for a swim, a cliff jump and — in the winter — big wave surfing. All of the North Shore beaches are incredible so any one of them around this area will not disappoint.

Kahuku Superette

56-505 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731

For the best poke, head toward Turtle Bay, about 10 miles past the Banzai skatepark, and in Kahuku you’ll find Kahuku Superette. Don’t be fooled by this unassuming general store — it doesn’t look like much from the outside but it’s actually the best spot for amazing and cheap poke.

Wallows Ditch

325 Anolani St, Honolulu, HI 96821

The Wallows ditch is a classic Hawaiian spot that was made famous in the Bones Brigade video The Search for Animal Chin. The ditch has multiple sections that drop down to create gaps in the bank. The spot is pretty rough and the banks are steeper than they look.

Matsumoto Shave Ice

66-087 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712

Matsumoto has the best shaved ice. It’s perfect after a sweaty skate session. If you need more of a meal, go to Cholo’s Homestyle Mexican nearby for good fish tacos and casual dining.

Hawaii Kai Skatepark

7750 Hawaii Kai Dr, Honolulu, HI 96825

Hawaii Kai Skatepark is a fun cement park on the East side of Oahu. It has nice flowy transitions and fun lines. After you skate you can go for an afternoon surf in downtown Waikiki. There are lots of surfboard rentals around there.

Haleiwa Joe’s

46-336 Haiku Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744

Haleiwa Joe’s has great food and the best homemade macadamia nut ice-cream with caramel and fresh berries. It’s a great spot for a nice sit-down dinner. There’s also lots of good shopping for souvenirs in Haleiwa.

Aala Skatepark

228 N Beretania St, Honolulu, HI 96817

Aala is Waikiki’s oldest skatepark. There are quarters at each end, ledges, and a fun box in the middle. This was Jaime Reye’s local park when she was growing up — it’s where she did the 360 flip that made the cover of Thrasher back in 1994.

Kopolei Skatepark

Capital A Regional Park-Fort Barrette Rd. Honolulu HI

Kopolei is my favorite park on Oahu. It has some good bowls including a 10′ keyhole bowl with vert, a 9′ amoeba pool, and an 8.5′ egg bowl. There’s also a street section with handrails, hubbas and banks. After the session you can hit the water park just down the road for a dip.

We’ve teamed up with Autonomy to give you a chance to win a $100 Autonomy Skateboards product giveaway. Each deck from the new series comes with a postcard featuring the series artwork and details of how to enter. Shop the Jetsetter series here.