More Than a Shop: T&C Haleiwa and the Spirit of the North Shore

As summer wanes and the days grow shorter, we shift our focus to that time of year that brings the winter swells we know and love. Summertime on the South Shore is special, no doubt, with its playful surf, the bustling city, and the timeless backdrop of Le’ahi. This season where we get to rest and play is necessary. It gives us the chance to go slower in the lineup, wait longer, reflect, and talk story. It gives our bodies, and the beaches, the time to heal and get ready for winter. We love summer in town, but winter in the country is what gets our blood pumping. When the sets block the horizon and we go scratching for the outside, we know it’s back. Those first few winter swells aren’t as fun if you’re not ready, mentally or physically, or with your gear. That’s why we’re prepping now and stocking up on all your favorite winter goods.

Our Haleiwa store sits in the heart of a town with deep roots. Haleiwa isn’t just a stop on the way to Sunset, Pipe, or Waimea, it’s part of the rhythm of surfing the North Shore. It’s the last stop before you reach the shoreline, where you pick up that last-minute leash or traction pad, grab a fresh T&C hoodie for the wind chill, and catch up a familiar face who’s been riding these waves longer than most of us have been alive. It’s where you might refuel after a surf with a poke bowl, an avocado, and a coconut water from Malama Market, then get back out there.

T&C Haleiwa might be the smallest of our six locations, but this little space punches well above its weight. In fact, Haleiwa consistently leads other stores in T&C brand apparel sales, a testament to how sought after the brand has become. “The energy here is pretty core on the north shore in general, so the majority of what we feature in this store is our own brand because that’s what people come here for,” says assistant manager Amanda Diaz.

What makes our Haleiwa store even more special is that a bit of our history is on display…just look up! Hanging from the rafters is a curated collection of replica surfboards from throughout T&C’s 50+ year journey. Boards that defined eras, graced the covers of Surfer and Surfing magazines, and appeared under the feet of some of the most respected riders in the game, including a Larry Bertlemann replica, a Billy Kemper gun, and a Saint model, synonymous with Martin Potter (former T&C team rider) as well as a 50 year board model by Kekoa Bacalso. Each board tells a bit of a story. A moment in time. A shift in design. A time capsule of style and progression.

You might recognize boards linked to former T&C team legends and shapers, even our own founder Craig Sugihara, and others who helped shape both the sport and the identity of our brand, in and out of the water. When you stop in, take a moment to look up, read the small handwriting, and connect the dots between past and present. A small reminder of where we’ve been, and where we continue to go.

The backbone of all our stores, Haleiwa included, has always been our loyal and hardworking staff. Our crew isn’t just here to ring up sales, they’re here because they love surfing, the T&C ʻohana, and the community around them. Some have been with us for decades, some for years, passing on knowledge, stories, and helping to continue our culture of serving our core customers and new ones alike. That kind of continuity, care, and local pride is what keeps us going and hopefully, you coming back. 

Next time you’re up country, stop by our T&C shop, located right in the heart of Haleiwa, at the Haleiwa Store Lots Shopping Center, right next to Matsumoto’s Shave Ice. Conveniently located and easy to stop in, catch up, and gear up for your next session. The winter surf season will be here sooner than you think. The next best thing to being out there is being ready for it.