Sunrise Shack: The Breakfast Of Champions

The Sunrise Shack is Oahu’s bullet-coffee capital, one of Stab’s favorite organic eateries, and a daily gossip hotbed during our weeks-long North Shore residency.

Positioned southwest of the Sunset Beach parking lot, on the mauka side of Kamehameha Highway, The Sunrise Shack comprises a coffee bar and food truck, both painted the most cheery combo of orange and yellow.

On the North Shore, the most humble of structures often house the most righteous sustenance.

Photography

Sam Moody.

Sunrise Shack was founded by Hawaiian surfers Koa Rothman, Koa Smith, and Alex Smith, and the last few seasons has seen the Shack buzzing with foot traffic due to its prime location on the strip, the local-boys-done-good draw, and their ever expanding menu of healthy morning starts.

For these same reasons, Sunrise Shack is a great spot to people-watch and pick up many juicy North Shore morsels.

Over the past few mornings, Gossip Girl has trawled the scene at Sunrise Shack, taking note of the who’s, where’s, what’s and why’s.

Below are a few of the notable sights and sounds as witnessed by GG.

Strider Wasilewski and his grom.

Photography

Sam Moody.

Strider “Raspberry” Wasilewski demonstrated paternal Darwinian theory, instructing his young boy how to defend his cinnamon bun from one particularly hungry chicken. To be fair, there are signs that warn morning-goers of such potential hazards.

They ain’t warning ya for nothing!

Photography

Sam Moody.

Koa Smith and Co.

Photography

Sam Moody.

This AM, with V-Land to Pipe more or less one big wash-through, we weren’t surprised to see Sunrise Shack owner Koa Smith gladhanding regulars and sipping complicated hot brew. 

Felicity Palmateer

Photography

Sam Moody.

Felicity Palmateer was first on the scene Wednesday morning, arriving at Sunrise Shack minutes before its 7 am opening. Despite her early-bird entrance, Felicity chased no worms on the day’s massive NW, due to an ongoing back injury.

“If it gets really good, I might have to give it a go,” she revealed while sipping a vanilla latte with collagen.

Photography

Sam Moody.

With Pipe called off for the day, Jeremy Flores and Kanoa Igarashi posted up at the picnic tables for avo toast and a Monkey Bowl—banana/peanut blend with local granola, chocolate covered almonds, cacao nibs, hemp seeds, coconut flakes, “more peanut butter,”banana and organic local honey. 

Kieren Perrow.

Photography

Sam Moody.

Kieren Perrow braved a brutal 8:30 AM line for what appeared to be some sort of morning pastry. Could be banana bread, could be a cinnamon roll. There’s no way to be sure.

Julian Wilson.

Photography

Sam Moody.

On Wednesday, Julian Wilson, looking bright eyed and bushy tailed with a World Title on the line, rolled dirty up to Sunrise Shack, sending his handlers in for coffee far too complicated for even GG to recall.

Photography

Sam Moody.

Julian Wilson and his lil lady.

Photography

Sam Moody.

But with Pipe called off on Friday, he enjoyed the wait with his baby girl, who it goes without saying is just ridiculously cute, the fruit of two of the most beautiful people you could imagine. 

Jimmy “Ulu Boy” Napeahi

Photography

Sam Moody.

Waiting for our Monkey Bowl and black coffee, we were joined by Big Island heavy turned North Shore fixture, Jimmy “Ulu Boy” Napeahi, who has witnessed Sunrise Shack’s meteoric rise first-hand.

Ulu’s been a fixture at the Rothman household for years, lives with the family as one of their own, and works Uncle Eddie’s land—which he pointed out in the valley to us just south of Sunrise Shack—growing veggies.

“They had no clue it would turn into anything like this,” Ulu told GG. “They just wanted to do something fun, a simple little coffee shop. Then they started to figure out really quickly that they were onto something and all of a sudden it was a real business. It’s amazing—good, healthy food, and a total small town success story.”

Sunrise Shack partner, Koa Rothman.

Photography

Sam Moody.

On Wednesday, Sunrise Shack co-owner Koa Rothman showed up at peak hour, making full use of his bossly privileges.

Photography

Sam Moody.

Koa breezed past the crowd and walked in the back door, making himself a quick bullet-coffee before skirting off to check the surf. He appeared pleased with the success of his first true business venture.

Sunrise Shack is open 6AM to 8PM everyday.