Located on the south shore of Honolulu, the world-famous neighborhood of Waikīkī was once a playground for Hawaiian royalty. Known in Hawaiian as "spouting waters," Waikīkī was introduced to the world when its first hotel, the Moana Surfrider, was built on its shores in 1901. Today, Waikīkī is Oʻahu’s main hotel and resort area and a vibrant gathering place for visitors from around the world. Along the main strip of Kalākaua Avenue you'll find world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, activities and resorts.
Waikīkī is famous for its beaches and every hotel room is just two or three blocks away from the ocean (if it’s not directly on the beach). With Mount Lēʻahi (Lēʻahi Head) as your backdrop, the calm waters of Waikīkī are perfect for a surfing lesson. In fact, legendary Hawaiian waterman Duke Kahanamoku grew up surfing the waves of Waikīkī. With other renowned Waikīkī Beach Boys, this Olympic gold medalist in swimming taught visitors how to surf at the turn of the century. “Duke” was instrumental in sharing the values and sport of surfing to the world and came to be known and respected globally as “the father of modern surfing.” Today, surf instructors in Waikīkī perpetuate Duke’s legacy by teaching visitors how to surf and canoe. The Duke Kahanamoku Statue, located on Waikīkī Beach, has become an iconic symbol of Waikīkī and the surf culture of Oʻahu.
But there’s more to Waikīkī than just the beach. Attractions of Waikīkī like the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikīkī Aquarium offer fun for the whole family. You can learn about the history of Waikīkī by reading the surfboard markers along the Waikīkī Historical Trail. Among the various things to do, high-end boutiques, shops, and restaurants can be found all along Kalākaua and Kūhiō Avenues and at gathering places like the Royal Hawaiian Center, the Waikīkī Beach Walk and the newly transformed International Market Place. After the Waikīkī sunset, the fun continues with amazing nightlife and live music.
Best of all, Waikīkī is within a half hour of a variety of Oʻahu attractions, including Pearl Harbor, ʻIolani Palace, the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout and Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Nature Preserve, a marine life conservation district. Other notable points of interest nearby include Ala Moana Center (a massive outdoor shopping center), the local neighborhood of Kapahulu and the arts district of Chinatown.
From Hawaiian royalty to Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine, Waikīkī continues to be an evolving expression of the ancient spirit of aloha. On these famous shores, the past and the future are uniting in fresh and surprising ways.
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