Waikiki

Waikīkī  is a district of Honolulu, in the south of Oʻahu,  in the U.S. state of Hawaii.. and has one of the most famous beaches in the world.

Waikīkī was originally a retreat for members of the Hawaiian Royal Family in the 19th century who learned to surf there. The first smaller hotels were built around 1880. Waikīkī has developed into a tourist hotspot in Hawaii with several renowned hotels.
In the center of the Waikiki district, three streets, Kalakaua Boulevard, Kuhio Boulevard, and Alawai Boulevard, cross, and Lewers Avenue, Liliuokalani Avenue, and Kapahulu Avenue cross.
Waikiki is much more than just a beach. Due to the huge number of tourists, Waikiki is one of the most densely populated areas on Earth. There are 175 high-rise hotels, hundreds of bars and restaurants, parks, fast foods, dance clubs, a huge number of shops, a nightlife center along the 3 km of the beach area.
Currently, as the largest resort area and downtown area in Honolulu, many resort hotels, condominiums, shopping centers and restaurants are lined up around the main streets of Karakaua and Kuhio. Many tourists come from all over the world regardless of the season.

Access : Coordinates: 21.2752, -157.8312 / Honolulu International Airport  is located on the southern coast of Oahu, west of Waikiki. TheBus city buses  # 19 and # 20 run from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki every half hour, passing through the city center./ The green bus route, approximately 35 minutes long from the start and end stops, runs from Diamond Head to Kahala Mall.
/ It takes about 5-10 minutes by car to the Ala Moana area, about 15 minutes to downtown Honolulu, about 20 minutes to the Kahala area, and about 30 minutes to Honolulu International Airport.

Highlights :

• The ancient Diamond Head Crater is located on the southern side of Waikiki. It is one of the iconic symbols of Hawaii.
• Kapiolani Regional Park is the largest and oldest public park in Hawaii, located on the eastern edge of Waikiki, home to the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium.
• Waikiki Beach : Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world thanks to its low waves but suitable for surfing. The surf pioneer Duke Kahanamoku, for example, developed his qualities there.
• Waikīkī means “bubbling fresh water” in the native language and means the springs and rivers that fed the wetlands that once separated Waikiki from the interior.
• Kahanamoku Beach : The beach is opposite the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort and near the Ala Moana Shopping Center / Damien and Marianne of Moloka’i Heritage Center in Molokai. There is a memorial hall for both saints. free entrance.
• Fort DeRussy Beach : Fort de Russi Beach is one of Waikiki’s least crowded beaches. The beach is bordered by the Fort de Russi military base and the Hale Koa Hotel. Next to “Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa”, there is “Fort DeRussy”, a resort for the US Army, a park open to the public, and “Hale Koa Hotel” exclusively for US Army personnel.
• Royal Manoa Beach. The beach in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel is known as Royal Manoa Beach.
• Kuhio Beach.Kuhio Beach is located between the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel and Kapahulu Groin. Kapahulu Groin is a dam built in 1951 as part of the Waikiki Beach Improvement Project. There are three popular attractions in the Kuhio Beach area: statue of Duke Kahanamoku. Duke Kahanamoku is considered “the father of modern surfing and a great Hawaiian yachtsman, swimmer, surfer and canoeist / Kapaemahu Stones. The Kapaemahu Stones, also known as the Wizard Stones, represent four mythical personalities / statue of prince Kuhio. Kuhio Beach is named after Prince Kuhio Kalanianaole.
• San Souci Beach. Most of the locals call this beach Kaimana Beach. Sun Sousi Beach is located on the eastern edge of Waikiki, in front of the New Otani Kaimana Beach.
• Queens Surf Beach. Named after Queen Liliuokalani, when his home and pier were located here. Queens Surf Beach is a relatively secluded strip of sand along the sea with no adjacent hotels, which explains its secluded character compared to neighboring beaches.
• Waikiki Aquarium. This is the third oldest aquarium in the United States and has hundreds of marine life from Hawaii and the Pacific, including sharks, octopuses, jellyfish, colorful reef fish, corals, and Hawaiian monk seals.
• Honolulu Zoo. A famous zoo with a large number of exotic animals, including large ones such as elephants, rhinos, lions, zebras and giraffes.
• Shopping : The Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is a popular Waikiki mall with many tourist-oriented shops and restaurants,There are many commercial facilities, including a large shopping center with many European and American luxury brand boutiques, shops selling Hawaiian souvenirs, and even convenience stores.
•  surf : Experienced surfers choose beaches like the North Shore with higher waves
•  The oldest luxury hotel in Waikiki called “Lady of Waikiki”, which opened as “Moana Hotel” in 1901. The building at the time of its opening is still used as the Banyan Wing at the front entrance, and is designated as a National Register of Historic Places in the United States and a cultural property of the city of Honolulu.

Activities : Surfing. At any time of the year / Submarine . Underwater tours on the coast of Waikiki, /  The historical and cultural sights of the city can be explored by the red bus, a route of approximately 40 minutes covering the city center and Chinatown.

Go next : Diamond Head , this ancient volcanic crater in Eastern Honolulu dominates over Waikiki and the top offers an incredible view over the city./ Makapu’u Point in Eastern Honolulu has several excellent beaches.