Waikiki at a Glance
Most visitors who say they are going to Hawaii spend their
time here, in Waikiki. Waikiki is located on the island
of Oahu and is a neighborhood of the city Honolulu. It’s
in Waikiki where most of the hotels, restaurants and entertainment
venues are located.
Waikiki is also known for its world-famous beach, and no
matter what day it is, you’ll find hordes of people sunbathing,
surfing and playing in the water. Waikiki is Hawaii’s center
of the tourist industry and many high-rise hotels stand
on the shoreline, including historic hotels that date back
to the early 20th century, such as the Royal Hawaiian Hotel,
also known as “The Pink Palace of the Pacific” and the Moana
Surfrider Hotel, also known as “The First Lady of Waikiki.”
It was the first hotel, built in 1901. Other luxury hotels
are the Sheraton Waikiki, the Halekulani Hotel, the Hyatt
Regency Waikiki and the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Waikiki means “spouting waters” in the
Hawaiian language. Up until the beginning of the 20th
century, Waikiki was separated from the island’s interior
by springs and streams. It was a wetland, full of fishponds
and swamps. Then the Ala Wai Canal was built to drain the
area, which turned Waikiki into a prime real estate location.
Waikiki stretches from the Ala Wai Canal to
Diamond Head, another world-famous Hawaiian landmark.
The extinct volcanic crater is visible from anywhere on
Waikiki Beach.
The beach itself is rather narrow in some areas and had
its problems with erosion in the past. This led to construction
of groins and beach replenishment projects. At one time
in the 1920s and 1930s for example, sand from California
was shipped here to replenish
Waikiki Beach. Also, there are rocks and a coral reef
on the nearshore ocean bottom, so swimmers should watch
their feet. The reef is ideal for bodyboarders and surfers
because it creates nice waves, especially during the summer
months.
Waikiki in Bullet Points
- Center of Hawaii's tourism industry
- Many hotels, restaurants and shops
- Location of world-famous Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Location
Waikiki is located on the south shore of the island of Oahu,
one of the Hawaiian Islands. It is about 3.5 miles (5.6
km) east from downtown Honolulu.
Waikiki Map (top)
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Waikiki Weather (top)
Now
75°F
Windchill:
75°F
Partly Cloudy
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Location: Honolulu, HI, US
Wind: 8 mph NE
Humidity: 82%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 30.01 in steady
Sunrise: 6:37 am
Sunset: 5:52 pm
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Sat
Hi: 84°F
Low: 71°F
Partly Cloudy
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Sun
Hi: 85°F
Low: 72°F
Mostly Cloudy
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Waikiki Photos (click to enlarge)
(top)
Waikiki Reviews and Comments
(top)
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