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While the waters that surround all of the Hawaiian Islands are beautiful and provide a recreational paradise, the visitor should not overlook the traditions of Hawaii, which are intrinsically linked to the fascinating and provocative history of the Islands. Cultural enlightenment takes many forms in Waikiki and knowledge of the history will make your experiences, including surfing, more enriching. An evening of dining, music and performance at Creation - A Polynesian Odyssey, a stage performance at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel, tells the story of Polynesian voyagers and the early history of settlements on the island. Also shown at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is a wonderful movie by award winning filmmaker Edgy Lee, “Waikiki – In The Wake of Dreams”, which encapsulates the history of Waikiki and presents a glimpse of the past when movie stars, dignitaries and Elvis himself glamorized this tropical oasis. Lee shows how the Olympic athlete, surfer, and unofficial ambassador of Waikiki, Duke Kahanamoku brought worldwide attention to these islands for his athleticism, compassion and debonair mystique. Today a statue of Duke, often adorned with leis, greets visitors at the entrance to Waikiki’s surfing beach.
An eco-tour that takes you to a rain forest and historically sacred sites is part of Mauki Makai Excursion. Expert tour guides explain the traditions, cultural behaviors, and mythological beliefs of an advanced society that once inhabited the islands. A free cultural tour given by the personal and jovial on-site historian, Tony Bisson, at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider is peppered with anecdotes and the history and development of Waikiki Beach. Monuments to World War II and the attack on Pearl Harbor are respectfully on display at the Arizona Memorial Museum; the Battleship Missouri Memorial are recommended stops during to any trip to the area.
The excitement of Waikiki slows in the evening for an almost ritualized observance of the setting sun. One of the most popular spots for watching the sunset is at the beachfront “institution” Duke’s Canoe Club, where guests sample tropical drinks while listening to musicians performing traditional Hawaiian music. Dinner at Duke’s Canoe Club is popular, delectable, and great fun. The streets of Waikiki are full of excitement in the evening, world-class shopping, bars, restaurants, traditional marketplaces, and the most convenient convenience shop ever, the ABC stores, all vie for the attention of visitors. Shops are open late and you feel like you are in a major city strolling past the designer boutiques, discovering Waikiki off the beach. Nightlife is equally exciting and there is something for everyone to enjoy. True gourmets have many fine dining experiences to choose from, including the highly awarded Indigo. Chef Glenn Cho has created a fusion cuisine with roots in the special dishes created at holidays by his Chinese grandmother. Tropically appointed, this open-air restaurant is both mysterious and mystical. Indigo is also home to the trendy and happening nightspots, the Green Room and the Opium Den and Champagne Bar – two very exciting places once you get past the velvet ropes outside. At the ever-chic W Honolulu – Diamond Head, there is always something happening at the Diamond Head Grill, WonderLounge, and W Honolulu Bar (evenings are full of jazz and on Friday night it’s the place to be seen).
Waikiki's popularity stems from its ability to appeal to such a wide range
of tourists, offering something for every interest, budget, and age group.
The area has never lost the “Aloha Spirit"; just a simple walk
along the torch-lined Waikiki historic Trail, with the warm tradewinds blowing
and the gentle sound of the surf in the distance, you experience that magical
feeling of an island paradise. Waikiki has much to offer – the official
web site Visit-Oahu
is the consummate source for trip planning, information and discovering
all that Waikiki and Oahu has to offer. For ease in planning the perfect
Hawaiian vacation, visit Pleasant
Holidays.
Top: World-class snorkeling at Hanauma Bay.
Left, top to bottom: A performer from Creation – A Polynesian Odessey; A Hawaiian legend Duke Kahanamoku; At a Sacred Site on a Mauki Makai Tour; The popular beachfront Duke’s Canoe Club. |
