 | Duke Kahanamoku Statue Beach, Waikiki |
| Oahu, HI Print Leave a comment |
Description
Duke Kahanamoku Statue Beach is in the center of Waikiki. It feels like the beach pretty much joins up with Kalakaua Avenue here, in one big crowd of people. This is where the action is! Usually I don't like crowded spots, but there's something so beautiful about Waikiki that it's nice anyway. It's harder to find a place for yourself on the beach and in the water here, but once you do, man is it good! The swimming here is tops! Clear perfect water with tiny bouncy waves, soft sandy ocean floor, views of Diamond Head, colorful sailboats, palm trees....The happy people floating around on swim rings just add to the fun feeling. If I need to feel better in the middle of winter, I just conjure up sensations in my mind of what it felt like to swim here.
If you want to ride the little waves, you can rent bodyboards and surfboards right on the beach.
The wide sidewalk by the beach has fountains, an old-style clock, and pretty landscaping. There is a mound where hula is performed in the evenings. Men run by lighting the torches along the street at sunset. A big beautiful banyan tree stands in the middle of it all. Next to it is a statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the Hawaiian surfing legend who brought surfing to the rest of the world, including Australia. He was also an olympic swimmer. Stand in front of the statue and make a cell phone call to your family or friends back home. Have them log onto this link and they can view you waving at them in front of the statue via webcam!
http://www.honolulu.gov/multimed/waikiki.asp
Just west of Duke Kahanamoku Statue Beach is the
Moana Surfrider Hotel. An architectural gem with gracious beaux-art white columns, it was
opened in 1901 as the first beachfront resort in Waikiki. Step inside
and see the wise, calm Indian Banyan tree that stands 150 ft wide and
shades the Moana's large oceanfront patio. The patio is a romantic
place to order drinks and listen to
the live music and the ocean rolling in to shore.
A children's book, Little Princess Kaiulani tells
about this area of Waikiki as it was long ago when Princess Kaiulani
used to have her own garden here. It has become a beloved book in our
house!
Across the street from the beach, a lovely place to take a stroll is the International Marketplace between Seaside Ave and Kaiulani
Ave on Kalakaua Ave. There's a magical banyan tree that stretches out
over the marketplace, a landscaped waterfall with pretty orchids below,
and lots of stalls selling coral jewelry, candles, and clothing. It's pretty at night with all the little lights and the street performers add to the fun.
Other nice spots in Waikiki from east to west are: the Hau Tree Beach all the way on the Diamond Head end of Waikiki- lots of shade and a lovely swim; the great bodyboarding beach near Kapahulu Avenue; the ocean swimming pool, a safe spot for more timid swimmers, and very romantic at night with the moon shining on the still water; the Royal Hawaiian Beach, warm warm water and the stunning pink hotel; the Waikiki Oceanfront Stroll, a romantic walk beside the ocean in front of the grand hotels; and all the way west before you hit the harbor, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach, with tons of fun stuff for kids to do.
For a walk in the jungle, rent a car and head over to Lyon Arboretum. It's only a ten minute drive to get there!
Photo Gallery
Click on photo to see large versionThe street meets the beach... |
The old-style clock and tons of trees... |
The regal banyan tree near the Duke statue. |
Early morning. Duke gifted with many leis. |
The Moana Surfrider's white columns and arches. |
The first hotel in Waikiki, the Moana Surfrider. |
A perfect evening swim in front of the Moana Surfrider Hotel. See the jetties of Duke Kahanamoku Statue Beach in the background. |
A walk in front of the beautiful Moana Surfrider Hotel, the oldest hotel in Waikiki. |
Kalakaua Avenue, the white Moana Surfrider, Duke Kahanamoku Statue Beach, and the Waikiki Ocean Swimming Pool. Aaah, Waikiki is so nice! |
Inside the Moana Surfrider. Even the restrooms are exquisite! |
The Indian Banyan tree that adds a magical aura to the Moana Surfrider Hotel. |
Looking up at the wonderful branches of the Indian Banyan tree and the white architecture of the hotel. |
Directions
This beach is located near the corner of Kalakaua Avenue and Uluniu Street.
Parking is limited so park at the zoo and walk. The zoo has metered parking: one quarter buys you an hour of parking. The maximum allowed is 4 hours. The zoo parking is on the corner of Kalakaua Avenue and Kapahulu Avenue.
There are restrooms and outdoor showers near this beach.
This is an interactive map, you can zoom and move it.
Visitor Ratings
Overall Visitor Rating: 
Joe 12/10/2011 22:06 | Another fantastic holiday in Waikiki with my wife. Nothing nicer. | |
na thiwarat 12/23/2010 23:50 | i love here it 's so nice place | |
Ann 11/24/2010 12:47 | Coming in Dec. Can't wait to get in the ocean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | |
Jackie 10/23/2010 21:18 | dreaming of hawaii... :) | |
Tony 10/08/2010 16:47 | This is awesome! | |
Merry J 08/31/2010 20:16 | afternoon drinks under the banyan tree at the moana surfrider watching the sunset... a great plan .... actually any excuse for a good drink ;) | |
mark 08/20/2010 16:39 | I'm envious I can't be there. Great website! | |
dave 06/06/2010 14:37 | Love Waikiki for the history of surfing. | |
Tess 05/28/2010 13:10 | We got married at the moana...what a beautiful event, absolutely stunning! What a wonderful way to start out! | |
Shelly 10/22/2009 19:39 | I've been here, it's pretty cool. |