Akil--Waikiki

WAIKIKI BEACH Waikiki Beach is not beautiful if you turn your back to the water and see the dozens of high-rise hotels that tower over the sand. But Waikiki is gorgeous if you paddle a long surfboard out toward the rolling swells. The waves, long lines of them come in over the horizon. The only time you turn around and face the shore is when you paddle for one of those waves stand up on the board and ride the rolling surf toward shore.

Waikiki was a wetlands area of marshes. The ancient Hawaiians excavated fish and duck ponds and bordered them with groves of coconut trees. The fertile reefs off Waikiki Beach provided an endless supply of fish and even lobster but the waves of Waikiki were reserved for the nobility, the Ali'i.

Standing on shaped planks of native wood, the Ali'i would ride the waves of Waikiki Beach, the first surfers on Earth. Challenge matches would arise as young Ali'i struggled to ride the largest waves, demonstrating their bravery and prowess while the common people watched in awe, for to even attempt to stand and surf as the Ali'i on their sacred waves was an offense punishable by death.

The growth of Waikiki as a tourist destination came about in the early 1920's. Duke Kahanamoku became famous worldwide as the young handsome Hawaiian who swam like a fish while capturing gold medals in swimming at the Olympics and capturing young ladies hearts when they saw him in newsreels standing on a wooden board on a large wave off Waikiki Beach. The Duke was unlike anyone that they had ever seen before. Because the Duke's home and surfing grounds were in Kalia in Waikiki, Waikiki was put on the map.

Waikiki Beach is located on the south shore of Oahu. First inhabited by the Polynesians, Waikiki Beach was a place of refuge for Hawaiian royalty in the 1800s. The two mile stretch of beach extends from the Ala Wai Canal to Diamond Head. Waikiki Beach is home to the Duke Kahanamoku monument, honoring the great surfing legend, and the Moana Surfrider Hotel and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, hotels dating back to the early 20th Century. If you plan on visiting Oahu for the first time, spending some quality time on Waikiki Beach will be well worth it. The shoreline is fronted with hotels and many tourism related facilities to offer you a good time during your Hawaii vacation.

There are many activities for all visitors in Waikiki. Waikiki Beach offers a range of water sport activities like swimming, canoeing, surfing and snorkeling, for people who are looking for some adventure on their vacation. If rest and relaxation is what you are looking for, Waikiki Beach has gorgeous white sand for you to unwind on. There are also excellent picnic and recreational facilities in the Waikiki area, including Kapiolani Park, Ali Wai Harbor, Kuhio Beach Park, Kahanamoku Lagoon, and Fort de Russy Military Reservation, for a complete day out with friends and family.