Waikiki

Waikīkī or Waikiki ( in English and or in Hawaiian) is a neighborhood of Honolulu, in the City & County of Honolulu, on the south shore of the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Waikiki Beach is the shoreline fronting Waikīkī.

Waikīkī is home to public places of note, including Kapiolani Park, Fort de Russy Military Reservation, Kahanamoku Lagoon, Kūhiō Beach Park, and Ala Wai Harbor.

Etymology

The name means spouting fresh water in the Hawaiian language, for springs and streams that fed wetlands that once separated Waikīkī from the interior.

Geography

The neighborhood extends from the Ala Wai Canal (a channel dug to drain former wetlands) on the west and north, to Diamond Head (Lēahi) on the east. Waikīkī Beach is noted for its views of the Diamond Head tuff cone, its usually warm and cloud-free climate and its surf break.

The Waikīkī skyline is now dotted with an abundance of both high-rises and resort hotels. The beach is actually fairly short, with half of it marked off for surfers. For some distance into the ocean the water is quite shallow, although there are numerous rocks on the bottom. As with most ocean beaches the waves can have some force, particularly on windy days. The surf at Waikīkī is known for its long rolling break, making it ideal for long boarding, tandem surfing and beginners.

History

, a local Hawaiian credited with popularizing the sport of surfing]]

The area was a retreat for Hawaiian royalty in the 1800s who enjoyed surfing there on early forms of longboards.

A few small hotels opened in the 1880s. In 1893, Greek-American George Lycurgus leased the guest house of Allen Herbert and renamed it the "Sans Souci" (French for "without care") creating one of the first beach resorts. Later that year Robert Louis Stevenson stayed at the resort; subsequently it became a popular destination for tourists from the mainland. The area at coordinates is still called "Sans Souci Beach".

Today, the area is filled with hotels like the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the Halekulani hotel, the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī, the Sheraton Waikīkī, and historic hotels dating back to the early 20th century (such as the Moana Surfrider Hotel and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The beach hosts many events a year, including surf competitions, outdoor performances, hula dancing and outrigger canoe races.

Beach erosion

Over time, Waikīkī beach has had problems with erosion, leading to the construction of groins and beach replenishment projects. For example, in the 1920s and 1930s sand was imported from Manhattan Beach, California, via ship and barge to Waikīkī. Importing stopped in the 1970s. Officials are looking for ways to sustain the existing sand by eliminating loss due to tide flow. Subject to permits, a partial restoration is schedule for early 2011. The proposed project would import sand from nearby shoals and would widen the long beach by about {ft to m|37}} between the Royal Hawaiian Hotel concrete groin and the Kūhiō Beach crib wall. The project will restore the beach to its 1985 shoreline.

Economy

, 1958]] China Airlines operates its Honolulu Branch Office in Waikiki. NTT DoCoMo also has limited operations here for the convenience of Japanese tourists.

Government and infrastructure

The Honolulu Police Department operates the Waikiki Substation.

The United States Postal Service operates the Waikiki Post Office at 330 Saratoga Road.

Education

Hawaii Department of Education operates public schools. The district operates Waikiki Elementary School.

The Hawaii State Public Library System operates the Waikiki Public Library at 400 Kapahulu Avenue.

Twin/Sister Cities

Bixby, Oklahoma, USA

See also

List of leading shopping streets and districts by city

Save Our Surf

References

External links

Waikiki.com

Waikiki.tel Free Mobile directory

Waikiki Duke Statue Webcam

Category:Neighborhoods in Honolulu, Hawaii Category:Beaches of Oahu