11 Fascinating Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Waikiki
By Megan Shute|Published May 02, 2016
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
The Hawaiian Islands are home to one of the world’s most famous beach destinations: Waikiki. Located within Honolulu city limits and bound by Ala Wai Canal to the north and west, Kapahulu Avenue to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the south, Waikiki is the most popular destination in Hawaii for beach-bumming, shopping, dining, entertainment and activities, and is packed with luxury resorts and hotels.
1. The world famous Waikiki Beach draws millions of tourism to its white sands and turquoise waters each year, accounting for approximately 42 percent of the state’s tourist industry revenue, roughly $2 billion annually.
2. In the 19th century, Waikiki was considered a playground for Hawaiian royalty. During this time, Waikiki was a wetland area fed by streams from the valleys above Honolulu.
Jens Karlsson/Flickr
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3. In 1920, the Hawaiian government decided to pave the way for future development, building what would become the Ala Wai Canal, which would drain the wetlands.
4. Waikiki Beach may be incredibly famous, but it is actually a series of five beaches. From Ewa to Diamond Head, these beaches include Duke Kahanamoku, Fort DeRussy, Gray’s, Waikiki and Kuhio.
6. The famous destination was first introduced to the world in 1901 when the Moana Surfrider was built on its shores. It is often referred to as “The First Lady of Waikiki.”
7. Waikiki Beach is partially engineered, and has been filled with imported sand for decades – and it is unfortunately in danger of being lost entirely. The beach has faced erosion problems since the late-1800s, when hotels and homes were built too close to the natural shoreline.
11. Waikiki is the birthplace of modern surfing: the father of modern surfing, Duke Kahanamoku grew up in Waikiki, where the Royal Hawaiian Hotel stands today.
