Waikiki, Hawaii

Once a playground only for Hawaiian Royalty, now millions of people from around the world come to enjoy Waikiki, with its tropical beaches, warm waters, ethnically diverse food, wide array of shopping, and small consistent waves that anyone can learn to surf.

GETTING THERE

Waikiki is on the south shore of Oahu, the most populated Hawaiian Island. It's in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with direct flights arriving into Honolulu Airport HNL from Asia, Australia, Canada, and from throughout the USA. The beachfront community of Waikiki is rimmed with a turquoise blue ocean, white sand, and palm trees, with the iconic Diamond Head Crater standing proudly in the background.

When I arrived, the sidewalks were hustling and bustling with smiling happy people, on vacation and having fun. High-rise hotels, an eclectic mix of restaurants, and lively bars lined the streets. The 'Rodeo Drive' of the Pacific was just one road away from the ocean, with every big name designer brand, mingled nearby were smaller inexpensive stores selling everything from clothes to souvenirs.

AMAZING EXCURSIONS

Waikiki had many easy local tours, from sunset dinner cruises, to snorkeling trips, to luaus by the ocean. The popular Honolulu Zoo and Honolulu Aquarium were just a short walk towards Diamond Head, only a few feet past the famous large statue of legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku, where many people nowadays draped their flower leis before leaving the island. Along the beach I often saw Hawaiian Monk Seals lounging on the sand and Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles swimming in the water.

In addition, there were many excursions to other parts of the island. One of the top spots was Pearl Harbor National Memorial, which payed tribute to the American service members who died there during World War 2. Access to the museum, exhibits, and historical movie was free, however a reservation was needed to take the free boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial itself. Most people booked 6 months in advance, but more tickets were released online 24 hours before and I got mine then. It was a fascinating yet somber trip on the boat across Pearl Harbor to the memorial where the USS Arizona battleship lay battered and submerged in water.

Another excursion took me to the famous North Shore, home to some of the biggest waves in the world. It had a cool surf vibe, yet also some of the most expensive exclusive real estate in all of Hawaii. It was filled with famous surf spots, snorkeling coves, yummy food trucks, and chickens roaming everywhere. There was also beautiful Waimea Bay, a hike in Waimea Valley to a waterfall and 'swim with the sharks' trips out of the marina in nearby Haleiwa Town.

I also went snorkeling at the beautiful Hanauma Bay State Park. The Marine Preserve featured an entire coral reef ecosystem, and it was filled with colorful tropical fish, including Triggerfish, Angelfish, and Parrotfish. Reservations were needed but they were available online but book in advance.

Just a short drive from Waikiki were some spectacular waterfalls. There was a hike to Manoa Falls, which was about 150 feet high. Also the magnificent yet potentially muddy Ka'au Crater hike. Not for the faint of heart, it included a series of waterfalls, some with ropes stuck into the rock to climb up! In addition, the Bishop Museum was home to a huge collection of Polynesian artifacts, including a Ku Hawaiian God of War temple image from King Kamehameha's time. Also, Iolani Palace was open to visitors and it's the only royal palace ever in the USA.

The Diamond Head Crater hike was popular for sunrise and sunset, not just for the view but also because it's cooler those times of day. Reservations were needed but I easily got one online. Along the base of the Crater were many practically private beaches to hike and explore.

Back at Waikiki Beach, every day the ocean was packed with people learning to surf. The small predictable waves with their long breaks created excellent conditions allowing would be surfers time to stand up and skim across the water. They practiced for hours. Even experienced surfers grabbed longboards for fun in the waves.

At sunset, tourists and locals alike lined the beaches to watch the sun go down and the stunning colors show up in the sky. Each Friday, there was also a fantastic fireworks display off the coast near Fort DeRussy Beach Park. It was free for all to enjoy.

As for the food, whatever you want, it's here! Seafood of all types plus the freshest Poke and Sushi, also Korean BBQ, Udon and Ramen of all kinds, Pizza, Pasta, and every tropical drink imaginable.

While the world famous Waikiki was once a playground for Hawaiian Royalty and rock stars like Elvis, now it's open to anyone who wants to enjoy the tropical weather, lively atmosphere, and experience the thrill of learning to surf.