Waikiki

This article is about the place in Hawai'i. For the beach in the U.S. state of Washington, see Waikiki Beach (Cape Disappointment).

Waikiki (/ˌwaɪkɪˈkiː/;^[1][2] Hawaiian: Waikīkī; Hawaiian: [vɐjˈtiːtiː, wɐjˈkiːkiː]; also known as Waikiki Beach) is a neighborhood of Honolulu on the south shore of the island of Oʻahu in the U.S. state of Hawaii.

Waikīkī Waikīkī
Neighborhood of Honolulu
Waikīkī
Aerial view of Waikiki
Coordinates: 21°16′31″N 157°49′52″W / 21.2752°N 157.8312°W / 21.2752; -157.8312
Country	United States
State	Hawaii
County	Honolulu County
City	Honolulu
Area
• Total	3.4 sq mi (9 km^2)
ZIP Code	96815
Area code	808

Waikiki is most famous for Waikiki Beach, which is one of six beaches in the district, along with Queen's Beach, Kuhio Beach, Gray's Beach, Fort DeRussy Beach and Kahanamoku Beach. Waikiki Beach is almost entirely man-made.^[3]

A view of Waikiki from the ocean

There are beaches called Waikiki in other parts of the world, such as Tarragona (Spain), Western Australia (Australia) and Lima (Peru).

Waikiki (Hawaii) is home to public places including Kapiʻolani Park, Fort DeRussy, Kahanamoku Lagoon, Kūhiō Beach Park and Ala Wai Harbor. Waikiki^[a] was the first capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1795 to 1796.

Etymology

The Hawaiian language name Waikīkī means spouting fresh water, for springs and streams that fed wetlands that once separated Waikiki from the interior.^[4]

History

The area was a retreat for Hawaiian royalty in the 1800s who enjoyed surfing there on early forms of longboards.^[5] 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 worries" or “carefree”) creating one of the first beach resorts. Later that year Robert Louis Stevenson stayed at the resort; subsequently it became a popular destination for mainland tourists.^[6] The area at coordinates 21°15′49″N 157°49′17″W / 21.26361°N 157.82139°W / 21.26361; -157.82139 is still called "Sans Souci Beach".^[7]

Waikiki has had erosion problems since the late 1800s, because hotels and homes were built too close to the natural shoreline, while seawalls and other structures blocked the natural ebb and flow of sand along the beach.^[8]

In the early 1900s, Waikiki was home to many wetlands, which were claimed to harbor disease-carrying mosquitoes. To get rid of the mosquitoes, developers created the Ala Wai canal. The canal, originally known as the Waikiki Drainage Canal, was created by a Hawaiian dredging company run by Walter F. Dillingham. The project took about seven years, 1921–1928.^[9]

In the early 20th century, Duke Kahanamoku became a well-known surfer in Waikiki. Throughout his life and after competing in the Olympics, many people around the world wanted to learn to surf. Duke's influence made Waikiki beach a surfing hotspot.^[10] "Dukes", a club in Waikiki named for Kahanamoku, helped Don Ho produce music and hosted the longest-running show in Waikiki.^[11]

Seawalls and groins began to appear. These helped build sand at one beach, but typically appropriated sand from others. Before 1950, Waikiki beaches were continuous. They became separated into sections, some with sandy beach and others without. By 1950, more than 80 structures, including seawalls, groins, piers and storm drains, occupied the Waikiki shoreline.^[8]

In the 1920s and 1930s sand was imported from Manhattan Beach, California, via ship and barge.^[12]

Following World War II, Waikiki beach restoration efforts have occurred every few years. Sand was imported to this artificial beach from the 1920s to the 1970s, once by boat and barge from Southern California. 1,730 feet (530 m) of shoreline was replenished at a cost of $2.4 million following chronic erosion of more than a foot a year.

The first high-rise hotels on Waikiki were built in 1955, including the Waikiki Biltmore and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel. Development boomed due to demand, and the area became filled with large resort hotels, such as the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Halekulani, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Marriott Waikiki, Sheraton Waikiki. These complemented historic hotels dating back to the early 20th century such as the Moana Surfrider Hotel and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

Importing stopped in the 1970s. In March 1971, the Corps of Engineers Pacific Ocean Division, created a Draft Environmental Statement for the Kuhio Beach Sector of Waikiki, which aimed to improve the overall quality and size of the fading and narrowing shoreline.^[13]

 

Waikiki Beach, in 2011, looking towards Diamond Head

From October 29 through November 4, 2000, the first FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships were held in the waters off Waikiki Beach.^[14]

A partial restoration was completed in the spring of 2012. The project imported sand from nearby shoals and widened the 1,700-foot-long (520 m) beach by about 37 feet (11 m) between the Royal Hawaiian Hotel concrete groin and the Kūhiō Beach crib wall. The project temporarily restored the beach to its 1985 shoreline.^[15][16] Two aging sandbag groin structures were also removed that year.^[17]

In 2017, beach erosion worsened with high-energy king tides and elevated sea levels. Honolulu's mayor stated: "I'm not a scientist, but I'll get a jackhammer in there and remove all the concrete that's there creating this backwash and sucking out more sand, plus it's just downright dangerous."^[18]

 

Waikiki beach as seen from Diamond Head

The beach hosts many events, including surf competitions, outdoor performances, hula dancing and outrigger canoe races. The many amenities, shops, and hotels enable Waikiki to generate approximately 42 percent of Hawaiʻi's visitor revenue.^[19]

Geography

The neighborhood extends from the Ala Wai Canal (a channel dug to drain one-time wetlands) on the west and north, to Diamond Head (Lēʻahi, tuna brow) on the east. Waikiki Beach is noted for its views of the Diamond Head tuff cone, its usually warm and cloud-free climate and its surf break.^[20][21][22]

The Waikiki skyline is filled with high-rises and resort hotels. Half of the beach is marked off for surfers. For some distance into the ocean the water is quite shallow, with numerous rocks on the bottom. The waves can have some force, particularly on windy days. The surf is known for its long rolling break, making it ideal for long boarding, tandem surfing and beginners.^[23][24]

Beaches

 

Waikiki Beach in June 1963

Largely as a result of shoreline development, Waikiki has eight distinct beaches. They are Ft. DeRussy Beach, Duke Kahanamoku, Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, Kūhiō Beach, Kapiʻolani Beach, Queens Beach and Kaimana. Since 1951, nearly 2,800,000 cubic feet (80,000 m³) of sand have been added to restore Waikiki beaches^{[citation needed]}. Today, however, it is believed^{[by whom?]} that very little of the added sand remains. From the beach the sunset in the sea is visible from mid-September to late March.

Ala Moana Beach Park, Hawaii's single most popular beach, is adjacent to but not technically part of Waikiki, and was similarly artificially made.

Thoroughfares

Waikiki's main thoroughfare is Kalākaua Avenue, named after King Kalākaua, which houses most of the high-end hotels (Royal Hawaiian, Sheraton, Hyatt, Marriott, Moana Surfrider Hotel), most of the luxury designer brand stores (Apple Store, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Burberry, Dior, Tiffany & Co., Fendi, Harry Winston, Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Hermès), department store Macy's and popular surf clothing brand stores (Quiksilver, Billabong, Volcom). Waikiki's other main thoroughfare, Kūhiō Avenue, named after Prince Kūhiō, is better known for its restaurants, cafes and grocers, along with its clubs, nightlife and prostitution.^[25][26]

Public art

In 1990, the 9-foot (3 m) bronze statue of Duke Kahanamoku by Gordon Fisher was installed at Waikiki Beach, accompanied by a bronze replica of his surfboard, honorary spears, and commemorative bronze plaques. It serves as a culture and tourist locale with thousands of annual visitors and numerous cultural events.^[27] Seven years later, Billy Fields created The Stones of Life (in Hawaiian: Nā Pōhaku Ola O Kapaemahu A Me Kapuni), a sculpture incorporating ancient basaltic stones, was installed nearby and is considered a local monument.^[28]

At Kūhiō Beach and Queens Beach, three public artworks were installed in the early 2000s. The bronze statue of Prince Jonah Kuhio by Sean Browne^[29] and the children's story sculpture Makua and Kila by Holly Young were installed in 2001. Robert Pashby's Surfer on a Wave was installed at Queens Beach in 2003.^[30]

 

Waikiki at sunset

Beach problems

Erosion

 

Waikiki Beach erosion in 2011

 

The restored Beach in June 2012

Waikiki beach has had repeated problems with erosion, leading to the construction of groins and beach replenishment projects. Imported sand came from California and from local beaches such as Pāpōhaku Beach on Moloka‘i, and a sandbar from Oʻahu's Northern side near Kahuku.^[31] Officials look for ways to sustain the existing sand by eliminating loss due to tidal flow.^[32]

Erosion claims about one foot (0.3 m) of beach per year.^[8]

Water quality

Waikiki Beach had repeated contamination problems due to sewage spills in 2017.^[33][34][35]

Homelessness

Many homeless people settle around the beach because of the public shower and sanitary facilities available there. The Honolulu Police Department has increased patrolling in and around Waikiki Beach with assistance from other city agencies and local businesses to prevent homeless people from making camp in this area.^[36]

Education

Hawaii state Department of Education operates conventional public schools throughout Hawaii. Thomas Jefferson Elementary School is located in Waikiki proper, while Waikiki Elementary School is located nearby, at the makai (seaward) edge of the Kapahulu neighborhood.^[37]

The Hawaii State Public Library System operates the Waikiki Public Library.^[38]

Twin towns – sister cities

Waikiki is twinned with:

•   Freshwater, New South Wales, Australia
•     Bixby, Oklahoma, United States
•   Rotorua, New Zealand

In popular culture

The Kinks satirized the commercial aspects of Waikiki's mass tourism in their song "Holiday in Waikiki" from their 1966 album Face to Face.^{[39][non-primary source needed]}

Lizzy Grant song “Wayamaya”.^{[citation needed]}

Gallery

•  

  Surfboards in Waikiki

•  

  Waikiki Beach facing Diamond Head, 1958

•  

  Waikiki Beach view

•  

  Aerial view of Waikiki Beach and Honolulu

•  

  Aerial view of Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon

•  

  Statue of Prince Kūhiō in Waikiki

•  

  A zebra shark swimming at Waikiki Aquarium

•  

  A view of the sunset

•  

  View from aircraft departing Daniel K. Inouye International Airport

See also

•  Hawaii portal

• List of leading shopping streets and districts by city
• Save Our Surf
• Waikiki Trolley

Notes

1. Known as Waikīkī in Hawaiian language

References

1. Jones, Daniel (2011). Roach, Peter; Setter, Jane; Esling, John (eds.). Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary (18th ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-15255-6.
2. Wells, John C. (2008). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3rd ed.). Longman. ISBN 978-1-4058-8118-0.
3. Sophie Cocke (March 9, 2015). "Waikiki Beach Is Totally Man-Made (And Disappearing). Can Hawaii Save It?". Huffington Post. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
4. Lloyd J. Soehren (2010). "lookup of waikiki ". in Hawaiian Place Names. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
5. . Hawaii-post.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
6. Chapin, Helen G. (1981). "The Queen's "Greek Artillery Fire": Greek Royalists in the Hawaiian Revolution and Counterrevolution". Hawaiian Journal of History. 15. hdl:10524/422.
7. . Honolulu, HI, USA: City and County of Honolulu. August 15, 2012. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
8. Cave, James (March 9, 2015). "Waikiki Beach Is Totally Man-Made (And Disappearing). Can Hawaii Save It?". Huffington Post. from the original on October 8, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
9. Gaye, Chan (September 30, 2006). Waikiki : A History of Forgetting and Remembering. University of Hawaii Press. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
10. Wright, Katie (2005). Duke Kahanamoku: Cultural Icon. Center for Pacific Island Studies, University of Hawaii at Manoa. hdl:10125/21214.
11. "Don Ho". TIM. from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
12. Beckerson, Bonnie (2001). . Archived from the original on May 16, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
13. United States Army Corps of Engineers (March 25, 1971). Waikiki Beach erosion control improvements, Kuhio sector : environmental impact statement. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
14. HistoFINA, volume 10 2015-09-08 at the Wayback Machine; published by FINA; published=2009-07-01, retrieved=2012-03-03 (FINA's self-history, 2009 edition; volume 10 deals with Open Water Swimming).
15. Kubota, Gary T. (June 30, 2010). . Staradvertiser.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
16. Cocke, Sophie (March 9, 2015). "Waikiki Beach Is Totally Man-Made (And Disappearing). Can Hawaii Save It?". Huffington Post. from the original on October 8, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
17. Habel, Shellie; Fletcher, Charles H.; Barbee, Matthew; Anderson, Tiffany R. (June 11, 2016). "The influence of seasonal patterns on a beach nourishment project in a complex reef environment" (PDF). Coastal Engineering. 116: 67–76. doi:10.1016/j.coastaleng.2016.06.006. (PDF) from the original on November 2, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
18. Inefuku, Terri (August 22, 2017). "Severe erosion sparks safety concerns, unusual prevention measures along Waikiki beach". KHON-TV. from the original on July 2, 2019.
19. FOX, CATHERINE TOTH (February 12, 2018). "Our Waikiki: King Tides, Beach Erosion and Water Pollution—Can Waikiki Be Saved?". Honolulu Magazine. from the original on April 11, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
20. "Waikiki Historic Trail - Map". Hawaii Tourism Authority. from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
21. Young, Peter T (May 11, 2012). "Ho'okuleana: Waikīkī – Before the Ala Wai". from the original on January 6, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
22. Ejiri, Masakazu (1996). "1: Introduction". The Development of Waikiki, 1900–1949: The Formative Period of an American Resort Paradise (Thesis). Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. p. 1. hdl:10125/9303.
23. . wannasurf.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
24. "Canoes - Surfing in Oahu, United States of America - WannaSurf, surf spots atlas, surfing photos, maps, GPS location". wannasurf.com. from the original on June 18, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
25. Gonser, James (January 26, 2004). "City to beautify Kuhio Avenue". The Honolulu Advertiser. from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
26. Schaefers, Allison (August 31, 2003). "Prostitution shifts from Waikiki". The Honolulu Advertiser. from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
27. "The statue of Duke Kahanamoku". Surfer Today. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
28. "The Stones of Life - Na Pohaku Ola Kapaemahu A Kapuni". Mayors Office of Culture and Art. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
29. "City crew restores Prince Kuhio statue after vandalism". The Star Advertiser. November 3, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
30. "The most famous surfer statues in the world". Surfer Today. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
31. Fox, Catherine Toth (February 2, 2018). "Our Waikīkī: King Tides, Beach Erosion and Water Pollution—Can Waikīkī Be Saved?". Honolulu Magazine. from the original on April 11, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
32. . CNN. Atlanta, GA, USA: Turner Broadcasting System. July 5, 2003. Archived from the original on July 7, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
33. Hanna, Jason (August 25, 2015). "Hawaii's Waikiki beaches shut after sewage spill". CNN. from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
34. Jerome, Sara. "Investigation Of Waikiki Beach Sewage Spill Closes". www.wateronline.com. from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
35. Savage, Sam; Venzon, Nel C Jr (January 30, 2008). . Redorbit. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
36. Homelessness is No. 1 public safety issue in Waikiki, Honolulu police chief says
37. "School Information October 5, 2006, at the Wayback Machine." Waikiki Elementary School. Retrieved on May 22, 2009.
38. . Hawaii State Public Library System. May 22, 2009. Archived from the original on November 30, 2009. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
39. The Kinks - Holiday in Waikiki (HQ), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0la2lbUh4v4 May 26, 2019, at the Wayback Machine

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Waikiki.

• Waikiki - Hawaii Tourism Authority