Waikiki

Waikīkī ( /waɪkiːˈkiː/; Hawaiian: [vɐiˈkiːˈkiː] or [wɐiˈkiːˈkiː]) is a neighborhood of Honolulu, in the City and County of Honolulu, on the south shore of the island of Oʻahu, in Hawaii. Waikīkī Beach is the shoreline fronting Waikīkī.

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

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Etymology

The name Waikīkī means spouting fresh water in the Hawaiian language, for springs and streams that fed wetlands that once separated Waikīkī from the interior.[1]

Geography

The neighborhood extends from the Ala Wai Canal (a channel dug to drain former wetlands) on the west and north, to Diamond Head (Lēʻahi) 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

The area was a retreat for Hawaiian royalty in the 1800s who enjoyed surfing there on early forms of longboards.[2]

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.[3] The area at coordinates is still called "Sans Souci Beach".[4]

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.

Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues

Waikīkī's main thoroughfare is Kalakaua Avenue, named after King Kalakaua, which houses most of the high-end hotels (Royal Hawaiian, Sheraton, Hyatt, Moana Surfrider Hotel), most of the luxury designer brand stores (Apple Store, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Burberry, Dior, Tiffany & Co., Fendi, Cartier, Gucci & Coach) and popular surf clothing brand stores (Quiksilver, Billabong, Volcom). Waikīkī's other main thoroughfare, Kuhio Avenue, named after Prince Kuhio, is better known for its restaurants, cafe's and grocers, along with its clubs, nightlife and prostitution.[5][6]

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.[7] Importing stopped in the 1970s. Officials are looking for ways to sustain the existing sand by eliminating loss due to tide flow.[8] Subject to permits, a partial restoration is schedule for early 2011. The proposed project would import sand from nearby shoals and would widen the 1,700 feet (520 m) long beach by about 37 feet (11 m) between the Royal Hawaiian Hotel concrete groin and the Kūhiō Beach crib wall. The project will restore the beach to its 1985 shoreline.[9]

Economy

China Airlines operates its Honolulu Branch Office in Waikīkī.[10] NTT DoCoMo also has limited operations here for the convenience of Japanese tourists.

Government and infrastructure

The Honolulu Police Department operates the Waikīkī Substation.[11]

The United States Postal Service operates the Waikīkī Post Office at 330 Saratoga Road.[12]

Education

Hawaii Department of Education operates public schools. The district operates Waikīkī Elementary School.[13]

The Hawaii State Public Library System operates the Waikīkī Public Library at 400 Kapahulu Avenue.[14]

Twin/Sister Cities

Bixby, Oklahoma, USA

See also

References

  1. ^ Lloyd J. Soehren (2010). "lookup of waikiki ". in Hawaiian Place Names. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library. http://ulukau.org/gsdl2.5/cgi-bin/hpn?l=en&a=d&d=HASH835ff9bba55d4820b22304. Retrieved December 13, 2010. 
  2. ^ http://www.hawaii-post.com/2008-05AUG.html Longboards used by royalty
  3. ^ Helen G. Chapin (1981). "The Queen's "Greek Artillery Fire": Greek Royalists in the Hawaiian Revolution and Counterrevolution". Hawaiian Journal of History 15. http://hdl.handle.net/10524/422. 
  4. ^ "Sans Souci Beach Park (Waikiki)". Official web site of City and County of Honolulu. http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/programs/beach/sansouci.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 
  5. ^ City to beautify Kuhio Avenue | The Honolulu Advertiser
  6. ^ Prostitution shifts from Waikiki | The Honolulu Advertiser
  7. ^ Bonnie Beckerson (2001). "City of Manhattan Beach History". http://manhattanbeachhistorical.org/history. Retrieved 2010-04-26. 
  8. ^ http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/07/05/waikiki.sand.ap/index.html Where's Waikiki's sand? Experts believe Hawaii's most famous beach is eroding July 5, 2003
  9. ^ Beach to be rebuilt with recovered sand - Hawaii News - Staradvertiser.com
  10. ^ "Branch Offices North America." China Airlines. Retrieved on January 21, 2009.
  11. ^ "Contacting HPD." Honolulu Police Department. Retrieved on May 19, 2010.
  12. ^ "Post Office Location - WAIKIKI." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 22, 2009.
  13. ^ "School Information." Waikiki Elementary School. Retrieved on May 22, 2009.
  14. ^ "Waikiki Public Library." Hawaii State Public Library System. Retrieved on May 22, 2009.

External links