Waikiki

Waikiki consists of several beaches, more specifically Kapiolani Park Beach, Queen Kapiolani, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, Kuhio Beach Park.

Kapiʻolani Beach Park occupies most of shore bordering Kapiʻolani Park. This steep, narrow beach has generally very small waves and a lifeguard tower, making it ideal for less experienced swimmers. The offshore reef, groins, and seawalls may be sharp and dangerous and should be approached with caution. The beach narrows to the east, and is backed by a seawall and walkway.

Kapiʻolani Beach Park occupies most of shore that borders Kapiʻolani Beach Park. This steep, narrow beach has generally very small waves and a lifeguard tower, making it ideal for less experienced swimmers. The offshore reef, groins, and seawalls may be sharp and dangerous and should be approached with caution. The beach narrows to the east, and is backed by a seawall and walkway.

Kahanamoku Beach lies between the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor to the west and the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s catamaran pier to the east. A shallow reef protects the beach and provides a popular swimming area for families with children. Kahanamoku Lagoon is adjacent to Kahanamoku Beach where its shallow sandy bottom slopes to a depth of fourteen feet at its center. Kaisers, one of Waikiki’s well-known surf sites, is on the west margin of the boat channel that passes through the reef.

Kuhio Beach Park lies between the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel and the Kapahulu Groin. Prior to 1951, the east end of the park was fronted by a shallow reef and was called "Stonewall" for the vertical seawall that supported Kalakaua Avenue. The Waikiki Beach Improvement Project, completed in July 1951, changed the area dramatically when James W. Glover, Ltd., constructed a large pedestrian groin into the ocean. Officially known as the Kapahulu Groin, the pier is an extension of a storm drain that runs under Kapahulu Avenue. The project also included constructing the low retaining wall on the Diamond Head side of the groin and importing sand to create the beaches on both sides.