Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009
Exploring Waikiki: Part I
Although Waikiki was barely more than wetlands and rice paddies at the beginning of the last century, its appeal even then as a retreat for Hawaii’s Royalty might have foretold the immense growth in its popularity over the next 100 years.
“Waikiki” means spouting fresh water in Hawaiian. It was named for the springs and streams that fed these wetlands that once separated Waikiki from the Islands interior.
The Moana Surfrider was the first Hotel to be built on Waikiki Beach in 1901 and is easily recognized today by the tall white columns and ornamental plasterwork that adorn its “ Wedding Cake” façade along Kalakaua Ave.
In 1921 work began on the Ala Wai Canal. It was a project designed to drain the lands of Waikiki and divert the streams so they no longer flowed into Waikiki but emptied directly into the ocean. It was completed in 1928 and Waikiki became soon prime real estate. A distinction it still holds today, now more than ever. 90% of Oahu’s Hotels and the biggest part of Hawaii’s Tourism industry is centered on the 450 Acres that make up Waikiki and Waikiki Beach, a resort town with a big city feel.
With more than 100 years to develop and many interesting micro-neighborhoods; some still surviving today, Waikiki is an often times surprising place to explore.
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