Waikiki Facts for Kids

For other uses, see Waikiki (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Waikīkī Waikīkī
Neighborhood of Honolulu
Waikīkī
Aerial view of Waikiki
Country	United States
State	Hawaii
County	Honolulu County
City	Honolulu
Area
• Total	3.4 sq mi (9 km²)
ZIP Code	96815
Area code(s)	808

Waikiki (pronounced wai-kee-kee) is a famous neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is located on the south shore of the island of Oʻahu. Waikiki is well-known for its beautiful beach.

Waikiki Beach is actually made up of six smaller beaches. These include Queen's Beach and Kuhio Beach. Most of the sand on Waikiki Beach was brought in by people. This means it is almost entirely man-made. The area also has public places like Kapiʻolani Park and Ala Wai Harbor. Waikiki was once the first capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1795 to 1796.

A view of Waikiki from the ocean

What Does Waikiki Mean?
A Glimpse into Waikiki's Past
Waikiki's Geography and Landscape
- Main Roads in Waikiki
Public Art and Statues
Beach Challenges
- Beach Erosion
- Water Quality
Education in Waikiki
Images for kids
See also

What Does Waikiki Mean?

The name Waikīkī comes from the Hawaiian language. It means spouting fresh water. This name was given because of the natural springs and streams. These waterways once flowed through wetlands in the area. They separated Waikiki from the island's inner lands.

A Glimpse into Waikiki's Past

Waikiki was a special place for Hawaiian royalty in the 1800s. They came here to relax and enjoy surfing. They used early forms of longboards to ride the waves.

The first small hotels opened in Waikiki in the 1880s. In 1893, a man named George Lycurgus opened a guest house. He called it the "Sans Souci," which means "without worries" in French. This was one of the first beach resorts. The famous writer Robert Louis Stevenson stayed there later that year. Soon, it became a popular spot for tourists. The area is still called "Sans Souci Beach" today.

Today, Waikiki is full of large resort hotels. Some famous ones include the Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The beach hosts many exciting events each year. These include surf competitions and hula dancing shows. You can also watch outrigger canoe races.

Waikiki's Geography and Landscape

Waikīkī beach looking towards Diamond Head

Waikīkī beach as seen from Diamond Head

Waikiki is located between the Ala Wai Canal and Diamond Head. The Ala Wai Canal is a channel that was dug to drain old wetlands. Diamond Head is a famous volcanic cone. Waikiki Beach is known for its views of Diamond Head. It also has a warm, sunny climate and great surf breaks.

The skyline of Waikiki has many tall buildings and hotels. The beach itself is quite short. Part of it is set aside just for surfers. The ocean water is shallow for some distance. However, there are many rocks on the bottom. The waves can be strong, especially on windy days. Waikiki's surf is perfect for longboarding and for beginners. This is because of its long, rolling waves.

Main Roads in Waikiki

Waikiki has two main roads. Kalakaua Avenue is named after King Kalakaua. This road has many high-end hotels and luxury stores. You can find brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton here. It also has popular surf clothing stores.

Kuhio Avenue is the other main road. It is named after Prince Kuhio. This avenue is known for its restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores. It also has many clubs and nightlife spots.

Public Art and Statues

Waikiki has several important public artworks. In 1990, a large bronze statue of Duke Kahanamoku was placed at Waikiki Beach. Duke Kahanamoku was a famous Hawaiian Olympic swimmer and surfer. The statue includes a replica of his surfboard. It is a popular spot for visitors and cultural events.

Seven years later, "The Stones of Life" was created. This sculpture uses ancient basaltic stones. It is considered a local monument. In Kapiʻolani Park, there is a bronze sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi. It was a gift in 1990.

More artworks were added to Kūhiō Beach and Queens Beach in the early 2000s. These include a statue of Prince Jonah Kuhio. There is also a children's story sculpture called Makua and Kila. Another sculpture, Surfer on a Wave, was installed at Queens Beach.

Waikiki at sunset

Beach Challenges

Beach Erosion

Waikiki Beach erosion in 2011

The restored Beach in June 2012

Waikiki Beach has often faced problems with erosion. Erosion means the sand is washed away by the ocean. To fix this, people have built structures called groins. They also bring in new sand to replenish the beach. This sand has come from California and other Hawaiian beaches. About one foot of beach is lost each year. Officials are always looking for ways to keep the sand from washing away.

Water Quality

In 2017, Waikiki Beach had some issues with water quality. This was due to sewage spills.

Education in Waikiki

The Hawaii Department of Education runs public schools in Hawaii. Thomas Jefferson Elementary School is located right in Waikiki. Waikiki Elementary School is also nearby.

The Hawaii State Public Library System operates the Waikiki Public Library.