Description

Considered by many to be the most famous island beach in the world, two-mile-long Waikiki Beach (which means "e;spouting waters"e;) wasn't always about sun, sand and surf. In Polynesian times, much of Waikiki was off-limits to everyone but chiefs, who had homes here along with taro patches and fishponds. The waters of Waikiki are kept calm by a sheltering reef about a half-mile offshore. This same reef is the one that creates the long waves that have attracted surfers to Waikiki for decades. If you're coming to O`ahu to shop, Waikiki is where you'll want to start - it's a shopper's heaven with seemingly endless lanes of shops and boutiques. It is impossible to be bored in Waikiki! Athletes will find the jogging trails and gentle beach waves a refreshing workout, while shoppers will find themselves in a retail heaven, from high-end shops to bargain basements. There are countless activities for kids and their parents and romantic dining and drinking spots where couples can relax and embrace the open-air atmosphere. Walking down the busy Waikiki avenues, you'll see many street entertainers that always seem to have an attentive crowd. The two-mile Waikiki Beach stretch is home to more than 31,000 rooms in over 100 hotels. Accommodations range from bare-bones bungalows to family fantasy resorts and heavenly honeymoon hideaways. This guide describes a wide variety of the places to stay, some new and fancy; others full of history and legends, and almost all shown in color

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