Waikīkī is not just a tourist destination, but a residential district. To be precise, there are about 20,000 residents living here. I was one of them over 20 years ago. After travelling to Waikīkī several times in our 30's, my hubby and I decided to get settled on the island. So, we lived in Waikiki from the turn of the century in 2000 to a major earthquake that knocked out power to the island for days in 2006. We haven't been back since, but I returned to the island in 2023. I was shocked with all of these changes in these years. I vividly remember there was a major rain event on Oahu that caused the biggest sewage pipe to bust. Raw sewage flowed into Ala Wai and to the ocean. There were no canoe paddlers for many months. We lived in a plantation-style house and we had sewage back up. The city workers came to clear the clog for us. Memories... Before we left the island, my friend told me, "There will be changes next time you come back. But one thing won't change. That's the people of Hawaii." Thanks for being genuine. Y'all kept the aloha spirit intact. You've been through covid pandemic and Asia economic crisis. Waikīkī is still thriving. I looked beyond the homelessness at Ala Moana Beach Park and some beach benches. The beauty of Waikīkī remains in the view of this former Kama'aina (longtime resident in Hawaii). Aloha! p.s. I uploaded over 60 photos to this review. You need a computer to view them on Yelp. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/waik%C4%ABk%C4%AB-honolulu-5?userid=jwPVqdHpVHCBfAe4pZBbgA read more

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Not just a Tourist Destination... If Pearl Harbor is the Number One attraction on the Island of O'ahu, then Waikiki is Second on the list. In my opinion, Waikiki is almost like Hollywood. There's a lot of traffic, many tourists, and a lack of parking. However, Waikiki is more beautiful than Hollywood because of its exquisite sunsets; stellar beaches with soft, beige sand; gentle, tropical breezes; clear, calm, warm ocean water perfect for swimming; and blue, sunny skies with fluffy white clouds and occasional rainbows. Recently, merchants in Waikiki seem to be luring Hawaii residents with validated parking. For example, Royal Lobster will give patrons three hours of parking in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza; and International Marketplace will validate with a purchase of $10 or more. Some hotels will advertise Kama'āina rates for certain holidays and weekends. Staycations are becoming popular since TSA and an airplane flight can be avoided. Dining options have increased with food courts such as Stix Asia (Waikiki Shopping Plaza) and Waikiki Food Hall (Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center). There are also fine dining establishments like Azure, Hy's Steakhouse, and La Mer. Mahalo to the local staff who share the Aloha Spirit with the tourists and residents alike! We appreciate you for your hard work and adaptability towards all cultures, lifestyles, and situations! My friend, Emi, reminded me that we're so lucky to live in paradise. People save up and - at times - use their life savings on a vacation to the 50th State. We don't have "snow days", "winter" clothes, smog, nor chains for our tires. We do not have to defrost our windshields nor shovel snow. We do have pure drinking water from Artesian Wells. We have a natural source of Vitamin D (sunshine). We are the Healthiest State in the US (according to a Forbes list posted on 1-17-23)! That's why we (Kama'āina) should be thankful always and not take our Island Home for granted... read more

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For my 1500th review, it's Waikiki. My family is from Honolulu, I lived here for a couple of times over the years and visited by my estimation over 50 occasions. Of all the places I've been on Oahu, I love Waikiki! It is tropical island adventure without leaving the comforts of a modern lifestyle. My favorite hotel to stay and is The Modern. Back in the day, I taught tennis on the rooftop plexi-court! It used to be condos as part of the Ilikai, however sold off a few years ago. It's located on the Ala Moana side. So convenient and just off the beaten path. I walk from there to Queen's Beach (near the zoo) and back almost everyday when I'm on the island. It's only about 2 miles each way. I traverse between the beach and Kalakaua Avenue. If I get pooped out walking, there's always The Bus. The beach is free. No admission fees, no waiting in long lines, and day or night, there's always something to enjoy. The sand is course at some stretches, so I suggest you wear slippahs. Buy a grass roll up mat at the ABC Store, bring sunscreen, water, and head out! Just feeling the trade winds, breathing the clean air, and enjoying the warmth of the weather makes me yearn to be there. Being a diverse multi-cultural community, I feel safe and at ease. There's a statue of King David Kalakaua in Waikiki beach. My grandma named me after him! Honolulu is my second home. It's been a personal wish for me to return and live in Honolulu for the longest time. Thinking about it becoming a reality very seriously. read more

Review # 700 Not 90210 as in Beverly Hills or 10012 as in New York City. NOPE! am writing about 96815 as in WAIKIKI, the new "Downtown" of Honolulu, the "Gold Coast" of the city, the "Hot Spot" of where to go to see and to be seen! Located on the southern shore of Oahu, Waikiki sprawls a small 4 square miles made up of "high" rise condos and hotels, "high" end shops, "high" class eateries, and "high" spirited entertainment, and my "high" list can go on and on. Waikiki's west gateway is located at the intersection of Ala Moana Blvd. and Kalakaua Avenue. The east gateway is located at Kapahulu Ave and Ala Wai Blvd. (note- at the present time our City is building and improving the East gateway into Waikiki whereby one day soon, Kapahulu Ave will be a clear flow of traffic into the East Gateway) Kalakaua Ave's traffic pattern one way heading east and the Ala Wai Blvd is a one way heading west. Between Kalakaua and the Ala Wai is Kuhio Ave where traffic flows east and west. Kuhio Ave is used as a drop down to side streets introducing you to the many shops, eateries and activities. The dynamics of Waikiki experienced dramatic change over 20 years. Where once stood the International Market Place filled with little shopping carts and kiosks, now stands the NEW International Marketplace with modern architecture, named chefs, named stores. One of the many constant reminders of old Waikiki is the 100+ year old Banyan Tree who's life was preserved by the New International Marketplace. The infamous surfer Duke Kahanamoku is also preserved in the history and hands of time as through today, an annual surfing contest is held in his honor and memory. The old Moana Hotel was renovated and preserved; now the Moana Surfrider Hotel and it sits proud and pretty on the National Historic Preservation Register. Spats, a famous and popular nightclub once housed at the Hyatt Regency hotel is gone and replaced by new nightclub and bar Sky, located a few floors below the the infamous revolving restaurant Top of Waikiki. The Outrigger Hotel Main Show room once housed the famous Society of Seven now bows and gives its fame to Blue Note the new venue for Jazz music. Non Waikiki hotel guests will definitely have parking issues. However, this parking issue is today resolved by Uber and Lyft; automobile transportation in or out of Waikiki. Sitting outside the 4 square miles is easterly Honolulu Zoo and westerly the infamous Ala Moana Shopping Center. The one thing that remains true to its form, regardless of the "new" coined name "downtown", or the "new" high rises and upscale shops and eateries is the ALOHA spirit of fun, food and fellowship that will always be found in our little 4 square mile area, Waikiki Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii No Ka Oi read more

Waikīkī - Looking east to Waikiki from Kewalo Basin - Hotels Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

If you're reading my review among the mix of all 5 star reviews I appreciate you taking the time to read a review from a different point of view and perspective. I have read some of the other 1-3 star reviewers and I agree completely with their point of view. Honolulu/Waikiki is on a desperate decline and no longer cares about tourists... so why pay to go there? I traveled to Hawaii with the mindset that it was paradise. I was told all of my life that it was spectacular and to save up for an adventure of a lifetime. I was told about the islands that catered to tourists and sheer paradise. My mindset was positive and the outlook was that I was going to experience a surreal adventure. My children, being half Hawaiian, have looked forward to this trip for several years in planning and saving. I did see some beautiful aspects of Hawaii, I did meet wonderful Lyft/Uber drivers, I did see beautiful sights, I did encounter wonderful people, and I did have some walks through beautiful malls/shops. I have several 5 star reviews of these encounters and more to come. If you're reading this review and wondering if you should spend thousands in airfare, hotels Or AirBnb, rental cars, adventures and meals... my answer is vehemently NO. Don't go to Honolulu, Waikiki, or Oahu or the Honolulu Airport. Yes North Shore is beautiful but it requires you to go through the places above. Hawaiian Airlines has become the Frontier of Hawaii, providing a terrible experience for a $600+ per ticket. Poor quality airplanes, food, and even worse service at every point of contact. The first thing you encounter upon landing is a poorly maintained airport and miles of walking to/from baggage claim/drop off. The nicest section of the airport is the renovations in the Asian airlines section- otherwise it is dated and third world. The roads/freeways are poorly maintained throughout the cities and to/from the airport. The roads, sidewalks, and paths outside of the main malls (privately maintained) are littered with trash, debris, old furniture and homeless. Not a few homeless but hundreds. I chose to not capture photos of the rampant homelessness as I do not personally feel it's worth capturing and edifying. The buildings and homes are mostly rundown and poorly maintained. Ben the 5star hotels miss the basics of USB ports, fast internet, and refrigerators. The restaurants (even 4-5 stars on Yelp) are barely a 2 - regardless of the views or vibe. I cannot tell you the countless times I heard "That's the way we do it in Hawaii!" I don't care... you're catering to tourists at a high price - provide quality, time/love infused meals with flavor - even local flavors. Not considering ALLERGENS is the most ignorant thing I encountered second to poor/racist service. Mushrooms, peanuts, melon, dairy, gluten and many more are all very common and to have to beg a restaurant to make a meal without this is disturbing. No pork options? I don't care if I'm in Hawaii or anywhere else, if I'm paying, especially at the prices in Hawaii- I want it my way and not in an unreasonable way. The beaches: I spent hours walking up and down the beautiful beaches. I noticed homeless at every point - litter and smoking even though both are very illegal. I noticed that the homeless were permitted to camp, set up homes, on all public areas - taking over benches, tables, public sidewalks. Countless homeless at every point, on every beach, taking full showers and washing clothes in the rinse showers, full camps overtaking public areas completely. What I encountered in Waikiki is an island of people that have lost touch with tourism and catering to tourists. A city and government that has forgotten that their primary survival rests on tourism. I heard this several times: Hawaii is the closest place you can visit that resembles a third world country that's still in America. I found this statement to be so true. High cost of living, high taxes, everything is expensive but nothing is truly worth this cost/expense. The people and the government of Hawaii have forgotten the marketing aspects of their society and the concept of tourism and generating revenue to support their local economy. It's time to avoid Hawaii and find beautiful places that appreciate visitors and are intent on providing an experience worth saving and investing in. That being said, if your a tourist, travel where they appreciate you and show it in every way. read more

I know when I reached Waikiki when I'm on the bus is when I see the Hawaii Prince Hotel on Ala Moana Boulevard. Continuing on Ala Moana Boulevard until the bus driver makes a right turn on Kalia Road where the Hilton Hawaiian Village is located. Depending on where I want to go I would either get off by Fort DeRussy Beach Park and explore the surrounding areas or continue on with the bus ride passing Kalakaua Avenue then making a right turn on Kuhio Avenue until I reach Kapahulu Avenue near the Honolulu Zoo. There are many hotels in Waikiki. Several hotels with beach access. Other hotels near the Ala Wai Canal. There are a lot of places a tourist or local can visit while in Waikiki. The art galleries, the museums, the many restaurants, or the many shops with merchandises that's waiting to be purchased. Depending on where a person goes to shop, dine, or spend the night....the price ranges from moderate to ultra high end. Waikiki is one of Oahu's tourist destination for shopping as well as fun and relaxation under the sun. I admit several years ago I used to play tourist in Waikiki practically every month. Staying at hotels like Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Ohana Waikiki East, Ohana Waikiki West, Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki or even Sheraton Waikiki. Walking around Kuhio Avenue or Kalakaua Avenue during the day or night. Having breakfast or lunch at Duke's Waikiki. Attending some male revue shows at Fusions. I have also attended the Waikiki Ho'olaulea during the Aloha Festivals week, the Waikiki Spam Jam, the Okinawan Festival at Kapiolani Park, as well as the Pan-Pacific Festival at Kapiolani Park. Waikiki is one of the places where I love to have my staycation. The only downside in Waikiki are the homeless individuals that can be seen on Kuhio Avenue as well as Kapahulu Avenue. I can't forget about the panhandlers walking on Kalakaua Avenue too. 101/200 read more

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Man... what can about Waikiki?! It's pretty much crazy town! It's got pretty much everything you need. Great beach (pretty crowded), great food, lots of shopping. Did I mention lots of shopping?! Really wish they had not torn down the old island market place. It really had soul. But they tore it down in the name of "progress" to make way for a state of the art mall chalk full of boutiques that I will never walk in even if I could afford their overpriced Italian leather boots that don't even belong in Hawaii. The kona coffe shop is really good. Michael Mina concept restaurant is, well...interesting. The rest of the city is nice to walk around. Many hotels and tourists all over the place. Two places you have to visit are Leonard's for malasadas (doughnut holes filled with various delicious, creamy or fruity ingredients) and the rainbow for some serious Hawaiian souls food. Rainbow is so good they have a defibrillator on the wall...no joke. It a awesome town but it's basically disneyland. Make sure you get out and see the rest of the island where you're more likely to get your ass kicked by the locals! read more

High-end stores, touristy stores, and just stops that appeals to the masses are all in Waikiki. Yes, it's a long stretch, but one can wander, meander, stop, eat, drink, shop, and sit as visitors and locals take in the warm air and feel the tradewinds blowing on their skin. Walk in one direction, it can lead you to the beach. Walk in the next direction, you can eat at a restaurant to your liking...from Japanese food, ramen, udon, musubi, Chinese, Korean bbq, burgers and more "plate lunches." Yes, there's also the fine dining restaurants here too. If you're worried about parking, many of the restaurants do validate...depending on the parking garage. If your hotel is close, lucky you! Now, we can't forget the coffee drinkers. Every block, or half a block there's coffee shop...Starbucks, Peets, and Island Vintage, etc. Head towards the Waikiki Beach, Ala Moana Beach Park, Ala Moana Shopping Center. If you head to the other direction, you will reach the Honolulu Zoo. So don't worry, like I said, you can find everything you want in Waikiki. :) read more

Waikiki is super European/Asian-washed. There's so many designer stores it's crazy, why in Hawaii would you go for an experience and buy designer crap that I'm pretty sure you can buy at home, or online. It's not like they carry "aloha" themed pieces or anything. Also, the staff for these places have no "Aloha". They all say they don't have restrooms or don't know where the nearest one is, probably because they don't want sand, your store is by the beach learn to deal with it. It's just sad to go through and see, there's so many asian fast food spots, jewelry stores that slap the word Hawaii/Aloha and have nothing to do, but being sold in Hawaii, with Hawaii. One jewelry store right before going into Duke's Waikiki has jewelry that says Hawaiian on it but made or handcrafted in the Philippines. read more

It's a lot of fun. So many people and stores. It's quite an awesome place to visit. The prices are high, of course... "cash is king", unfortunately, however there are some great restaurants and neat shops to visit. I'm only giving it 3 stars though, because there are A LOT of disgusting bums that loiter around the Waikiki area, they talk to their imaginary friends, they talk to their own hands sometimes, they look like they haven't showered since childhood. They sleep on the sidewalks, the beaches, the picnic tables.. everywhere. It's so sad the Hawaii government don't have the guts or courage to clean them up. Just today I saw one bum startle one of the tourists, when he started to have an argument with his hand. Another bum was yelling at something in the corner and then tried to talk to it... then yelled at it... Weird.... Sorry.. Beautiful beaches and weather.. but unpleasant to picnic and mingle with bums. Message to Hawaii government officials.. "Get rid of the homeless bums!" Just do it! read more

World class destination for tourists. Of course it is also for locals to enjoy too. Some places in Waikiki can be expensive, but there are shops and restaurants that are within the average local budget. read more

Bad man made beaches, overcrowded with tourists, shopping that you could do anywhere - go enjoy the island, high rises, no parking, and mediocre over priced food. There are so many other things to do in Oahu. read more

Great beach and lots of shops. Beautiful scenery. Every year that I go back to Hawaii I like to go to Waikiki to roam around or go to the beach. read more

Waikiki's an expensive, upscale touristy neighborhood. Lots of shopping, restaurants, hotels, events. Traffic is sometimes a pain. Food delivery is unreliable. Low crime. Warm year round. Frequent brief spurts of rain. Very walkable. read more

I guess I have a different opinion about what makes a nice place, but high rises, traffic, 8 million tourists, an eroding beach, and mediocre overpriced food are not it. There is a good reason no one who lives here goes into Waikiki unless they have no choice. read more