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EXPERIENCE HAWAII'S FAMOUS HOSPITALITYWaikiki will be home to most visitors to the island. With a rich history of accommodating royalty and celebrities, Waikiki continues to be a thriving neighborhood to thousands of local residents who call Waikiki home. It is a unique vacation experience that easily brings visitors and kama'aina (local) together and is a Hawaiian crossroads for multicultural experiences. Waikiki offers you the luxury of selecting from a wide range of accommodation choices that fit your personal taste and comforts. You'll find historic hotels and condominiums, landscaped resorts and boutique hotels, familiar brands and trend-setting chic addresses. Whether it is a suite with a Diamond Head and ocean view, a room overlooking the majestic Ko'olau Mountains or a condo by the Ala Wai canal, there is a place in Waikiki that fits your needs that you can call home. And as part of Hawaii itself, it comes with Hawaii's renowned Hawaiian hospitality. Learn More |
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WAIKIKI'S HISTORYFrom Kamehameha the Great to Elvis Presley, discover the rich history of Waikiki from swampy farmlands to royal playground and how it became one of the most famous destinations in the world. In early Hawaii, Waikiki was a much larger area than the 1.5 square miles it encompasses today. Old Waikiki, much of it swampland, included the neighboring valleys of Manoa and Palolo. Translated, Waikiki means "spouting water," a reference to the rivers and springs that richly flowed into the area. Oahu and other Hawaiian islands were first discovered by Europeans on January 18, 1778, when British explorer Captain James Cook landed on Kauai, Hawaii's fourth largest island. Honolulu began as a small harbor village established by foreign fishermen in the early 1800s. The area soon flourished into an important center as it provided a resting spot for merchant ships trading furs with the east and for fishing and whaling ships in the area. The waterfront area played a vital role in the history of Honolulu. King Kamehameha I moved his royal court here in 1809 to keep an eye on the burgeoning trade from the numerous ships that were coming here. In the mid to late 1800s, Waikiki served as a vacation retreat for the kingdom's royalty. Kamehameha IV, Kamehameha V, Lunalilo, Kalakaua, Liliuokalani and Princess Kaiulani were among the dignitaries who maintained residences in the area, enjoying moonlight horseback rides, thrilling canoe races and carefree romps in the ocean. Learn More |
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