Being one of the destination capitals of the world, it may seem that paradise on a
budget is an oxymoron, but that isn't necessarily true. With many companies, from
high-end luxury resorts to small operation activity vendors, competing fiercely
for the ubiquitous tourist every hour of every day, the deals and bargains are out there.
You just have to find them. Most activity vendors offer deals for Military or students and there
are coupons available on our website to print out before you go.
Here's our inside guide to deals in Waikiki, from cheap
activities to stuff you can do completely FREE!
Free Fun in Waikiki
Walk Waikiki Beach
Take off your shoes and wiggle your toes
in the warm golden sand. This is Waikiki Beach,
a two-mile stretch of shoreline known throughout
the world. Start at the lagoons fronting the Hilton
Hawaiian Village and continue on down the beach
to the Natatorium War Memorial.
From the Hilton end, the beach narrows as you head
towards Diamond head, passing the Reed Hotel and
the graceful and prestigious Halekulani Hotel. Here
you may need to climb on the seawall or follow the
concrete path in front of the Halekulani. The view
of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel is great from the beach.
The last beachfront hotel on this end of the beach
is the "first lady" of Waikiki, the Moana Hotel.
Now known as the Westin Moana Surfrider, she was
the first luxury hotel built in Waikiki.
Kuhio Beach Park captures a lot of activity. There
are vendors aplenty selling almost anything you
could possibley need for a day at the beach. With
Diamond Head still ahead, keep walking toward the
quieter parts of the beach. At Kapi'olani Beach
Park, the Queen's surf ares is terrific for swimming
and sunning. Gone for the moment are the hotels.
Now the beach is fronted by large lawns and giant
trees, and the sprawling Kapi'olani Park is in the
background. Ahead is the Waikiki Aquarium, then
the beautiful and ghostly Natatorium War Memorial,
built in 1972 to honor men and women of Hawaii who
fought in World War I.
Don't leave Waikiki until you have walked the length
of this famous beach. It's free but the memories
are priceless!
Sunset Torch Lighting and Hula Show
One of Waikiki's new and signature attractions is the tradition of torch-lighting ceremonies
that occurs most evenings throughout Waikiki. Less ceremony than ritual, what you'll see is a
half-clothed, brown-skinned man running down the street, or on your hotel grounds, with a stick
of fire in his hand. His job is to light the torches.
Enjoy a beautiful Hawaiian sunset, romantic torch lighting and conch shell ceremony,
and authentic Hawaiian music and hula performances right on Waikiki Beach. The hour-long
show starts just before sunset and features the young men of the "Men of Ho’a" in a torch
lighting ceremony, followed by the award-winning hula halau schools dedicated to hula and
Hawaiian culture from throughout Oahu.
Nightly
except Mondays, weather-permitting. 6:30-7:30 PM (6:00-7:00 PM in Nov, Dec, Jan) at the Kuhio
Beach Hula Mound, near Duke Kahanamoku statue, beachside at Uluniu & Kalakaua Ave. in Waikiki.
Outdoors, casual. Seating on the grass; beach chairs, mats, etc. okay. Cameras are welcome.
Presented by the City & County of Honolulu, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the Waikiki
Improvement Association. For information, call 843-8002.
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