Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii by svitorini

Hawaii

Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii

by svitorini

If you can think back to those long cruise ship voyages through the crystal clear waters of the Pacific with a couple of old trunks bearing enough garments for a few months vacation, then you’ll probably remember the old decals they put on suitcases of the Hawaiian surfer.

One of the most memorable areas in Hawaii is this beach right downtown Oahu. And you would be mistaken to think it’s not that important to see because it is here that the father of surfing and probably the inspiration for those old decals is honored. Take time to visit here. Let me tell you a little of what we found at Kahanamoku Beach.

Kahanamoku Beach has been named the 6th best beach in America by Dr. Beach for 2010. This is a beach that we honored in our surfing beach area because it is named after Duke Paoa Kahanamoku who was an Olympic swimmer Gold Medal winner and who many call the “Father of Modern Surfing.” There is a beach named in his honor near the Ala Wai boat harbor (see the Google Map below) and the Hilton Hawaiian Village catamaran pier. There is also a very cool statue of Duke and a live video feed direct from Hawaii which you can watch.

The cool thing about this beach which is really easy to get to, is that it is protected by a offshore reef, just out there away, that makes this one of the many perfect family beaches on Oahu.

But Dr. Beach goes further and also requires cleanliness and clear water. Kahanamoku Beach has both, plus the palm trees that shade the grassy area just behind the beach is perfect for setting up a picnic. The beach is at Uluniu Avenue and Kalakaua Avenue. The beach is wide here, but if you go in the water remember to wear reef walkers. The bottom is rocky in most places. You can swim, canoe and sail here and further out past the reef, you can surf. It can get busy here because this is the same area that a lot of the local sunset cruises and the famous Atlantis submarine departs from.

If you’re here on a Friday you’re in for a treat. The City of Honolulu puts on a fireworks show called the “Kings Jubilee” along with a torch lighting ceremony free right on the beach. If you can’t make it, you can watch it on the live web cam.