Waikiki, Coastal neighborhood and beach in Honolulu, US
Waikiki is a coastal neighborhood in Honolulu with a two-mile sandy beach bordered by Kalakaua Avenue. Hotels, restaurants, and shops line this main road, which runs parallel to the shore and provides access to the ocean.
Hawaiian rulers used the bay for swimming and surfing for centuries before European visitors arrived in the 1800s. In the early 1900s, hoteliers began draining swamps and building canals to develop the area for tourists.
The name means spouting water, referring to springs and fishponds that once shaped the area. Local musicians sing Hawaiian songs along the promenade today, while dancers perform traditional movements at sunset.
Lifeguards monitor most beach sections, and public showers and changing rooms are available free of charge. Many vendors rent surfboards directly on the beach and offer lessons for beginners who want to try riding waves.
Every Friday evening, fireworks light up the sky over the ocean when Hilton Hawaiian Village launches a free pyrotechnic show. The bursts are visible from many points along the shore and draw spectators onto the sand, gathering for the weekly spectacle.
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