Do I need to go to Waikiki?

[sbeets]

16 years ago we visited Pearl Harbor and Waikiki for a day during our long layover from Kona, and we hated Waikiki. Too many people, too packed, too big city. There's a reason we're staying at Ko Olina. What will I be missing if we skip Waikiki on our February trip? Please give me a few reasons why I should spend a day, or maybe 1/2 day around Waikiki. We only have 6 days on the island, and there are so many other things I want to do, and the #1 thing is relax at the lagoons.

 

[NYCDVC71]

If you don't like the big city feeling of Waikiki, you will definitely love Ko'Olina. We are DVC members and Aulani is our home resort and are typically there 2 times per year. The lagoons are very nice. The one thing you won't get in Ko'Olina is the plethora of restaurants. I do recommend the Monkey Pod (across the street from Aulani) - they have great happy hour prices! Also, the newly opened Four Seasons has a progressive happy hour that starts at 3PM each day. You don't need to be a registered guest.

If you want to visit the Waikiki area and are looking for a slower vibe, you may want to consider the Ala Moana beach area.

 

[alohamom]

Unless you want to go to a specific restaurant I would say to stay out of Waikiki. The traffic in and out is crazy, the sheer number of people is daunting if you dont like crowds, the beach is good but there are beaches that are just as nice if not nicer sprinkled all over the island without the people, trash and homeless people. My kids are older teens and they LOVE the vibe and always want to go. Last time on Oahu we stayed for a few nights and I honestly wish we had not.

 

[longboard55]

We love Waikiki. It's the dining, the music, the people you meet. I love the long waves at Waikiki. But it's not for everyone. The one thing you need to learn about Hawaii is it's diverse. Some people only like Maui, some only like Kauai. Do not think everyone likes the same places, they do not. There are not good and bad in Hawaii. It's just different choices.

 

[Lizziotti]

I agree we loved Waikiki and walking around the boardwalk watching all the acts. It was a blast!

 

[kdonnel]

If you didn't like it before, it hasn't changed.

Our first visit to Hawaii was three totally different vacations in one, the Kona Coast, Waikiki, and Aulani.

We liked Waikiki the least. It felt like the Las Vegas strip without the gambling.

 

[sbeets]

We liked Waikiki the least. It felt like the Las Vegas strip without the gambling.

YES, THIS! Perfect analogy. I'm going to slide Waikiki down the list, and see if we have time. I want a relaxing vacation, not a rush rush vacation where I'm always pushing to get to the next sight. When I go to Disneyworld, we go with touringplans we love the challenge of never waiting in line, and seeing how many times we can hit the big rides. I don't want Oahu to be like that. When our teens are grown up and using their own money, they can buy their own tickets to Oahu, and party it up on Waikiki.

 

[buffettgirl]

I'm not a party person, and I love Waikiki. I can't think of a less apt analogy than las vegas, sorry, no idea where you got that impression. Yes, it's touristy, but the food, the shopping, the sights the local vibe all outweigh that. I live like 15 min away and we're actually looking to buy a condo down there just so we can be there all the time. I could spend years there and still never eat everywhere I want to eat, or see everything I want to see.

But do YOU need to go? Probably not. It doesn't sound like it was your thing. So don't go.

 

[longboard55]

One of thing that is unique to Waikiki is the visitors are a lot less couple oriented. If you like to meet people or are a solo it's a great place. I am not really outgoing but have met people all over the world there. But if you are doing a few hour stop that is not something you will see.

 

[kdonnel]

I'm not a party person, and I love Waikiki. I can't think of a less apt analogy than las vegas, sorry, no idea where you got that impression. Yes, it's touristy, but the food, the shopping, the sights the local vibe all outweigh that.

The Las Vegas Strip is touristy, all about the food, all about the shopping, and has a unique local vibe. All the things you used to describe Waikiki.

Like the Las Vegas Strip there are thousands of people walking up and down the street at all hours of the day and night.

 

[Pooh2]

We skipped Waikiki. We traveled all over the Oahu but had no desire for the crowdedness of Wakiki. Just does not appeal to us. Open, endless beaches with no one in sight are more our idea of fun and there are plenty of those on the island.

 

[sbeets]

I am loving all the different opinions! Thank you everyone. We will likely just wing it when it comes to Waikiki. My kids want surfing lessons, so maybe we'll venture to Waikiki for those.

 

[Midoria]

The Las Vegas Strip is touristy, all about the food, all about the shopping, and has a unique local vibe. All the things you used to describe Waikiki. Like the Las Vegas Strip there are thousands of people walking up and down the street at all hours of the day and night.

I totally agree! Great analogy and 100% true.

 

[buffettgirl]

I just can't think of two less similar things. I've been to both, multiple times. I just don't see it. But to each their own.

 

[nkereina]

Waikiki reminds us much of Miami Beach. Or really any big city - lots of brand name stores, dining, people. Just happens to be on the ocean. That said, we like that vibe at times. We don't live near a major city that has the shopping like that and some of the restaurants are really great in that area too. We also enjoy stopping at different bars on the beach to enjoy the live music, people watching, and views on the beach. Next trip, we will likely go to Waikiki for an afternoon to go shopping and then have a nice dinner. A couple hours there walking the strip is probably about all we need to be satisfied and still feel like we experienced it.

 

[alohamom]

One thing about Waikiki and, to a lesser extent, Honolulu is the 50's - 70's architecture. I know that sounds kind of weird but if you are into mid-century modern buildings this is the place. There are so many interesting examples of this in the area and I guess it is because there was such a sudden tourist explosion and need for housing & commercial places during those decades. Just one point if you have someone in your party that is interested in that kind of thing, it does make for a quirky reason to head into Waikiki.

 

[buffettgirl]

One thing about Waikiki and, to a lesser extent, Honolulu is the 50's - 70's architecture. I know that sounds kind of weird but if you are into mid-century modern buildings this is the place. There are so many interesting examples of this in the area and I guess it is because there was such a sudden tourist explosion and need for housing & commercial places during those decades. Just one point if you have someone in your party that is interested in that kind of thing, it does make for a quirky reason to head into Waikiki.

I agree. Honolulu itself isn't a beautiful city, but it is quirky and strange, and different than anywhere else in the US. And waikiki encompasses all of that in such a fun and unique way.

 

[longboard55]

Sitting at the Moana Beach Bar under the banyan tree, with the musician on the slide guitar. Watching the surfers, catamarans and canoes, Maitai and a basket of edamame. It does not get better.

 

[blondietink]

We love Waikiki and often stay there for a few days before we head over to Aulani. We stay on the east end which is quieter and less crowded and rent a condo from VRBO. It is also a good spot to take in the sights on the east side of the island avoiding a lot of the traffic if you were to come from Aulani to the east side.