Waikiki

Waikīkī (German mostly Waikiki) is a district of Honolulu, in the south of Oʻahu, one of the Hawaiian Islands, and has one of the most famous beaches in the world with the eponymous Waikīkī Beach. Waikīkī stretches along the coast of southeast Honolulu to Diamond Head. The northern border is formed by the Ala Wai Canal.

Waikīkī means "bubbling fresh water" in the Native language and refers to the springs and rivers that fed the wetlands that once separated Waikiki from the interior.

Originally, Waikīkī was a retreat for members of the Hawaiian Royal Family in the 19th century, who learned to surf there. The first small hotels were built around 1880. Waikīkī has developed into a tourist stronghold of Hawaii with several renowned hotels (including the Royal Hawaiian Hotel).

The main shopping street of Waikīkī is Kalakaua Avenue, named after King David Kalākaua. The city's largest hotels are also located on this street. At the eastern end, just before Diamond Head, is the Honolulu Zoo. Famous is the stretch of Waikīkī Beach, on which is a statue of Hawaiian sports star Duke Kahanamoku.