Surfing on Waikiki Beach

Photo: A surfer riding out a wave on Waikiki Beach. (photo via flickr/Prayitno)

Hawaii is made up of lush greenery and tropical beaches. Certain areas attract surfers from all over, especially Waikiki Beach. Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach gives insight into the breaks that make up the shoreline here.

When strolling along the shores of Waikiki Beach, people tend to notice the beautiful green-blue water and the majestic waves making their way to the sand.

However, with a closer look you can spot the various gaps—channels in the reef—between the foam. Each of these gaps, or breaks, have names that surfers will rattle off when talking to one another in their surfer lingo.

Populars, or Pops for short, Paradise, Threes and Queens are a few of them. Each name offers a clue into a bit of history on why the name was given.

In the 1930s, a legend by the name of Duke Kahanamoku merged most of Waikiki’s breaks into one almost mile-long ride using the momentum of his 16-foot board. This legendary break is called Kalehuawehe, and other surfers barely come close to what he was able to accomplish.

As the tides come and go, The Duke statue continually stands tall welcoming the various surfers to Kuhio Beach.

To learn more about the history of Waikiki, read Alohilani’s blog.