- 10.
Waikiki Shell
- In the back left corner of the park is the Waikiki Shell where outdoor concerts and other
performances are held. Note that there are no bleachers or other seating. People simply sit
on the grass and enjoy the performances.
- 11.
Kapiolani Park.
- On the same side of Kalakaua as the Waikiki Shell is Kapiolani Park.
Kapiolani Park is the largest park closest to Waikiki. It's located at the Diamond Head end
of Waikiki (Ala Moana Beach Park is located at the Ewa end -- Arizona Memorial Tour). It's
popular but almost never crowded. Special events, like the one shown above, are often held at
the park.
- The copper-roofed bandstand in Kapiolani Park is new. Landscaping near the bandstand
is enhanced by pools and (not shown) flowers.
- 12.
View of Diamond Head From the Park
- This is one of the best views we're going to have of Diamond Head to the east. It's not a
spectacular peak or anything, but it's a prominent landmark on Oahu because of its distinctive
shape and proximity to Waikiki. On another tour, we'll drive into the Diamond Head crater and
look around (Windward Oahu Tour).
- 13.
Waikiki Aquarium
- Back to our car parked on Kalakaua Ave. where we first crossed over to see the beach,
then we'll head just a little farther in the direction of Diamond Head.
- Just a little way ahead on the right are two outstanding attractions, the Waikiki
Aquarium and the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium.
- The third public library in the United States and the first west of the Mississippi,
the Waikiki Aquarium dating from 1904 on the "makai" (ocean) side of Kalakaua Avenue
attracts more than 350,000 visitors a year. With an annual budget of $2.3 million and
staffed by 37 full-time and 29 part-time employees supported by 40 affiliate staff and
227 volunteers, it protects numerous endangered, threatened, and unique species of
sealife, offers unique attractions (including exhibits, demonstrations, and theater
shows), supports conservation and research programs, sponsors educational programs,
provides volunteer opportunities, and operates a shop. The aquarium exhibits 426 species
of sealife and houses 2,523 specimens. A 35,000 gallon exhibit contains Hawaiian sharks
and jacks.
- For more about the aquarium, visit the
Waikiki Aquarium Virtual Tour.
- 14.
Waikiki Natatorium
- Right next to the aquarium is the Waikiki Natatorium. Although the photo here shows the
natatorium is a state of ill repair, the front facade that we see here has recently been
renovated. Construction fencing and a definite after-contruction look, however, make a better
picture difficult. The picture of the entrance shows about the only good view of it. The
walls to the right and left extend much farther each way.
- So what's a natatorium? It's an indoor swimming pool. This one, however, is not indoors,
but it does have the entry and front facade, and the pool beyond it does define a rectangular
area. Opened in 1927, the World War I memorial was open to the public for swimming and water
sports events. There are bleachers that seat 2,500 spectators beyond the walls, and there
was a diving platform back in the 20's. The 100 by 40 meter pool itself slopes from a depth
of 10 to 23 feet. It was designed to take advantage of a natural Diamond Head flow of ocean
water. Water was supposed to flow in from the right and out the left. The inlets were too
small, however, and the water never flowed as intended. Only four years after it was opened
there were complaints of neglect, the water was later described as "pea soup," and in 1978
the memorial was closed.
- $11.5 million has been budgeted for its restoration, and renovation of the front section
has now been completed. The pool to be restored later will have larger inlets and outlets
and will be about six feet deep throughout. Most importantly, it will again be a respectable
tribute to the veterans of one of our nation's biggest wars.
- 15.
Fountain on Kalakaua Avenue
- Just a little beyond the Natatorium is this fountain. At this point we'll leave this stretch
of oceanfront called the "Gold Coast" and head back toward Waikiki. Instead of retracing
the way we came (most of Kalakaua Ave. is one-way anyway), we will go around the back of
Kapiolani Park, past the Waikiki Shell, past the back of the Honolulu Zoo, and then along the
Ala Wai Canal that is the Mauka boundary of Waikiki.
- 16.
Queen Kapiolani Garden
- A very attractive but small and not well known place in Waikiki is Queen Kapiolani Garden
at the corner of Monsarrat Ave and Paki. Entrance to the garden is from Leahi Ave. that runs
parallel to our north-northwesterly drive along the back of Waikiki, and this is where we'll
park and take a short walk through the garden.
- In the picture on the left (#1) is a view back toward the Mansarrat-Paki intersection
where we turned off to the garden. From here we wrap around to the right and look (#2) in the
general direction we're headed along the back of Waikiki and toward the Ala Wai Canal.
- At about the same point we glance left (#1) toward tree-lined Paki Ave. Completing a
quick turn around the garden, we face in the opposite direction toward Diamond Head (#2).
- Although we're close to the Waikiki waterfront and the busy shopping area along Kalakaua,
and although it's a typical beautiful day, we're the only ones in the garden today. It's too
small for tour busses do not stop here, and the garden is not prominently marked on maps, but
it's a pleasant, picturesque little spot nonetheless -- one that would be a very popular
landmark in many communities other places and where in the dead of winter many people outside
of Hawaii would give anything to be.
- 17.
Waikiki Library
- The Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library with its distinctive Waianae sandstone exterior was opened
in 1952. Today it serves a population of more than 35,000 and houses a collection of more
than 53,000 materials. The library sponsors numerous programs, including Thursday morning
story hours, summer and winter reading programs, craft events, and special presentations.
Prominently located at the corners of Kapahulu Ave., Paki Ave, Ala Wai Blvd., and Hollinger
Street, the library and its well-kept grounds with many palm trees provide an attractive
entrance to Waikiki from the Mauka (mountain) and Diamond Head directions.
- 18.
The Ala Wai Canal
- This is the Ala Wai Canal viewed from the Diamond Head end (the sky was brightened, but too
strongly). At this end of the canal is the Waikiki Library, and to the left is the Jefferson
Elementary School. Along at least half of the canal on the left side is the Ala Wai Golf
Course. Below are two more views of the canal. The picture on the left shows a little of the
new landscaping along the Waikiki side. A walk extends along the canal for the length of
Waikiki and is a favorite for joggers. The picture on the right is a view across the canal
toward the mountains. In the distance is Manoa Valley where the main campus of the University
of Hawaii is located. Just like in this picture, it is often cloudy and rainy there even when
it's sunny most other places. Rainbows can often be seen there, thus the reason for name of
the University of Hawaii athletic teams -- "Rainbows."
- Waikiki at one time was very low and swamp. The canal was dug and Waikiki was filled with
the material removed.
|
