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Walking Waikiki
One of the best parts of traveling is walking the city. Walks can be very different in the morning, during the day, and of course at night. I’ve recently had the opportunity to go to Oahu, and explore the Waikiki area. We hope you enjoy the first in our Walking Series highlighting the downtown Waikiki walking experience from October 2019.
Each experience will be ranked from best (5 footprints) to worst (1 footprint):
- 5 Footprints: Must do, don’t miss this experience!
- 4 Footprints: Highly recommended walk.
- 3 Footprints: Recommended walk.
- 2 Footprints: Not a bad experience, do it if you have time.
- 1 Footprint: Not recommended for walking.
The shops weren't open, but the window shopping was! Here a local merchant used a bottle of Kirkland Signature wine as part of the window display. Empty... of course.
Early Morning: Kuhio Avenue
Still stuck on Pacific Time, I found myself awake at 4:30 in the morning just about every day I was in Hawaii. Being from Seattle, I wanted to find a cup of coffee. So I left the hotel on a quest for coffee.
At five in the morning, shopping is everywhere, but nothing is open. The streets are peaceful. I found I could walk at a brisk pace without worrying about running into anyone. The temperature at that time was low 70s, which was very pleasant and allowed for longer walking time than the higher temperatures felt during the day. Kuhio Avenue was very clean and easy to navigate on foot.
My quest ended back at my hotel after my walk at about 6 am, when I saw that they offered complimentary coffee in the lobby. No regrets!
Walking Rank: 3 Footprints - I recommend this very peaceful walk.
The beach is always a great place to walk and people watch.
Mid-Day: Waikiki Beach
It was HOT, the temperature was in the 90s. When I say I walked on the beach I really mean I walked in the surf. I’m used to the expansive and cold Pacific Northwest beaches, so I was very surprised to find that the water on Waikiki Beach was warm. It is the same ocean after all! I really only wanted to get my feet wet but the sea had other ideas. The waves came fast and high and I wound up soaked up to the waist in my dress. The beach was very crowded which made it very easy to indulge in some people watching. I saw a couple of blushing and beautiful brides, getting ready to start their new lives in this stunning location. I also saw some sun-hardened surfers, each with a big grin and a lot of sand caked on them. I could tell they really loved what they were doing.
Walking Rank: 4 Footprints - I highly recommend this walk. If you are okay with getting a little wet, don’t forget to take off your sandals and dip your walking feet into the ocean!
Mid-Day: Waikiki Beach
It was HOT, the temperature was in the 90s. When I say I walked on the beach I really mean I walked in the surf. I’m used to the expansive and cold Pacific Northwest beaches, so I was very surprised to find that the water on Waikiki Beach was warm. It is the same ocean after all! I really only wanted to get my feet wet but the sea had other ideas. The waves came fast and high and I wound up soaked up to the waist in my dress. The beach was very crowded which made it very easy to indulge in some people watching. I saw a couple of blushing and beautiful brides, getting ready to start their new lives in this stunning location. I also saw some sun-hardened surfers, each with a big grin and a lot of sand caked on them. I could tell they really loved what they were doing.
Walking Rank: 4 Footprints - I highly recommend this walk. If you are okay with getting a little wet, don’t forget to take off your sandals and dip your walking feet into the ocean!
The beach is always a great place to walk and people watch.
A mama duck and her 13 ducklings outside the Royal Hawaiian.
Early Evening: Kalakaua Avenue
It was approaching dinner time, so I headed out to explore the area. Upon leaving the Royal Hawaiian, I stumbled upon a mama duck with 13 ducklings. That mama has her webbed feet full with that many little ones!
I wanted to find the drugstore I had come across earlier in the day, and I’m really glad I did! It turns out there is a farmer’s market that sets up right outside the drugstore. They had a beautiful selection of fresh fruit and scrumptious malasadas. There were island-created crafts, stunning leis and aloha wear. The people-watching here was choice as well, as there was a fun mix of tourists and locals.
High-end shopping is everywhere on Kalakaua Avenue. Famous designers and recognizable storefronts give it a very big-city feel. It felt like I was in Las Vegas, except that the beach was a few steps away. I found out later that Las Vegas is a top travel destination for Hawaiian locals.
The temperature at this time was high 70s, so pretty much just perfect.
Walking Rank: 4 Footprints - I highly recommend this walk, it’s okay to have fruit for dinner, and so much shopping!
Overall Waikiki Walking Rank
I would definitely recommend walking in Waikiki, so I give it a solid 4 Footprints. I felt safe, no matter what time or place I was walking. Try to make time for at least one walk per day during your stay in Waikiki. I walked alone this time, but I am looking forward to bringing my family to Oahu for a walking adventure sometime in the future.
The next in our Walking Series will explore walking in Las Vegas with the family.
One of the best parts of traveling is walking the city. Walks can be very different in the morning, during the day, and of course at night. I’ve recently had the opportunity to go to Oahu, and explore the Waikiki area. We hope you enjoy the first in our Walking Series highlighting the downtown Waikiki walking experience from October 2019.
Each experience will be ranked from best (5 footprints) to worst (1 footprint):
- 5 Footprints: Must do, don’t miss this experience!
- 4 Footprints: Highly recommended walk.
- 3 Footprints: Recommended walk.
- 2 Footprints: Not a bad experience, do it if you have time.
- 1 Footprint: Not recommended for walking.
The shops weren't open, but the window shopping was! Here a local merchant used a bottle of Kirkland Signature wine as part of the window display. Empty... of course.
Early Morning: Kuhio Avenue
Still stuck on Pacific Time, I found myself awake at 4:30 in the morning just about every day I was in Hawaii. Being from Seattle, I wanted to find a cup of coffee. So I left the hotel on a quest for coffee.
At five in the morning, shopping is everywhere, but nothing is open. The streets are peaceful. I found I could walk at a brisk pace without worrying about running into anyone. The temperature at that time was low 70s, which was very pleasant and allowed for longer walking time than the higher temperatures felt during the day. Kuhio Avenue was very clean and easy to navigate on foot.
My quest ended back at my hotel after my walk at about 6 am, when I saw that they offered complimentary coffee in the lobby. No regrets!
Walking Rank: 3 Footprints - I recommend this very peaceful walk.
The beach is always a great place to walk and people watch.
Mid-Day: Waikiki Beach
It was HOT, the temperature was in the 90s. When I say I walked on the beach I really mean I walked in the surf. I’m used to the expansive and cold Pacific Northwest beaches, so I was very surprised to find that the water on Waikiki Beach was warm. It is the same ocean after all! I really only wanted to get my feet wet but the sea had other ideas. The waves came fast and high and I wound up soaked up to the waist in my dress. The beach was very crowded which made it very easy to indulge in some people watching. I saw a couple of blushing and beautiful brides, getting ready to start their new lives in this stunning location. I also saw some sun-hardened surfers, each with a big grin and a lot of sand caked on them. I could tell they really loved what they were doing.
Walking Rank: 4 Footprints - I highly recommend this walk. If you are okay with getting a little wet, don’t forget to take off your sandals and dip your walking feet into the ocean!
Mid-Day: Waikiki Beach
It was HOT, the temperature was in the 90s. When I say I walked on the beach I really mean I walked in the surf. I’m used to the expansive and cold Pacific Northwest beaches, so I was very surprised to find that the water on Waikiki Beach was warm. It is the same ocean after all! I really only wanted to get my feet wet but the sea had other ideas. The waves came fast and high and I wound up soaked up to the waist in my dress. The beach was very crowded which made it very easy to indulge in some people watching. I saw a couple of blushing and beautiful brides, getting ready to start their new lives in this stunning location. I also saw some sun-hardened surfers, each with a big grin and a lot of sand caked on them. I could tell they really loved what they were doing.
Walking Rank: 4 Footprints - I highly recommend this walk. If you are okay with getting a little wet, don’t forget to take off your sandals and dip your walking feet into the ocean!
The beach is always a great place to walk and people watch.
A mama duck and her 13 ducklings outside the Royal Hawaiian.
Early Evening: Kalakaua Avenue
It was approaching dinner time, so I headed out to explore the area. Upon leaving the Royal Hawaiian, I stumbled upon a mama duck with 13 ducklings. That mama has her webbed feet full with that many little ones!
I wanted to find the drugstore I had come across earlier in the day, and I’m really glad I did! It turns out there is a farmer’s market that sets up right outside the drugstore. They had a beautiful selection of fresh fruit and scrumptious malasadas. There were island-created crafts, stunning leis and aloha wear. The people-watching here was choice as well, as there was a fun mix of tourists and locals.
High-end shopping is everywhere on Kalakaua Avenue. Famous designers and recognizable storefronts give it a very big-city feel. It felt like I was in Las Vegas, except that the beach was a few steps away. I found out later that Las Vegas is a top travel destination for Hawaiian locals.
The temperature at this time was high 70s, so pretty much just perfect.
Walking Rank: 4 Footprints - I highly recommend this walk, it’s okay to have fruit for dinner, and so much shopping!
Overall Waikiki Walking Rank
I would definitely recommend walking in Waikiki, so I give it a solid 4 Footprints. I felt safe, no matter what time or place I was walking. Try to make time for at least one walk per day during your stay in Waikiki. I walked alone this time, but I am looking forward to bringing my family to Oahu for a walking adventure sometime in the future.
The next in our Walking Series will explore walking in Las Vegas with the family.
About the Author: The above piece was written by Penny Anderson, Merchandising/Ecommerce Manager at Costco Travel. Penny has been a Costco employee for 23 years, 14 of these years at Costco Travel.
