October 22nd, 2008

When thinking of Waikiki Beach, most think of shopping, nightlife, restaurants and beaches full of visitors and locals surfing waves and catching rays. This historic area, definitely has all of this. But for music lovers, this bustling seaside section of Honolulu also offers an incredible outdoor music venue, located just beyond the fast pace of Waikiki’s main streets. On your next trip to Waikiki, I’d highly recommend timing your excursion to coincide with one of the many great concerts held at The Waikiki Shell.

An evening concert at this outdoor venue (often referred to as “The Shell”) can be a perfect way to end a full day of fun in Waikiki. You can begin to unwind by strolling to the concert along the tree-lined road that leads to the serene expanse of Kapiolani Park. It’s quieter in this area; a green little oasis resting near the base of majestic Diamond Head crater. Within Kapiolani Park is the shell-shaped amphitheater known for great acoustics and fantastic shows. The space provides seating for 2,400 with a huge lawn area offering room for an additional 6,000 music fans to stretch out comfortably.

The last show I saw at this seaside venue was the infamous Kokua Festival, a benefit concert for the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, founded by Oahu’s own Jack Johnson. The concert featured Dave Matthews, Tim Reynolds, Mason Jennings, Paula Fuga, Go Jimmy Go and of course, Jack Johnson and his band. My friends and I found a great space on the lawn, opened up a blanket and watched the sunset-colored sky turn to twilight as Paula Fuga played the Hawaiian nose flute. As night fell and the moon rose, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds took to the stage. We lay on our backs and gazed at the stars while the ethereal sounds of their guitars washed over us with the ocean breeze. We could all feel the aloha and happiness of the 10,000 people gathered together for a great night of music. The musicians inspired the audience and the gorgeous Hawaiian setting clearly inspired the musicians. It was a perfect recipe for an incredible show.

When the concert was over we continued celebrating by taking the short walk back toward the nightlife of Waikiki. Various clubs, bars and restaurants were open late. We were glad to find a restaurant that was serving after 11pm and ate heartily.

Numerous Oahu condos are available for rent in the Waikiki area. We opted to rent a condo in the vicinity so that we’d have a short trip back to our abode at night’s end. However, for visitors that want to stay in less congested areas Oahu vacation rentals and condos are available throughout the island. From Waikiki you can take a cab or hop in your rental car if you’re staying outside of the area.

No matter where you stay on Oahu, Waikiki is a unique place that is definitely worth exploring. With plenty of sights to grab your attention, don’t forget to walk a bit beyond the beaten path to check out the view of Diamond Head and stroll Kapiolani Park. Search local concert listings before you go for a chance to have a musical “Shell” experience, Hawaiian-style.