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Watch the Fireworks at Waikiki Beach

 
Colorful bursts of light and sound punctuate the ocean air as you sit on the beach reflecting on a day spent at play in Hawaii. You are just steps away from more fun and food then is located on entire islands in other parts of the state, Waikiki is teeming with possibilities. A visit to this famous locale can be a combination of beaches and tourists attractions, with some shopping or even a romantic meal. The weekly highlight for nightlife is on a Friday evening with the aerial fireworks being launched over the Hilton Hawaiian Village area oceanfront.  Head to the beach and enjoy the free show, then take a walk to Kalakaua Avenue to find your dinner or just window shop.

At a glance:
Highlights: Watch the sunset by the ocean on famous Waikiki beach, then look to the West as aerial fireworks fill the night sky.
Activity level: Easy
Hours of operation: Friday evening 7:45 to 8:00 pm every week.
Options: Park near the Hilton Hawaiian Village area for overhead viewing, or closer to Fort Derussy part of the beach to see them down the coast reflected on the water.
Hazards!: Not many, just be aware that Waikiki is a city so watch your valuables
Cost: none, but parking may have costs

The modern day Waikiki is a mix of the classic and the trendy, yet as you look down the coastline you see the timeless beauty of the beach that has inspired waves of tourism for decades. Sunsets on the beach are always a good bet on any day of the week, but Friday is special.

If staying in Waikiki, then any walk to the beach can give you a good look at the sunset or the fireworks without the need for parking. In the case of Friday nights festivities, the closer to the western end of the beaches you walk, the higher overhead the fireworks will be.

If driving into Waikiki, viewpoints can vary ranging from  the tip of "Magic Island"  near Ala Moana Beach Park(west end),  the Duke Kahanamoku Beach Park (central), or Fort Derussy Beach Park (east end). You might plan an afternoon arrival and stay for the fireworks, or drive into the city after rush hour for an evening meal and some nightlife after the show.

Parking tips:
Either plan around a "park and walk" scenario utilizing an off street garage, or the rare meter inland between Kuhio Avenue and Ala Wai Boulevard cross streets.
Or attend a restaurant or attraction that has parking available by self-park or valet.

Local's Tip:
Hang out on the jetty area near Fort Derussy and you will get a mirrored view of the aerials. Coming in during the afternoon and settling into Duke Kahanamoku Beach Park puts you front and center for the action.

Directions:

• Duke Kahanamoku Beach Park: Adjacent to the parking lot for Ala Wai Yacht Club
• Access is from Ala Moana Boulevard turning oceanside onto either Kahanamoku Street or Hobron Lane,  then left onto Hoomoana Street. Follow until the road ends past the Marina is the parks parking lot. Drive slowly and look for available parking spot. The beach is on the eastern side of the parking area fronting the hotel.
• Fort Derussy Beach Park: Follow Kalakaua Avenue into Waikiki, look for parking between Saratoga Road and Lewers Street. Walk to the ocean and follow beach access.

Waikiki Aquarium

Not everyone feels safe or comfortable enough to snorkel with the fishes off Hawaii's shores, however most would love to experience the beauty of the colorful under the sea world. The Waikiki Aquarium allows you to journey underwater while staying dry and comfortable, plus it is a great way to duck out of the downtown mid-day heat.

At a Glance:
Highlights: This 114 year old oceanic institution has hundreds of underwater species, including extensive coral garden exhibits, and outdoor tide pool environments that educate and entertain.
Activity level: Easy
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 pm Daily
Reservations: None
Costs: $12 adult (ages 13-64), $5 Juniors (ages 4-12) Free for under 3 years of age

Established in 1904 to educate the people of Hawaii about life in the oceans, the Waikiki Aquarium moved to its' current oceanfront real estate in 1955. The facilities were renovated in the 1990's and the exhibits are teeming with life with more than 3,500 organisms and 490 species of marine plants and animals. Amazing living corals grow large in several enclosures as they were begun back in the 1970's and thrive in the fresh circulating saltwater environment. An audio tour is available with your entry for a guided interpretive tour, or you can walk about under your own guidance reading the many plaques adjacent the exhibits.

Though small, this Aquarium has lots to offer and the modest entry fee makes this an easy attraction to visit. Give yourself an hour or more to explore here, followed by a short walk to the beach to indulge in some ocean for yourself. This is easily achieved as the Aquarium is located adjacent to the ocean at the eastern end of Waikiki Beach at the oceanfront in the Queen Kapiolani Park.

For those visitors' with a love of the sea creatures, and a fear of the ocean, this is your best option for relaxing and exploring safely. Best of all, a visit to the Waikiki Aquarium is fully ADA and small child accessible making this a great family attraction for all regardless of mobility and swim-ability of those in your party.

Local's Tip:
Combine this with the Honolulu Zoo, and Kapiolani Beach Park to make for a fun Waikiki day. Early bird gets the best parking options. Definitely more crowded on weekends, less on weekdays.

Contact:
Phone: 808-923-9741
Web: http://www.waikikiaquarium.org/

Address:
2777 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815

Directions:  The aquarium is in the shadow of Diamond Head on the oceanfront in Waikiki.

Driving from the West part of the island to the Aquarium on H1 Eastbound

• Take exit 25A King Street /Waikiki/Honolulu Zoo
• Stay in second lane from the right (about 0.1 miles)
• Turn right onto Kapahulu Ave. (just past Market City Shopping Center)
• Drive South on Kapahulu Ave. (about 0.8 miles until reaching ocean)
• At the T junction, turn left on Kalakaua Ave. (about 0.3 miles)
• The Waikiki Aquarium will be on the right-hand (beach/ocean) side of Kalakaua Ave.

Driving from the East part of Honolulu to the Aquarium on H1 Westbound

• Take exit 25A King Street
• Stay in left lane (less than 0.1 miles)
• Immediate sharp left onto King St. (less than 0.1 mile)
• Stay in second lane from the right (about 0.1 miles)
• Turn right onto Kapahulu Ave. (just past Market City Shopping Center)
• Drive South on Kapahulu Ave. (about 0.8 miles until reaching ocean)
• At the T junction, turn left on Kalakaua Ave. (about 0.3 miles)
• The Waikiki Aquarium will be on the right-hand (beach/ocean) side of Kalakaua Ave.

Atlantis Submarine Tours

Ready to explore Oahu's underwater world? Hop on board the Atlantis Submarine for an up-close tour of vibrant oceanic life!

HIGHLIGHTS: The 48-passenger sub will take you 100 feet deep to explore a vast underwater world teeming with colorful tropical fishes, coral, sea turtles and maybe even a shark or two! You'll learn about shipwrecks, artificial and real reefs, the interesting life of coral, and much more. Audio headset narrations are available in English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Chinese. Guests will leave with an Atlantis Souvenir Dive Log to remember their adventure.

Tickets:
Adults (13 and older): $109. One free child is permitted per paying adult.
Child (up to 12 years must be 36" tall): $45
Atlantis also offers Premium Sub tours with more seats and more space for $124/adult and $53/child

Tickets can be purchased online ($10 discount), over the phone, or at the Atlantis kiosk at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, in front of the Ali'i Tower. Guests must check in at the kiosk 30 minutes before tour time.

Tours depart hourly from the Hilton Pier at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. An Atlantis ferry takes guests out to the sub, which is anchored 1 mile off shore. Each tour lasts for 1.5 hours.

Complimentary shuttle service is offered to and from certain Waikiki hotels; call 800-381-0237 for more information.

WARNINGS: Children under 36" height are not permitted. Guests must be able to climb a 7-step ladder to enter and exit the sub.

Hours: The first tour departs at 9am daily.
Address: Hilton Pier, Hilton Hawaiian Village (2005 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815)
Phone: 1-800-381-0237
Website: www.atlantisadventures.com

Directions:
Hilton Hawaiian Village is located in Waikiki off of Kalia Road, in-between the Ala Wai Harbor and Ft De Russy Park. The resort has ample parking garage space for visitors. The Atlantis kiosk is located oceanfront, near the Ali'i Tower.

Hans Hedemann Surf School

No visit to Hawaii is complete without a surf lesson. Featuring some of the best waves in the world, Oahu is the perfect place to paddle out whether you're a beginner or a wanna-be pro. Founded in 1995 by Hans Hedemann, a local surf legend and pro, the school is one of the most popular on the island with locations in Waikiki, Kahala, and North Shore. The school offers stand-up paddle board lessons, in addition to surf classes.

AT A GLANCE:
A team of talented experts and professionals take guests from "first-timers" to "surfers" in the space of two hours. The first 20-30 minute of each class is spent on land, with the instructors demonstrating important safety information and technique before paddling out. There are no more than 3-4 students per instructor in each class, and private or semi-private (up to three people) tours are available.

Pro surfers Hans Hedemann and Sean Anderson are also available for beginner or advanced classes, at a higher fee.

Rashguard, reef shoes, and surfboard are included in the rental price. A professional photographer is onshore to capture your experience, and image CDs can be purchased after the class for $30.

Children as young as five are welcomed to participate in surf classes, although children under the age of 14 are required to have a private lesson (for safety reasons).

Hours: Classes daily at 9am, 12pm, and 3pm
Website: www.hhsurf.com
Phone: 808-924-7778
24-hour advance notice required

Prices (prices are per person for a two-hour class, tax not included):
Group Lesson - $75
Semi-Private Lesson - $125
Private Lesson - $150
Lesson with Hans Hedemann - $400
Lesson with Sean Anderson - $250

Address (Main Shop): 2586 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 9681

Directions:  The main Hans Hedemann shop is located in the lobby of the Park Shore Hotel Waikiki, just down from the ABC Store and Teddy's Bigger Burgers, across from the zoo and Kapiolani Park. Surfers are driven from the shop down to Publics Beach, which is just a short 5-minute walk from the hotel.

Additional Hans Hedemann shops are located at the Kahala Hotel (5000 Kahala Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816) and in the North Shore at Turtle Bay Resort (57-091 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, HI 96762

Wyland Gallery Waikiki

Acclaimed marine life artist Robert Wyland is famous throughout Hawaii and beyond for both his art and his environmental conservation efforts. His art work encompasses a variety of mediums including painting, photography, and sculptures and can be found in galleries, homes, and museum displays in over 100 countries. On Oahu, guests can enjoy his talent at two gallery locations, one conveniently located in the heart of Waikiki and one located in the North Shore town of Haleiwa.

AT A GLANCE:
Originally from Detroit, Wyland's fascination with the underwater ocean world began when he saw the ocean for the first time as a 14-year-old visiting Laguna Beach. Several years later, he made Laguna Beach his home while beginning his 100 Whaling Walls project, a massive endeavor of painting marine life murals across the world. The project was finished in 2008 when he painted the 100th mural in Beijing.

Although most famous for the 100 Whaling Walls mural project, his artwork is also featured on license plates, United Nations stamps, and much more, and is sold at zoos, galleries, and other locations worldwide.

Wyland founded the Wyland Foundation in 1993 (non-profit) to share the wonder of the ocean world with children, as well as to increase environmental awareness.

The Waikiki and North Shore galleries feature a beautiful collection of his work in each medium. Sculptures, prints, framed paintings, and more bring the marine world to live in bold, vibrant colors.

Hours:
Waikiki - 10am to 10pm daily
North Shore - Monday thru Thursday, 10am - 8pm. Friday & Saturday 10am - 9pm. Sunday 10am - 7pm.

Cost: There is no fee to enter the galleries

Phone:
Waikiki - 808-924-1322
North Shore - 808-637-8729

Website:
www.wylandgalleries.com


Address:  
Waikiki - 270 Lewers St, Honolulu, HI 96815
North Shore - 66-250 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712

Directions:

• Waikiki - Take Kalakaua East toward Diamond Head & Kapiolani Park. Turn right on Lewers St. The Wyland Gallery is on the right, just down from the Peter Lik gallery.
• North Shore - From Honolulu,, take the H2-North toward Mililani/Wahiawa. Take Exit 8 toward Wahiawa, and merge onto Kamehameha Hwy. Kamehameha Hwy will take you directly into Haleiwa. The Wyland Gallery is located next to the North Shore Marketplace, on the left.