Waikiki
 The
area between the Ala Wai Canal and the Pacific Ocean is where you’’
find world-famous Waikiki,
once a playground for Hawaiian royalty. Known in Hawaiian as
"spouting waters," Waikiki was introduced to the world when
its first hotel, the Moana Surfrider, was built on its shores in 1901.
The
ancient Hawaiians wouldn't recognize Waikiki. It's an urban jungle of
high-rise condos and hotels, with about a million tourists on the sliver
of beach that runs the length of the city.
Today,
Waikiki is a vibrant gathering place for visitors from around the world.
Along the main strip of Kalakaua
Avenue you'll find world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, and
hospitality.
In
fact, Waikiki has recently gone through a major phase of revitalization.
Famous Beach Walk has been totally revamped with new stores and
restaurants, anchored by the infamous Trump Tower Hotel and
Condominiums. Around the
corner, the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center has just recently completed a
multi-million dollar renovation. The
famous “pink hotel”, the Royal Hawaiian is also undergoing major
upgrading and new high-rise, luxury condominium buildings are going up
everywhere.
Waikiki
is the top visitor destination in Hawaii. Ninety percent of all of the
hotels on Oahu are located in Waikiki. Waikiki beach is one of the most
famous beaches in the world. The two-mile stretch of white sand coast is
fronted by hotels and tourist facilities. The area is excellent for
swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, catamaran and outrigger canoe rides.
There’s 500-acre Kapiolani Park, Diamond Head crater, the Waikiki
Aquarium, Honolulu Zoo and the International Marketplace. Waikiki is
also home to some of Hawaii’s finest restaurants and hottest
nightspots. Best of all, everything is within walking distance.
 Waikiki
may be one of the most famous beaches in the world, because the white
sand beaches are simply exquisite with warm water, gentle waves and
Diamond head as an incredible backdrop.
All of the beaches are open to the public and the hotels all
welcome everyone to their restaurants, retail stores and spas.
Although Waikiki is a fairly dense neighborhood, there is plenty
of green space including Fort DeRussy Park, Kapiolani Park, and the Ala
Wai Golf Course.
Within
Waikiki there are over 1000 stores and restaurants. There are over
10,000 hotel rooms. It's truly amazing how many people visit Waikiki
every year. It's also amazing how many condos are within this little
area.
Waikiki
condos are a market of their own. With probably the highest non-owner
occupancy rate in all of Hawaii, condos in Waikiki trade like a
commodity. You can get anything from a leasehold 1 room studio with a
view overlooking a parking lot for about $150,000, to a multi million
dollar penthouse with views of the entire coast.
The
draw of Waikiki condos is that they offer the island life with the
activity and convenience of big city living. Within a 2 minute walk
could be world class surf and also 3 or 4 Starbucks. You can wear your
wet board shorts into a Gucci store. You can hail a limousine or a
catamaran.
There
is nothing in the world like Waikiki. And those who love it, love it.
And there is a lot to love, because of the incredible number of
different condos available in Waikiki. Even though it's only a couple
square miles, there are over
a hundred high- rise buildings in this small area.
Approximately
25% of the residential units are owner occupied with the remainder being
used as second homes or investments. So, it is possible you can rent
Waikiki condos out all year long, because of the huge number of tourists
that visit. Summer is the high season, but there are people on the
beaches and in the water year round, which means a rental in Waikiki is
usually a very good investment.
In
Waikiki, you can own an amazing condo in a high-rise with views forever.
For a million dollars or two, you can get a modern marvel sitting
hundreds of feet above paradise with great ocean views.
Many of the oceanfront condos in Oahu have huge lanais and you
feel like you could jump into the ocean from way up there. For many,
oceanfront living means a high-rise condo, or better, a large penthouse.
Some of these condos are over 2500sqft, which means they are bigger than
many homes here.
 Attractions:
There
are too many to list, but a few include the 500-acre Kapiolani Park,
Diamond Head crater, the Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu Zoo and the
International Marketplace.
Parks:
Fort DeRussy Park and Kapiolani Park
Restaurants:
There
are literally hundreds of restaurants in Waikiki from McDonalds to
Four-star, world renown restaurants.
Take a look at the menu outside.
If you don’t like what you see, walk a few steps, and you’ll
find another restaurant.
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