Waikiki Travel Tips: 14 Things to Know Before You Go

Things you need to know before you go to Waikiki on Oahu in Hawaii. Waikiki is small, it is 2 miles of sandy beach long, and about 4 city blocks wide. Waikiki attracts 72,000 visitors every day and Waikiki accounts for 42% of Hawaii's tourism revenue.

Waikiki Meaning: “Wai” means fresh water, and “kiki” means spring—thus its nickname, “Spouting Fresh Water.” It is basically the Las Vegas Strip of Hawaii.

Waikiki is not Japan: Lots of Japanese tourists, lots of Japanese writing, busses for Japanese only, shops that cater to Japanese, Japanese Food...

Hotels: The Moana Surfrider, built in 1901, was the first hotel in Waikiki.

Transportation: Walk! Parking in Waikiki is expensive
- Royal Hawaiian Center for validation.
- JCB Card for Waikiki Trolley
- The Bus is pretty good too

Shopping: Duty Free Store -- Everyone Can Shop there and it's duty free
- And yes, they accept Yen

Coupons: Pick up the Free Maps and Tourist Magazines -- lots of great deals.
- Especially in the Japanese ones.
- Visitor Information Center, located in a Gazebo at the Diamond Head end of the Waikiki strip, Corner of Kapahulu and Kalakaua

Language: English and Hawaiian -- but also Pidgin English.
- only state in the union with 2 official languages.
- In Waikiki you would think Japanese is a third official language
- Say Aloha!
- Hey Brah = Get your attention
- Braddah = Brother
- Wahine = Girl

Weather: Pretty Warm Year Round. BUT HUMID!!!!

ABC Store: Located on every corner. Everything you could possibly need.

Booking Stands: Avoid them like the plague -- oh, and avoid timeshares!

Free Entertainment: Lots of free entertainment in Waikiki:
- Evening Hula at the Hula Mound,
- Hula, Ukulele Lessons at the Royal Hawaiian Center
- Buskers on Kalakaua
- Friday Fireworks at the HHV

Food: Check out my Cheap Eats in Waikiki Video
You say soy sauce, we say shoyu
Spam: Spam is super popular in Hawaii. The difference is locals know how to cook it right, creating Spam musubi and Spam sushi.
Saimen: Local-style noodle soup.
Musubi (Spam Sushi Roll):
Loco Moco: rice, fried egg and hamburger patty, topped with gravy and a dash of shoyu.
Bento: A sushi lunchbox.
Shave Ice: Literally Shaved off a block of ice
Plate Lunch: A fixed plate meal, two scoops rice, one scoop macaroni and an entree.

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[YellowProductions]

Apparently I missed tip number 14! What did I miss or leave out? Leave a comment and let me and your fellow travelers know!

[GG-ppex]

He's catching feelings because Hawaii embraces Japanese lol

[ArekSuroboyo]

everybody love the Japanese tourists! they're the most preferred tourists in Bali as well.
polite, well mannered, not cheapskates.

[stevedavies]

I am an Englishman who visited Hawaii’ for the first time this year. I thought the whole island was superb with a great vibe and friendly people. Sure it was a bit crowded but it was friendly and chilled. It cost a fortune to get there but was just about worth it.

[Antbeast]

I live in Hawaii and honestly just keep track if your stuff it's pretty safe here lol and respect everyone.

[xXDaWillXx]

I went earlier this year and was such an amazing experience and I wish to go back as soon as possible

[hualih]

15th thing to keep in mind...respect the locals and the land!!! Respecting the land is the most important when visiting Hawaiʻi.

[bigfellaoo]

They have a ABC store on the strip in Las Vegas. Across from New York Hotel.

[alexcarter]

Hawaii has become *much* more Japanese than even in the early 2000s when I was back home .... good thing as I'm learning a Japanese musical instrument, and trying to learn Japanese.

[sevenheaven]

Ok. Drinking game. Drink every time he mentions Japan/Japanese.

[FrankMITTE]

Runner at 6:01 THICKER THAN A BOWL OF OATMEAL.

[SuperMarbelle]

I've been to Waikiki and although there were alot of people on the beach, it never felt crowded.

[lilohigirl]

Also being from Hawaii, DONT BUY STUFF IN ABC STORES. They are way too expensive and it’s always best to take an uber out to a local foodland or even Walmart near ala Moana mall.

[chriszheng]

Really good tip: DON'T ARGUE OR FIGHT IN STORES LIKE HOW YOU DO IT IN CHINA OR MEXICO because the people will simply just state, "Alright but it's still 20 bucks though" and you will make no progress at all.




*Read more*

[nickkamimura]

Im from Brazil... I just came back from Hawaii a week ago... Its amazing place!I went there for a Wedding, was very beautiful by the way. I got the same Hotel as you, Sheraton in Waikiki..terrific view from there!! Oh man ..I just missing that so much already! Nice tips broo. Can't wait for coming back!!

[chris]

My girlfriend and I are headed to Waikiki in October. We can't wait!

[Hawaiilovesart]

nice introduction, not exhaustive. but the sun is brutal even in winter so early and late on the beach is great advice. so many people overdo it the first day and spend the rest of their trips in the room

[CodyBarnette]

Hi Chris! I just wanted to let you know my Wife and I will be heading to Wakiki this March and we have watched your Waikiki videos over and over! We can't thank you enough for your fun and informative videos. Also, we will be staying in the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort based on your overviews. Thank you! Thank you!

[PittsburghRecordingStudio]

Thanks! Headed there in 2 weeks for a wedding. Best man here!

[sandytrang]

Thank you for sharing.we will be there on thanksgiving.