Friday, November 4, 2016

My beautiful backyard: The Ala Moana park

Panoramic Sunset from Ala Moana Park 




Ala moan park is a public park on the south shore of island of Oahu between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. It’s stretches across 100-acre (0.40 km2) and has a wide golden sand beach which is man-made.  The park’s name Ala Moana means “path [to the] sea.” This park is just 5 minutes walk from my house and it's literally like a backyard to me. Most of my photographs depicts the natural beauty of the Ala Moana park.  I usually go to the park on weekends morning with a cup of coffee and enjoy the sheer beauty, calm, peace  and tranquility of the park.


A cup of Morning Joe at the park.



Path to the sea

Today it is one of the most famous beach park in Honolulu.  The long sand beach that laces the park is especially attractive to families with young children because the ocean is rock free and shallow at the east end. Families normally congregate at the east end of the beach where parking is plentiful and the ocean bottom is shallow and rock-free. Some of the south shore’s most famous surfing sites are found offshore at the edge of the reef, including Big Rights, Concessions, Courts, Big Lefts, and Baby Hale’iwa. 



The palm trees at the park 

The Magic island lagoon and diamond head  in the back.

A picnic Bench at the park. 

The water is calm here because it is protected by outer reef. So, it’s safe for novice swimmer and families with small children.

Lagoon protected by outer reef

Outer Reef at the Magic Island Lagoon.

The daily activities at the park include lawn bowling, model boat sailors, fishing, lawn tennis, swimming and surfing. Many groups of Hawaii seniors (Kupuna) gather here at sunrise and sunset to do various group health activities like Tai Chi and Yoga.   


Paddle yoga at sunset



Paddle board ready for Paddle Yoga





Tennis Courts at the park 

Tennis Courts at the park 

A life Guard Hut

A man preparing his Kayak togo into the sea 

A surfer  coming home at evening 

 History of Ala Moana Park and Magic Island.


In 1912 Walter Dillingham bought 50 acres of swampy Honolulu land for to dump the dirt and coral from his dredging projects. [1] A channel was dredged through the coral reef so that boats can pass between Ala Wai Boat Harbor and the Kewalo Basin, but as Ala Moana become such a popular area for swimming the channel was closed. Eventually the city and county of Honolulu started cleaning the area and in 1934 it was named as ‘Moana park’.

 In 1955 Hawaiian Dredging Company closed the west end of the channel with a landfill, now Kewalo Basin Park.



Natives  chatting on a Saturday morning 

Evening at Ala Moanapark 

Sunset  at Ala Moanapark 


Moods at Sunset

Camping at Magic Island

The east end of the channel in front of the Ala Moana park served as a landfill project which added 30-acre peninsula to Ala Moana Beach Park and "Magic Island “was born in 1964. In 1972 the State officially renamed Magic Island ‘Aina Moana, or “land [from the] sea,” to recognize that the park is made from dredged coral fill. [2]

The mile-long walkway in the park are  lined by many beautiful trees notably Baobabs, Banyan and Monkey pod trees.


Beautiful Baobabs

Monkey Pod tree 

Baobab tree behind the canoe club.


Magic Island has its own sand beach and lagoon is also popular among swimmers and sunbathers. The lagoon of Magic Island is also known for its scuba diving activities.  It is also famous spot for wedding photographers at sunset and sunrise. You can sit along the paved pathway and dangle  your feet over the sea, while the nature put forward a beautiful display of colors to end the day. What a perfect way to end the mesmerizing day while holidaying in paradise. If you do not like to sit idle to watch the sun goes down, you can take a stroll along the paved path and enjoy the spectacular display.


Watching the Sunset

Sunset as seen from the Magic Island

Some of Hawaii’s most spectacular Sunset can be watched from the western side  of the  Magic Island. You can also see the Aloha Tower and John H Burns school of Medicine from the west side of Magic island against the backdrop of Waianae Mountains.

On the east side of the Magic island is Waikiki Yacht club. The Waikiki Yacht Club is a private club that offers a variety of boating activities and social events to all who love the ocean. Situated at the water’s edge, the clubhouse reflects our island spirit. In addition to yacht racing and sailing, the club offers activities for cruisers, power boaters, fishermen, and outrigger canoe paddlers. Members of all ages enjoy the club’s varied recreational programs, social activities, pool, bar, and dining facilities.[3]



Yacht Club

Yacht Club

Yacht Club

Yacht Club

The park also Host the Annual lantern floating ceremony each year on Memorial day. Lantern Floating Hawaii brings together over 40,000 people on the beach, joined by thousands around the world via live streaming and telecast for an evening of honoring loved ones and generating collective hope toward the future.




Lantern Floating Hawaii is a ceremony where all can come together for a personal and collective moment of remembrance, reflection, and offering gratitude to those who have gone before us. It is a chance to be surrounded by the love, understanding, and support of others - even strangers. We are strengthened as a community as we reach out to support others and build understanding of our common values and experiences.[4]


The park is well equipped and offer lots of amenities for the myriad of beach activities happening at the park.
Ample free parking stalls
Multiple restrooms and outdoor beach showers spread throughout the park
Multiple benches and picnic tables, and hot coal disposal facilities.
Grass fields and shady banyan and monkey pod trees.
Walking path
Tennis court

The magic island also houses Koa Kai's canoe club.The Koa Kai Canoe Club started in 1979 as a hui of Honolulu Police officers who wanted to paddle together. The club welcomes both new and seasoned paddlers ages 9 and up.

Koa Kai's canoe club

Koa Kai's canoe club

Koa Kai's canoe club

Canoes at sunset 

Canoes at sunset 

Just Hawaii 

Hawaii is one of the most sought after  place for destination wedding and Magic Island is known for it's beautiful , pictureque  sunset and offer a lovely backdrop for wedding photoshoot as sun sets over the Pacific.


Just Married 

wedding photographer at work 

wedding photographer at work 

New Beginning at Sunset 


Two L&L Barbeque concession food stands.  L&L Barbeque chain is a very famous Hawaiian food chain famous for their ono plate lunch comfort foods.  Popular menu choices include BBQ Chicken, Teriyaki Beef, Kalbi Ribs, and Loco Moco...


L&L Hawaiian Barbeque

L&L Hawaiian Barbeque



Hawaiian Softy at L&L 

The beach is also very popular among locals on weekends and holidays. They can be seen enjoying and camping on weekends.  Infact the weekend starts on Friday evening when the local and tourist gather here to watch the free Waikiki fireworks show put on by the Hilton Hawaiian Village[5] at the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon.  The fireworks show usually begins at 7:45pm and lasts about ten minutes. The reelection of the colorful fireworks in the ocean create a splendid display.


PHOTO: COURTESY HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE

    

Ala Moana Beach Park is scheduled for a BIG makeover that will start in early 2017 and expected to last through 2015. Many areas of this park will be improved upon. The beaches will be replaced, the restrooms need to be restored and all pathways will be widened, the picnic. The renovation also includes planting more shady trees and grass, adding a new playground and improving the night light arrangements.[6]

How to get to Ala Moana Park





It is centrally located and is only .7 miles from Waikiki where most of the hotels are located.
Head North on the Kalakaua Avenue out of Waikiki.
Make a left turn onto Ala Moana Blvd. Continue on the Blvd till you cross the Ala Wai canal bridge. You will see signs of the park as soon as you descend the bridge. Turn left into the park when you reach Ala Moana Park Dr. Once there, you have ample  free parking spaces.

The Bus

Oahu has got an excellent public transportation system in the form of bus, private trolleys and shuttles. You can take 8, 19, 20, 23, 24, 42 number bus from Waikiki to reach the park.  The buses run every 5-10 minutes, get off the bus at the Ala Moana Shopping center. Ala MoanaShopping center is the largest open air mall in the world.  The park is located just across the  Ala Moana Blvd.

The Ala Moana Shopping center 





[1] http://www.hawaiiforvisitors.com/oahu/attractions/ala-moana-park-history.htm
[2] http://hawaiibeachsafety.com/oahu/ala-moana-beach
[3] http://www.waikikiyachtclub.com/
[4] http://lanternfloatinghawaii.com/page/ceremony
[5] http://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/resort-experiences/entertainment-and-events
[6] http://www.best-of-oahu.com/ala-moana-beach-park.html

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