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.
Lanikai means”heavenly sea" in the
Hawaiian language. It is postcard perfect beach with crystal azure water, fine
white sand and gentle breeze that keeps the temperature cool!
It is one of Hawaii’s best swimming beaches and
frequently ranked among the world’s nicest beaches! In fact it was on number 8,
among the list of top ten beaches in the world for the year 2014. And it was also
ranked as US top beach in the same year!
Mokuluas Islands
It also boasts to be a popular photo spot and
has lured many models and photographers over the years. No surprise considering
the breathtaking scenery and surreal surroundings that the beach has to offer.
A bride doing her photo-shoot
Once on the Lanikai beach, you see two small islands
in the sea, these are twin islands of Mokuluas located offshore on Oahu’s windward coast. They are called as ‘Na Mokulua’
which in Hawaiian means The Two Islands.
Kayakers going to Mokuluas Islands
Wind surfing at Lanikai
On any given day, schools of kayakers make
the trip from either Lanikai Beach or the neighboring Kailua Beach
Park, to “Mokes,” the
name that the two islands are affectionately referenced to by locals.
Of the two Mokes, the northern Island i.e.
the larger one is open to the public during the day, whereas the smaller or
southern Island is prohibited to the public.
This is because the southern strip of land in the sea is a bird reservation.
So, it’s made a safe haven for all of the different and unique species of
birds.
The islands can easily be reached by renting
a kayak on nearby Kailua
Beach and paddling about
one mile (1.6 km) offshore (which takes about 45 min. to 2 hours depending on
the experience of the kayaker and the ocean conditions).
Lanikai Beach is
just past Kailua Beach. Take Kawailo Rd to Aalapapa Dr. Thee two major
streets in Lanikai area are one way streets and form a loop. Aalapapa Dr leads into Lanikai and
Mokulua Dr leads out of Lanikai. Many small streets connect these two, so it’s
not difficult to navigate. Both the major streets also have bike lanes.
Sunset over the Kailua mountains
To get to Lanikai Beach
find parking along Mokulua Dr
or one of its many side streets. On Mokulua
Dr there are many public access points to the
beach.
Lanikai Marker
Lanikai Marker: There is a stone monument built at the entrance to Lanikai at the
junction of Mokulua Dr.
and A'alapapa Dr.
The Lanikai
Monument is a simple pillar located on
a narrow strip of land that is a high
point next to the road; it's there to mark the
boundary and entry point of the subdivision and golf course. It is still in its
original location and its original design remains almost intact.
The tapered concrete base structure is 40-feet in circumference and 56 inches
high. The pillar is made of concrete and stone.
The 16 foot tall pillar has a gentle taper from its 5-foot-diameter lower
portion to a slightly narrower and rounded concrete top that is capped with a
conical concrete cap. Two curved metal plates near the top bear the name,
"Lanikai." (NPS) Also known as Alala Point Coast Guard Marker,
it was built in 1924 by the developers of the Lanikai housing subdivision on
the rise overlooking the eastern end of Kailua Beach
Park.
This spot is popular with locals and visitors alike because it sits adjacent to
the Kailua Beach
Park bike path and affords picturesque
views of Kailua Bay,
Mokapu Peninsula,
and Popoi'a (Flat
Island).
View of Kailua bay from Lanikai Marker
View of Kailua bay from Lanikai Marker
NGS brass survey marker #TU1072 (N 21° 23.745
W 157° 43.221) has also been placed at the base of Lanikai Marker as a
benchmark (no cache).
Many years ago, this region was a windswept plain filled with native grasses
and overlooked by treeless mountains. The Hawaiians called it "Ka'ohao"
which means tying or joining together. (Lanikai is a nonsensical word meaning
"sea heaven" created by someone unfamiliar with the Hawaiian
language.) The ancient Hawaiians used the mountain tops between Alala Point
(near the stone monument at the entrance to Lanikai) and Wailea Point (near
Bellows) to watch for fish.
The Hill top house
The Hilltop House: This historical house is perched up on the
hilltop overlooking Lanikai and Kailua
Bay; offer 360 degree
views. Built by Arthur and Anne Powlison in the 1920’s, this special home was
constructed without removing or destroying any of the rocks. Parts
of the walls, floor and furniture are the rocks. “We can truthfully say
that we have not chipped, chiseled, or thrown away any of the rocks…only added
a bit of compatible stone” Anne Powlison, Sharing Hilltop Living 1976. For
three years during WW2, the military used this home as a training center and
vantage point. Anne Powlison was affectionately known by
hundreds of children as the “Bird Lady”, visiting classrooms to teach about Hawai’is bird life, in
the 1960’s. This home is now a private residence and is not open to the
public for tours or visits.
Lanikai ‘Pillboxes’: One of the favorite spots for Kailuans is the view
from atop Ka Iwi Ridge behind Lanikai. The short, steep hike to the “pillboxes”
offers breathtaking views of the Mokulua
Islands and Koolua Mountains.
While it is unclear how many were actually constructed, we do know that both
the Lanikai and Diamond Head pillboxes were
part of the island’s defensive system. They reportedly were observation posts
built between World Wars I and II, which could alert shore artillery batteries
to any approaching enemy ships. Eventually they were stripped out and left
abandoned by the military.
