Olena Heu
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Archives
  • Da Best Hawaii
  • Lilikoi Ladies LLC
  • You Hungry Hawaii
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Archives
  • Da Best Hawaii
  • Lilikoi Ladies LLC
  • You Hungry Hawaii
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

My Point of Heu

5/11/2020 0 Comments

Learn About Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon

PictureImage Courtesy: Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
The Story Behind the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon
By Olena Heu

On the west end of Waikiki you’ll find a famous white sandy stretch of sand called Kahanamoku Beach, Kaiser Bowls surf break, the Ala Wai Boat Harbor and nestled in between it all is a dazzling lagoon. The crystal clear water, small fish and a rainbow of beach-goers enjoying the water, is a picturesque stop for some fun in the sun, sand and sea.

The Duke Paoa Kahanamoku lagoon is a man-made saltwater oasis, named after a man with an extraordinary legacy. Kahanamoku was the beloved father of modern day surfing, a revered Hawaiian Olympian and admired ambassador of Aloha. The legendary waterman was born in the region of Waikiki, which prior to development was mainly fishponds, marsh, streams and swampland.

Back in the 1920’s a popular beach cottage sitting on these several acres along the oceanfront of the pacific, was once named the Niumalu Hotel. In the mid 1950’s developer Fritz Burns and industrialist (Honolulu resident) John Henry Kaiser purchased the property and began an expansion project to form Kaiser’s Hawaiian Village.

With a vision to create a tropical resort complete with multiple towers, an array of swimming pools and an expanded beach, the lagoon was created on 5 acres of land. The man-made-lagoon was built in 1956 fronting the Hawaiian Village and just steps from the ocean’s edge. In 1961, hotelier Conrad Hilton purchased the property, which included 22 beachfront acres, and the lagoon had eventually become owned and managed by both the state and the hotel.

After several decades, the lagoon became un-swimmable, uninviting and was in dire need of repair and restoration. Thus the Hilton Hawaiian Village invested $15 million to replenish and enhance the pond, installing a brand new water circulating system and manicuring the landscaping. To everyone’s delight in 2007 the lagoon was restored and has been a breathtakingly beautiful landmark ever since.

The famous Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon is now a popular spot for visitors, locals, walkers, swimmers, stand-up paddle boarders, picnickers, BBQs and more. It also serves as a central area for families, couples walking along the shore hand-in-hand and provides a beautiful backdrop for some of the most iconic views of Diamond Head, the warm pacific ocean and for sunbathing on the beach.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Location

info@olenaheu.com

Say hello, connect, collaborate, etc. 

Contact