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Ala Moana Park 0:0

Address

http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/progr...
1201 Ala Moana Boulevard
Honolulu , HI 96814
(808) 768-3003

Hours

Every day Never Closes

Review

The memory that people often have after spending the day at Ala Moana Beach Park is how comfortable they felt. Joggers, parents pushing strollers, picnics, family gatherings, it’s all such a warm and welcome atmosphere. If it’s cool, there’s usually sun; and if it’s warm, there’s always shade. The big trees, banyans and palms, give an almost tropical forest effect and certainly buffer the urban environment that’s less than a block away. The nearly 100 available acres and mile of beachfront contain one of the great urban beach parks that you’ll find anywhere.

Ala Moana means "path to the sea" and that is what this park delivers. Along both ends of the park you’ll find delightful but quite different beach scenes. The western end of the park adjoins the busy harbor of Kewalo Boat Basin; but along the seaward beach fronting Mamala Bay you’ll find generally calm water and open beaches. The offshore reef and deeper water provide buffering from the busy boat traffic and currents that lie further off shore. Both long distance and even weaker swimmers take advantage of the less energetic waves. On the eastern end of the park, the views of the city are the backdrop to marinas and yacht clubs of the Ala Wai Small Boat Basin. With the Ala Wai Canal flowing past this end of Ala Moana Park, the boat viewing is terrific. It’s intriguing to imagine the destinations and origins of these boats; just out for the day or are they setting sail for some distant tropical island.

The park itself is also the scene of many foot races. Runners can be dashing by as part of a marathon, a circle around the island of Oahu, or possibly the 2.5 mile Magic Island Biathlon. Not only on a race day but throughout the year you’ll find people enjoying the athletic benefits of walking, jogging, bicycling, or even roller blading that is possible on the many paved paths and trails throughout the park. Early morning and evening are probably the most frequented times by locals due to temperature and work schedules, but any time of the day is popular as well. The combination of extensive lawns and fine beach mean that you’ll find a wide assortment of people and activities here. Look for music events, lawn bowling, tennis, volleyball, kite flying, and sunbathing to name just a few.

If you’re driving, Ala Moana Park Drive parallels the beach and gives you driving access close to anywhere in the park you’d like to be. If after all this you still need some more options, here’s a few ideas that are all in close walking distance. On the east end of the park you can cross the bridge over the Ala Wai Canal. Look down on the paddlers, into private yacht clubs; maybe wander into the publicly accessible Ala Wai Harbor and admire the yachts up close. For more swimming adventures visit the Aina Moana Recreation Area. This manmade, filled peninsula juts out into the ocean from Ala Moana Park and now looks more like a tropical paradise with a rare semi-enclosed saltwater swimming area (see Aina Moana article also on this website). Are you staying longer than you thought? Possibly didn’t bring a picnic and now wish you had? There are usually vendors in the park but you can also walk across Ala Moana Blvd and visit the food courts in the major shopping centers located there.

Whether you’d like to enjoy a shady retreat, a jog in the park, quality swim time, or some serious boat viewing; spend an enjoyable day at Ala Moana Park and find out why it’s a local favorite.
Written By: Bud Hardwick
On: 5/8/2009

Directions

From the H1 freeway eastbound, take the Kinau street exit and turn right onto Ward Ave. Turn left onto Ala Moana Blvd. The entrance to the park will be on the right.

Features

Bathrooms | Fishing | Lifeguard | Parking | Picnic Area | Shady Areas | Swimming Areas | Restrooms | Picnic Tables | Tennis Courts | Walking Trails

Map

Be the first person to write a user review for this location and we will reward you with 10 additional bonus points.
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