About Honolulu's Waikiki

Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii -Catamaran Sail and Snorkel Trip: Recently some friends and I went for a catamaran sail and snorkeling trip from Waikiki Beach. We left right from the beach in front of the Outrigger Hotel where the Shorebird restaurant is. After boarding the boat right on the beach, we headed for a short ride to the snorkel spot-a place called "Turtle Canyon" because of all the green sea turtles that are known to hang out there.

There were about twenty people on the boat, plus the captain and one crew. After anchoring at the snorkel site, those of us who had brought our own snorkel gear were ready to hit the water. Everyone else who need to was able to use the boat's gear, which is included in the price. Fins are not provided, however.

In the water, we were treated to crystal clear waters and coral formations teeming with colorful reef fishes. Best of all, however, were the spot's namesake: the turtles! About a dozen turtles cruised around the reef as we swam among them. The crew warned the passengers against touching or chasing the turtles, however, because we are visiting their home. We were able to get close enough for some nice pictures, though.

After snorkeling for about an hour, we got back on the boat and then started sailing toward Diamond Head. There was a strong, steady wind that day, and the sailboat clipped along at a good twenty knots. The people who chose to sit in the bow nets were soaked! After reaching Diamond Head, we tacked and headed back toward the other side of Mamala Bay. For those interested, tropical drinks in plastic tumblers were available for $3.00. After reaching Magic Island, we again turned around and this time headed back for our beach landing spot.

Two-and-a-half hours after we set out, we were back. All in all, it was an excellent day sail!

Tips and info:

-Book in advance with the Outrigger Catamaran (blue-and-white sailboat) with the people under the beach umbrellas
-Bring sunscreen, underwater camera, fins if you want them
-Beverages are cash only
-A light windbreaker might come in handy

The Waikiki Beach neighborhood has tons to offer visitors and resieents alike. Everyone has either visited or known someone who has taken a vacation in Waikiki. What some people may not realize, is that there are many full time Honolulu residents who call Waikiki their home. There are hundreds of both low-rise and high-rise condominium buildings located in Waikiki. Small studios start for as little as $149,000, with one and two bedroom condos starting in the 200's and upwards. Building amenities can be numerous. All active and up-to-date listings of Waikiki condos can be found at our website, www.HNLCondos.com.

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Trump International Hotel & Tower - Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii

Did I say hot? This hot, hot condo property in Waikiki, Hawaii, Trump International Hotel & Tower, not only sold out in less than a day, when plans were disclosed nearly two years ago to build this luxury, high-rise condo tower and hotel in the heart of Waikiki, but buyers are clamering today for what few resales are to be found in the building and a few other units that are currently for sale as a result of initial buyers backing out of sales or not closing for various reasons.

Completion of construction is just weeks away. Many are excited to see the property first hand. Hotel Management is first class and many of the units can be included in the hotel rental pool for income purposes.

Detailed information about Trump International Hotel & Tower:

We have detailed information about Trump International Hotel & Tower on our website, www.HNCondos.com.

Current Listings: Current listings of condos for sale at Trump International Hotel & Tower. There are currently, as of this writing, 26 cWaikiki ondominium properties for sale, ranging from studios, one bedrooms, two bedrooms and penthouse units, with prices starting around $638,000 and topping $4 million.

If you are interested in purchasing a fine, luxury condo in this world class property, Douglas/Christoper, Realtors, would be pleased to assist in any way. And, if you are interested in other Waikiki Condos and Featured Condo Buildings, please visit our Honolulu Condos website.

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Waikiki natatorium should be torn down, task force decides

Accdording to the "Honolulu Star", "A city task force voted yesterday to recommend a dramatic change to Waikiki's shoreline: The demolition of the 82-year-old Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium and creation of a beach in its place."

"The recommendation will go to the mayor, who has supported demolition."

"If it goes forward, the plan would end a 30-year back-and-forth over what to do with the crumbling natatorium, which has long been called a collapse hazard. But natatorium supporters said they are not ready to call it quits and pledged yesterday to use legal or other means to try to save the historic site."

What a shame. As a historical landmark, it's disappointing to hear that a decision has been made to tear it down, just to add 90 some yards of beach, in an area that offers literally miles of beach.

With local governments struggling with finances, the decision seems logical, given the large expense to restore it. But it steel feels like a big disappointment to lose such an interesting landmark.

Rest of the story.......

More details about Waikiki Beach and Honolulu Real Estate can be found at our website, www.HNLCondos.com

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Waikiki Natatorium

The 82-year-old Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium is crumbling and has been closed for years. The city is deciding whether to restore it or turn the site into a beach.

A 17-member task force formed to help the city decide the future of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium remains highly divided going into its final meeting today, in which members will vote on whether the 82-year-old landmark should stay or go.

The fate of the war memorial natatorium, with its swimming pool, bleachers and arched facade, has been in limbo since 1979, when it was shut down because of safety concerns. Since then, the site has continued to deteriorate, creating a multimillion-dollar problem for the city.

Today, the natatorium's deck has massive holes where concrete has corroded or fallen away. The city has also warned for years that the deck and perimeter walls are collapse hazards.

The landmark is on the national and state registers of historic places.

For details on this story about the Waikiki Natatorium and ultimate decision, please read the complete story as published in the "Honolulu Advertiser". (Please note, newspaper article links often expire or are moved after 30 days).

To learn more, please visit the Waikiki Natorium War Memorial Organization's website.

Please feel free to visit our website, Honolulu Condos, read about various neighborhoods, such as the Waikiki area, or view featured Honolulu condos for sale.

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Living, working and playing in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii, it never ceases to amaze me to see that there's lot's of activities close to Waikiki Condos. Condo living in Waikiki offers so much.

The other Saturday (one day that I try to take entirely off), I was thinking I wanted to try some snorkeling nearby. I had previewed a beach front condo in the Diamond Head (Gold Coast) area a few days earlier and noticed a gentleman right out in front of the building, slowly snorkeling in water not more than 20 yards from shore.

In Hawaii, as well as in Waikiki, Honolulu, there are no private beaches. The public has access to all beaches, and there are many access paths everywhere.

So, on Saturday morning, snorkel gear in hand, I decide to do a little google search and find some good spots nearby. The first website I stumbled across was "Best Places Hawaii", with a blog about "The 10 Best Snorkeling Spots in Hawaii". Here's what the had to say about snorkeling in Hawaii:

"Hawaii snorkeling is an activity that should not be missed. Beneath the crystal clear, aqua water awaits a whole new world full of fish, turtles, rays, eels, urchins, dolphins and more. Some of the many underwater creatures can only be found here in the islands, and a Hawaii snorkeling adventure will lead you right to them. These are the perfect Hawaii snorkeling spots, based on accessibility and viewing. Most locations are good for beginners and all are teeming with underwater sea life.

Right on the list was a photo and short comment about "Queen's Beach" at Kapiolani Park. It said:

The best spot for snorkeling here is the center of the beach park, in a section called Queen's Beach or Queen's Surf Beach, between the Natatorium and the Waikiki Aquarium. The reef in front of the aquarium has easy access to the beach and the waters are usually calm. Location: Waikiki, near Diamond Head.

Another website, "Hawaii for Visitors", offered comments about "Best Oahu Beaches". On this list was mention of a beach, literally just a few blocks from where I lived:

Fort DeRussy Beach
"This white sand beach on the west end of Waikiki, in front of the Hale Koa Hotel, is popular for snorkeling because of its offshore coral reef."

Finally, I ran across a website about the beach at Sans Souci. This is the condo building on the beach in Diamond Head that I had previewed earlier in the week. A website called "Tropical Snorkeling" wrote about the snorkeling there.

Here's what they had to say:

"Sans Souci Beach is really very nice. It is located next to Kapiolani Park, which is a wonderful natural relief from all the crowds and shops in Waikiki. The entrance into the water is equally nice, with soft sand and a very gradual increase in depth. But the snorkeling is mediocre at best.

Straight out from the beach there are some shallow rock formations that you can swim over if there are no waves. The visibility is generally a bit poor, but you will be able to see some tropical fish and a bit of coral. Mostly the rocks are covered in algae.

We have found a little better luck on the left hand side of the beach, following the rocky wall out. We have seen more fish on that side, and the water clarity can be better."

Now, my mind was made up and I quickly ran out to Sans Souci beach and spent the next three hours floating and looking at coral, tropical fish and other marine life. Although, there may be better snorkeling sites, some on the north shore and accessible by boat, I can't tell you what a mini vacation this was for me. Just three hours and I felt like I had taken a whole week off. I felt so relaxed when I got home, my family thought something was wrong with me. And they say "no ka oi" (there's nothing better) is only for Maui!?

Condo living in Waikiki offers so much. Whether it's recreational activities, gallery hopping, shopping, eating out or just tourist gazing, there's really something for everyone. Please feel free to read more about Honolulu and Waikiki condo living.

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