Kalakaua Avenue

Kalakaua Avenue is the bustling main street in Honolulu, the sun-kissed capital city of Hawaii. Stretching from Ala Moana down to Kapiʻolani Regional Park, the thriving thoroughfare is jam-packed with skyscraping hotels, tasty restaurants, and glitzy malls. Most of the action gravitates around Waikiki Beach, a world-famous sandy shore lined with swaying palms.

Day and night, the atmosphere is electric along Kalakaua Avenue. As the tourism epicentre of Honolulu – and Hawaii as a whole, for that matter – the street fills with floral-shirt-clad holidaymakers who come to shop, drink, and dine. Many of the city’s most prominent hotels line the avenue, making it a lively spot throughout the year.

Whether you base yourself on Kalakaua Avenue or elsewhere in the city, a trip to the strip is a must for every visitor to Honolulu. We’ll cover all the essential Kalakaua info so you can navigate through the heaving street like a local.

Kalakaua Avenue - one of the highlights of 10 Most Popular Streets in Honolulu (Read all about Honolulu here)

Highlights and features of Kalakaua Avenue

While Kalakaua Avenue is a renowned retail and dining mecca, the avenue has several other sites worth exploring. The main attraction, of course, is Waikiki Beach, the archetypical Hawaiian beach where the spirit of aloha lives on. Surf schools and an army of sunbathers set the scene while rows of high-rise hotels line the sugary white sand. Pop by the 9-ft bronze statue of Duke Kahanamoku to pay homage to the father of modern surfing.

Heading south, you’ll find Honolulu Zoo, a 42-acre facility housing over 900 exotic animals. Past the zoo is the leafy Kapiʻolani, the oldest public park in Hawaii and a top spot for volleyball or a lazy afternoon picnic. Beyond the avenue lies Diamond Head, a towering volcanic peak where hiking trails afford spellbinding views.

North of Waikiki Beach, Kalakaua Avenue passes the pretty Ala Wai Canal and the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. Take a quick diversion to see the statue of King Kalakaua, the last Hawaiian monarch and the namesake of the avenue.

Hotels, shopping, and dining along Kalakaua Avenue

From early 20^th-century classics to ultramodern digs, Kalakaua Avenue has a dizzying array of hotels. Take a moment to admire the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, a 1927 Moorish building dubbed the “Pink Palace of the Pacific.” The Moana Hotel is also worth a quick look. As the first big hotel in Hawaii, its construction in 1901 heralded the beginning of Honolulu tourism.

Retail on Kalakaua goes from boutique fashion stalls to glitzy mega malls. Luxury Row and DFS Galleria stock the top-tier brands, while the Royal Hawaiian Center and International Marketplace are your go-to malls. For an open-air retail fix, Waikiki Beach Walk sells everything from Polynesian handicrafts to designer handbags.

You’ll find food for every budget and taste on Kalakaua Avenue, too, where hipster burger haunts rub shoulders with fine-dining digs. Families adore Duke’s Waikiki for its fresh surf ‘n’ turf cuisine and distinct tiki vibe. The Beachhouse is a hit with couples seeking romance – both restaurants boast beautiful Pacific views.

Kickstart a night out watching a free live performance at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound (confirm the dates/times in advance). Sunset drinks are a steadfast tradition in Honolulu – try Mai Tai Bar or the Beach Bar for craft cocktails and enchanting views. If you crave Hawaiian song and dance under the stars, House Without A Key is a hoot.

Good to know about Kalakaua Avenue

Kalakaua Avenue spans 3.5 miles, so don’t try to cover the whole stretch on foot. The area around Waikiki Beach is easily walkable, however, and its wide, shady sidewalks offer ample space.

Parking is scarce along the entire strip – look for multi-storey car parks in the malls but expect to pay.

Most public buses rumble down Kūhiō Avenue, a separate thoroughfare a few blocks from the beach. The hop-on-hop-off Waikiki Trolley covers all major city attractions via 5 lines, with many stopping in Waikiki Beach.

To get to Kalakaua Avenue from the airport, take a shuttle service like SpeediShuttle or a taxi (cheaper when travelling with 3 people or more).