Ala Wai Park
Rate this placeNearby: Crane Park Moiliili Field
Last Updated: December 7, 2025
Ala Wai Park is located in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is a popular destination for both tourists and locals.
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Summary
One of the main reasons to visit this park is its location, which offers stunning views of the ocean, Diamond Head, and the surrounding mountains. The park is also home to a variety of recreational activities, including walking, jogging, and picnicking.
There are several points of interest to see in Ala Wai Park, including the Ala Wai Golf Course, the Honolulu Zoo, and the Waikiki Shell, an outdoor concert venue that hosts a variety of musical performances throughout the year. Visitors can also enjoy the park's scenic walking paths, which wind through the lush landscape and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
Interesting facts about Ala Wai Park include its history, which dates back to the early 1900s when it was a swampy area. The park was developed over the years, and today it covers over 100 acres of land. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, turtles, and fish.
The best time of year to visit Ala Wai Park is during the winter months, when the weather is mild and pleasant. Visitors can enjoy the park's outdoor activities and take advantage of the beautiful scenery without having to worry about extreme heat or humidity. Additionally, the park is less crowded during the winter months, making it a more peaceful and relaxing destination. Overall, Ala Wai Park is a must-visit destination for anyone in search of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and cultural attractions in Hawaii.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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