If you’ve been to Oahu some time after 1990, you probably have this shot in your vacation collection! This photo has probably been taken a million times by tourists over the years. I, of course, am no exception. In fact, I take a few shots of this very image every time I’m on Waikiki Beach!

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, Waikiki Beach

Born and raised in Waikiki, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku was an Olympic champion swimmer, master surfer and expert outrigger canoe paddler. Known as the Father of Modern Surfing, a bronze statue of Duke welcomes locals and tourists to Waikiki Beach with open arms.

If you can’t make it to the beach, you can still see what’s happening around this statue! The City of Honolulu has a 24/7 webcam so you can check up on the conditions and live vicariously though the happy beach-goers. If you are on the beach already, smile, wave (maybe do a little dance), and show your friends how you are living it up in Hawaii. People from around the world can watch you, with musical accompaniment, near the Duke Kahanamoku statue and on the sands of Waikiki. This would be a very bad place to lose your suit to the surf!

Now, take another look at the picture above, right beside Duke’s left knee. Do you see it? There is a beach warning sign that really surprised me because there were so many people playing in the ocean on this day.

Yikes!

Even though there were plenty of swimmers and surfers nearby, it certainly was enough to keep me out of the water. That’s OK, though. It was the absolute perfect day for beachcombing. It always is!

Go ahead and take a look. Sit back, relax, and start the week off on the soft, warm sands of Waikiki Beach.

Aloha!