Hidden Waikiki: 5 Secret Spots Tourists Walk Right Past
Author: XploreRide Editorial Team
You think you know Waikiki. You’ve seen the Duke statue, walked through the International Market Place, and taken a selfie at the Royal Hawaiian.
But there is a second, invisible city hiding in plain sight.
Most visitors walk right past sacred healing stones to put their towel on the sand, or drive over ancient royal waterways without realizing they are there. If you don’t know where to look, you see a resort. If you do know, you see a Kingdom.
Here are 5 secrets of Waikiki that are hiding right under your nose.
Hidden Gems Checklist
Can you find all 5?
| The Secret | Where is it? | What it looks like |
| 1. The Wizard Stones | Kuhio Beach | 4 Giant Boulders |
| 2. The “Invisible” Stream | Royal Hawaiian Center | A paved walkway |
| 3. The First Radio Tree | Moana Surfrider | Massive Banyan Tree |
| 4. The Queen’s Garden | Hamohamo (Near Zoo) | A busy intersection |
| 5. The “Fort” Hotel | Fort DeRussy | Concrete battery walls |
1. The Healing Stones of Kapaemahu
Location: Kuhio Beach (Near the Police Station)
Thousands of people walk past these four massive boulders every day. Some even lean their surfboards on them. Do not do this.
These are the Stones of Kapaemahu. According to ancient legend, four mahu (dual-spirited) healers arrived from Tahiti centuries ago. Before they left Oahu, they transferred their spiritual power (mana) into these stones to protect the island.
- The Secret: For decades, these stones were buried under the sand of a bowling alley to make room for tourists. They were only recovered and restored in 1997.
- Respect: Treat them like a church. Do not climb, sit, or place wet towels on them.
Image Source: https://www.bishopmuseum.org/kapaemahu/
2. The Stream You Can Only See on XploreRide
Location: Royal Hawaiian Center
Walk through the ground floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center and you are actually walking over the Apuakehau Stream.
For centuries, this fresh waterway flowed from the mountains to the ocean, feeding taro patches and royal fishponds. Today, it is paved over by concrete and shopping malls.
- The Reveal: This is where XploreRide shines. Our XR technology visually “peels back” the pavement, showing you the sparkling river and wetlands that still exist underneath the street. It’s the only way to see the “Venice of the Pacific” that Waikiki used to be.
3. The Tree That Broadcast to the World
Location: Moana Surfrider Courtyard
You’ve probably had a drink under the massive Banyan tree at the Moana Surfrider. But this isn’t just a shade tree.
Planted in 1904, it was the site of the famous radio show “Hawaii Calls.” For 40 years (starting in 1935), the sound of the ocean waves and live Hawaiian music was broadcast from under this tree to millions of freezing listeners on the US mainland. This single radio show is credited with launching the modern Hawaii tourism boom.
- The Ghost: Legend says the hotel is also haunted by the ghost of Jane Stanford (founder of Stanford University), who died in the hotel in 1905.
Image Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CcgvUF6v2hW/utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
4. The Queen’s Summer Home (Hamohamo)
Location: Near Liliʻuokalani Avenue & Kūhiō Ave
You might stay in a hotel on Liliʻuokalani Avenue, but do you know why it’s named that?
This area, known as Hamohamo, was the personal summer estate of Queen Liliʻuokalani (Hawaii’s last reigning monarch). She had two homes here (Paoakalani and Keʻalohilani) where she wrote her famous songs, including Aloha ‘Oe.
- The Secret: The Queen famously opened her gardens to the public, allowing commoners to picnic on her royal grounds—a tradition of “Aloha” that the street names honor today.
Image Source: https://imagesofoldhawaii.com/the-queens-retreat-waikiki/
5. The Hotel That Was Built to Be Bomb-Proof
Location: Fort DeRussy Beach Park
Have you noticed that the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii looks… intense?
It sits inside Battery Randolph, a massive concrete coastal artillery battery built in 1911. It was designed to withstand a direct hit from a battleship. The walls are solid concrete and steel, up to 22 feet thick. When developers tried to demolish it in the 1970s to build a hotel, the wrecking ball literally bounced off the walls. They gave up and turned it into a museum instead.
- Entry: Admission is free!
Image Source: https://www.hiarmymuseumsoc.org/exhibits
Cultural Protocol: How to Visit Respectfully
When visiting these hidden cultural sites, follow these simple rules:
- Do Not Move Rocks: At sites like the Wizard Stones, do not stack smaller rocks on top of them. This is a made-up tourist trend, not a Hawaiian tradition.
- Do Not Leave Food: Unless you are a practitioner, leaving food offerings attracts rats and insects. Your respect is the best offering.
- Keep it Dry: Do not drape wet towels or swimsuits on statues or stones.
Mini-Itinerary: The “Secret Waikiki” Walk
Want to see them all? Follow this 1-hour route:
- Start at Fort DeRussy to see the bomb-proof Battery Randolph.
- Walk along the beach to the Royal Hawaiian to imagine the Apuakehau Stream.
- Stop at the Moana Surfrider Banyan Tree for a break.
- End at the Wizard Stones (Kapaemahu) near the Duke Statue to pay respects.
- Too hot to walk? Book XploreRide and see it all in 45 minutes of air-conditioned comfort.
Real Traveler Reviews
What people discover when they look closer.
“We walked past the Wizard Stones every day for a week and had no idea what they were until we took a history tour. Now I see them completely differently. It changes your whole perspective.” — Visitor Review via TripAdvisor
“The Army Museum is the best free thing in Waikiki. I can’t believe they tried to knock it down with a wrecking ball! Great exhibits on WWII.” — History Buff via Google Reviews
“XploreRide was a great way to learn the history of the area without walking in the heat. The visuals of the old wetlands were really cool.” — Verified Review via Yelp
Hidden History FAQ
- Can I visit the Wizard Stones at night?
Yes, they are in a public park (Kuhio Beach) and are lit by spotlights. It is actually very peaceful to visit them after dark when the beach crowds are gone.
- Is the Army Museum kid-friendly?
Yes. Kids love climbing on the real tanks and helicopters parked outside Battery Randolph. Inside, there is a specialized “Cobra” attack helicopter hanging from the ceiling.
- Does XploreRide show the Queen’s home?
Yes. Our tour covers the Hamohamo district and uses archival photos and 3D reconstruction to show you exactly where the Queen’s cottages stood before the high-rises were built.
- Why are there so many ducks in Waikiki?
If you see ducks near the canals, they are exploring the remnants of the wetlands. Waikiki was originally a massive taro swamp and fishpond system before the Ala Wai Canal drained it in the 1920s.
- Is the Moana Surfrider really haunted?
Many staff members say yes. Reports of a woman in a Victorian dress wandering the hallways (believed to be Jane Stanford) are common enough that ghost tours stop there regularly!
Final Thoughts: Look Deeper
Waikiki is more than just a beach; it is a living history book. You just have to know how to read it.
Don’t just walk past history. Ride through it with XploreRide.