Maki Kuroda
President
Waikiki Trolley
Welcome to enchanting, magical Waikiki … a rare setting destined to delight visitors and local people alike. I hope your stay takes in the many faces of this colorful, lively, yet peaceful haven in our beautiful Hawaiian Islands. Entertainment. Sunbathing. Food. Shopping. Swimming. Learning more about the real Hawaiian Islands and its people.
Sometimes my work takes me away from O‘ahu, and one thing never changes: As we prepare to land, I glance down at Diamond Head, the breathtaking beach at Waikiki, the surrounding blue-green water … and I can’t wait to get back to this Polynesian oasis. To hear doves softly cooing … to inhale the sweet scent of plumeria … to hear the waves making their clocklike statement on the beach.
Because of Waikiki’s popularity, I help operate a company that moves visitors from place to place, and this activity is challenging and rewarding. We all want to see smiles on the faces of our passengers, reflecting the joy of discovering the beauty, history and the spirit of aloha that saturates O‘ahu and our other islands.
If you are visiting us in July and August, you might want to join the First Friday Street Festival (an event on the first Friday of every month), and visit Honolulu’s galleries, boutiques and restaurants. Wander through Chinatown. And if you are in Waikiki on the Fourth of July, Ala Moana Center offers spectacular fireworks, entertainment and even a savings pass.
If you’re a music lover, perhaps you can arrange to go to Ke Ala O Ka Hua Mele: The influence of the Guitar and ‘Ukulele on Hawaiian music (July 12). If you can’t resist garage sales at home, you will love the Hawaii All-Collectors Show (July 13), which features 150 booths and a huge selection of Hawaiiana under one roof.
The list of special events goes on. A hula festival, an ‘ukulele festival, a slack-key guitar festival, a Greek festival, an Okinawan festival, a paddleboard race, the Hale‘iwa Arts Festival and much more throughout the amazing island of O‘ahu. Fine-tune your spirit of adventure and discovery, and I hope you will be delighted with the results.
