Ala Wai Community Park

Ala Wai Community Park is one of those practical, well-maintained city parks that locals depend on and visitors often overlook. Located between Waikiki and the McCully neighborhood, it's close enough to the tourist corridor to be convenient while being distinctly non-touristy in character — this is where local families play, local leagues practice, and neighborhood life happens.

The park's most distinctive feature for visitors is its location along the Ala Wai Canal. Early mornings bring outrigger canoe clubs out for practice — watching teams power their long canoes through the canal waters is a genuine glimpse into Hawaiian sports culture that most tourists miss. Kids who have never seen outrigger racing find it captivating.

The park itself has a playground for younger kids, basketball and tennis courts for older kids and teens, and wide open grass fields for frisbee, soccer, or just running laps. The infrastructure is solid and well-maintained — clean restrooms, good lighting for evening visits, and enough shade trees to make midday summer visits manageable.

For families staying in Waikiki without a rental car, Ala Wai Community Park is within reasonable walking distance (about 15-20 minutes on foot, or a quick bus or rideshare). It makes a good alternative to the perpetually crowded Kapiolani Park for a low-key active morning.