Waikiki 203 The Waikiki Aquarium maintains more than 3,500 marine specimens. Credit: HTA/Tor Johnson of food and allowing time for leisurely activities like surfing. In 1794, King Kamehameha landed in Waikiki on his quest to unite the islands. His victory resulted in Waikiki becoming a royal retreat for the next one hundred years. At the turn of the twentieth century, tourists began to discover the royal retreat, and entrepreneurs wanted to capitalize on Hawaii’s paradise market. To treat erosion problems, rid of pesky mosquitos, and make more solid land, the Ala Wai Canal was dredged. The canal successfully created more land, and soon many resort hotels and private homes were built. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Waikiki would turn into a military base with the Royal Hawaiian Hotel serving as soldiers’ barracks. After the end of the war, the tourism boom began again, with private residences being converted to high-rise condominiums and new shopping, parks, and entertainment centers being built in the urban Hawaii paradise.
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