If you haven't surfed Waikiki, you should. Ignore the concrete, the high-rises and the traffic. Pay no heed to the tourists, the kitsch and the noise. Rent an old, heavy plank, paddle out under the watchful eye of Duke Kahanamoku and return “Hang Ten”. This is the birthplace of modern surfing.

The gentle sloping waves of Waikiki (which means "spouting water," referring to the freshwater swamps rather than the surf) had long provided the ultimate bunny slope for the primitive planks of ancient Hawaii, and by the turn of the century, the missionary presence was declining. Local surfers posed proudly and rode straight to shore. Tourists, amazed by the feats of the watermen, wanted to walk on water, and so the modern era was born.

Although known for its user-friendly surf, Waikiki had its classic days. In the summer of 1917, the surf in Town rose to epic proportions. Kahanamoku and George "Dad" Center, Captain of the Outrigger club, rode huge waves, known in the day as "bluebirds," a distance of over half a mile. Duke acknowledges it as the biggest surf of his life. Generally calm in winter, summertime provides Waikiki's most active surf as hurricanes spawned off Mexico spiral across the Pacific.

Don’t forget to take your picture with the statue of Duke on the strip. This life-size form of the great surfer will make you feel small. Just ask the lifeguards if you have any questions. You can rent everything you will need right on the beach, even the lessons. Another highly recommended suggestion is to pick up some heavy-duty surfer’s sunscreen, zinc based, if you plan on spending a fair amount of time in the water. This comes in natural skin toned sticks and there is no “regular” sunscreen that compares. This actually stays on while you surf. You can find it at any surf shop in Waikiki.

While your walking the nose or learning to stand, remember to respect the local surfers and their turf and make sure to give everyone a shaka and a big Hawaiian punch smile.