Kaka'ako Waterfront Park

South of downtown Honolulu and just off Ala Moana Blvd at the end of Cooke St, little Kaka'ako Waterfront Park is protected from much of the city noise by a small grassy rise. Roller bladers cruise along the rock-fringed promenade, which offers clear views of Diamond Head, Waikiki and Honolulu Harbor. The 28-acre park attracts experienced surfers in the morning and picnickers in the afternoon.

It's not a safe swimming beach, but the tricky surf break is near the shore, making Kaka'ako a great place to watch surfers and boogie boarders up close. School children from Japan journey to this shrine each year as a gesture of peace.