Kapiʻolani Regional Park

This is a huge, lovely park with great view of the Diamond Head Crater. It's so green and tranquil. Lots of different birds here too. We saw a lot of people having picnics here.

Beautiful park, very clean. Lots of homeless but not one person bothered me at all. Sat and enjoyed the sea for a few hours, very pleasant.

What a gorgeous and well kept park. This park is massive and seems to go on forever. I'm amazed at the number of unique trees and flowers. The views of Diamond Head are awesome. Pickle ball courts, volleyball courts and a huge field for any number of sports.

Amazing park, beautiful sunset views. Near Diamond head. Grass Volleyball, frisbee, tennis, pickle ball, yoga, LFG

Beautiful green open space. Ample parking during the week when there are no major events going on. A bit crowded on the holidays and weekends. Adequate bathrooms reasonably spaced apart. Easy to swim.

My favorite park around the beach. Kapi olani park is really big with green vegetation around it. There also a car park in front for free. The view is amazing and you can see the mountain and beach from a far. Family picnic is well encouraged and there are chairs. The trees are umbrella shaped, green, tall and provide shade when the sun is hot. Also, this park is clean and well maintained. There is a restroom at the corner

Nice open park to enjoy long walks with great breeze nearly all the time. The views are nice and your dog will love the wide open spaces of the park. There are trees along the way to stop and relax under the shaded canopy.

My Favorite Waikiki Beach park in Hawaii, it's huge and never not enough room to do anything and everything from running your dog to having a picnic to throwing a huge birthday barbecue to playing baseball football soccer volleyball and surfing just a walk away and any other sport you can think of, there is even multiple tennis courts and yes enough bathrooms all around, and WOW!!! One of the best places to watch the sunset and sunrise

My husband and I recently moved to this area from downtown Honolulu and we haven't really had a chance to explore until this past Sunday. During this exploration, we found Kapi'olani park. This park was amazing!!! The views were beautiful, the park had an awesome vibe, and there are so many things to do. We ended up spending almost five hours there just enjoying the park, the beach, and the atmosphere.. If you're ever in the mood to get away from the hustle of Honolulu, I would highly recommend checking out Kapi'olani Park. It's truly worth it.

This park has always held a special space in my heart. There's a certain special power at this particular park that I can't put my fingers on. Located just across from Kaimana Beach, I come here after my weekday swims to dry off in the sun and immerse in its solitude. When here, the world feels quieter, calmer -- like everything noisy in my head softens to a whisper and the litter of cluttered thoughts melt away with each song of the birds. Maybe it's the mana of the ancients still lingering, guarding the spirit of this cultural sanctuary. A memory of Hawaiʻi from a simpler time, still alive in the bones of the land. Opened in 1877 by King Kalākaua and named for Queen Kapiʻolani, it ranks among the oldest public parks on Oʻahu -- sprawling across about 300 acres. The loop around the park is about 1.7 miles. Originally a Horse Racing Venue, the land was initially created for the Kapiʻolani Park Association, which organized horse racing events for Hawaiian royalty and elite families. The racetrack, called the Kapiʻolani Park Race Track, was a central attraction and helped foster equestrian culture among the aliʻi (nobility). Presently, it's also home to the Honolulu Zoo, Waikīkī Shell and the Bandstand, home of the Royal Hawaiian Band. With Diamond Head towering over the park like a gatekeeper, the park is scattered with all kinds of trees -- coconut palms swaying hypnotically in the breeze, monkeypods stretching wide, and banyan trees casting deep shade for anyone escaping the midday sun. These trees also serve as homes to all sorts of birds: the bold Red-crested Cardinal, the bright green Rose-ringed Parakeet, and the graceful Manu o Kū -- Honolulu's official bird. They're pure white seabirds that nest impossibly on bare tree branches. Of all the trees here, the banyan is my fave. They're spectacular in how they grow -- with long roots that drop from their branches like ropes. When those roots touch the ground, they become new trunks, and the tree keeps expanding outward. What starts as a single tree becomes something that looks like an entire forest. To me, the banyan is a living symbol of community. The strongest among us aren't the ones who stand alone -- they're the ones who grow wide enough to support others. Every branch sends down roots, not to separate, but to deepen connection. Over time, what began as one becomes a sheltering canopy for many. Kapiʻolani Park is peaceful during the day, but it comes alive in the evenings. You'll hear the joyful sounds of kids playing soccer and football, people doing yoga under the trees, and families laid out on picnic blankets under the fading sun. There's plenty of metered parking -- just 25 cents for 30 minutes, probably the cheapest in the city -- but fair warning: spots fill up fast in the evenings. Parking is free on the mountain side of the park. But that also fills up quickly in the evenings and weekends. Peace

This place is the best. There's a cool and convenient place nearby the public restrooms adjacent to the tennis courts across the beachside...almost next to the Honolulu Aquarium. If you want to get a new writ, just bring your kid and make your "sacrifice". LoL! Don't forget to give me the vital offering - heart.

Kapiolani Park, also known as Queen Kapiolani Regional Park is the state's largest and second oldest park. It dates back to 1877, spans over 300 acres and is home to the Waikiki Shell (outdoor concert venue) and the Honolulu Zoo It is located between Waikiki and Diamond Head. There is metered street parking and a commercial lot within a reasonable walking distance. This park has alot to offer. The park has a couple of tennis courts that are decently maintained. You will also find a koi pond and an another stage area with seating. There is also a couple of statues in the park one, titled The Gentle Messenger, which honors India's Peace Trailblazer Mohandas Gandhi. The second one honors the parks namesake Queen Kapiʻolani. The park has a 3KM trail that runs along its perimeter and is popular among walkers and joggers. There are restroom facilities at the park, be it that they are a little dirty and poorly maintained. There is also an outdoor fitness area with pull up bars, sit-up benches, parallel bars and monkey bars. The equipment is very durable and well maintained and is in great repair. The park has a lot of green space and has a lot of multi-use fields that are suitable for soccer, baseball, football, lacrosse, rugby or most other field sports. The park is well shaded by tall trees and has picnic tables, and benches the benefit heavily from the tree's shade. The park hosts many events, concerts and is home to Honolulu Cricket Club, the only cricket club in the Hawaiian Islands. some of the events that are hosted here annually include the Honolulu Marathon, Waikiki Artfest, the Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk, the Honolulu Pride Parade, the Celebration of Cultures, and some good old yoga classes. I really enjoyed my time at this park. It was well maintained and beautiful, especially considering its age. I highly recommend checking out this free public park that is across the street from the Waikiki waterfront. There is so much to do here.

What a beautiful park for locals and tourists alike! This MASSIVE park has tennis, pickleball, and benches to sit and relax galore! Just off the main drag, Kalakaua, but feels really quiet. So peaceful to walk through in the morning and see the big banyan trees. There is a well-maintained paved path that loops around the whole park.

I've been coming to this park for years; it's my favorite park on the island. A massive space for picnics, a great view of Diamond Head, having the ocean right across the street, it doesn't get much better than this. Two laps around this park is almost exactly 5K, which has been useful for tracking runs. This is also part of the pathing for the Marathon and Half Marathon so if you're interested in seeing what part of the course is like, then come check out this park. There's also other recreational stuff here such as some tennis courts and some pull-up bars and whatnot that people workout on. The best part for me is finally after all these years they completed the widening of the sidewalks. The park feels way more friendly to all users now, with runners, walkers, strollers, wheelchair users, and everyone else all being able to stay on the concrete path now that it's about 8 feet wide around the whole park.

I really enjoy the outdoors sometimes. Got a parking stall in the shade. But if u want to use the park- u can park in so many places - there's lots of free parking, so look for those first. The metered stalls by the hotels will keep u paying. Park is large enough to do your own thing without bumping into anyone

This park is BEAUTIFUL and has one of the best spots you can take a picture of with diamond head. It's peaceful, open, and close to the water. It was nice to let our daughter run around after being cooped up inside the hotel room. Walking along the beach, we were able to see some crabs, fish, and coral which was cool because we had never seen some in person! We've been grabbing a cup of coffee and walking here every morning. Great find.

Beautiful Regional Park located in Waikiki. Where the end of Kalakaua Avenue and the beginning of Kapahulu Avenue meets, this 300 acre track of land at the base of Diamond Head has been a public park or a gathering place where walkers, runners, tennis enthusiasts and picnickers join. This was the ending point of Honolulu's Pride Parade and for many annual festivals that runs from Ala Moana Beach Park & Magic Island. On a beautiful sunny day, you can enjoy picnic's and festivals nearby at the Waikiki Shell or at one of the shaded picnic areas scattered throughout Kapiolani Park. Most people may come on weekends for family fun in the sun. But of course, all throughout the week either early mornings you may see joggers to afternoon surfers and evening tennis meets. Like the parking, there's a lot of Aloha Spirit going around. Whenever you're in Waikiki and need a time away from the daily grind, head down towards Diamond Head and relax in the sun!

Beautiful park in a great location! Located right next to the aquarium. The trees here are all so beautiful and unique. A must stroll through here for locals and visitors.

This is a huge park with incredible trees and lots of amenities. The walk around the perimeter is almost 2 miles. While the sidewalk is a little uneven, you will find runners and walkers enjoying the tree-lined stroll. The park has an amphitheater with Friday evening concerts, soccer fields, picnic areas, a duck pond and much more. There is a beautiful statue of Queen Kapiolani near the south west end of the park. The east side of the park offers great views of Diamond Head crater. The are several banyan trees and many umbrella trees in the park along with beautiful evergreen that have massive trucks. There are benches throughout the park to sit, relax and watch the birds. Waikiki beach is across the street from the park. There is plenty of street parking around the park. The zoo and aquarium are nearby attractions.

Love the spaciousness of this park. It's quite large with different areas for dogs, a bandstand, duck pond, tennis courts, picnic areas in the heart of Waikiki. I've been coming here for outdoor tai chi and it's wonderful! So peaceful yet so much happening around you. Found that parking is decent if you're patient and looking outside the high traffic areas. Weekdays are super easy to find free parking, weekends are a bit harder but if you go past the zoo to the next lot or street, you can find spots.

What a beautiful park not as big as Central Park (New York) or Golden Gate park (San Francisco) but it's our big park. Nice park to go jogging , walking , picnics and playing sports. On the Ewa side of the park you have the nice ponds w/ducks swimming around and on the Diamond Head side of the park you have these nice big Banyan Trees and the nice view of famous Diamond Head. Very nice maintained park with a minimum of homelessness unfortunately there all around. The City @ County has park workers that takes care of all the trash bins around the park also maintaining the restroom and watering the grass. It's one of the best parks that we have on the island . Also you have the beautiful views of the ocean on one side . Support local and be safe

This is a fantastic green space with lots of banyan and plumeria trees providing shade. And if you want sun, the Beach is just steps away! Lots of picnic tables and some areas have several tabkes close together for larger gatherings and BBQs, not during Covid, of course. The restrooms are surprisingly clean for the amount of traffic. They clean them several times a day. The hand washing station is in front of restroom building before you enter. Several spots along the walking path that lines the beach have benches with fabulousviews of Waikiki and the ocean. Along this walking path are also several showers and water fountains. I walk this area daily and can tell you first hand, this park is well maintained. They literally blow the sand off the walkway every single morning. They are always cutting the grass and timing trees, raking up leaves and emptying trash. The beach on this strip is way more private and few people go there. You can snorkle right from the beach and see a lot of fish. Even turtles. Grab gear from ABC Stire; no need to spend hundreds for snorkeling tour unless you want the boat ride b Around 9am I see a yoga glass everday on the lawn. By Rescue Station 1. What a fantastic spot for morning exercise and meditation. The park is located across from the volleyball courts and movie screen on the east end of Waikiki. Before the zoo.

Nice park, lots of trees available on the side, and lots of grassy area. There are couple parking lots there avail for the park, but it does get difficult to find, especially on weekends because of soccers games. My kids loved this area because it's was breezy, not too many people came in our area, and we have tons of shade available.

The area on the right of Diamond Head Tennis Courts called Kapiolani Regional Park was a nice discovery this morning. The photographer was supposed to meet us at Moanalua Gardens but had to switch to Plan B. I always thought of Kapiolani Park stretching from the fountain all the way down to the zoo. This section was totally above that, with sprawling green space. What initially looked totally unexciting proved me wrong. We encountered only one young woman doing her yoga routine. The area was not sunny bright which made it comfortable. The photographer led us in to where there are two very cool trees for picture taking. We got there before 7:30 a.m. as we were told it's the best time for photo lighting. It's set far back enough so that you have the space pretty much to yourself. Come and enjoy a tranquil spot at the edge of Waikiki. Take some photos then continue on to have a nice, safe breakfast.

Great place to run. Wide open park with lot of space to run and play with your kids, friends, and furry pals. Just be careful of the "pokeys" if you aren't wearing shoes. We enjoyed running through the park after a long day at the beach to dry up and let the sand fall off before jumping in the car. The views of diamond head from this park are exceptional. It's a relaxing space that takes you away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. We were lucky that no sports were taking place when we were there. Many times there will be coned off areas for sport practices that take place there daily. Everyone was courteous of our space and maintained boundaries so that we could all enjoy the park. Also seems to be a great spot for picnics & parties.

Kapiolani Regional Park in Waikiki is truly an expansive, beautiful park, which lies between Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. Its prime location allows both locals and tourists alike to visit. Thanks to King David Kalakaua, the former piece of Royal land was gifted to the people of Hawaii and named after his wife Queen Kapiolani. Kapiolani Park now serves all who strive to be fit and healthy, and that includes me! A stroll around the perimeter of the triangular, grassy park is approximately 3 miles. You would pass the Waikiki Shell, the Honolulu Zoo, the fish pond, aerobic exercise equipment and tennis courts. Add a loop around Diamond Head and you've completed another 4 miles. After a total of 7 miles, you've probably worked up an appetite! You can conveniently grab something to eat at the KCC Farmers Market (Saturday mornings) or find a cafe along nearby Monserrat, Kapahulu, or Kalākaua Ave. There are banyan trees dating back to more than one hundred years and you can walk through one off of Paki Ave. At the roundabout off of Kalākaua, there's a gorgeous water fountain named, "Louise Dillingham Memorial Fountain." Lastly, Kapiolani Park serves as the Start/Finish Line for many popular runs such as the Honolulu Marathon and Hapalua Half Marathon! If you're interested in completing a marathon someday, I would highly recommend the Honolulu Marathon Clinic which still meets every Sunday morning at 7:30am. They are a fun organization and offer a handful of groups running at different paces.

This beautiful park is right on the edge of Waikiki and the beach. It is home to huge banyan trees, and that alone, makes it worth a visit. Pack a picnic or plate lunch and call it a day.

Kapiolani Park is pretty much a multipurpose park, because it's so huge, it is used mostly by soccer teams, and the occasional baseball and football teams. During soccer season, Saturdays are pretty much soccer game days. Parking will be a pain on those days! The park is also popular for charity walk events, and with joggers and walkers, those with and without strollers and dogs. The grounds are fairly well-maintained. As far as I'm aware, there's only one bathroom facility. It's on the Paki Avenue side, in the little parking lot that can accommodate maybe 30 vehicles. There's a slightly bigger parking lot further down the road closer to Waikiki, and another by the zoo on the other side of the park. There is also enough room for street parking. Along the Kalakaua side, there are tennis courts, and metered parking. Many festivals are also held here. It's usually breezy and sometimes the sunsets are pretty.

"Elephants and acrobats, lions snakes monkey. Pele speaks,'righteous,' Sister Zina says,'funky.'" - O.M.C. Mad, mad respect to Kalakaua, the last King of Hawaii (1874-1891). Kapiolani Park (named after the King's wife, Queen Kapi'olani) was a gift from the King to his people. Kalakaua was blessed with a generous spirit and boundless love for his people. He is sometimes known as the Merrie Monarch. Originally Kapiolani Park was operated under Royal charter, now it is a regional park. I can't imagine a more exciting place to be in Honolulu. The whole scene literally throbs with activity. There are probably more things here to do, or have done to you, than anywhere else on O'ahu. Check it: this amazing park, the largest and second oldest in Hawaii (est. 1876), features free-to-use public tennis and basketball courts, as well as soccer, rugby, baseball and lacrosse fields. There's even an archery range. We rode through the park on our eBikes. There are dedicated bike/jogging trails all around the park so you don't have to ride in the downtown traffic. Near Kuhio Beach there's a paved path that runs right down the beach on the sand. Fantastic! Originally, back in Kalakaua's day, there was a horse race track, but it's long gone now. Back then much of the area was a marsh, so it was a fitting home for the King's personal collection of tropical birds. Although the racetrack and aviary are faded memories, the Zoo built for the King is still thriving. Before Kalakaua's reign, Christian missionaries had largely succeeded in suppressing important aspects of Hawaiian culture, namely hula dancing and the traditional songs (mele) that accompanied the dances. Those prohibitions against hula and mele ended with Kalakaua's ascension to the throne. His coronation celebration prominently featured hula and mele. Over on the Big Island, every year in the week following Easter, Hawaiians honor the memory of the King by holding the Merrie Monarch Festival, a celebration of Hawaiian culture. Dancers and singers fund raise and practice intensely for four or more hours a day, all year, just for the honor of performing for the public. Winning teams travel to and perform in Japan. Here in Kapiolani Park you can see hula dancers and singers perform on the park bandstand .The bandstand features both modern and ancient Hawaiian music The Waikiki Shell, another feature of the park, holds lots of concerts and events, It is the home of a weekly (Wednesdays) Farmer's Market, and it is where local schools hold their graduation ceremonies. Now, if all the above wasn't enough, Kapiolani Park is also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the world. Mikey C says: want to know the rest? Hey, buy the rights.

Not only is this park huge, it's pristine and immaculately cared for. The trees are lovely, so many beautiful blooms it's incredible. There is always "something" going on (May Day was a blast!) and plenty of people around.

Ahhh Kapiolani Park, a true gem here in Honolulu. First off this park is MASSIVE! Open air with plenty of space to get some fresh air. My earliest memory of this place was from waaaaay back when, playing AYSO soccer games on Saturday mornings. It's been a long time since then and not much about the park has changed. This park makes for the perfect gathering place--famously hosting many well loved festivals in Hawaii's history; Okinawan Festival, Ukulele Festival, etc. The park itself is surrounded with plenty to do--Waikiki Beach, the Waikiki Shell, Diamond Head, and is literally just steps away from the Waikiki strip. It has a few tennis courts, soccer goals, a handful of public bathrooms, and is also home to a band stand and mini pond. It is surrounded by paid parking stalls (if you're lucky enough to score one) and makes for the perfect place to have a picnic!

The park is usually crowded on Saturdays and Sundays. Parking is hard to find on Kalakaua Avenue in front of Kapiolani Park and Waikiki Aquarium. We had to park far far away at parking lot across New Otani Hotel. People are going to the Queens Beach, San Souci Beach, Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, and playing sports. On Sundays, my dog loves running around the park where is can meet other dogs and can run around. I love visiting the ducks near the Kapiolani Band Stand.

Perfect spot to enjoy a Sunday. Wide, expansive space to distance yourself & family from others with plenty of shady spots under the plethora of trees scattered throughout the park. Perfect for BBQ with the fam, impromptu picnic lunches, walking the dog, soccer practice, getting your workout on, watching Mynah birds, or getting some sun on your buns. Plenty of free & paid parking along the perimeter with bathroom facilities available for use.

This is a beautiful park we always end up walking around this area since we stay at the hotels toward this end of the main strip. I love to see all of the families have their picnics and BBQ's here, it looks really fun. If I lived here I would join them. We just enjoy being outside in the fresh air having fun walking around. It is the perfect location and seems to be a nice mix of tourists and local residents.

I got caught in a pouring rain in the late afternoon and I took cover on the patio of a small building. It was wonderful. I didn't care if it continued into the night. Hawaii has so many ways of just slowing you down so your mind doesn't race through the moments. This was one of them.

Beautiful and serene. Do to covid the park is almost empty. Enjoying it when I have the chance.

Kapiolani Park is huge and spacious. They only thing that sucks is the parking. They have a small lot that you can park at for free. Other than that, you have to look for street parking. I just park at the zoo and walk across the street. The parking at the zoo is $1 an hour. People use the park for multiple festivals and events. I was currently here for the Okinawan Festival. It was also used for Pro Bowl activities when they were here. I've seen soccer games played on this field and people walking their dogs. Tons of people exercise here. They jog and walk the perimeter of the field.

Just resurfaced the tennis courts and they're beautiful! Great lights too!

When my friend, Oliver, announced that he was going to have his birthday party here, I said, "I'm in" right away while I thought, "Oh, no - The parking!" However, it all turned out great! Queen Kapiolani Park in Waikiki is the largest park in Hawaii. With about 300 acres, residents and tourists may enjoy the tennis courts; the Waikiki Shell (outdoor, open-air, amphitheater); the Honolulu Zoo; the Bandstand; a lotus pond; the Queen Kapiolani statue; wide, open space for soccer/football games and Frisbee tournaments; the annual Okinawan Festival on Labor Day weekend; a clear and beautiful view of Diamond Head; etc.! There are metered parking stalls as well as some free stalls across Kalakaua Avenue (beachside) and some free parking lots. It's no wonder why this park was chosen for our celebration. Oliver got a permit from Downtown Honolulu at the Department of Parks and Recreation. He selected a great Picnic site - near the restroom and across from the Tennis Center which had many empty parking stalls! A Security Guard came by on a small vehicle to check the permit. We were really visible because of the chairs, tables, tents, BBQ grills, and beach mats! This is a fantastic park! We had a great time under the gigantic banyan trees! Thanks to Oliver and his family for hosting a super birthday gathering! Hau'oli la Hanau and many more!

Sometimes....look up from your phone. Take a pic of what just made you breathless.... Why do I stay here? Kapiolani Park and the views on a May pre-summer day reminds me not to go, but to stay... Where else can you jog and look up and see her....her, the dame of Diamond Head, sparkling in her glory. Old? yes... but still strong and still a reminder of who we are and who came before us. Kapiolani Park is the perfect venue to bask in her glory. We will never do anything to lose this awesome awakening view for our kids, our grandkids and thereafter... The pic says it all...our place where we watch our kids play, learn to play, learn to win/lose. All under her glory. Take a moment one day....and look up. This view is 500% better than anything on your iPhone...lol. for real.

I visited this park while stopping for an evening in Waikiki and I was impressed with the size and the recreational teams playing sports here. As I walked around I saw a few of the buildings and bathroom complexes and I was impressed with the open air spaces as well as some of the old ancient trees I saw. It's across the street from the oceanfront and is close enough you can walk for some dining or shopping if you snag a parking space in the evening. Gorgeous views of the mountains in the distance and the ocean on the other side.

Kapiolani Park is a big, open space located on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki. I love running around the park here, with ample sidewalks and nice views of the mountains and beach. There are many public restrooms, water fountains, and shaded benches available. Between the parking lots and street side parking, there are always stalls to be found. The park features many different types of facilities including soccer fields, an archery range, basketball courts, and tennis courts. The path around the park is about two miles long. Many road races also start and end around here, including the Honolulu Marathon. As if that is not enough, the Honolulu Zoo is also part of the park, as well as the Waikiki Bandstand where many concerts and events are hosted. With all these options, Kapiolani Park has something for everyone.

I don't usually travel this far for a stroll in the park, but when I am in the area, I take the opportunity to enjoy the scenery. The park is huge and there are usually walks for breast cancer awareness, etc. I've only done that one. Parking can be a pain but my tip is to go super early on weekends, during the daytime before sports practice starts in the afternoon or try and see if you can score on a Sunday. Metered parking is usually free on holidays and Sundays. The zoo and the aquarium are nearby. But the Waikiki Aquarium parking lot is only for those guests attending the Aquarium. (They'll give you a parking note to put on your car so they know you're here to see the Aquarium, and it's limited to 2hours I think.) You can also park and go to the beach to surf, not just the park.

Great park to do various activities. I usually go there to walk, go to the beach, or just picnic. Can't beat the view especially with our famous landmark in the background. Can't wait till it rains a good one then I'll post a picture of Diamond Head when it's all green. It's an awesome pic

Small park but lots shady area. There are benches in the park. LOVE the two huge trees! They are beautiful and very unique. Just across street from the beach, totally different feel. Perfect place to sit back, relax and stay cool.

Kapiolani park is probably the biggest on Oahu. It is located between Waikiki and Diamond Head Crater. It is a perfect place to run or walk. If you visit early Sunday mornings, you'll see many runners in groups. Roughly it takes about 30/40 minutes to walk the whole park. If you want free parking, you can park towards the diamond head crater side of the park. You'll see some parking stalls or you can park on the street.

Going to Kapiolani Park reminds me of my childhood when my mother would pack up us kids in the car to run and play. We would climb and swing from the banyan tree aerial roots, roam into the Honolulu Zoo, watch archers shooting their arrows into hay-filled targets at nearby Paki Park, listen to music at the Royal Hawaiian Band's Banddstand, google at tennis players, walk by and worry about getting hit by wayward golf balls from the driving range, marvel at equestrians galloping by and sometimes watch the hula shows held at the Waikiki Shell. Even now, as an adult, Kapiolani Park still is a draw for me and my family. Times have changed...archers and targets have moved closer to below La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls, equestrians no longer are permitted to ride through, the golf driving range has been cleared and I believe the touristy hula shows at the Waikiki Shell have been discontinued. All have been replaced by using the expansive open fields for other more popular sports such as soccer or rugby events. Kapiolani Park is Oahu's premier Regional Park that everyone can enjoy to play, exercise or relax at. You can engage in several other activities within the park. Across the street is Waikiki Beach, Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium. Go out, have fun and enjoy the open air! The majesty of Diamond Head overlooks this area and is the constant reminder that you're in Hawaii's Playground.

We made the mistake of trying to hike Diamond Head at 11 on the Saturday of a long weekend, when the trail was closed to visitors during the week. It was hot out, and there was no parking anywhere near the trail, so we gave up and did the next best thing--getting a massive take-out lunch from Diamond Head Market & Grill and eating it in our exercise clothes, as if to reward ourselves for our exertion. I love Diamond Head Market & Grill, but its outdoor seating appears to be perfectly positioned to catch zero shade. There was no way we could sit in that heat for even fifteen minutes, so we were happy to find there was a park nearby, where we might be able to eat comfortably. We drove over to Kapiolani Park and found easy parking in a free lot. The park was enormous, with huge expanses of green. I got the sense that we couldn't even see most of it from where we parked. We were looking for picnic tables, and found a cluster of them near our parking spot. There were some other people there, but the area was pretty sparsely occupied, and we ended up having a table to ourselves. There was enough shade to keep us comfortable without canceling out the warmth of the sun. We had a very nice lunch in the park--a pleasant outdoor experience, not too different from a hike, if you think about it, but with much less effort. I obviously don't have much history with this Kapiolani Park, but I enjoyed my visit, and would love to come back with another plate lunch. It must be a wonderful asset to Honolulu locals, a lovely green place where you can picnic and run around with more shade and less sand than the beach.

Kapiolani Park has been a location for many different events such as Okinawa Festival, Korean Festival, Roy Sakuma Ukulele Festival, jazz concerts and many more events (including fun or marathon runs). The park is a great place to do your early morning jog or walk because it gets so hot in the mid day and afternoon, you be begging for shave ice or some icy cold to cool down. I recommend coming to Matsumoto's but it's on the other side of the island. Go to Snow Factory, they got great refreshing frozen treats on these hot Fall days :) It's nice how close it is to the Honolulu Zoo as well as the iconic Waikiki beach. You could even walk to Waikiki shops along Kalakaua avenue. I find this park wonderful for a picnic with the family reunions or even with friends. Just look for shade and pray it doesn't rain hard. It's difficult to find parking because sometimes for the festivals or big events, they put no parking signs along the metered parking stalls. Makes it even more challenging to get a spot for your car. Luckily for the Okinawa festival, they have shuttles from KCC come by and pick up people and drop off at the KCC parking lot. You need to pay a small fee for the roundtrip. Come out and get some Mr. Sun at the park!

Wide open park, during some days they have fair and concerts at the bandshell. Also zoo is free on wednesdays on west end of the park. Tennis courts and workout facilities. A great spot to get hot then dip in the ocean.

At the end of Waikiki is Kapiolani Park which is the largest public park in Hawaii. When I think of parks (not beaches), I think of Kapiolani. This is the main spot for community events on Oahu. Many festivals and events take place here like the Okinawan Festival and Lei Day (May Day) celebration. Kapiolani Park is also the home of the main outside seating music venue on Oahu, the Waikiki Shell. It is an intimate space that serves as the spot for the annual Kokua Festival hosted by Jack Johnson. I have also attended a high school graduation of my cousin here many years back. The main park itself has a lot of open field space which makes it good as a playing field spot for football and soccer and/or for having a nice picnic in the Hawaiian sun. The park has a loop shape so it is a good place to run laps. If you are trying to get in shape for a running event, you might want to train here. There is also a main bandstand at the park that used to serve as a fun day spot for students at my high school every autumn. It serves as a nice outside performance space for the community and is full of memories for me. If you somehow tire of the Waikiki beaches and want to just walk around a regular park, Kapiolani Park is the place to go.

I love all the greenery in this park. It feels like you're in a jungle. Even some of the tables are underneath exotic plant structures. You can't go wrong with this park. There were many small groups of women doing yoga. Its across from the volleyball nets where you'll find people playing volleyball. This park is at the edge of Waikiki Beach so you can't miss it if you're out on a morning stroll. The best thing about this park is that its shaded. I came during May therefore, Summer had not kicked in full speed so I didn't need much shade during my walks. However, I see this park being especially useful during the summer. Now, don't get me wrong I have yet to find an issue with this park. One thing to keep in mind, which isn't an uncommon theme, but the homeless hangs out here for the shade. They weren't bothering anyone or causing any issues but it's important to mention that they congregate here.

Always so busy but so pretty. My husband and I went out for a walk to the park sat in the bench to watch the waves.

Love this wide open park, it's great for exercise and just hanging out with my baby. Always clean and lots of parking.

Never seems to have nearly enough parking, that's the only knock I have on this expansive park. What to do about that, though? A big multistory affair somewhere near the Shell? Perhaps. There are parking lots and outhouses dotted all around. Big open fields. Lots of runners take advantage, as they should, of the great jogging setting. Not terribly much, if anything, in the way of concessions available. Bring what you need!

Convenient to zoo, aquarium, music dome, Diamond head, beach and downtown hotels/stores. We viewed a time capsule in the park, facing the beach. There was live music festival and hula dancers on a Saturday afternoon.

If you like aqua green waters with identical fish within a foot of the sandline, this is it. No need to snorkel, though several ppl did. Nicer, more quaint compared to Waikiki. Big park too with plenty trees for big shade. A gentle breeze I shall add too. Clean washrooms.