Kaisers, HI

Kaisers is another fun Waikiki South shore surf spot on Oahu. Named after Henry J. Kaiser who purchased 8 acres of Waikiki beachfront property from the John Ena Estate, which is now the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Located in front of the famed Rainbow Tower and near the Ala Moana boat harbor and Hilton Lagoon in Waikiki, Kaisers can be reached by paddling out through the Hilton Pier channel used by the Atlantis tour boat. Most surfers will navigate the rocky breakwater wall that sits in front of the break – from the edge of the breakwater, most will jump into the water and then paddle through the channel markers and then to the right where Kaisers breaks. Most park their vehicles in the harbor parking lot adjacent to the HHV. Kaisers breaks both left and right but it is the right that really provides a fun, hollow wave. The right will peel along the reef near the channel ledge. Surfing the left provides longer walls and potential close outs. Farther toward the harbor will take you toward “In Betweens” and farther along the rocky breakwater and harbor entrance is “Rock Piles”. For reference, “Three’s” breaks on the Diamond Head side of the Hilton Pier Channel. Kaisers breaks on coral and operates best on South swells. It has a fast drop in and can really pitch at low tide providing a challenging surfing experience. Watch out as it can get shallow in the inside section. Always crowded, this is a great spot to catch early in the morning to beat the crowds. The Waikiki sunrises are breathtaking from the line up. Watch out for falling embers and flaming debris from Friday night fire work shows. I haven been caught in a torrent of ash and brimstone paddling in after sunset as the fireworks explode over your head. For Bodyboarding this can be a fast a rewarding wave and if it is too crowded one can paddle to the other above mentioned spots and find a less crowded peak.

Wave Type: Reef Break
Swell Direction: South
Bottom Terrain: Mostly Coral
Experience: Moderate Skill

Photo: by Annamarie Bader