The fresh water flowing into the ocean in the lee of Diamond Head shaped the bay and influenced the development of its channels and reefs. Which created exceptional surf sites.
Kalehuawehe-Castles
This south shore, big-wave surf spot was originally named Kalehuawehe. Kalehuawehe can be translated to "the Lehua flower lei removed" named after the surfing legend, Pīkoiakaʻalalā. This warrior, while surfing with Kahamuluʻihi, a chiefess of Waikīkī, removed his lei and gifted it to her.
In 1865, Samuel Kamakau listed Kalehuawehe as one of the major surf sites in Waikīkī. This place has huge and powerful waves. With the right conditions, expert surfers were able to ride them for more than a mile and land on the beach at Waikīkī.
In 1899, James Castle built a three-story home. When the non-Hawaiian surfers started to visit the islands in the 1900ʻs they started to give the surf spots English names. Castleʻs home soon became a landmark at Kalehuawehe and was eventually renamed Castleʻs
Kapuni- Canoes-Queens
In the legen Kapaemāhū, Kapuni was one of the four kahuna who lived at Ulukou. Kapuni literally translated is the surrounding, encircling; the favorite activity, such as surfing. The three other kahuna were Kapaemāhū, Kahaloa, and Kinohi. When they decided to leave, the wanted four to place for pōhaku One of the places is on shore in Kapuni.
This spot is directly off the Moana Hotel. The name changed from Kapuni to Canoes in the 1890ʻs when tourist commercial canoe rides were offered to visitors.
ʻAiwohi-publics
Literally translated ʻAiwohi means, royal ruler; a wohi was a high chief. This place is noted, "about the Kapiolani Park Entrance"
Publics became its name because of the former Publics Baths which was a recreation facility built on the shore. IN the 1930, the county replaced the with anew one. Public Baths was a landmark.
Kaluaāhole- Tonggʻs
Kaluaāhole means āhole fish hole. Simply for the amount numerous amount of āhole that used to be fished there.
An island business man named Ruddy Fah Tongg had a beachfront home from 1946-1961. His home was the focal point of the neighborhood and the surfing community.