Waikiki After Dark, a cautionary tale

WAIKIKI AFTER DARK
Waikiki is a fun and active place.  So much do, day and night, that it easily attracts a young and fun loving crowd.  Sure, there's us older folks, the ones that are home and in bed by 9pm, but there's the younger group as well and they come here to party.  Of all the Hawaiian Islands, Oahu is the only one with the kind of night life that will fulfill their urges.  There's great bars and clubs in China Town (next to Down Town), Waikiki & right outside of Waikiki as well.  So there's no shortage of places to choose from so have fun, but please be cautious as well.

As far as big cities go, Honolulu and Waikiki are pretty safe.  There are tons of police out and about, especially after dark, but there's that other "element" as well and it just makes good sense to keep your wits about you while your out, especially as the midnight hour draws near.  Walk the streets of Waikiki between 7pm and 10pm and you'll find crowds of tourists going to different restaurants and shops.  There are street performers as well and even various evening farmers markets.  It's a great time to have fun and feel the energy of this bustling place.  But once it gets a little later, the crowd definitely changes.  Back in their hotels, under their hotel sheets and watching their hotel TV channels are the older folks and the family visitors.  Now the streets belong to the younger set, out to find their next drink, sports bar, night club, strip club, or, dare I say, street walkers.  Yup, there's plenty of them, despite the police, they freely walk Kuhio Avenue (just one block up from the ocean) and they are hard to miss.  Bars that had a few people in them earlier now have lines out the door.  Loud music comes blaring out of various establishments and the night life is in full swing.

Some bars in the area are open until 4am and this can only mean trouble.  It's not uncommon to see people staggering down the street, even fights are fairly common after midnight.  So be careful.  Pay attention to what's going on around you.  People, especially impaired tourists, are known to get mugged, especially on the side streets.  We met a guy a few weeks ago that was actually drugged at Señor Frogs and woke up 4 hours later on the street, with an empty wallet on his lap.  His wife was worried sick because he just went out for a couple of beers.  His bank account had been emptied with his ATM card and he had no recollection of any of it.  By the way, he was staying at the nicest hotel in town so no one is immune!  Although we had never heard of this happening here, we weren't surprised.  The places that stay open late are notoriously seedy so be alert.  It makes the most sense to be in a group, not alone.  I don't want to scare you, just warn you to be aware of your surroundings so you can have fun and stay safe!

Remember, if you are having any trouble or see anything going on that you feel is unsafe, flag down a police officer.  They are constantly cruising up and down the streets in police cars and on bikes.  Just wave at them and they will stop.  Once one pulls over, more are sure to follow.

Finally, if you've had a great time the night before but feel less than stellar the next day from a little to much, GET INTO THE OCEAN.  It's the cure all for a hang over and you can work on your tan at the same time.