AN ENGINEER LOOKS AT WAIKIK! BEACH 
DONALD F. HORTON, ENGINEER 
CHIEF, STUDIES AND REPORTS BRANCH, BEACH EROSION BOARD 
An inspection of Waikiki Beach was made for the Beach Erosion 
Board by the writer on the request of the District Engineer, 
Honolulu, Hawaii during December 1947. This inspection afford- 
ed an opportunity to study the engineering features of this 
famous beach and to acquire background material for an outline of 
a study which would ultimately formulate a plan to improve the 
beach. Some of the features noted during the inspection are de- 
scribed and illustrated in this article. 
Waikiki Beach is located on the south shore of the Island of 
Oahu between the business center:‘of Honolulu and Diamond Head. 
Waikiki Beach (Figures 1, 2, 3, 4) is a narrows beach chiefly com- 
posed of cream colored and light tan grains of worn coral, 
coralline algae, shells, and other calcareous marine organisms. 
The exact limits of Waikiki Beach are not defined, but the two- 
mile length centered on the Royal Hawaiian and Moana Hotels is 
most commonly referred to as "Waikiki Beach." 
* Because buildings have been located close to the water line. 
ta 
FIGURE 2. GENERAL VIEW OF WAIKIK! BEACH. MOANA HOTEL ON RIGHT, 
ROYAL HAWAIIAN HOTEL ON LEFT. 
