Waikiki is where the action is—wave action and people action. This long series of beautiful beaches is protected by an offshore reef a half mile out. Conditions are ideal for surfing, outrigger canoe paddling and catamaran sailing. The people come in waves that overflow the streets and fill the high rises. The ebb and flow of humanity is a fascination in itself.

Waikiki is a peninsula separated from Honolulu by the Ala Wai Canal and bounded by the sea and Diamond Head. Long a favorite summering place for Hawaiian royalty, it is today a monument to the jet age.

Royal Hawaiian Hotel—A reminder of times past when the well-to-do came by ship and stayed a long time. The "pink palace" with its stately old world air and lush plantings is worth seeing and strolling through.

Rainbow Bazaar—Hilton Hawaiian Village. An acre of international shopping outlets.

U.S. Army Museum—Fort Derussy. A guided tour of military memorabilia of the army in Hawaii and the Pacific. (Tues.-Sat. 10-2, free.)

Waikiki Historical Room—Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, 2nd floor. Early pictures of Waikiki and famous people of the times. (Daily 9-5, free.)

Hemmeter Center—Hyatt Regency Hotel. A fine selection of beautiful shops, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. (Daily, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.)

Waikiki Shopping Plaza—Kalakaua Ave. Nine floors of vertical shopping and dining.

International Market Place—A complex of open air shops and restaurants overseen by huge banyan trees. Here you may watch craftsmen pounding tapa cloth, making shell leis and painting portraits.

King's Alley—Kaiulani Ave. Gallery exhibits, live shows and a complex of shops. The daily 6:15 Changing of the Guard ceremony is followed by a free show of Hawaiian entertainment. If you purchase a "Passport to Polynesia" you'll have fully paid admission to King's Alley's Heritage Theatre, the Falls of Clyde maritime museum, the Bishop Museum and planetarium that includes transportation between each of these attractions.

Kapiolani Park—A 220 acre park just below Diamond Head. Join the island residents who jog, picnic and sleep under the shower trees. You might want to view Queen Kapiolani's Rose Garden and take in a band concert if you're there on a Sunday afternoon.

Honolulu Zoo—Kapiolani Park. Very popular with locals and visitors alike, the zoo is noted for its large Asian bird collection. On weekends artists display their work around the zoo fence. (9-5, free)

Waikiki Aquarium—Kapiolani Park. A privileged look at a wide variety of sea life from Pacific waters including outdoor pools with turtles and seals children can throw fish to.

Diamond Head—Named for its volcanic crystals once thought to be diamonds, this familiar landmark has seen a lot of changes take place at Waikiki. If you'd like to hike its flank for a Diamond Head view of things, call the Hawaiian National Guard for permission and directions.