Waikiki-Little Manhattan?

I've heard Waikiki sometimes being described as Little Manhattan or Times Square. Whether this is meant as a compliment or a putdown, depends on the point of view of the person saying it. On the Oahu Message Board, I'll often read people advising "don't come to Waikiki, it like New York, go to Maui or Kauai instead". Others will say, "you must see Waikiki, it's full of electricity". Waikiki is like a city within a city (of Honolulu). It consists of an area about a mile long, and quarter mile wide of blocks and block of high rise hotels, shops, restraraunts, nightclubs and beaches. At night street entertainers line up the main Ave. sidewalk of Kalakaua, playing drums, trumpets, doing soccer ball tricks and dozens of silver or gold painted robotic men who perform only when money hits the cup. They also are controversial, some like them, others hate them. Almost all buses run through Waikiki in which you take one to almost any point on the island including around the whole island for $2.00. Downtown Honolulu with the Aloha Marketplace, Civic Center and Chinatown is about an half hour ride. Ala Moana Shopping Center about 15 minutes, Arizona Memorial about 45 minutes. Other points of interests are Hanauma Bay-45 minutes, inside Diamond Head Crater (for Hiking) 15 minutes. For nightclub entertainment perhaps one can take in the Society of Seven Show, which has been playing in Hawaii for almost 30 years. It's a variety show with lots of comedy and great music. Walking along the beach you can hear bands playing Hawaiian or Jawaiian (Reggae music) for free, from hotel restrarants or bars.

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