This historical walking tour speaks to ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), royal residences, and the history of Hawaiʻi, specially focusing on the timeframe from the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom to statehood. Although this route is mostly a straight line, there are over 20 streets that it passes which allows the street names to become talking points. Along the route, stops are frequently made to allow stories to be shared and historical images to be passed out, which allows each group member to relate a little more to the stories. From walking pass locations where royals resided, to standing in locations where old images were taken, to the learning how to build simple foundation of Hawaiian language, this tour will build a bridge for guests to "step into history."
Categories
Culture
Outdoors
When
Tuesdays
Things to Know
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY | EASY
The route terrain includes mostly sidewalk (cement), there are periods of grass, dirt, and road (asphalt). Because this route mainly stays on the sidewalk along Ala Wai Blvd, guests with walkers and/or wheels chair should not have any issues. However, there are holes in the grassy area where the tour begins.
STOPS ALONG THE WAY
This route has multiple stops along the way. Some locations may have a nearby bench available and some shade, but because it is not consistent at every stop, an umbrella and a stool are available for each guest.
RESTROOMS
There are no restrooms available along the route. The nearest public restroom will be at the Ala Wai Community Park near the ending location of the tour.
FOOD & DRINK
Guests are allowed to bring food on the tour, however, there is no dedicated time slot for lunch nor picnic tables to eat on along this route. Granola bars and a bottled water are available for each guest.
PARKING
Free parking is available a the starting location, the ending location, and street parking within Waikīkī. The street parking along Ala Wai Blvd. is not available between 8:30am-11:30am only on Mondays and Fridays weekly (except state holidays) for street sweeping. Because this route is a straight line, if guests park at the end, they will need to arrive extra early to make sure to walk to the starting point (same distance as the tour). If guests park at the starting location, they will need to walk back once the tour is completed.
Duration
3 hours
About this Host
Hello, I'm Kamaka.
Kamaka Pili is a Native Hawaiian storyteller, award-winning broadcaster, and entrepreneur whose life's work is rooted in one purpose: keeping Hawaiian culture alive and sharing it with the world.
As a fourth-generation native of Kailua, Oʻahu, Kamaka grew up understanding that preservation isn't just important — it's personal. That sense of responsibility shaped everything that followed.
Over eight years as a broadcaster with KHON2 News, he wove ancestral knowledge into his reporting, contributing to the broader effort of normalizing the Hawaiian language and culture within Hawaiʻi's broadcast industry. That work earned him an Emmy Award for his role as co-host of the 2024 Molokaʻi Hoe World Championship live broadcast.
In 2014, Kamaka co-founded Aloha Authentic, a brand through which he has spent over a decade producing interviews and cultural content that bridge Hawaiian knowledge with diverse audiences.
His entrepreneurial spirit extends across several ventures, each one a reflection of his mission. Naʻau Walaʻau Designs (founded 2013) serves as his product company, Native Hawaiian Arts & Culture Expo, LLC (founded 2016) brings communities together through events, and Now and Then Tours Hawaiʻi (founded 2024) offers immersive experiences rooted in place and story.
In everything he does, Kamaka is guided by a simple but powerful mission: "Share Aloha with the World."
Kamaka Pili is a Native Hawaiian storyteller, award-winning broadcaster, and entrepreneur whose life's work is rooted in one purpose: keeping Hawaiian culture alive and sharing it with the world.
As a fourth-generation native of Kailua, Oʻahu, Kamaka grew up understanding that preservation isn't just important — it's personal. That sense of responsibility shaped everything that followed.
Over eight years as a broadcaster with KHON2 News, he wove ancestral knowledge into his reporting, contributing to the broader effort of normalizing the Hawaiian language and culture within Hawaiʻi's broadcast industry. That work earned him an Emmy Award for his role as co-host of the 2024 Molokaʻi Hoe World Championship live broadcast.
In 2014, Kamaka co-founded Aloha Authentic, a brand through which he has spent over a decade producing interviews and cultural content that bridge Hawaiian knowledge with diverse audiences.
His entrepreneurial spirit extends across several ventures, each one a reflection of his mission. Naʻau Walaʻau Designs (founded 2013) serves as his product company, Native Hawaiian Arts & Culture Expo, LLC (founded 2016) brings communities together through events, and Now and Then Tours Hawaiʻi (founded 2024) offers immersive experiences rooted in place and story.
In everything he does, Kamaka is guided by a simple but powerful mission: "Share Aloha with the World."
Culture
Outdoors
