Ala Wai Canal

It’s brown most days, smells like the raw sewage that is in it, and has several biohazard signs all around… that should tell you enough.

Although there are bad smells emanating from the canal sometimes, it is a popular hangout for homeless people to sleep on the benches, and people often smoke cigars and cigarettes while sitting on the benches, I still find value here. The Ala Wai Canal gives you a long path to run on without having to stop, and it is refreshing to have different scenery to look at. I am not a sports fan and I find watching ESPN while running at the gym boring.
Ala Wai Canal saves the day! And, I never thought I would ever say that. So, if you happen to live in the neighborhoods of McCully, University, Moilili, Kapahulu, or Waikiki, come here to get your jogging or running fix in. But if you’re a sports fan, then you should go to the gym.

One and half mile length so 3 miles round trip from the zoo. Its ok if there’s a cool breeze and bearable otherwise. Lots of people walking their dogs and sometimes there’s the crazy yelling lady from Paki park screaming from end to end but she’s harmless

How long before the state finally decides to mow it’s lawn? One can hide and seek and never be found! DO MOW THE LAWN!

This place is dangerous! Most concerning is that there is no wall or handrail along the sidewalks of the canal in the mountain side of Waikiki. The second thing is the pollution is illegal and conveniently the state has found ways not to test the polluted waters because of a lack of funding. One man has died from falling in the water during a sewage line break, which spilled over 200 MILLION GALLONS OF RAW SEWAGE into this canal!
Discusting, yet the rents here are sky high. Time for better management and changes. Someone needs to report the city for violations of EPA’s clean water act and the mess needs to be cleaned up immediately. Enough is enough! You cannot safely paddle your canoe, according to a source on civil beat writing two articles about the canal. The canoe paddlers come up with sores and bacterial infections from the canal. The state will not close the canal because it hurts tourism. When it rains hard enough the canal will flood and kill many more people. Will that be enough for a change? Probably not.

Love this place, nice for a stroll. Great views of the backside of diamond head and the boat harbor at other end.

Oh the sights you’ll see, and smells you’ll smell as you walk up and down the boulevard as the sun starts to sink behind the highrise buildings, and shadows grow long.
Walkers, joggers, skateboarders, bicyclists, and canoe paddlers. Locals and tourists alike.
What color was that jogger’s top? Hot fuchsia? Damn if she didn’t glow.
Love the tapa-​print shorts on that walker over there. From ABC Store?
A menagerie of pigeons, dogs, ducks, and fish.
A father teaching his young son the finer points of shore… er…sidewalk casting. The tilapia didn’t look as earnest. They certainly weren’t obliging.
The occasional derelict staking out his preferred bench or patch of grass for the night. Each with his life recorded in every line etched into his face.
The occasional smell of sewage over the briny smell of the briny.
A waft of cigar smoke.
The world on parade. Yes. A small parade in an otherworldly place called WAI-​KI-​KI. But representative of the real world I imagine. The real world on a small scale. All kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds. With different needs and wants. All sharing a 5-​foot wide sidewalk.
Something about this time of day that makes me wax philosophic and poetic.
«Journey» comes on over my iPod.
«Strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlights people, living just to find emotion
Hiding, somewhere in the night.
Don’t stop believin’
Hold on to the feelin’»
Okay. That’s a bit much I think to myself. I pull out my earbuds. I wonder what the real world is like without a playlist?

FOR JOGGERS: This is mainly a review comparing to the nearby Kapiolani Park.
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I’m an engineering major. If I don’t ever find a running path, I’ll end up being one of those guys where if in their 40s they meet a girl they’ll have not butterflies but differential equations and segmentation faults in their enlarged, oversized stomachs.
Fortunately, I just tried this path this winter break, and the Ala Wai Canal is thus far my favorite spot for midnight runs. I’ve been a Kapiolani Park runner for the longest time just because I told myself I could never spare more than half an hour just for running. Regards, let’s see what’s so good about each one (also note that I pretty much only run at late night hours):
ALA WAI:
— 1.5 miles one way, so just under a 5k run round trip
— Amazing breeze. Just returned from a run with a nice drizzle and it felt perfect!
— Music and a good breeze makes the stench practically unnoticeable, both from the canal and from the homeless.
— Very nice, flat paved sidewalk. Personally though, I try to run along grass paths as often as possible since it’s better for the soles. Grassy path is still pretty flat, but just got to make some lateral movements and follow the bike trail marks.
KAPIOLANI PARK:
— 1.7 miles, great for quicker jogs under half hour; 2.1 miles if you go around the zoo as well
— If you’re a walk-​run person here at night, when you’re walking you can really enjoy the stars as this park is one of the best places in the state to stargaze.
— The stench with the homeless is much stronger since breezes aren’t as prevalent.
— Some areas on path are quite bumpy, both the main sidewalk and the grass, unless you run on the asphalt road which is one reason I prefer running in the late nights.
— Sprinklers can get in the way at times
Welp, there ya have it! The new year is coming up — you know what to do!

Perfect spot for a quick jog, infant nursing session or scenic cut through to Ala Moana.
On one side of canal is a great paved stroller trail path complete with benches and plumeria trees. After almost 2 miles of viewing the canoe racers skimming the surface of the canal, you cross the bridge and run the back side behind the golf course. The path goes further through the woods, winding behind a school. Along the way, the path you can stop at the a pond to feed the ducks next to the small park with swings. Eventually you come out in front of the golf course. Neat little running path, 2 completely different sides of Waikiki.
Today my little man and I spotted a porcupine puffer fish. He looked like a little whale! Seriously the biggest fish, I’ve ever seen in this canal. He was apparently feeling right at home in the brackish water.

What is it about traveling to paradise that motivates one to spring off that couch and do something life changing?
When you wake up a 5 am most mornings (8 am Pacific time — since I’m from Cali), what better way to start a day when staying in Waikiki than to walk along this canal. Yes, there is pollution and, yes, there are scattered homeless people sleeping along the road, but walking in 72 degree weather, getting one’s heart rate going, and breathing relatively clean air is not a bad way to start one’s day. Because I am one for visuals, I couldn’t help but notice the young guys racing along the canal in their boats, nor could I help myself in watching the small fishes feeding and splashing while birds sought their morning meals.
On three different morning walks (due to my age and aging knees, runs are not practical), we encountered neighbors walking their dogs, young, fit, I pod clad runners, and walking seniors (no, I’m not that old yet). The most touching people for me were two young Asians who were pushing a wheelchair carrying a senior family member… at 6 am in the morning?
Yes, this canal can be truly inspiring. And, if you happen to be up at this time of the morning, you really should check it out.

The Ala Wai Canal is a tricky place to review. I usually go jogging around the Canal 3 to 4 times a week and i’ve seen both good and bad sides of the Canal. I will just list two pro’s, equals and con’s to save you some time reading my review. But be mindful, these pro’s and con’s are very random so you don’t know what you will get until you are there
Pro’s:
Views: LIke most of Oahu, you can get the perfect view in the Ala Wai Canal. Let your creative side get the nice angle and boom! perfect shot
Exercise: Lots of people come down to the Ala Wai to jog, walk their dogs, bike, skate, and pretty much walk around. Great area to do cardio or go out for a good walk. Plenty of different activity going on here
Equals:
Wind factor: Some people like the breeze, some people don’t. Its your preference
Popularity: There is usually quite a few people here no matter what time of the day it is. Some people are exercising, some people are just relaxaing in the chairs and talking, some just enjoying the view. Lots of unique individuals here.
Con’s
Random crazy person: I’ve seen homeless people there but they don’t bother you at all and they do what they do and leave you alone. I’m talking about this one Lady who Yells randomly and random time. I hardly see her but when i do see her on the days i run, i freak the f*ck out because i feel like she’s going to start charging at me. I’m sure she walks around Honolulu so its probably not just in the Ala Wai that you might see her.
Smell: I always tend to smell a weird stench around the Ala Wai. Not sure if its the homelss people or the trash in the water or even the water itself. I at least smell that stenchy smell at some point in the Ala Wai

I hate that the bikers and some sk8er are riding along the strip and are rude and don’t Unilocal to pedestrians. I mean sk8er are ok if their not zipping by, but bikers?! Ugh, get some balls and get in the bike lane and stop being a douch.

The Ala Wai Canal is a 1.8 mile long canal along Ala Wai Blvd, separating Waikiki from the rest of Honolulu. The canal was built in the 1920s to provide drainage for the wetlands that used to be in this area. Yep, rice paddies were all the rage here back in the day!
Today, the canal water is polluted. The water is mostly stagnant and has very few organisms to filter it. Additionally, some storm drains in the area feed into the canal. There are signs posted prohibiting swimming and fishing. It’s for your own good, of course.
So why am I a fan? Put simply, the canal is still quite nice to look at! The water is a dark blue-​gray, there are palm trees generously spaced close together on both sides of the canal, and there’s a concrete walkway and streetlights on Ala Wai Blvd over the entire length of the canal. Attractive hotels dominate the view on both sides of the canal, and towards the inland, the rising mountains of the Honolulu Forest Reserve can be seen.
The canal and the surrounding area are a pleasant sight to wake up to, and even nicer to take a stroll by at night. The streetlights provide sufficient lighting without being too glaring, and at night, the lights from the hotels across the canal reflect over the water. It’s very romantic.
Guys: Take a stroll with your girl here at night, hold her hand and tell her how much you love her (and mean it). She’ll love you forever. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Second best place to take a jog IMO.
Kapiolani Park being the first.
I enjoy the Ala Wai because its paved, in contrast to jogging around the zoo and kapiolani park where alot of the time its bumpy and there are several tree roots.
If measure on Google maps the Ala Wai Canal is approximately 1.42 miles long, starting from the corner of McCully Street and ending at the Corner of Kapahuluu
If a person were to start from McCully Street, jog all the way around the Ala Wai, turn left on Kapahuluu, run down to date street, run all the way down date street to Kapiolani, make a left at Kapiolani, and run back around to the original starting point at the corner of McCully, google maps approximates the distance to be around 3.37 miles.
TheAla Wai stinks. In my Hawaiian studies class i recall pics of what the Ala Wai used to look like, a place where crops were grown, you could fish without worrying about pulling something out with more than two legs. The water appeared clear and full of life!
Over the years it appears to have changed a bit. Now just paddlers, with the occasional dead human body being fished out on occasion. But none the less still a great place for paddlers and joggers alike. A lot of the time, the joggers actually distract me from the smell, which is another great reason to jog!

Smelly water, that pretty much describes it.
But here’s a little more. I park near the Ala Wai all the time because its one of the few places in Waikiki where you can find parking for FREE! Yes, FREE 24 hours a day BUT, you have to move your car on Monday and Friday mornings, not sure what time, but I know its from early morning till around 11am for street cleaning.
The water stinks. Theres TONS of tilapia floating alongside the canal, but wouldnt recommend eating it. Neither would the city, as there are signs posted about the «unsanitary» water.
Please note: People have died after falling in the water! Yes… its true, please google it if you dont believe me. Infections… etc!
People do however run alongside the canal. The sidewalk is flat and over a mile long, so not too bad unless your trying to run through a slow walking «pack».
As far as activities, people canoe, I see people fish (not sure why), kayak, run along side the canal, and people just sit and watch the water.
Sometimes if youre lucky, you’ll see the giant pufferfish along the banks… but its not often.

Typically, I run from my house to Kapiolani Park; but one night, I decided to try running Ala Wai Canal and quickly fell in love with it. Why would I fall in love with a canal that smells like rotten sewer and homeless people sleeping on the benches and groups of guys smoking cigarettes and da kine?
Because a runner has the opportunity to enjoy 1.5 miles of uninterrupted concrete from Kapahulu to Kapiolani. There may be a few interruptions with steps that lead to the canal, but it gives you the opportunity to work on your lateral movement. In addition, you get to see babies in strollers, kids, teenagers, young adults, adults, aunties & uncles, and grandparents walking and enjoying their night stroll. And it is motivating to see other people running. Finally, there is a worn-​out grass trail to run if the sidewalk gets too busy or if you knee to give your knees a break from pounding the concrete. Enjoy!
p. s. I have not done any day time running due to my work schedule. But driving by, it still looks enjoyable and pleasurable.
— – I just did my day run and loved it so I just increased my rating. Ya the water is murky, but it was awesome to see so many people using the trails to exercise and people paddling in the canal!

Falling in the Ala Wai Canal, you would not only glow (per Chad Y’s review), you would sprout an additional leg and arm and you would for sure have three eyeballs on your forehead. When I was at Iolani, I joined the kayaking team and everyone tried so hard not to fall in. I fell in once and I was so tempted to take a shower in bleach… but luckily, my mom picked me up right away so I was able to take a steaming hot shower with plenty of soap and therefore did not sprout additional body parts! Phew! Could explain my wackiness though.
My father would fish here back in his youth and my mom boated along the Ala Wai in her younger days. I guess Ala Wai canal wasn’t always polluted. Apparently with the huge cleanup of the canal, it’s no longer polluted again but I’m not chancing it! I’m too scared! I survived the first time of the fall in and I’m not willing to test my luck again. Although I must admit, it doesn’t smell as awful anymore. I do enjoy running along the Ala Wai once in awhile… but I won’t run anywhere near the edge for fear of falling in!

Unilocal 365 Challenge #03/​365
Once considered one of the most polluted waterways in America, the Ala Wai Canal has come a long way from the 90s where the joke was you would glow if you fell in. While it has come a long way in cleanup, don’t let the kayakers and canoe paddlers that use the waterway fool you, it is still pretty dirty, however it does serve its purpose.
Built in the early 1920’s, the Ala Wai Canal was constructed to divert water from the Makiki, Palolo, and Manoa streams from the low lying areas along the shore. As a result, these areas wouldn’t be prone to flooding and would dry out and improve health concerns in the area.
As the canal was built, the soil dug out was used to raise the wetlands in what would become modern day Waikiki.
Well, since it is a man made structure and the tides and current don’t do enough to circulate the water, the canal still remains polluted. While the canal is dredged from time to time, it still accumulates run off from storm drains that deposit chemicals, oils, and other «wonderful» stuff into the canal.
So while the canal may look rather nice with tilapia swimming about, don’t let that fool you. Its still a polluted waterway, old and steady, while still serving out the original purpose of its construction and protecting what has become the major economic force in our fair city.

The Ala Wai Canal is pretty well known (notoriously) in Hawaii for its filthy water and funky smell, but it’s rep is part of what makes it special. It’s a huge landmark that is used by many; joggers, paddlers, tourists, and locals alike use this canal on a daily basis. Whenever I’m running this course I always see paddlers rowing away! It’s nice to sit on a bench and watch!
Ala Wai is a great run. The route is easy and pretty flat for the most part.
Once around the border of (part of) the canal (Kapiolani, Kapahulu, Ala Wai, and McCully) is roughly two and a half miles. Run that twice; throw in Kapiolani Park and the Honolulu Zoo; and you’ve got yourself a scenic, leisurely run slightly under eight miles!
As for parking, I like to park at Ala Wai Park and start my run from there. Sometimes there’s some sketchy, homeless guys hanging around the water fountain, so make sure you have a running buddy!
Unilocal 365 — #002/​365

Lots of efforts have been made to clean up the garbage in this canal in the past year or two and it’s a lot better looking and smelling since an spill a few years back. Although, sometimes, you can still smell something lurking. As a caution, at night, there are sometimes cockroaches and rats crawling, but it’s not very often! If that doesn’t scare you, then it’s really not a problem.
This is easily my favorite jogging spot for the following reasons:
+Hot guys canoeing (practically!) everyday at around 5−7pm
+Hot guys jogging w/​o a shirt at any given time of the day
+Great sunrises and sunsets
+Nice view of Diamond Head when jogging towards the East
+It’s lite at night, although sometimes, the lamp posts bulbs are blown out (booooooo!!)
+Usually always a breeze (cools down your sweat)
+Lots of friendly joggers during the day. At night, there are more casual people hanging out, but I’ve never had any problems with anyone
+Lots of cops in the area at night… not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing?
Just be careful to not fall into the canal!