Few locals visit Waikiki, but a casino could change that

From time to time, I will drive through Waikiki just to see what’s up in the center of our economic universe.

I’ll direct the trusty Toyota along the Ala Wai to check the few remaining old, island-style cottages pressed between high-rises, take a left at one of the side streets, another on to Kalakaua to eyeball the beaming tourists, and cruise up Diamond Head Road, winding through the underbelly of Kaimuki to get back to home turf.

Other than that, I hardly ever go Waikiki. Too much trouble. Parking too expensive. No need, which is what a recent survey of local people discovered.

Though the survey the Waikiki Improvement Association commissioned to gauge local perceptions about Waikiki found that 73 percent on Oahu had been in the zone at least once in the past year, I’m betting that most of them went to a hotel for a wedding, anniversary party or special event for family or friends and that the location was incidental rather than primary.

Of the 1,000 people who responded, 54 percent also said they go Waikiki less these days because of crowds, traffic, parking hassles and cost, and because there was no reason, no motivation.

Waikiki does have clubs attractive to the younger crowd and a couple of revue showrooms, mainly for visitors wanting vacation entertainment. So no need go.

For shopping, Waikiki offers luxury designer stores whose numbers rival those in the fashion meccas of New York, Paris and London, but if Louis Vuitton or Ferragamo are your bags, Ala Moana Center is far more convenient, parking more abundant and free. Waikiki? No need. As for kitschy stuff like volcano-shaped candles and polyester-rayon pareu, really no need.

Happy Meals and Thai chicken pizzas abound in the resort district, but like the boutiques, they can be found elsewhere. When residents want to splurge on a fine dinner, they find that most of Honolulu’s best restaurants reside outside the Kalakaua quarter. Waikiki? No need.

When they want to see Oscar-nominated films? Well, since the famed C.W. Dickey landmark movie house, graced with fountains, fresco and murals, was razed more than a decade ago, going to Waikiki is useless because no mo’ theaters.

One other thing emerged from the survey, which appears to be the key point for the sampling. The association asked if local people would come on down for a casino. No surprise that 76 percent said they would.

The association says it is not advocating casino development and has taken no position on gambling. But clearly, no Waikiki business would be unhappy if local dollars didn’t flow into a Nevada desert town, but cascaded instead on the sands of Waikiki.

Legislative leaders say they won’t likely pass legalized gambling measures this year, but gambling promoters have been lobbying long and hard on the issue. The survey filled their need to make their case.

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Cynthia Oi can be reached at coi@staradvertiser.com.