When sea water opens at Ewa Beach on March 25, 2023, it will usher in a new era of experiencing recreation. Wai Kai is a year-round destination for adventurous adventurers, centered by the Wai Kai Wave and the nearby 52-acre recreational Wai Kai Lagoon, and is located 35 minutes from Honolulu at the Hoakalei Resort. The Nalo Kai Club with private lounge, three outstanding restaurants, custom events, and Sessions Lifestyle & Clothing Store are notable features. The design of Wai Kai sets the stage for transformative experiences by combining the island’s top attractions and honoring Hawaii’s historical and cultural connections to water.
According to Larry Caster, director of retail development, “Wai Kai seeks to foster community and connection through participatory and engaging activities, restaurants, and events. We’re thrilled to offer a special setting for community gathering and to show visitors to Hawaii’s rich surfing and waterman cultures.
Surf:
The Wai Kai Wave, powered by citywave®, is the first deep water standing wave in Hawaii and provides an unmatched surfing experience for surfers of all skill levels, from amateur to expert. The wave is 100 feet wide, varies in height from 7 to 6 feet, can hold up to three lanes with ten surfers each, and is designed to resemble famous standing river swells like Oahu’s fabled Waimea River. A mini-fridge, sound system, live video feeds of the wave, internal bench seating, and other amenities are available in the six Surfside Cabanas next to the Wai Kai Wave. Future plans include establishing the Wai Kai Wave Surf Academy in collaboration with Wai Kai partner and former No. 2 surfer in the world, X-Games champion, and high-performance surf instructor for Red Bull, Shane Beschen.
We want to be a useful resource for those who enjoy the water, not to take the place of the ocean, added Beschen. “The regular and predictable character of the Wai Kai Wave facilitates an in-depth approach to coaching that is made easier by our custom surf curriculum and cutting-edge technology. The top athletes in the sport may sharpen their skills in the ideal practice environment, and beginners can enter the action and learn in a safe setting.
Beschen and other well-known surfers from around the world are available for specialized training and teaching. Many current and former professional surfers, including Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore, world champion big wave surfer Kai Lenny, and “Mr. Pipeline” Gerry Lopez, have already flocked to the wave.
Lenny declared, “I had the nicest time at The LineUp. Because the ride never ends, it’s the ideal setting for honing your surfing skills and experimenting with new tricks. I’m eager to return.
Aquatics:
The 52-acre protected Wai Kai Lagoon, located only steps from the Pacific Ocean, offers a wide range of water sports for guests to select from. Kayaks, SUPs, pedalboards, hydrobikes, outrigger canoes, surf skis, paddle boats, Duffy boat trips, and AquaBana floating cabanas are just a few of the watercraft that may be rented. For the same hourly charge as renting a kayak or paddleboard, tourists can enjoy the floating cabanas and switch between different watercraft with the Play your way package. At the waterfront, single or double clamshell recliners can be reserved.
To eat:
Friends and family can enjoy a range of epicurean experiences together at three distinctive dining establishments. The LookOut Food & Drink, a Surfrider Foundation Ocean Friendly Restaurant, offers unimpeded views of the nearby Wai Kai Lagoon and the beautiful Pacific Ocean as well as front-row views of the surfing action from the wide lanai and gulf deck. The menu, which embraces the island’s distinctive richness by putting an emphasis on locally produced produce, is inspired by well-known surf destinations from throughout the world. Visitors can sample a selection of coffees, smoothies, fresh juices, handcrafted drinks, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals at Foam Coffee & Bar.
The highly regarded Kitchen Door Napa makes its Hawaiian premiere as the signature restaurant for Wai Kai, with a dual-dining concept spread across a two-story, 7,200 square foot space. The restaurant’s three partners—Michelin-starred chef Todd Humphries, Maui-born restaurateur Richard Miyashiro, and managing partner Tim Seberson—are well-known for their hospitality and culinary skills. Together, they present the restaurant. The primary restaurant, Plaza Grill, is located on the higher Plaza Level and has a full-service dining area, a wraparound bar, an open kitchen, a large lanai facing the lagoon, and a parlor for more private events. Boardwalk Cafe, a lively counter service restaurant perfect for rapid service, is located on the lagoon level. It offers a diverse selection of traditional favorites served à la minute by chefs with classical training on an all-day menu.
Programs and events:
Wai Kai and Hawaii-based Events International have collaborated to create a full calendar of participatory and interesting events and experiences for people of all ages. Wai Kai will host unforgettable group events and catered occasions, from small get-togethers to complete buyouts. Venues include the 12,600 square foot Surfside Lawn at the Wai Kai Wave, the 61,200 square foot Event Lawn, the Fire Pit Terrace, Lagoon Promenade along the nearby Wai Kai Lagoon, and a number of other function venues.
Wahine Wednesdays, a surf, paddle, or yoga session followed by food and drink specials at The LookOut, are regular events. Sustainability Sundays is a monthly event featuring neighborhood nonprofits dedicated to sustainable solutions. Other regular events include social paddles on Wai Kai Lagoon, farmer’s markets highlighting local produce and vendors, and Wahine Wednesdays. Future services will also include Camp Kai, a multi-day camp for kids held on a few times throughout the year.
Starting on April 17, 2023, the renowned Wai Kai Show will enthrall visitors every Monday night with a family-style dinner and a spellbinding performance including dancers, musicians, and surfers. The Wai Kai Wave is used by Hawaiian and Tahitian performers to incorporate real surfing into a song and dance performance about the theme of water. This is the ideal opportunity to learn about the development of surfing and the He’e Pu’e Wai (river wave surfing).
Sustainability:
The only sustainability standard created for the surf park industry, Sustainable Tourism & Outdoors Kit for Evaluation (STOKE), has benchmarked The LineUp at Wai Kai. Major wave technology companies and surf parks provided feedback for the development of the STOKE Surf Parks standard.
Also, The LineUp at Wai Kai is pleased to collaborate with the Hawaii-based SeaTrees program and Sustainable Surf. A dollar is provided to the SeaTrees Program to help restore coral reefs, coastal watersheds, kelp forests, mangroves, and educational programs for each booking of a visitor activity on Wai Kai Wave or Wai Kai Lagoon. Each token purchased on Maui restores one square foot of the coastal watershed while also capturing one ton of carbon emissions through dual certified carbon credits.
Wai Kai has a no-plastic, single-use policy, and all discarded items must be BPI-certified compostable. Sustainable Island Goods and Mananalu Water are examples of eco-friendly packaging solutions.
Reservations and Membership:
A club-style locker room, showers, and an air-conditioned lounge with concierge services are all included in the exclusive Nalo Kai Lounge. The club is open to guests with a day pass or monthly membership. Rates for an hour-long watercraft rental and a 45-minute surfing session start at $45 and $90, respectively. The LineUp Local is a monthly and annual membership program featuring price reductions and preferred access to exclusive activities and events created for Kama’aina (local residents of Hawaii) and the military. Prices for surfing sessions on LineUp Local start at $70 for 45 minutes and $34 for an hour.
Online reservations are available here. Visit https://waikai.com/ or https://atthelineup.com/ for additional details.
About the line at Wai Kai
In the Hoakalei Resort in West Oahu, there is an attractive waterfront recreation and entertainment area called The LineUp at Wai Kai. The Wai Kai Wave powered by citywave®, along with stand-up paddling, kayaking, and other water activities on the nearby Wai Kai Lagoon, will be featured there as a vibrant social and activity hub. The LookOut Food & Drink, which offers a front-row seat to the surfing action, and Foam Coffee & Bar are two dining alternatives at The LineUp. The Nalo Kai Club and Sessions Lifestyle & Apparel are further amenities. Visit www.waikai.com or www.atthelineup.com for additional details.
The Haseko family of businesses
The Haseko Family of Businesses has been developing residential, commercial, and resort properties in Hawaii since 1973, and it has established a strong reputation for producing high-quality work and showing a sincere dedication to the local community. The award-winning master-planned communities of Ocean Pointe and Hoakalei Resort, Kauai Beach Villas and Kauai Hilton Hotel, Kaanapali Shores resort condominiums on Maui, The Courtyards at Punahou, and Ocean View Center in Honolulu are some of the most renowned hotel, commercial, and residential projects. Wai Kai is one of the individual, autonomous businesses in the Haseko family. The Haseko Family of Businesses is a convenient name for several businesses.
The LineUp at Wai Kai’s manager, Surf Park Management, Inc., is a trusted and experienced management team whose primary goal is to provide profitable business outcomes in the developing surf park industry. SPM, based in San Diego, California, offers developers and investors in surf parks and the recreation and hotel industries they support consultancy and management services. SPM utilizes the surfing technology that is most effective for the particular locales and related operating conditions. The staff is made up of sports and surfing fanatics with extensive knowledge in sophisticated resort operations and event planning.
