Beautiful, spirited and intelligent, Princess Victoria Kaiulani Cleghorn would have been queen of Hawaii if the kingdom hadn’t been overthrown in 1893, and if she had lived beyond the age of 23. She was the only child of Princess Likelike — sister of King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani (Hawaii’s last reigning monarchs) — and Archibald Cleghorn, a prominent Scottish businessman who became a citizen of Hawaii in 1870.
When Princess Kaiulani (as she is traditionally known in Hawaii) was born in 1875, her godmother, Princess Ruth Keelikolani, gifted her four acres of land in Waikiki. They were added to the six acres her father had previously purchased, and that became the family’s estate. Likelike named it “Ainahau,” meaning “cool land” — perfect for a property near the sea, as it was refreshed by frequent breezes. Gardens throughout the estate included pikake (Arabian jasmine), which Princess Kaiulani loved. Ainahau was indeed a Waikiki paradise.
Today, the recently renovated 443-room Outrigger Waikiki Paradise Hotel stands on part of the land that Ainahau once occupied. It is conveniently located next to the International Market Place (a three-story dining and shopping hub) and a block from Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki’s main artery. The beach and ocean beckon just beyond that.
The lobby features a mural by artist Kamea Hadar.
Credit: 2025 Outrigger Resorts & HotelsHotel Highlights
Floor by floor, the 19-story Outrigger Waikiki Paradise (formerly Ohana Waikiki East) has been completely refreshed with new paint, furniture, fixtures and flooring. Its reimagined rooms and public spaces are filled with warmth, light and works by local artists and artisans that celebrate Ainahau’s natural beauty. Among my favorite pieces was a mural in the lobby behind the front desk, which showcases a tropical Eden of plumeria, mango, monstera and other plants. I also admired Ilima, a beautifully restored 15-foot Hawaiian outrigger canoe dating back to the early 1920s. Likely originally used for inshore fishing, it is still seaworthy, and — crafted of koa, kou, hau and wiliwili woods — is reputedly one of only a handful of its kind that remain.
An express elevator that services the top five floors whisked my boyfriend, Walter, and me to the 17th floor, where we had booked a one-bedroom suite. As we walked down the hall, we detected the sweet scent of pikake, diffused as a subtle tribute to Princess Kaiulani.
Our spacious, comfortable Waikiki hideaway included a dinette; a living room; and a nook with a coffee maker, a microwave, a mini-fridge, a sink and cabinets. It was nice to have ample storage for plates, utensils, cups and glasses, which are provided upon request at no charge.
We also appreciated the pikake-patterned beach bags we received at check-in; the 1,400-square-foot fitness center equipped with 30-plus machines; and the pool area’s complimentary cabanas, umbrella-shaded daybeds and reef-friendly sunscreen.
Guests can relax at the hotel’s stylish pool.
Credit: 2025 Outrigger Resorts & HotelsFoodies will love the two on-site restaurants. Appetito Craft Pizza & Wine Bar, for one, offers imaginative dishes such as octopus ceviche, Molokai sweet potato gnocchi and Korean yakiniku pizza with kimchi and gochujang mayo.
Tanaka of Tokyo, meanwhile, proves that one of the best shows in Waikiki doesn’t have music, songs or dances. Walter and I ordered the Matsu, a teppanyaki feast featuring chicken, lobster, Angus sirloin and assorted vegetables that was prepared before our eyes by our genial grill master, Jacob. Both chef and showman, he juggled knives and shakers, tossed shrimp high in the air and caught them with his spatula, and made a volcano of stacked onion rings erupt with “lava” (actually, a tasty soy sauce seasoning). Watching him was great fun, the food was fabulous and the conversation flowed nonstop. It was a delightful evening all around.
Tanaka of Tokyo is a delightful teppanyaki restaurant.
Credit: 2025 Outrigger Resorts & HotelsAlso of note: Every Oct. 16, Outrigger Waikiki Paradise hosts a ceremony to mark Princess Kaiulani’s birthday in the small park across the street, where a 7-foot bronze statue of her stands. Outrigger Resorts & Hotels gifted that impressive work of art to the city of Honolulu in 1999. During the ceremony, members of Hawaiian royal societies drape it with leis and share songs and stories about the princess and Ainahau. It’s a heartfelt reminder of their special place in Hawaiian history.
