In the 1800s, the area was a retreat for Hawaiian royalty, who enjoyed surfing there on early forms of longboards.

In 1893, Greek-American George Lycurgus leased the guest house of Allen Herbert and renamed it the "Sans Souci" (French for "without worries" or “carefree”) creating one of the first beach resorts.

Later that year Robert Louis Stevenson stayed at the resort; subsequently it became a popular destination for mainland tourists.

By 1950, more than 80 structures, including seawalls, groins, piers, and storm drains, occupied the Waikīkī shoreline.

[13] Following World War II, Waikīkī beach restoration efforts have occurred every few years.

In March 1971, the Corps of Engineers Pacific Ocean Division, created a Draft Environmental Statement for the Kuhio Beach Sector of Waikīkī, which aimed to improve the overall quality and size of the fading and narrowing shoreline.

In 2017, beach erosion worsened with high-energy king tides and elevated sea levels.

Honolulu's mayor stated: "I'm not a scientist, but I'll get a jackhammer in there and remove all the concrete that's there creating this backwash and sucking out more sand, plus it's just downright dangerous.

"[21]The beach hosts many events, including surf competitions, outdoor performances, hula dancing, and outrigger canoe races.

The many amenities, shops, and hotels enable Waikīkī to generate approximately 42 percent of Hawaiʻi's visitor revenue.

[22] The neighborhood extends from the Ala Wai Canal (a channel dug to drain wetlands) on the west and north, to Diamond Head (Lēʻahi, tuna brow) on the east.

Waikīkī Beach is noted for its views of the Diamond Head tuff cone, its usually warm and cloud-free climate, and its surf break.

[13] Since 1951, nearly 2,800,000 cubic feet (80,000 m3) of sand have been added to restore the beach in the region,[citation needed] but it is believed[by whom?]

The bronze statue of Prince Jonah Kuhio by Sean Browne[33] and the children's story sculpture Makua and Kila by Holly Young were installed in 2001.

[36] Officials look for ways to sustain the existing sand by eliminating loss due to tidal flow.

The Honolulu Police Department has increased patrolling in and around Waikīkī Beach with assistance from other city agencies and local businesses to prevent homeless people from making camp in this area.