We are a cross-section of business, government and the community, our members care about the future of this special place, Waikiki.
For more than 50 years, the Waikiki Improvement Association has remained true to its objective: "To improve, enrich and beautify Waikiki for the benefit of residents and visitors alike...to promote conditions conducive to the economic and cultural good and for the betterment of the entire community."
What We've Achieved
Waikīkī Improvement Association continues to champion physical and cultural revitalization, welcome visitors and island residents, and encourage visitor-local interaction. The accomplishments and hard work of many of these WIA initiatives continue to bear fruit today.
2022-23 Safe and Sound Waikiki, a public safety program was initiated in partnership with WIA, WBIDA, HLTA, the city prosecutor and the Honolulu Police department. The first year was very successful with reductions in crime rates and an increase in length of sentences and increasing geographic restrictions from less than 10 to over 150.
2022 - City & County of Honolulu pass a new law, championed by WIA, regarding Short Term Rentals (STR) or Vacation Rentals. The law restricts STRs to resort district, changes the definition of STRs to under 90 days and sets up a new registration system.
2021 - The Waikiki Beach maintenance Project completed in May 2021, added 21,700 cubic yards of sand. The project roughly doubled the beach width on most sections between the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Kuhio Beach Park.
2021 - The Ala Wai Canal maintenance dredging and seawall repairs were completed April, 2021. The project resulted in an estimated 168,955 cubic yards of dredged material.
2020 - In July 2020, the long-awaited replacement of the Royal Hawaiian Groin by the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association (WBSIDA), managed by WIA, was completed. The new groin preserves Waikiki Beach from the Kuhio Beach basins to the Royal Hawaiian Resort.
2020 - Vehicles that use freight curb loading zones or bus stops in Waikiki will be required to have a supplemental Transportation Management Special Improvement District (TMSID) permit. The funds from the permits will be used for enforcement and adding new loading and unloading zones.
2020 - The Waikiki Sidewalk Project replaced the red brick with quartzite flagstone and added enhanced and new landscaping with drainage improvements. The finished improvements will enrich the enjoyment and walking experience along Kalakaua Avenue.
2019 - WIA and the Waikiki Neighborhood Board partnered to request and support Bill 8 (2019) to limit the number of street closure events in Waikiki and tighten requirements to document public benefit.
2019 - WIA and the Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association worked with the State of Hawaii Dept of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to secure the appropriation of $12.5 million for Waikiki Beach improvements.
2018 - At the request of WIA, legislation prohibiting mobile kiosks on Kalakaua Ave sidewalks was introduced and passed.
2018 - Waikiki Transportation Management District Association was formally organized and constituted as a non-profit corporation. It was created at WIA’s request.
2017 - WIA led Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association (WBSIDA) established the first Waikiki Beach Stakeholders Advisory committee.
2017 - WIA sponsored legislation creating a Waikiki Transportation Management District was enacted into law in September, 2017.
2017 - The Ala Wai Watershed Collaboration (WIA is one of the lead members) secured funding for a $500,000 effort to set up a Community Re-investment District to develop a plan for the Ala Wai Watershed environmental restoration and flood control.
2016 - WIA's Waikiki Transportation Management Association (WTMA) worked with stakeholders to revise the traffic management on Royal Hawaiian Ave, creating a new signage plan and increasing the legal loading area for buses and trolleys from one to five. This resulted in smoother traffic flow.
2016 - WIA worked with the City and Waikiki Neighborhood board to reduce the number of street closures for special events on Kalakaua Ave, from 35 to 27 and implemented rule changes that improve traffic flow.
2016 - WIA submitted to the City Dept of Planning and Permitting (DPP) a draft rewrite for the Waikiki Special District Design Guidelines.
2016 - WIA is playing a central role in the Ala Wai Watershed Partnership (AWWP), a diverse public-private stakeholder group committed to an ambitious action plan to clean up the Ala Wai Watershed and to improve the function and water quality of the Ala Wai Canal.
2015- A Bill to establish a Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District was passed by the Honolulu City Council and signed into law by Mayor Caldwell in May. On June 17th the Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association (WBSIDA) had its organizational meeting. The nonprofit, run by representative Waikiki stakeholders, will develop a long-term Waikiki Beach Management Plan and contribute to public-private maintenance and restoration projects. The funding would come from assessments on Waikiki's commercial properties. The first project funded will be the Royal Hawaiian Groin replacement.
2014 - In September, the city passed two bills proposed by Mayor Caldwell at the request of Waikiki stakeholders. The first made it illegal to sit or lie down on Waikiki sidewalks and the second made it illegal to urinate or defecate in public. The bills have already made a visible difference on Waikiki streets.
2014 - WIA led the initiative in cooperation with WBIDA, the city and the publishers to amend the existing publications rack ordinance to allow greater flexibility in moving and replacing underutilized racks and making the program financially self-sufficient so that funds will be available to replace and maintain the publication racks.
2013 - An all-pedestrian cycle was added to Royal Hawaiian Avenue and Lewer Street intersection, easing congestion caused by cars turning off Kalakaua Avenue.
2013 - Waikiki 20/20 Community Outreach Completed
2012 - Waikiki 20/20 Conference held at the Hawaii Convention Center, wtih the Waikiki Improvement Association and the Honolulu Star Advertiser as presenting sponsors.
2012 – Beach nourishment project completed, 24,000 cubic yards of sand was pumped from offshore deposits recycled to Waikīkī Beach adding 37 feet of beach
2011 - The use of quartzite pavers on sidewalks in the City and private sector projects on Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues contribute greatly to making Waikiki a world class destination resort. For this reason and for the sake of consistency, WIA has worked with the City to incorporate quartzite pavers in the remaining unimproved sidewalk areas along Kalakaua Ave. The first phase was completed in November, 2011.
2011 - WIA leads the effort for the third round of WSD reform, rezoning Waikīkī for more mixed use flexibility and relaxing restriction on the development of small lots and on sidewalk dining.
2010 - WIA Waikīkī Transit Studies to improve traffic funded.
2009 - WIA successfully gets the State to restore sand to Kuhio Beach.
2008 - WIA leads effort changing the law allowing better commercial signage in Waikiki.
2007 - WIA launches the first International Waikīkī Hula Conference at the Hawaii Convention center.
2005 - Ala Wai flood control funding secured.
2004 - WIA drafted and helped pass City and State tax initiatives for commercial construction.
2004 - WIA assumes management role for Kuhio Beach Torch Lighting and Hula Show as well as Sunset on the Beach in conjunction with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the City & County of Honolulu.
2004 - Kuhio Avenue landscaped and sidewalks repaved.
2003 - Dredging of the Ala Wai Canal with 185,801 cubic yards of trash, debris and muck pulled from the Waikiki Waterway.
2003 - Second round of WSD reforms passes.
2002 - WIA partners with the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Assoc., the City and private land owners to create the Waikīkī Historic Trail.
2001 to date - WIA organizes events like Spam Jam, Waikīkī Restaurant Week, Brunch and Sunset on the Beach, New Year's Fireworks and others.
2001 - WIA establishes the Waikīkī Business Improvement District, Hawaii's first---and a model for others locally.
1999 - WIA creates a plan for the revitalization of Waikīkī.
1998 - Geographic restriction ordinance passes, providing an important tool to combat prostitution.
1998 - WIA Champions building of Hawaii's Convention Center.
1996 - First round of Waikīkī Special District amendments and capital improvement project funding ($2 million) passes the Honolulu City Council with WIA member support.
1994 - Waikīkī peddling ordinance banning commercial activity on public sidewalk stands when the U.S. Supreme Court refuses to hear from t-shirt vendors. WIA led the fight to regulate “free speech” sales activities.
1994 to Present - WOW! (Waikīkī Ohana Workforce) adopts Waikīkī Beach and begins quarterly beach clean-ups.
1991 – Waikīkī Gateways are established with King Kalakaua Park and Ala Wai Blvd Fountain.
1990 - Waikīkī Foundation, under the aegis of WIA, dedicates the heroic statue of Duke Kahanamoku, Olympic champion swimmer and Hawaii's Ambassador of Aloha, with funds raised from public contribution.
1988 to 1989 - Waikīkī Tomorrow Conference brings together 400 Waikiki stakeholders to plan Waikiki's future and set the foundation for many initiatives.
1977 – Waikīkī Special Design District becomes the nation's first hotel improvement district.