OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel doesn’t just give you a place to stay in Honolulu – it gives you a story you can’t experience anywhere else. As Hawai’i’s first craft hotel, its soul is built by local makers, artists, musicians and food producers rather than borrowed from a standard resort playbook. Hawaiian art and photography fill the property, dining draws on island flavours, and the creative pulse of Waikiki is everywhere you look.
That spirit reaches its fullest expression at the OUTRIGGER Theater, home to Cirque du Soleil ‘Auana – a production performed nowhere else in the world. Unbound by the constraints of reality, ‘Auana reimagines and pays homage to the Hawaiian spirit through Cirque du Soleil’s signature artistry and daring acrobatics.
Add in a spot on Kalākaua Avenue – steps from the beach, shops and restaurants – and OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber isn’t just a hotel. It’s your gateway into Honolulu’s creative soul.
The only place to see Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Auana
The showstopper here is Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Auana – a Hawai’i-inspired spectacle exclusive to OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. Gravity-defying acrobatics and big laughs collide with live Hawaiian music, soaring vocals and hula, performed by a cast that pulls together international Cirque talent and homegrown Hawaiian artists.
And this isn’t just Cirque with a tropical backdrop slapped on. Cultural producer Aaron J. Salā, costume designer Manaola and choreographer Kumu Hula Hiwa Vaughan are all Hawaiian creatives, which means the storytelling, the movement and even the fabric on stage are rooted in real Hawaiian tradition.
Make it a Maui Brewing Co. night
Maui Brewing Co. Waikiki is where the hotel really lets its hair down – a big, open-air space made for hanging out, not just eating. We’re talking 36 craft and specialty beers on tap, from Maui Brewing’s own lineup to pours from other independent breweries, plus a menu built around fresh local produce and dishes that actually taste handcrafted, not hotel-buffet.
Live music kicks off every evening, and if you time it right, you’ll catch happy hour twice – afternoon and late-night – on select days. It’s the kind of place you can wander into sandy and sunburnt for one quick post-beach beer, or settle into for hours with dinner, drinks and live tunes.
Waikiki right outside your door
The hotel sits on Kalākaua Avenue, Waikiki’s main shopping, dining and entertainment strip. International Market Place is directly adjacent, while Waikiki Beach is across the street and less than a five-minute walk away.
That location makes it simple to shape your days around the island’s classic pleasures. Start with a swim or surf, browse the shops along Kalākaua Avenue, then return to the hotel for live music, craft beer or ‘Auana. You’re also within easy reach of Waikiki Beach Walk, Honolulu Zoo and the many restaurants and cafés that make this part of O’ahu so popular.
The hotel is not a beachfront resort, so you’ll cross the road to reach the sand. In return, you get a central Waikiki base with the city’s atmosphere and entertainment immediately around you.
Art, music and easygoing activities
The hotel’s local character continues beyond the murals and photography. Beachcomber Originals, a collection of local artists and influencers, shapes the property’s design, from the public spaces to the rooms. The TOMA programme brings local artists to the pool deck each quarter for art, music, food and community-focused events.
You can also join sunrise yoga, watch films by the pool or visit the Beachcomber Activities Lounge to arrange experiences around O’ahu. The hotel’s outdoor pool and hot tub offer a quieter pause between outings, while Hawaiian Aroma Caffé provides Kona coffee, acai bowls, pastries and quick bites beside the pool.
This is a good fit for travellers who want a social, creative base rather than a stay built around formal dining or extensive resort facilities. Couples can move easily between beach time, drinks and evening entertainment, while families have space to mix their own activities with the hotel’s relaxed programme.
With ‘Auana, Maui Brewing Co., local art and Waikiki Beach all within easy reach, OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber offers a stay shaped around what makes Honolulu fun.
Discover Hawai’i
Featured image: OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. Supplied.
