Oahu will welcome a new waterfront recreation and lifestyle venue on Ewa Beach on March 25, 2023.

Located 35 minutes from Honolulu within Hoakalei Resort, Wai Kai is a year-round venue for active adventurers anchored by the Wai Kai Wave and the adjacent 52-acre recreational Wai Kai Lagoon. Standout elements at Wai Kai include three restaurants, bespoke events, Nalo Kai Club with private lounge, and Sessions Lifestyle & Apparel shop.

The facility will be available for group functions and catered events ranging from intimate gatherings to full buyouts. Event venues include the 61,200-square-foot Event Lawn, Fire Pit Terrace, Lagoon Promenade along the adjacent Wai Kai Lagoon, the 12,600-square-foot Surfside Lawn by the Wai Kai Wave, and more.

“Wai Kai aims to create community and connection through interactive and engaging activities, dining and events,” said Larry Caster, director of Retail Development. “We’re excited to provide a unique place for locals to gather while introducing travelers to the vibrant surf and waterman lifestyle for which Hawaii is known.”

Facilities at Wai Kai include:

Wai Kai Wave: Powered by citywave®, the Wai Kai Wave is Hawaii’s first deep-water standing wave. Spanning 100 feet wide and adjustable from two- to six-feet high, the wave allows up to three lanes with 10 surfers per lane. Offering a surfing experience for all levels from beginner to pro, it emulates the natural standing river waves like Oahu’s legendary Waimea River. Six Surfside Cabanas adjacent to Wai Kai Wave feature interior sofa seating, a mini refrigerator, sound system, live video feeds of the wave and additional amenities. Upcoming plans include the Wai Kai Wave Surf Academy, developed in collaboration with Wai Kai partner Shane Beschen, former world no. 2 ranked surfer, X-Games champion and Red Bull’s high-performance surf coach.

Wai Kai Lagoon: A protected 52-acre lagoon just steps away from the Pacific Ocean, offers a robust program of water activities. A variety of watercraft are available to rent, including kayaks, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) and pedalboards, Hydrobikes, outrigger canoes, surfskis, pedal boats, Duffy boat cruises and AquaBana floating cabanas.

Three dining venues: The Lookout Food & Drink, a Surfrider Foundation Ocean Friendly Restaurant; Foam Coffee & Bar; and a two-storey, 7,200-square-foot, dual-dining venue created by Kitchen Door Napa, which is comprised of Plaza Grill (full-service dining room with open kitchen and wrap-around bar) and Boardwalk Cafe, an interactive counter-service restaurant.

Wai Kai will also offer a full range of events and programming. Set events include social paddles on the Wai Kai Lagoon; farmers markets highlighting local products and vendors; Wahine Wednesdays, a surf, paddle or yoga session followed by food and drink specials at The Lookout; and Sustainability Sundays, a monthly event featuring locally-based non-profit organizations committed to sustainable solutions. In addition, the signature Wai Kai Show, beginning April 17, 2023, will combine a family-style dinner with a show featuring dancers, musicians and surfers. Hawaiian and Tahitian performers weave a story of water through song and dance and incorporate live surfing by using the Wai Kai Wave – the perfect way to learn about the history of He’e Nalu (surfing) and He’e Pu’e Wai (river wave surfing).

Wai Kai has several sustainability initiatives built into its development and operation, including a ban on the use of single-use plastics and ensuring all disposable products are 100 percent BPI certified compostable.