Hawaii’s first artificial surfing site, Wai Kai, opened at Keku Point on Ewa Beach on the 25th.
The $112 million Waikai surf spot includes three restaurants, a coffee shop and pub, two lawns, walking trails, a terrace with fire pit, the Nalo Kai Club lounge, a clothing store, a sandy beach, a pier, it will be operated as a comprehensive amusement park for surfing and leisure, including equipment rentals.
Haseko, a real estate developer, oversaw the construction.
Larry Caster, director of Haseko Corporation, said in a statement that he hopes that the Waikai Surfing Area will become a place where the local community can communicate through surfing, dining and events, and will provide a unique experience for residents and visitors alike.
Nicole Fuertes, Director of Waikai Surfing, opens with a new gathering place on Oahu, including Women’s Day (Wahine) on Wednesday, surf, paddle, yoga, restaurants, and sustainability with local nonprofits every Sunday. He explained that various activities such as events and Camp Kai events for children will be prepared.
In particular, he added that the surf school developed by Shane Baschen, an X-Games champion and former world number 2 surfer, will provide high-quality surfing education.
For more information about surf schools, visit atthelineup.com.
Skip Taylor, director of surf park management, a surf advisory firm, explained that the waves at Waikai surf are like the Waimea River, which is famous for river surfing.
The waves at Waikai Surfing Area are the widest in the world at 100 feet.
Taylor added that the wave height can be adjusted from 2 to 6 feet and is deep enough for a standard surfboard.
Shane Vesten said that the Waikai surf spot is not a means to replace waves, but a valuable experience for people who love water.
In other words, the main goal is to become a driving range for players and a surf school for residents.
Meanwhile, it is known that the Waikai artificial surf rink uses water, not sea water, to fill the water tank.
Regarding this, State Senator Kurt Pevela cited the Red Hill fuel tank leak as an example, and showed a position that it was difficult to understand that a project that consumes a lot of waterworks during the worst drinking water crisis was carried out.
According to Taylor, director of Surf Park Management, the Waikai surf requires about 1.7 million gallons of water, which is two and a half times the size of an Olympic-size swimming pool.
Haseko, which oversees development, explained how the decision to use tap water was made after considering various environmental factors, such as maintenance and management of the tank, health, and lagoon biology.
In addition to water supply, Senator Febbella expressed concerns about the increase in traffic and tourism that the Waikai surf could cause.
Director Haseko Sa Caster said that more than 65% of the users of Waikai Surfing Resort are expected to be Hawaii residents and emphasized that additional development planned in the future will be possible only when the support of residents is supported.