The inhabitants of Waikiki date back to early Polynesian immigrants that dwelled in the islands of Waikiki. The entire of the Hawaiian Islands was populated for a long time with these migrants and the earliest evidence of their presence dates back to about 4 th century. It was not however till contact with the European travelers that the place was recognized as a geographical entity of distinct language, culture and population.

Thus it was the advent of the British that gave Hawaiian island including the large island of Oahu on which the Waikiki neighborhood is situated an identity with the world.