Ala Wai Canal

Completed in 1928 after seven years of work, the Ala Wai Canal in the eastern part of Honolulu, Hawaii, is a destination that thousands and thousands of tourists pass each year. It's creation was more practical, although still related to tourism. The man made canal was used to drain the swamps which later became Waikiki, a very popular tourist destination. A total of three bridges cross the canal at three different spots before it connects with the ocean. Because it's not a natural waterway with lots of

circulation and aquatic life to keep things balanced, the water isn't that safe. It's still an impressive thing to see, though. The canal allowed Hawaii to reclaim a few square miles of real estate - which became Waikiki. So, if you look at it that way, the canal is something interesting to see. It's by far not the most impressive thing you see on any of the islands, but it's a great attraction in the Waikiki area.

You do need to be careful around the water, though. Problems caused by a flood in 2006 have left bacteria levels really high, even though the canal is dredged occasionally. As long as you don't go fishing or swim in the water, it's still something to admire about the tenacity of the Hawaiian spirit. On one side of the canal is Ala Wai Boulevard, while the other side is lined with tourist centers, apartments, and other locations in Waikiki.