Canoes was named because outrigger canoes surf the waves here daily. Also known as Canoes Surf.

The coral reef also made the area a wonderful fishing ground. The conjunction of sand and flat reef enabled squid, lobster, moi, papio, and a range of reef fish to flourish.

Unfortunately, the tourist industries cared little about sustaining food sources for the local population or the natural environment. They demanded more space for the tourists and widened the beach by bringing in tons and tons of sand. Much of it drifted into the reef and filled in the squid and lobster habitat. The sand also sectioned off the surf. The classic Waikiki ride – from outside to surfbreak is no longer possible.

text partially from Waikiki Beachboy by Grady Timmons, 1989

Paul Strauch, Jr.
From http://www.hawaiiansurfclub.com

"...Chubby Mitchell was an incredibly deft (not deaf!) surfer. His nimble hot-dogging moves like square bottom turns, cross-step walking, nose-riding and powering through whitewater on his 11'0" Jacobs were unmatched by any other 400-lb.man, Hawaiian or not!I knew Chubby from small kid days at Waikiki. He could fall asleep anywhere. Once I saw Chubby standing and leaning up against a surfboard locker at the Waikiki Surf Club on the beach looking out at Canoe's surf. I walked up to him about to ask how the surf was when I saw his eyes were closed and he was snoring."