Named for the former Public Baths, a recreation facility on the shore of Kapi'olani Regional Park directly inshore of the surf site from 1908 until the early 1950s. The facility included showers, dressing rooms, lockers for men and women, and a refreshment stand. The surf site was originally called Public Baths, but the name was shortened to Publics after the recreation facility was demolished. (from John Clark's Hawaii' Place Names)

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Harold Aoki, former Waikiki storeowner
(from University of Hawai'i Oral History Program)

"We had Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiians. We go to Waikiki Elementary School, eh? All of them there. We play together. Like Saturday and Sunday, I`m in the water. Waikiki, in the water, surfing… To carry the board is a big load for us. So what we do is leave the surfboard on the beach. One day, all right; two day, all right; three day, all right; four day, all right. Never run away."