1. Where to park in Waikiki?
The answer is simple: The Honolulu Zoo parking lot. Its entrance sits on Kapahulu Ave., right next to the famous Waikiki Wall. Pay machines accept cash and credit cards. And it's cheap -- only $1.50 per hour. From there it's a very short walk to whichever surfing spot you've picked for the day (Canoes, Queens, Threes, etc.). Here I am walking from the Zoo to Kuhio's.
Morning, noon, or evening! There's no really bad time to get out there with your board. The only caveat has to do with the tides. Generally, you should surf Waikiki at a medium to high tide. A high tide will cover the sharp coral reef heads and create smoother, more forgiving waves, whereas a low tide exposes the shallow, foot-scraping reef. On this particular day, the evening hours fell at high tide and so that's when I went out.
3. Should I rinse off my board when I'm done surfing? The answer is an emphatic yes. Remember: salt water is very corrosive. A fresh water rinse is essential to wash away sand, salt, and beach grime as well as to protect metal components like fin screws and leash swivels. Thankfully, public beach showers, like the one I'm using here, are distributed across the entire Waikiki Beach front.
Most are positioned on the beachside promenade. Also keep in mind surfing etiquette: a quick rinse for you and your board is fine, but avoid hogging the water and using soap as these public rinse stations are meant for quick sand and salt removal.Hope this helps!