Ala Wai Dog Park - Honolulu, HI
Ala Wai Dog Park: Honolulu’s Friendly, Off-Leash Community Space
Located in the heart of Honolulu, Hawaii, Ala Wai Dog Park offers a much-needed pet-friendly oasis for city dwellers. This fenced dog park near Waikiki features separate areas for both large and small dogs, making it easy for owners to find the right space for their pets. Dog owners appreciate the park’s convenient location and easy access to parking, with free spaces behind the school athletic fields or across the street near the Red Cross. The grassy, open layout is designed for safe, off-leash play and socialization, making it a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike.
Ala Wai Dog Park includes benches, mature trees offering some shade, a double-gated entrance for security, complimentary poop bags, and a bulletin board with useful information and lost-and-found items. While the park’s water fountains have had reliability issues, it’s recommended to bring your own water. The community is known for being responsible and keeping the park clean, and there’s a donation system to keep things maintained. Despite being smaller than some other Honolulu dog parks, Ala Wai offers a welcoming, sociable environment, perfect for sunny afternoons with your furry companion.
FAQ for Ala Wai Dog Park
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, dogs are allowed off-leash within the fenced areas.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? Yes, the park is fully fenced with double-gated entry for security.
- Are there separate areas for small and large dogs? Yes, there are dedicated sections for large and small dogs.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Benches are provided, though reviews mention their availability may change over time.
- Are there water fountains or bowls for dogs? There are water fountains, but they may not always be operational—bring your own water just in case.
- Are poop bags or waste stations provided? Complimentary poop bags are provided.
- Where is the best place to park? There is free parking behind the school athletic fields and a small lot across the street near the Red Cross.
- How busy does the park get on weekends? The park tends to be busiest after work hours, with high dog activity and socializing.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, the park is usually well-maintained by responsible owners and funded by donations.
- Is there shade or shelter available? There is some natural shade from trees, but not much covered shelter.
- What should I do if there’s an aggressive dog? Owners are advised to be attentive; the community expects dog owners to be responsible and intervene as needed.
Reviews
Nice location but the construction destruction in 2005 destroyed the nice secluded area with the highest terrain along the Ala Wai allowing the obtrusive headlights from Waikiki to invade our once beautiful starlit park and now spotlights from Iolani School ruin this secluded starview experience
Great experience. The dog park is split into big and small dogs. But when there’s no sports on the adjacent softball field, many owners take their dogs there. The people there are very responsible with their dogs, picking up after them and keeping an eye on their dog. Great opportunity for training and socialize too.
Great place for dogs to play and socialize. Completely fenced in with a double gate entrance, there are two separate sides, one for big dogs, and one for small dogs. Water is available one both sides to keep your canine friends hydrated. Benches are available for the humans sit and watch the four legged fun.
Our dog really enjoys this park. We like to go later in the afternoon and there were usually 1-5 other small dogs for him to play with. There is nearby free parking behind the school athletic fields. As others mentioned, the park is small and there is not too much shade. If you are looking for a larger park with more shade, try the park near Diamond Head.
The dog park area has separate areas for large and small dogs. Given the size of Ala Wai Park, they could have made the dog park area much larger. The small dog side had at least 15 dogs in it. While it’s great to have a place to let him off the leash, the area is too confined for so many dogs.