Waikiki Malia — A Sanctuary of Aloha in the Heart of Waikiki

Article by Dr. Robert “Battle Ax” Ornelas — Staff Journalist, IPA Magazine Travel

The Waikiki Malia stands at the center of Waikīkī as more than a hotel. It is a place where comfort, culture, and the spirit of Aloha converge. For me, it became the final and most needed place of rest after weeks of international travel, hip-hop concerts, conferences, community assignments, and family time across the Hawaiian Islands.

My bond with Hawai‘i began in the mid-1980s, when my father — a single dad searching for
healing, adventure, and stability for both of us — brought me to the islands for the first time. During those early trips, he introduced us to the locals, our Indigenous cousins, and a loving Hawaiian and Portuguese family who embraced us as their own. They showed us real Aloha from the inside: family gatherings, hidden local spots, cultural traditions, and the heartbeat of the islands. Those early relationships rooted Hawai‘i deep in my spirit and shaped the way I would return for decades.

How This Assignment Began

While touring the Hawaiian Islands before my family flew in for our vacation, I received a message from our IPA Magazine Travel staff asking me to visit the Waikiki Malia for an official feature. What began as a simple assignment became a meaningful collaboration. Joseph Chandler, our Chief Journalist and Media Relations, initiated the request. Linda Lee, our Assistant Editor, managed all communication with professionalism and care. Junko Austin, Reservations Manager, responded promptly with warmth and clarity. Katie Kaanapu, Marketing and Public Relations with MacNaughton Company, finalized everything and upgraded my stay. Their sincerity and professionalism set the tone before I ever set foot in the hotel. I thank Katie, Joseph, Linda, and Junko for their kindness and support.

Decades of Work Across the Hawaiian Islands

• My steps across Hawai‘i are woven with decades of ministry, advocacy, and cultural work. I have worked with:
• High schools, colleges, churches, youth groups
• Hip-hop venues and cultural festivals
• Military families at Hickam Joint Base
• Hawaiian prisons and youth detention centers
• The Hawai‘i State Mental Hospital
• Community leaders throughout O‘ahu, Maui, and the Big Island

I’ve performed hip-hop concerts in prisons, mentored incarcerated youth, partnered with pastors
and educators, and encouraged patients undergoing mental evaluation or battling homelessness. These assignments have shaped the man I am today. In Hana, Maui, I recently met with Hawaiian families advocating to protect their Hawaiian-speaking schools, a movement rooted in preserving language, culture, and ancestral identity. These islands are sacred to me because my calling has been intertwined with the lives of the Hawaiian people for decades.

A Tradition Rooted in Family and the Aloha Spirit

In the early 2000s, Michelle and a group of college students expanded the legacy my father
began by showing me more of the island’s true local life — beaches, neighborhoods, communities, and family-run spots that tourists rarely discover. Over time, I shared the same traditions with my children. One of our favorites has always been Diamond Head Market & Grill, home of the legendary blueberry and banana cream-cheese scones. For years, it has been our custom that the moment we land in Honolulu, we drive straight there — then take a peaceful walk along the beach near Diamond Head and around the Honolulu Zoo. This simple rhythm — scones, ocean air, and Lēʻahi watching over us — is our grounding ritual, a tradition born in the mid-80s, strengthened in the early 2000s, and now carried into another generation.

A Warm Welcome at the Waikiki Malia

From the moment I checked in, the Waikiki Malia felt like home. A personalized welcome envelope, an ALOHA gift bag, and warm smiles from the staff set the tone. My room on the 17th floor offered a peaceful view of the city — a sanctuary above the movement of Waikīkī.

Located on Kuhio Avenue, the Waikiki Malia is just a 5–7 minute walk (0.3 miles) from world-famous Waikīkī Beach, near the beloved Duke Kahanamoku statue. Its central location gives guests access to dining, shopping, surfing, and evening cultural events.

A Sunset That Healed My Heart

One evening, drained from traveling between islands and carrying the stories shared with me in Hana, I finally rested. As I lay on the bed, the sun began to set. The sky shifted from gold to pink, then into a deep Hawaiian blue. From above, Waikīkī seemed to exhale. It wasn’t just a sunset —it was healing. A quiet moment from God reminding me to pause and breathe.

Near My Most Sacred Place — Kapiʻolani Regional Park

The hotel is only minutes from Kapiʻolani Regional Park, my most sacred place of prayer. Set beneath Diamond Head, the land was once King Kalākaua’s royal polo grounds before he dedicated it to the Hawaiian people in 1877. For decades, this park has been where I walk, reflect, and seek spiritual direction. Staying near it made my visit feel divinely aligned.

Reconnecting With Island Family

I reunited with my dear friends Michelle and Mark and their twin daughters — part of our extended S.O.G. Crew island family. We met at Starbucks, laughed, caught up like old times, and shared dinner at Marugame Udon Waikīkī, known for its handmade Sanuki-style udon.

They later joined me for a full tour of the Waikiki Malia hotel. The twins’ joy as they explored the lobby and courtyard reminded me how deeply my life is connected to these islands.Their laughter, curiosity, and energy turned a simple hotel tour into a reminder of the generational bond our family has with Hawai‘i.

Go Tours Hawai‘i — A True Partner in the Spirit of Aloha

Inside the Waikiki Malia, I met Casey from Go Tours Hawai‘i. She spoke with me at length about her work, the tours, and her love for the community. Her sincerity made a lasting impression.

Go Tours Hawai‘i offers meaningful experiences across the islands:

🌺 Pearl Harbor & Historic Honolulu
🐢 Turtle Canyon Snorkeling🌋 Circle Island Tours
🌈 Sunset & Photography Tours🌴 Custom Private Tours
Bookings: www.GoToursHawaii.com, TripAdvisor, and Viator.

Casey’s passion — rooted in culture, hospitality, and community uplift — added another layer of Aloha to my stay.

Cultural Touches That Honor Hawai‘i

Every Friday, the Waikiki Malia offers lei making, ukulele lessons, gelato tastings, and community bingo — meaningful cultural experiences that reflect Hawai‘i’s heart.

Safety & Security — A Commitment I Take Seriously

As someone who prioritizes safety and security — for myself, my family, and every traveler who follows IPA Magazine Travel — I pay close attention to how a hotel protects its guests. At the Waikiki Malia, I felt completely safe, both inside the hotel and in the surrounding area.

The hotel is well-lit, welcoming, and staffed by attentive professionals. Kuhio Avenue provides steady foot traffic, visibility, and accessible pathways, making day and night movement comfortable.Even the parking situation felt secure. My rental car remained parked on-site throughout my stay, and I felt confident it was safe — a crucial reassurance for travelers carrying luggage, camera equipment, or family belongings.

For all our readers — families, solo travelers, artists, students, and international guests — you can trust that: You will feel safe here. Your peace of mind matters, and the Waikiki Malia honors that. Please visit their website Waikiki Malia Hotel for information on pricing, deals and a tour of the beautiful hotel!

My Final Rest Before Flying Home

After traveling from the United Kingdom to Maui, O‘ahu, and the Big Island — serving in schools, prisons, mental health facilities, military bases, churches, and communities — the Waikiki Malia became my final sanctuary before flying home to Los Angeles. It offered exactly what I needed: rest, grounding, reflection, and Aloha.

IPA Magazine Travel Endorsement

IPA Magazine Travel is proud to officially endorse the Waikiki Malia as one of our recommended stays in the heart of Waikīkī. We encourage our readers, partners, and global travel family to consider this hotel when visiting O’ahu. When booking your stay, please feel free to mention: “IPA Magazine Travel sent us.” We stand behind the Waikiki Malia for its hospitality, safety, cultural respect, sincere staff, and its genuine expression of the Aloha Spirit.

Final Verdict: A True Reflection of Waikīkī’s Heart

The Waikiki Malia is not a luxury resort — and that is its strength. It offers something deeper; Authentic Aloha, Cultural respect, Warmth and Comfort, Family, Safety, and the feeling of home. For travelers who seek sincerity over spectacle…for families, cultural explorers, and artists…for anyone longing to experience the real Hawai‘i…The Waikiki Malia is a dependable, heartfelt, Aloha-filled choice.
“For me, it was exactly where I needed to be”.

About Dr. Robert “Battle Ax” Ornelas
Dr. Robert “Battle Ax” Ornelas is an artist, researcher, hip-hop performer, and community leader.
He serves as a Staff Journalist for IPA Magazine Travel and is the frontman of The S.O.G. Crewunder Thump Records / Universal Music Group, bridging faith and culture through bilingual hip-hop and urban worship.

He also serves as an Ambassador and administrator for the Texas Band of Yaqui Indians, assigned to the United Nations to promote Indigenous rights, cultural diplomacy, and environmental protection.A lifelong advocate for youth, unity, and community healing, Dr. Ornelas uses his research, music, and message to bring hope to communities across the world.