Beach Candy Waikiki - Surf and Beach Rentals — Attraction in Honolulu

My review exceeded the character limit so I will just summarize the incident. Prior to leaving the hotel, I confirmed with the hotel staff that I only needed to bring my hotel room card to prove that I am guest and to borrow the equipment at Beach Candy. I arrived at Beach Candy and stood in line behind a pair of Asian tourist who wanted to rent surf boards. The manager looked at them and said "you can surf?" They politely responded to the manager that they could surf. As the couple in front of me proceeded with the rental, they were asked for a physical credit card to be used for deposit in the equipment. The couple in front of me did not have a physical credit card on them and offered to pay the deposit in cash, the manager declined and said the deposit in cash is not enough to cover the cost of the equipment in case "some customers don't return with the equipment". It was awkward and the couple in front of me left the store. When I went up and asked for 2 beach chairs and an umbrella, the manager looked at me and said " did you fill up the form yet ? Did you not see that sign there where you lined up ?" I said I was not sure whether i would still need to sign up and fill up the form when I am asking for equipment as part of an agreement your store has with the hotel I am staying at. I said I was not familiar with the process and there was nobody lined up behind me so I thought I ask him when it was my turn. The manager asked me for the hotel name and a physical credit card for deposit. The deposit was around 20ish dollars. I told him I do not have a physical credit on me and offered to pay the deposit via the credit card on my phone's Google Pay. The manager looked at me and said "I can't accept Google Pay tapping" I asked why and he said "I do not know if the credit card on the Google Pay belongs to you. I need a physical credit card with your name on it". I asked if I could pay a higher deposit with the $50 bill on me. He said the $50 is not to cover the cost of the equipment in case I do not return the equipment. I told him that the hotel staff assured me that I only needed to bring the hotels room card to prove that I am a guest at the hotel. The manager said "well the hotel is wrong". It was a short 2 minute interaction and I left the store. After I left the store and I called the hotel. The hotel staff heard me and got her manager to call me back. The hotel manager called me back and I asked if the hotel manager could speak to the store and vouch for my ID. The hotel manager told me that she has tried a few times to call the store but she could not get through to the store. The hotel manager asked me to connect her with the store staff. I went back into the store and saw that the manager was no longer there but there was a female staff. I was the only customer in the store and I approached the female staff with the phone and explained that the hotel manager would like to speak with her to inquire. The female staff called her manager out. The manager came out and took me into the back office and before I could explain what happened, he said "yeh I remember you. You know I don't appreciate you holding your phone up to my staff " I said I held up my phone between me and your staff as I had it on speaker phone for the hotel staff to speak to your staff . The hotel manager then spoke up via speaker phone. It was confirmed that while the store changed their rules, they had not informed the hotel nor provide them with updated handouts. The store manager said I could not provide a deposit. The hotel manager asked for options . The store manager then said Apple Pay or Google Pay and that is when I said "I already offered to pay the deposit with Google Pay". The hotel manager heard that and said "then I guess our guest can pay the deposit". The store manager said he will make an exception and let me pay with Google Pay.

I paid the deposit with my Google Pay.

How many hotel guests were turned away due to the store not informing the hotel of the changed rules ?

The equipment was fine and worked...

This is my first one star review I’ve ever written. I tried to get the name of the employee, and he told me with a sarcastic tone, that his name was Happy (which I’m not sure is actually his name). My mom, sister, and I, were in the line to the register when we heard Happy rudely telling off customers. The negative experience we had was our personal experience with Happy. Once there was only one family in front of us at the register, my mom took one of the laminated papers that wrote what rentals they had available and what price. She wanted to check first to make sure they had what we were looking for so we didn’t hold up the line when it was our turn. Immediately Happy looked at my mom and said in a snarky tone that he would serve us after the people ahead of us. I told him that my mom knew and she was just looking. Happy again snapped back at me, saying we could wait, to which I only said that we knew. At that point I stopped engaging with him, and Happy went back to the customers in front of us, so I thought it was over. But then he stopped what he was doing and said to us “Don’t you understand what social distancing is?”. Honestly that was incredibly rude and uncalled. I didn’t want to engage further so I didn’t say anything to hopefully calm him down. When our turn lcame my mom asked about their body boards, which she said quietly. I chimed in to say boogie board, to which he snapped, “I know what a boogie board is”. I then clarified that the return would be at 5pm (which meant we would have only an hour since it was 4pm) and his response was “yeah so you have 4 minutes if you want to rent” in a rude tone. I honestly have never been treated this way, and I repeatedly tried to deescalate the situation by speaking politely and not commenting further on his continued snarky remarks to no avail. This interaction reflects poorly on Beach Candy’s Waikiki’s customer service and no guest should be treated this way.

Edit: I initially had a disappointing experience at Beach Candy Waikiki, but I really appreciate that Steven, the General Manager, personally reached out to make things right. It’s refreshing to see a business take feedback seriously and work toward improvement. I appreciate their professionalism and willingness to go the extra mile. Thank you, Steven, for your responsiveness and for valuing...

I can’t say enough good things about Candy Beach Wiki Surf Store — it’s truly one of those rare gems that makes your beach day go from ordinary to unforgettable. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted like family. The staff is genuinely warm, upbeat, and incredibly helpful. They’re not just clocking in — they care. You can tell they love what they do and want to make sure you have the best possible experience out on the beach.

Their rental selection is phenomenal. We’re talking top-tier beach luxury without the luxury price tag. The chairs? Cushioned and supportive like you’re lounging at a resort. The umbrellas? Huge, sturdy, and stylish — no sad little shade zones here. And the extras? Oh honey, the extras take the cake! Bluetooth speakers that bump with great sound (so you can set your own vibe), coolers that actually stay cold all day, and little thoughtful touches like cupholders and phone pouches.

They’ve somehow turned beach rentals into an experience — and not just a transaction. Everything is clean, well-maintained, and feels brand new. They even helped me carry my stuff to the perfect beach spot and gave some great local recommendations.

What really sets Candy Beach Wiki Surf Store apart, though, is the energy. It’s got this laid-back, “we got you” island vibe that instantly makes you feel like you’re on vacation — even if you live just around the corner. Whether you’re with kids, friends, or rolling solo, this spot elevates your beach day into something unimaginably cool.

If you’re in the area and planning to hit the sand, do yourself a favor and skip dragging your own gear — just rent from here. It’s easy, it’s breezy, and it’s hands-down the best decision you’ll...