Kapiolani
Community College Diamond Journal 2004
Kapiolani
Community College
Diamond Journal 2004
Kaimuki is one of the oldest residential neighborhoods on the island
of Oahu. All of my life, I have been one of thousands of people who call Kaimuki
home. The neighborhood was not something to reflect upon or even cherish--it
just was. Kaimuki was just a banal scene where life takes place: children go
to school, adults go to work, people simply live. I had never stopped to think
that Kaimuki had a history all of its own. Those who look deeper into the soul
of Kaimuki will see the core of this old community, which embraces its unique
beauty, flourishing with nostalgic value and historic significance.
For sixteen years, I lived up on Maunalani Heights, a place well known for
its breathtaking view. I grew up on Mariposa Drive, a quiet, serene street
not any
more important than other streets on Oahu. For over fifty years, this white
two-story sanctuary I called my home stood steadily, holding memories of treasured
pastimes
within its walls. To this day, the original format of the house remains untouched.
My favorite spot in the house has always been the balcony. After I came home
from school, I would sit on an off-white colored lounge chair as I did my homework
watching the sunset. Tiny chips of brown paint fell off quite often due to
fifteen years of weather damage. Despite its ugly appearance, it overlooked
a view of
Diamond Head worthy of securing a spot on a postcard.
The view is something to be flaunted about like a treasured trophy wife. As
the sun sets, the silhouette of Diamond Head located perfectly at the left
side of
the vista as well as the city’s hotels and condominiums, which glitter
like flawless diamonds from Tiffany & Co., frame the ethereal sunset that
falls like clockwork. From a distance, the multitude of homes and businesses
located in central Kaimuki look like tiny Monopoly hotels lined up in a sporadic
fashion. Over the years, I have stared out into Kaimuki looking at it as just
a part of the view. It was something to be admired and appreciated, but I had
never paused long enough to contemplate its history.
Kaimuki’s name stems from Hawaiian and means “the ti oven,” because
of a legend that menehunes built their ovens in the area (Free). The area held
many nicknames including “red dirt section” (“Land”)
and “red desert” for the plentiful red dirt covering the ground (qtd.
in Burtnett 03). However, the proper pronunciation will always be “Ka-imu-ki” (“Land”).
People who are familiar with the Hawaiian language may understand what Kaimuki
translates to in English. However, the meaning behind the word Kaimuki is unknown
to a majority of Hawaii’s residents. This is unfortunate, because if more
people were aware of how Kaimuki’s name was derived, they would have a
better understanding of Hawaii’s past and gain a better knowledge of the
culture. The origin of Kaimuki’s name is rooted in Oahu’s past, serving
as a reminder of Old Hawaii. As Kaimuki’s name provides identity, Kaimuki’s
various ownership throughout the years has been pivotal in defining the area
of land as a valid community.
Over time, Kaimuki’s ownership has been shuffled around numerous times.
In fact, Kaimuki holds a historic slot in time as far back as when Kamehameha
I was still in power. Kamehameha I had already conquered both Maui and Molokai
and was aiming his sights on conquering Oahu as well. When the king and his
army landed in Waikiki, Kaimuki was used as a lookout to see approaching enemies
coming
in from the ocean. In 1848, Kamehameha III decided to implement his “Great
Mahele” (qtd. in Free). This meant that the people of Hawaii would be
able to inherit pieces of the lands owned by the king. William Lunalilo was
the
greatest beneficiary of Kaimuki in this deal. In 1884, the piece of land was
auctioned
off for a mere $2,325. The rocky terrain held little value to its new owner,
Dr. Trousseau, who was a “physician to the court of King Kalakaua” (Burtnett “Early”).
The fact that the doctor held such a notable profession was humorous because
his hobby was tending to his many ostriches. Trousseau ended up giving his
land to Senator Paul Isenberg. However, he would not own the land for very
long. Theodore
Lansing and A. V. Gear bought Kaimuki’s 324 acres from Trousseau for
$20,000 in 1898. After they bought the hilly, red dirt-covered terrain, they
began to
sell the land for 3 cents a square foot, which foreshadowed the start of steadily
increasing real estate interest.
Land lots started selling in a business-like fashion once A.B. Lobenstein started
helping Gear and Lansing in sectioning off the land. The price of lots, which
spanned 600 feet by 500 feet, was $400. During a slow period, the price of
land was docked to $100 with $5 down and $5 as a monthly charge (Burtnett “100”).
People regularly started coming to the area only when they were bribed with the
promise of a private road leading to each purchased property. The public was
also offered $50 per baby born in Kaimuki as a promotion (Burtnett “100”).
Once the crowds started rolling in, the worth of the land rose tremendously.
A new proprietor named C. A. “Boomer” Stanton “was reportedly
penniless when he arrived, …selling $100,000 worth of real estate a month” (“Land”).
This sum of money must have made Stanton a wealthy man, proving that investing
in developing subdivisions is a profitable business in itself. It is inevitable
that Kaimuki would modernize and evolve, but for the most part it has remained
the same.
For a multitude of people, Kaimuki is a place that brings them back to a state
of nostalgia. The old buildings lined up along Waialae Avenue have remained
the same throughout the years. While other communities strive to modernize
and look
the part of an expanding subdivision, Kaimuki holds on to its meager beginnings.
For blocks, aged boxy buildings line up next to each other. After an unknown
sum of years, several buildings yearn to be repainted. Many people may wish
to knock down these buildings and put up newly dry-walled, cosmetically pleasing
structures, and yet, Kaimuki is like my grandmother’s house. It is a
familiar place and even though flawed, it is a comforting place to be. Flaws
can be overlooked
if a place holds irreplaceable value. I treasure the fact that Kaimuki has
remained untouched for the most part because I can walk through this time capsule
and
relive past experiences that might otherwise be forgotten in modernized Lego
towns. Kaimuki is a central location that holds historic value as well as personal
significance. Some individuals may choose to attend the various educational
facilities, including Kapiolani Community College. Others value the family
atmosphere that
continues to buzz around Kaimuki. There is also an undeniable respect that
goes along with establishments that are able to succeed through the years where
technology-driven
companies often overtake small family-owned businesses.
There are businesses, which are still running even after fifty years providing
residents with a sense of stability. The Crack Seed Store is one of the businesses
that still exists, reminding me fondly of my childhood. On the weekends, I would
occasionally stop by the snack shop to pick up my favorite goodies. Kaimuki
Christian School also holds a generous amount of my history. From the young
age of three years old until twelve, I attended Kaimuki Christian School. I
remember going to the Kaimuki Library in hopes of finding valuable resources
for an important research paper on Hawaiiana. I also remember frequenting Kaimuki
Dry Goods during the summer in hopes of finding the perfect fabric to go with
a newly purchased pattern that I would eventually end up throwing away in frustration.
The tiny, family-owned fabric store opened in 1926 and was originally located
where Top of the Hill Inn now resides. Edith Takeya reminisced about her family’s
initial inventory, “We were like a general store because there were no
stores in Kaimuki” (qtd. in Watanabe 02). Kaimuki Dry Goods has been in
business for 77 years so far and is still enduring.
Harry’s Music Store also is a place where I can reminisce about my childhood.
The dimly lit, dusty, cramped store is probably one of the oldest music stores
located in Kaimuki. Harry Yoshioka established his store in 1946. The business
sells every musical item needed or wanted by the public. Both musical intellects
and those struggling to squeeze out a song can go to the store and find music
ranging from classical pieces to Japanese music books, as well as instruments
and their accessories. Harry’s Music Store is often frequented by music
students searching for the exact piece of sheet music that they intend to master.
Kaimuki is not scattered with high-end boutiques associated with pivotal tourist
attractions. However, Kaimuki is a place that is strewn with family businesses,
bringing back the endearing qualities of old Hawaii, reminiscent of safer times.
Now when I look out into what I think is one of the best views of Hawaii, I
don’t
only see the waves crashing in the distance, the sunset, or Diamond Head. I
see Kaimuki and think about its history, appreciating its existence. I am proud
that
Kaimuki is my home.
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