The History of Kapahulu

Michael Dang
HON101
Susan Schultz

While navigating my way through Kapahulu, I make my way down to Kapahulu Avenue. Many shops and stores line the street, giving the neighborhood an exciting and vibrant personality. 

A large number of people walk along both sides of the street, giving good business to the multitude of stores. Antique stores fill the left side of the street, exhibiting an enigmatic persona with their odd shaped wooden objects through their windows. Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, and American cuisines give way to a variety of food choices, causing my stomach to grumble. The most notable place is Leonard’s Bakery. Found in 1953, Leonard’s has been a household name for delicious and scrumptious food in Hawaii. Tourists flock to the bakery everyday, craving the sweet batter that is covered with a heaven like blanket of sugar. It is one of the hotspots that one has to stop for when visiting Hawaii. Just like Leonard’s, Rainbow’s Drive In has also become a staple that is well known for Hawaiian food. The loco mock and teri-beef plates attract crowds of locals and tourists that come for the reasonably priced plate lunches. The well known restaurant exudes the definition of local food that it has been serving for generations of residents.

Kapahulu didn’t always have many stores and homes in the area. Kapahulu means 'worn out soil.’ The land originally belonged to the Hawaiian monarchy, but it was later available for private ownership due to the Great Mahele. Land could be bought for as low as 25 cents per square foot during the time, resulting in many owners buying property and creating unique houses that still last to this day. Houses between the H-1 freeway and Kapahulu Avenue are still remnants of that era. However, Kapahulu is always expanding. There are many new stores such as Safeway and GNC that add to the history-filled neighborhood. As an old antique stores closed down a few months ago, a new restaurant rose to take it’s place. But the neighborhood with it’s diverse amount of old shops, stores, and historical homes will always keeps it’s identity intact.