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Kaka'ako Park Notables

Park Notables Title Image

‘Ano Lani, ‘Ano Honua ( A Heavenly Nature, Earthly Nature) (1993)

Kewalo EagleFrank Sheriff's "Protected by the Wings of an Owl" sculpture stands at the harbor entrance to Kewalo Basin and combines elements of the traditional legend with the contemporary activities of the Kewalo Basin area.  The sculpture refers to a Hawaiian legend about an owl from the Kewalo area.  According to the legend, a poor man named Kapoi spared a cluster of owl eggs he found in the nesting ground of the Kewalo marsh. In gratitude, the owl rewarded him by becoming his 'aumakua (protector). The owl later saved Kapoi's life in the famous owl war that took place in Waikiki.

 

The sculpture features a swooping pueo (owl), the protector, which lies at the top of the pillar of eight diamond forms representing the major Hawaiian Islands. The connecting diamonds form a tapa pattern and are a three-dimensional expression of the Kewalo Basin Park promenade pattern. The sculpture's four vertical sides represent tall canoe shapes, symbolic of sea travel and the ocean-related activities of Kewalo Basin today.  Sheriff's artwork is one of two outdoor sculptures commissioned by the HCDA and accepted by The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts' (SFCA's) Art in Public Places collection, to ensure proper maintenance and conservation are provided in the future. The other commissioned artwork (Lahui) is located in Kaka' ako Waterfront Park.

 

 

Commemorative Plaque in Honor of Mr. Florentino Das (2006)

Das Plaque 1Guided only by the stars to navigate him, Florentino Das left Kewalo Basin in his handmade boat in May 1955 on a planned 90-day solo voyage to the Philippines.  After encountering six storms and several repair layovers, Das arrived in the Philippines in April 1956 where the president of the Philippines declared him a national hero.  The commemorative plaque honors Florentino Das as part of the "Sacada" celebration honoring 100 years of contributions by Filipinos in Hawaii who have influenced the community with their feats and accomplishments.  The Filipino Centennial Commission and Committee chose Mr. Das as one of the individuals to honor in order to remind and inspire others with the story of his courage and tenacity.  The plaque is affixed to one of the columns facing the ocean in Kewalo Basin Park pavilion.

 

 

Lahui  To gather together - (1992)

Lahui SculptureSean Browne's "Lahui" statue is a commissioned work of art displayed in public places under the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA's) Art in Public Places collection.  The statue consist a group of bronze sculptures that represent the shank and point of the Hawaiian composite fishhook.  According to Mr. Browne, the artwork piece can be envisioned as a variety of images including a family group, fishhooks, sailing masts, canoe prows and waves. The artist's imagery was meant to become a "gathering place" for the people who frequent the park and adjacent harbor.  The sculpture stands in front of the central pavilion at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park.

 

 

Ehime Maru Memorial (2002)

Ehime Maru MemorialOn February 9, 2001, nine members of the Ehime Maru, three crew members, two teachers and four high school students were killed when their educational fishing vessel, the Ehime Maru, was accidentally sunk by the surfacing USS Greeneville submarine in Hawaiian waters nine miles south of Diamond Head.

 

A year later, the monument was erected by the Japanese government as a tribute to remember the nine individuals who lost their lives due to the tragic accident.  The memorial features nine black granite blocks which support the one-ton anchor retrieved from the sunken Ehime Maru, with nine links of its chain still attached.  Engravings on the marble base includes the Uwajima Fisheries High School emblem, the names, titles and ages of the nine victims, and a map showing the accident site, the site of the Navy's recovery effort, the ship's final resting place and the Aloha Tower.  The memorial lies adjacent to the observatory promontory in the Kaka 'ako Waterfront Park.

 

 

MADD Memorial (2003)

MADD Memorial MADD Memorial 2

The MADD Victim Memorial offers a permanent tranquil place to reflect and honor those individuals whose lives have been lost and those injured in drunk driving crashes.  The sculpture consists of three bronze figures: a man, woman and child, each with a hole in its heart, depicting the feelings of loss shared by families and friends who have lost loved ones from impaired driving and other violent crime.  The monument was designed by Hawaii artist, Mr. John Koga.  It is located on the Ewa promenade at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park.

 

Amphitheater

Amphitheater Aerial Amphitheater 2

Located on the Ewa/Makai corner of Kaka'ako Waterfront Park, the amphitheater has a capacity of approximately 2,380 persons. The seated area can accommodate 405 individuals with another 1,975 individuals seated in the grassy area. The amphitheater is available for reservation for group and special permits.

 

Observation Lookout

Observation LookoutThe lookout is situated at the highest point at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park.  Discover something spiritual and mystical happen while speaking and standing on top the center of the compass.  Although not intentionally designed for an amplified effect, listen to the acoustic sound it produces.

Keola Lai at 600 Queen Street
A&B Kakaako LLC (A&B) developed this mixed-use residential/commercial high-rise complex at 600 Queen Street. The project is located on a 2.7-acre site at the intersection of Queen and South Streets and is diagonally across from the recently completed Honolulu Fire Department Headquarters.
Keola La'i 2008