ALA MOANA PUMPING STATION

Prominently located on Ala Moana Boulevard between the Honolulu’s financial district and Waikiki, this now abandoned sewage pumping station structure is a puzzle to many who pass by it.  This structure was designed by Oliver Traphagen, the same architect who designed the stately Moana Hotel in Waikiki.  The station’s unique architectural character, with Hawaiian cut bluestone construction, in an industrial Romanesque style still draws attention today.  Associated with Honolulu’s first professionally designed sewage disposal system, the main building was built in 1900 and it housed steam-powered pumps that carried the sewage through a force main out to the sea about 1,200 feet from shore.

KAMAKA HAWAII, INC.

The factory of the cherished Hawaiian ukulele has been inconspicuously located at 550 South Street in Kaka‘ako since Hawaii became the 50^th State in 1959.  The Hawaiian stringed musical instrument plays a major role in Hawaii’s heritage and this firm carries on an important part of the Hawaiian culture by producing ukuleles of various sizes each work day.  The history and progress of Kamaka ukuleles is marked by a never-ending process of design, redesign and experimentation in order to produce instruments with the many and varying tonal and playing characteristics required by professional and amateur musicians alike.

HAWAII OPERA THEATRE (HOT)

The home base of the opera company that has for decades been delivering magnificent and opulent operatic productions to Oahu is located in several structures at 987 Waimanu Street, close to the Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall.  Elaborate sets and many of the shows’ props, costumes and wigs are designed and constructed on the HOT premises.  Each year, HOT presents three Grand Operas, lighter fare (operetta or a Broadway-style musical productions) during the summer, and maintains its Education Outreach program reaches 25,000 school children.  (Facility not open to the public.)  Ticket information: (808) 596-7858, www.hawaiiopera.org

MOTHER WALDRON PLAYGROUND

Nestled in the heart of Kaka‘ako on a 1.76-acre site bounded by Coral, Halekauwila, Cooke and Pohukaina Streets is a park with a rich historical pedigree.  Designed and built in the mid-1930s, the facility bears the moniker of the woman—Margaret Waldron—who is affectionately considered one of Honolulu’s most ardent “friend of the poor”.  Waldron was a public school teacher and playground director who gained attention for civilizing the youth gangs of Kaka‘ako through her playground work and transforming them into law abiding citizens.  Today, Kaka‘ako’s residents and children from surrounding schools enjoy the multi-purpose play courts and open field of the Mother Waldron legacy.

KAKA‘AKO’S CHARTER SCHOOLS

Following a national trend, Hawaii currently offers 27 Board of Education-approved charter schools—public schools operating independently from the Department of Education.  These “New Century Charter Schools”, two of which are located in Kaka‘ako, are a new approach to education that is free of bureaucratic red tape and accommodating of the individual needs of students.  Voyager, located at 670 Auahi Street, is open to students from kindergarten through grade 7.  Voyager’s telephone number is (808) 521-9770 or website: www.voyagerschool.com.   The Myron B. Thompson Academy, located at 629 Pohukaina Street, is open to students from kindergarten to grade 12.  Its telephone number is (808) 586-3636 or website: www.thompsonacademy.org