Kaimuki, Hawaii

Aerial view of Diamond Head with Kaimuki to the upper left

Kaimukī is a residential neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States.

History

Kaimuki from Pu'u o Kaimuki Mini Park

In the 19th century the area was a farm of King Kalākaua, where ostriches roamed wild over the mountain side. It later became the site of a carnation farm for funeral flowers. Now a mix of residential area with a small business district (mainly restaurants and service industries), it is located in the urbanized Honolulu region near Kahala and Diamond Head.

Kaimukī is an ancient Hawaiian name. Its name comes from Ka imu kī meaning "The ti root oven" in the Hawaiian language.^[1] The area was known for the many ovens used to bake kī Cordyline fruticosa, or ti roots, into a sweet food similar to candy.

Kaimukī's main street is Waialae Avenue, pronounced /waɪəlaɪ/. Several restaurants and stores are located on this street, as well as Kaimukī District Park.

Architecture

The neighborhood of Kaimukī is home to historic buildings. The Kaimuki Fire Station, designed in the Spanish Mission Style by G.R. Miller, was built in 1924 and is still used as a station today.^[2] The Queen Theater, designed by Lyman Bigelow, opened in 1936 but closed in 1985.^[3]

Education

Colleges and universities

Chaminade University is located in Kaimuki.

Public schools

Kaimuki Middle School, 631 18th Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

Hawaii Department of Education operates public schools. Waialae Elementary Public Charter School is located in Kaimuki, between 19th Avenue and 20th Avenue. Kaimuki Middle School is in the area. Kaimuki High School is located in Kaimuki and serves much of the area considered to be Kaimukī. Kalani High School serves some students from Kaimukī. Coordinates: 21°16′58″N 157°48′06″W / 21.28278°N 157.80167°W

Private schools

Saint Louis School for boys and Sacred Hearts Academy for girls are located in Kaimuki as well as St. Patrick's School (COED K-8).Kaimuki Christian School (COED P3-11) is located on Koko Head Avenue.^[4]

Weekend educational programs

The Hawaii Japanese School - Rainbow Gakuen (ハワイレインボー学園 Hawai Rainbō Gakuen), a supplementary weekend Japanese school, holds its classes in Kaimuki Middle School in Honolulu and has its offices in another building in Honolulu.^[5]

Notable residents

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole was raised in the neighborhood.^[1] Filmmaker Adam Simon was raised in the neighborhood. ^[6]

References

1. "About Kaimuki, Hawaii". community web site. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
2. "Kaimuki: A Brief History". Historic Hawaii Foundation. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
3. "Queen Theater". Honolulu Magazine. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
4. "Homepage". Kaimuki Christian School. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
5. "Home page." Hawaii Japanese School - Rainbow Gakuen. Retrieved on April 16, 2015. "事務所住所： 2454 South Beretania St., #202 Honolulu, HI 96826" and "授業実施校： Kaimuki Middle School"
6. "Local teen to debut short film". KHON2 News. Retrieved 28 March 2015.