By Curtis Narimatsu
Honomu village is 12 miles north of Hilo along the original King Sugar [Cane] heritage corridor. Its former C. Brewer-owned sugar mill 1880 stopped operations in 1946 [merged w/Pepe`ekeo Sugar Mill]. King Kalani`opu`u was Kamehameha the Great’s uncle & war mentor. After Kalani`opu`u died in 1782, Kamehameha the Great went on to unite the Hawaiian Islands under his singular command. Kalani`opu`u descendants include Kekulu Peleiholani (1854-1905), mother of David Peleiholani Kalani Sr. (1879-1947). Both mother/son are buried on Kalani estate land south of Yoshio Tanimoto estate [Tanimoto theater chain, not Akaka Noodle Shop family]. Kalani High School in Wai`alae is not named after Kalani`opu`u. David Jr. was backyard musician w/pal/legend Gabby Pahinui. David Sr. was Honomu land baron, being headlined via nobility. Sam Ho Chee (born 1928), whose mother Hattie Kua was hanai’d by David Kalani Sr., is unpaid/voluntary caretaker of Kalani Estate in Honomu, that includes lands along Honomu’s Main St./old Mamalahoa Hwy. [b/n Honomu Shinto church & Hongwanji Church, old Mormon Church/etc.]. I thank Sam Ho Chee & Shigeyoshi Katekawa (born 1923), great Honomu observers/historians, for their assistance in gathering info on David Kalani Sr.
Mr. Ed's Bakery. Image courtesy of volcanovillage.com
To me, as casual outside visitor, Honomu is the Avenue of Churches!! Man alive, one church after another lined up like pearls on a string — starting from south to north — UCC [mythic samurai missionary Shiro Sokabe]/Catholic Church/Hongwanji/Odaisan-Shinto/Mormon. All colors of the Rainbow. Kalani Loop along the Akaka Falls road is named after David Kalani Sr. Shigeyoshi Katekawa lives/owns property there. Sam Ho Chee lives on his own fee simple land, not on Kalani Estate lands. Honomu’s Judy Kerstetter, watercolor portrait artist, cell ph. 990-1761, is a great portrait painter. Her portrait paintings are an out-of-body experience!! Dean/June Hanashiro Edmoundson’s bakery [unbelievably ono bread products/unique jams] located in the Ishigo Bakery Bldg. is unmatched in quality/prices ph. (808) 963-5000, email mredsbakery@yahoo.com. Honomu is the secret waiting to be told!! Frisco’s counter-culture/D.C.’s Adams-Morgan corridor/NYC’s Greenwich Village — none can compare w/Honomu’s delectables!! Sam Ho Chee’s Mormon enablers incl. current U.S. Dist. Ct. judge Al Kay’s dad Hal/ former 1st Haw’n Bank’s Jack Hoag/Boy Scout mgr. Reggie Chong/electrician [Wainaku boy] Ed Paaluhi/etc. Even Dean Edmoundson has his Pentecostal services in his store!! The Edmoundsons’ Mr. Ed’s Bakery includes scrumptious— out of this world celestial treats unavailable anywhere else. Famous Honomu natives incl. Dr. Ellsworth Takata/former State prisons chief George Iranon/attys George Kawamoto — Earl Nakasato/solon Cal Kawamoto/electrical engineer Dave Ishigo/great sportsman Frank Ishii/1st NFL player Augie Cabrinha/our only native-born NBA star Red Rocha’s mom, Augie’s older sis/our Big Isle’s only big leaguer Onan Masaoka’s dad [whose De Sa kin incl. pro baseballers Rich/Joey]/local star pitcher Tom Ishigo. — Curt
(Curtis Narimatsu is a lifelong resident of Hilo who writes about the forgotten past such as the old plantation days & untold heroes.)
August 26th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
I thank gracious editor Tiffany Edwards Hunt for her terrific photo accompaniments & for allowing publication of my notes above. My gaffe: Atty. Roy Kawamoto, not George Kawamoto, is former solon Cal Kawamoto’s older brother. Kukuihaele native Ruddy Tongg founded what later became Aloha Airlines in 1946, Tongg’s successor being Hung Wo Ching [Hung Wai's baby brother]. Tongg’s airlines integrated inter-island travel from top to bottom, being haole-only up to 1946 in staff/passengers. Tongg’s prodigy David Benz of China was Jack Burns’ key player, Tongg/Benz being manuahi/affordable printers desperately needed by fledgling Burns. Aloha, –Curt
August 26th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Honomu is filled with tremendous/resourceful souls, including Ernie Jungden/Tony Marasia/Julianna Mohl/Lizbee Ackerman. Chinn Ho was close w/Hawai’i National Bank’s KJ Luke/Walter Heen’s uncle Bill Heen. Chinn Ho diversified Chinn’s connections to give Chinn maximum advantage in all spheres of business, from oldtime peers like Ruddy Tongg to new kids on the block like Mats Takabuki/David Benz. Yasuki Arakaki as County deputy clerk & chief clerk Rudy Legaspi were not compatible 35 yrs. ago, both being patronage slots. Yasuki was a stubborn/ibaru one man band, but a loyal Democrat to the tee, though Yasuki was very grateful to GOP Doc Hill/Yasuki’s Haw’n father-in-law GOP solon Julian Yates for getting Yasuki’s kids/sons into Kamehameha School. To George Martin, ILWU chief honcho, Yasuki was a major pain in the butt. To Democrat groundstone Scrub Tanaka, Yasuki was messiah [Yasuki Dems-only, not diverse bi-partisan like ILWU's Yoshito Takamine/Jack Hall/Kea'au Mitsue Shinchi's hubby David Thompson]. –Curt
August 26th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Yes, Akaka Falls — Honomu’s claim to fame. Do you know that part-Chinese Abraham Akaka of Pauoa gleefully endorsed fellow Chinese/Congregationalist Christian/Emma St. “hood” boy Hung Wo Ching 1912-1996 for Bishop Estate Trustee 1968, but railed vs. Matsy Takabuki’s appointment as BE trustee 1971?? As Christian pundit Earl Nakasato says, Takabuki’s appointment analogs Old Testament Joseph, where Joseph’s brothers meant harm [sold Joseph into slavery], yet Providential good resulted [Joseph became beneficent ruler]. Just as Hawaiians railed vs. buddahead Takabuki’s appointment as BE trustee, but Takabuki did well for BE. Turned out well. –Curt
August 26th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Clarence Ching/KJ Luke developed Salt Lake, & their Hawaii National Bank was to finance the development. But Ching felt that Hawaii’s 2 major haole banks tried to obstruct Hawaii National Bank’s application for a federal charter in 1959, at which point Ching beseeched Congressional Delegate Jack Burns for help. Burns got LBJ to approve the charter. Ching offered payment to broke-okole Burns, which Burns declined. Thereafter Clarence Ching was Burns’ dearest financial acolyte/devotee, this being the later mega-foundation of Ching, a distant ancient relative of Hung Wai/Hung Wo Ching. –Curt
August 27th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Pepe’ekeo Bobo Lapenia was not Hilo’s Fred Galdones’ alter ego, so to speak. Both were ILWU State honchos. Larry Mehau was a sumo wrestler, which explains Larry’s affinity with Japan sumo/Jesse Kuhaulua. Do you know that Honomu great baseball pitcher Tommy Ishigo born 1944 is O’ahu Sheridan team genro/elder statesman, a team originally founded by former UH baseball coach Les Murakami?? I thank beneficent Tommy for providing me with CDs of Asahi’s 50th/75th/100th anniversaries from its 1905 inception, along w/CD of California AJA baseballers. Do you know that do or die Shane Victorino is part-Japanese?? Shane is the greatest ever position player from the Hawaiian Islands, Sid Fernandez being the greatest pitcher. Shane’s dad is my Hilo High classmate Mike Victorino, current Maui elected County Council member. I don’t know where Shane got Shane’s DNA athleticism from. Shane’s greatest asset is his speed, then his yamato damashii/go for broke attitude. –Curt
August 27th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Joey Crivello was a good pitcher, but not on the same level as Honomu’s Rich De Sa/Onan Masaoka. Ed Subica was a good baseballer, better than his cousin Wayne Subica born 1944, among our top local pitchers. Ed went on to be a position player at USF, joining all-USF star Al Toody Souza, a player with a mean attitude like Shane Victorino. Hakalau’s Bill Garcia also played at USF [GOP solon Joe Garcia's son]. –Curt
August 27th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Former corp counsel atty Earl Nakasato says that Shun Kimura was our greatest mayor 1964-1974 for Shun’s tremendous equanimity/vision. That Shun’s cabinet was an all-star ensemble unmatched to date, incl. finance chief Stan Nakamae of Kaua’i/Planning head Ray Suefuji/managing directors Fred Koehnen/Bruce McCall/etc. To Earl, Herb Matayoshi’s mayorship 1974-1984 was undistinguished, perhaps tarnished by Jack Keppeler’s foul mouth. –Curt
August 27th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Dante Carpenter’s mayoral stint 1984-1988 was marred by Dante’s egomania, which resulted in the upset win of the century by Bernard Akana vs. Dante 1988. Akana 1988-1990 died of cancer, at which point Lorraine Inouye was elected mayor 1990-1992, after which Steve Yamashiro was elected mayor 1992-2000 [term limit]. Harry Kim was mayor 2000-2008 [term limit]. –Curt
August 27th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
both Al “Tuddy”and Billy were St. Joseph H.S. and USF Hall of Famers. Al, also to the Aloha Section PGA Amateur Golf Hall of Fame. Don’t even count the Prince Kuhio Mall.
August 28th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Teamster local’s Art Rutledge is Polish, Avrom Rotleider, orphaned as a child. Art came to Hawai’i 1938, shortly after Hall came here. Art’s 3 heroes [big thinkers] are Jack Hall [whom Art had bad friction w/, despite Art's admiration for Hall's do or die ILWU fighting heart]/labor friend Arnold Wills, who died 1955/John Reinecke. Harry Weinberg, Art’s nemesis, took over Big 5 HRT just before Statehood. NLRB’s Arnold Wills,
hero to Yasuki Arakaki 1917-2005, ghostwrote/spiffed up Izuka’s tell-all vs. Hawai’i Communist Party members. Irony is that Wills’ effort marked Arakaki among Reluctant 39 vs. HUAC [contempt of Congress sentences later reversed on appeal]. New Zealand expatriate Wills was inspirational to Arakaki’s efforts to organize plantation workers. ‘Opihikao native Jack Kawano, only elementary school grad, had falling out w/ILWU Ed Berman when Kawano wanted to continue the 1938 strike & Berman wanted to end the strike. Both leaders were ousted by Jack Hall WWII yrs. Hall 1915-1971 was haole pick over actual CIO/ILWU 1930s organizer Kawano. Kawano’s Hilo ace Harry Kamoku of Waiakea 1905-1957 was the 1st to organize our longshoremen’s union 1935. Chicken Kamoku is Harry’s cousin. Harry Kamoku was a classy union chief — humble/respectful/contemplative. So was Jack Kawano, which is why Kawano’s spilling the beans to HUAC which resulted in the Hawai’i 7 [boy, defendant Koji Ariyoshi wanted to moider ex-bosom buddy Kawano] is so tragic/sad for Kawano. Kawano’s sore loser attitude vs. Jack Hall overcame Kawano, & Kawano’s sempai Chuck Mau’s encouragement of Kawano to blab was Mau’s tragedy, both fellas banished forever from leadership roles [though Mau got judgeship as consolation]. HGEA started w/Bd. of Water Supply’s Fred Ohrt, then Charley Kendall took over 1946-1965 [died]. Maxie Weisbarth was a great German/Haw’n union man. Because Japanese/Filipino laborers were at the bottom of the plantation hierarchy, they were the most militant ethnic groups who often tiffed vs. each other. Huge plantations like Kea’au [Manlapit's Sakadas/dynamita buddaheads -- dynamited mgmt. symbol Sakamaki's home] 1920 fomented racial unrest [clear stratification/hegemony, unlike smaller plantations], which is why male chauvinist Scrub Tanaka 1915-2006 said that Kea’au AJA girls [Yoshiko Ogawa -- Jack Hall's wife/Mitsue Shinchi -- WWII WIA/hero David Thompson's wife -- Thompson had wooden leg because of South Pacific combat], along w/Pepe’ekeo AJA girls, were too radical/trouble. Yet, Scrub praised Peter Hayashi’s wife Tsumako/Fumiko Iwamasa-DHS chief, as great leaders [Tsumako deputy county clerk/Scrub's right hand person in Dem Party org], neither being plantation girls from Kea’au/Pepe’ekeo. Harry Bridges actually was so jealous/egomaniac, Harry couldn’t stand Louis Goldblatt, let alone Jack Hall. Harry Australian expatriate. Kaua’u Dem solon JB Fernandes, Hall’s 1st Dem ace in the hole 1938, has local roots [dad Pahala sugar laborer]. Maui’s Harold Rice was GOP rancher who switched to Dem 1943 because Rice felt that the GOP was not up with the social currents. Yet Rice was a rank conservative Dem, part of reactionaries [Heen/Stainback/etc.] who tiffed vs. upcomer Burns’ AJA gang. Harriet Williams Bouslog/Symonds were brought here by Jack Hall to take care the ILWU legal front. Harriet’s hubby was UH English instructor, Harriet always had red hibiscus in her hair. –Curt
August 28th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
“Anonymous” don’t even count the Prince Kuhio Mall?? As in Jack Matsui’s born 1922 Big Island sports hall of fame?? I keep telling you that George Keoki Kai born 1965, St. Joseph ‘83 or thereabout, is a walking encyclopedia whose vast knowledge is to behold!! Toody [pronounced this way] Souza, teymooj/do or die attitude born 1940, is Keoki’s Carter familia/kin. Keoki’s dad George Peewee was teymooj like Toody, all fighting heart. Peewee’s baby brother John was really a terrific team/supporting player. Of course, Lenny Kai was Keoki’s kin/peer & among our greatest hoops guards. Jack Burns 1909-1975 always had soft spot for HGEA/Trask because Jack’s baby sis married Trask. Keoki Kai has Burns’ unmatched singularity of purpose [to gain wisdom/mana'o]. But don’t tell Ernie Kai about Burns, since Burns stole Kai’s appointment as Terr. Governor off the Interior Dept. & supplanted it w/Oren Long’s name. –Curt
August 28th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
My computer still kaput/I’m on unfamiliar cafe computers, my apology for typo: Kaua’i solon JB Fernandez, not Ka’u. JB/Joe Pao/Jim Ferry[Ferreira], all Kaua’i roots, Pao-Ferry familia/kin. Joe Pao died 1977, biggest home builder in Hawai’i nei, Luso king. Ferry, let go by Burns as Land Bd. head [wheeler-dealer] born 1928, still Hollywood-handsome. Ferry/Hilo’s John Farias born 1936/Paul De Silva born 1934, the handsomest Luso-Portuguese you’ll ever see. These guys just don’t age!! Why?? Must be Luso DNA/Henry the Navigator. –Curt
August 28th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
About Keoki Kai’s DNA, ancient John Kai’s People’s Garage was our largest vehicle service center/repair shop downtown Hilo, SW corner Kalakaua/Keawe Sts., still same bldg. [later had National Sales/Service -- inscription still visible on bldg. fronting Kalakaua St.]. Of course, Volcano Garage NW corner Kumu/Kam Ave. was the largest ever, later had Bowling Lanes on top floor, where Dottie Thompson bowled her way into history [Dottie was multi-sport athlete, better than men, & Dottie was a looker-turned grenadiers' heads in her day-youth; Dottie's sis Lillian also a great athlete]. –Curt
August 28th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Keoki Kai’s cuz is drop-dead handsome investment pundit John Kai. Keoki’s Kai grandpa/vuvu was tax office huge man. Kama’aina Haw’ns include Hapai/Lui Kwan/Akana/Kai. –Curt
August 28th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Signing off for now. Wish I could keep up w/”Anonymous” posts. I love Keoki Kai’s knowledge/wisdom. Aloha, –Curt
August 28th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
The standards are too low to gain induction to Prince Kuhio Hall of Fame.
How can P.K. Hall of Fame nominate a groundskeeper at Hoolulu Park (for example, no offense) in the first year (1st) and than nominate Al (all state baseball, star/member of state/territorial championship team of 58 in basketball, record setting track athlete at St. Joseph, All-West Coast in baseball and member of basketball team at University of San Francisco (led team in home runs and stolen bases last two years, also inducted to their HOF in first year of eligibility with Bill Russell, KC Jones, Ollie Matson ), drafted by the New York Yankees, came back to Hawaii and than wins every major amateur golf tournament in Hawaii, including Big Island Amateur. “Tud” won the Manoa Cup in “80 with a memorable 200 yard 2 iron shot (par 5 13th hole and he hits a blind shot, all he saw was a flag, no pin, out of the trees up a hill for a double eagle) and Advertiser calls it the “greatest shot in the 100 year history” of the match play tournament, played at Oahu Country Club. Probably second greatest natural golf athlete born in history of State of Hawaii, to Ted Makalena. Tud just picked up the Waialae Country Club members championship, two weeks ago for the 30 something time at 69 years old. Inducted in to Hawaii’s Aloha Section PGA Golf Hall of Fame in the second year of the founding of the “Circle” in 97. All of the family was there at Waikiki Prince for induction, 10 tables up in front, along with every living former governor and present governor.
Let’s not forget his work as boxing promoter and philanthropist for young amateur golfers. The year Tad Fujikawa came to fame playing and doing well in the Sony Open, Al, June, and Mike Heartley (the founder of Cheap Tickets, bought out by Cendant) went to Moanalua High School and took Tad out of class and they flew down to Kailua-Kona Airport to play the Four Season’s exclusive Kukio Course on Mike’s own Gulfstream Four jet.
Let’s also not forget his close friendship/advisor to June Jones. Al is June’s closest friend in Hawaii. Google Tony Romo/June Jones and read the story June tells an ESPN writer in Dallas about playing a course in Scotland with Al. June gave Sugar Bowl rings to 4 other people besides his players and coaches. His father, Mouse Davis, Jerry Glanville, and Al. Inscribed with “Souza” on it. With diamonds.
Based on those creditials, he should have been first year induction, not 2nd or 3rd year. Even at the induction ceremony, the promoters kept calling him “Albert”. It’s either Alfred, Al, or Tud or Tuddy. I cringed.
All I am saying is that the accomplishments and criteria have to be raised or than you have every tom, dick and harry getting in (with just one person making a nomination) and it dilutes the reverence of the hall. That’s all.
Herbert Kai at Tax Office was founder of Kai Store. Not the person you are thinking of. Try again Curtis, I know you will figure it out.
And I am not who you are claiming I am.
August 28th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Al’s HOF induction was ‘96 not ‘97, last year of PeeWee’s life. PeeWee played more rounds of golf with Al than anyone else in the family so it was a given he had to attend. PeeWee and Al were first cousins (moms were sisters), classmates and best friends/ brothers.
June also used Al’s restaurant “Aaron’s” atop the Ala Moana Hotel as his base when he would wine and dine recruits in to coming to play football at the University of Hawaii. Al’s son was the General Manager and would personally court and host the dinners and parties for recruits/players and coaching staff.
August 29th, 2009 at 9:58 am
I’m sorry that Anonymous is someone other than Keoki Kai. Where art thou correct person?? Tony Marasia born 1974 is Honomu’s famed Dr. Doolittle, practical salvation for our animal kingdom brethren. Tony is very loving/compassionate/indulgent, & Tony’s mission to save our animal kingdom has been featured in both our Trib [Karen Welsh's feature column 1/1/07] & on the AP wire services a year later. Aloha, –Curt
August 29th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Yes, atty George Kawamoto was with Jack Wakayama when both men were in Walt Dillingham’s 1875-1963 office, when Walt called FDR directly WWII to beseech FDR not
to intern us buddaheads from Hawai’i. This is why I
mistook the name George [for Honomu's Roy Kawamoto]. George died young, like Shigeto Kanemoto. Noboru Tsutsumi led the radical Japanese immigrants/Issei vs. plantation paternalism 1920. Nobuji Tokushiro was a magnanimous man, owned our Mainichi newspaper [which owned the Shinyu Kai bldg. still standing on Ponahawai St. as Wally Chong's dental bldg.], owned his printing company, among our leading Issei. Nobuji among our greatest assimilationists, w/first bilingual newspaper. Bill Castle 1878-1963 was our Nippon-phile, from C & C family, career D.C. diplomat, but not as grounded/nitty-gritty as D.C. Shokan Jesse Shima[bukuro] 1901-2002, Hilo native. Yes, John Young, advisor to Kamehameha the Great, was Scot, & Isaac Davis was Welsh. Lau Faat Leong aka Lau Ah Leong was our original Chinese baron with Pepe’ekeo baron Chun Afong, 1st Chinese millionaire in the Hawaiian Islands. Still on cafe computer time. Sorry for being disjointed. –Curt
August 30th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Honomu’s Kieven Ayala born 1991 is part of Skip Nehls’ Basic Image nonprofit org which beautifies our beaches & oceanfront parks for free. Kieven is a positive force in the community, and even at his precocious age, Kieven is steeped in patience, listening skills, composure, & compassion. An amazing role model for us all. –Curt
August 30th, 2009 at 9:50 am
ILWU revolter [reactionary anti-commie] Amos Ignacio 1907-1988 was born in O’okala, whose parents were teachers, Amos w/high school education, a rarity for pre-1920 born plantation kids, Terr. Representative 1944-1948, who revolted vs. the ILWU for its commie bent, so to speak, who tried to form his own union, but fell flat on his face when confronted by Lou Goldblatt’s Frisco regime, who came to Hilo at Hilo Armory to stand down Ignacio the dissenter. Amos faded into obscurity till his dying day. Yes, Amos headed the Pepe’ekeo ILWU unit. David Thompson, WWII veteran/WIA-wooden leg, ILWU field chief [wife is Mitsu Shinchi of Kea'au], also stood down Amos Ignacio. –Curt
August 30th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Shigeyoshi Katekawa born 1923 had such a hard time rallying Sakada/Pinoy laborers to join the ILWU cause because of Amo Ignacio’s invectives vs. Communists in the ILWU [Jack Hall/Wilfred Oka/etc.], Shige from Honomu, Amos out of Pepe’ekeo. –Curt
August 30th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Pseudonym Ivan Tatum’s focus on AJA racial favoritism is what detracts from Ivan’s correct look-see on cronyism in government. Ivan uses Buddy Azevedo’s problem vs. Jiro Sumada as an example, contrasted w/Norman Koshiyama’s 1925-1997 speed-thru on Norm’s subdivision adjacent to Buddy’s subdivision off Kupulau Rd. Jiro is no more racist vs. Luso-Portuguese than Norman was racist in favor of Japanese [Norm not racist]. Look at Stan Nakasone, who’s got a Japanese last name but is anything but Japanese in appearance/manner. Just in population numbers alone, AJAs predominate in cronyism because of their majority race count in government jobs, so to speak. Ivan is very valued because of Ivan’s knowhow of relationships/cronyism, not because of Ivan’s allegations of racism. But as Ivan says, Ivan is not George Keoki Kai. –Curt
August 30th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Macy Wessel takes care of the Hilo Drug bldg. business
for the Macy family [where Cronies restaurant is]. Macy’s Wessel family is from Homestead, not Keaukaha. Of course, Gilbert Patten [banker Harold Patten's wife was a Macy] owned Mana Transportation, whose expansive open front bldg. still stands NW corner, Kilauea/Mamo Sts. Gordon Granger’s homicide was at the Patten estate on Kauila St. [formerly Scott St.]. James Kimo Henderson 1876-1965 was benefactor/inspiration behind formation of Lincoln Wreckers, along with Lincoln Park director Ernest B. De Silva. Famous Lincoln Wreckers honchos Froggie Yoneda/Sambo Saito were groomed by Kimo Henderson, & employed by Kimo at Kimo’s Helco. Patten’s Mana Transportation’s mega-athletes made Lincoln Park iconic, such as Swede Desha [Pete Beamer's in-law, Pete original baseballer at Mo'oheau park]/the Brown boys [Bunny's prior generation from Pukihae St.]/Pete-Peewee Ramalia/etc. Actually, 3 generations of athletes were groomed at Ponahawai ahupua’a [including Mo'oheau park], starting w/Pete Beamer’s 1872-1967 “Specials” 1904, then the 2nd generation of Mana Transportation 1918 [Desha/Brown/Ramalia], then finally the 3rd generation [Lincoln Wreckers] 1925. Lincoln Park was created 1909, on Abe Lincoln’s centennial of his birth, thanks to Luso-Portuguese solon Godofredo Affonso. Lincoln Park was the former site of our old jail [thence Kino'ole St. was called Jail St., which ended at Ponahawai, no extension across Alenaio stream until 1925], run by sheriff Luther Severance [not the U.S. diplomat to Hawai'i Kingdom]. Luther even built a moat around today’s Lincoln Park to thwart the oncoming 1881 lava flow [whose north lobe stopped mauka of Komohana/Ponahawai St./south lobe stopped at Popolo/Mohouli Sts. Lanakila Homes]. The Hilo jail on Waianuenue St. was built in 1906 to replace the Lincoln Park site jail. –Curt
August 30th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Yes, the unholy trinity “owned” Lincoln Park amongst teens WWI era — Rev. Ernest Gomes De Silva’s sons Ernie B./Leo, & Front St.-Kam Ave. Beans Afook, all mega-athletes. Of course, all 3 later became educators & icons, counseling hombres like themselves a generation earlier. Rev. De Silva pastored at Central Christian/Portuguese Christian church on Haili St., a block NE of Lincoln Park, & Beans’ dad was a tinsmith on Kam Ave. makai of Kalakaua Ave. Downtown “Living Legend” Bob Steamy Chow born 1922, whose dad was bootblack/shoe repairman & partner w/Beans’ dad/Ah Chew Goo’s tailor dad at bldg. makai of Kalakaua St. on Kam Ave., remembers how rough-ready this trinity of De Silva boys/Afook was among Lincoln Park kids. Ah Chew Goo born 1918 always was banished by jealous Beans 1901-1991, who couldn’t see Ah Chew stealing Beans’ thunder as mega-athlete & coach. Which is why Ah Chew’s hero is 10th grade Hilo High hoops coach Roy Roberts, another mega-athlete, whose wife was Kapi’olani Elem. school teacher, not jealous Beans, per Ah Chew. –Curt
August 30th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Frank Ishii, formerly of Honomu [tengu Tsukasa's uncle], & Froggie Yoneda were elite JAC baseballers [by invitation only, which ticked off furyoshonen/low class kids from Waiakea] who so humbly started up the Lincoln Wreckers, thanks to Kimo Henderson’s sponsorship/inspiration. Kimo employed our Lincoln Wrecker stalwarts, also for ulterior reasons [to field the great Helco baseball team in our top-shelf Commercial League, which incl. all-stars Ishii at catcher/Froggie in the outfield]. Froggie’s disciple Sambo Saito came later. –Curt
August 30th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Coffee Kohashi also was a Lincoln Wrecker stalwart, Coffee because of his dark complexion. His son also is named Coffee, Larry Mehau’s classmate, retired fire inspector. –Curt
August 30th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Frank Ishii 1896-1985 formerly of Honomu was a do-er catalyst like VVV-442 Ralph Yempuku/greatest youth enablers Walter C.K. Victor-Richard Pablo Chinen-Richard Nigga Tong. Do you know how loving/compassionate Nigga was? Unlike/opposite of older brother CF Tong/CF’s son Don [self-attentive/Scrooges], Nigga once refereed a basketball game where Wayne Subica’s mega-athletes were annihilating the opposing team of scrubs/lump eyes. Nigga called all kinds of bogus fouls on Wayne Subica’s team. Wayne told Nigga, “A, how come you calling all the fouls against us??!!” Nigga told Wayne, “Hey, give the other team a chance, okay??? This is just a game, son!!” Beautiful!!! Love always, –Curt
August 30th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Richard Nigga Tong 1912-1987 dark because he spent all day outdoors helping the kids with sports. A handsome man, dusky like Duke Kahanamoku, unlike his pale-colored indoor brother CF/CF’s self-prided son Don. Yet, all you hear about are CF/Don [self-promoters]. Nigga our real deal/larger than life hero!! Love always, –Curt
August 30th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Walter C.K. Victor 1904-1975 was our greatest youth enabler. He gave his whole life to others. Though he was a high-placed police officer, he spent everything he had on kids. Nearly every icon in sports was inspired/enabled by Walter C.K. Victor, including Jimmy Yagi/Kiyo Hamakawa/Ah Chew Goo. What Beans Afook 1901-1991 was not [inspiration to others, except for his Hilo High hoops dynasty teams], Walter C.K. Victor was!! No comparison in sacrifices made for the betterment/sake of humanity-others. Richard Pablo Chinen 1919-1991 [died same time as Walter C.K. Victor] was intrepid/incredulously compassionate like Walter. Nigga Tong was right up there with them. Of course, Ernie B. De Silva was our greatest educator from the Big Island, & was polyglot in attitude. We buddaheads owe our self-esteem to Ernie B., who really gave us self-worth when Ernie’s Luso/Portuguese peers were yelling “Japs go back to Japan!!” WWII/after. Ernie was a great messiah, like our Territory’s greatest-ever educator, Kansas granger/grassrooter Oren B. Long 1889-1965. Amazing/mythic heroes all!! Wow!! Love everlasting, –Curt
August 30th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Honomu means silent bay, for its sheltered cove where the old Honomu sugar mill once thrived on terraced cliffs. Of course, Akaka Falls is its major attraction, always luring tourists to this lush/verdant jungle. Akaka Falls was only made viewable from a half mile mile away to tourists a century ago, with direct walk-thru the jungle much later [inaccessible location]. Honomu today has 500 residents, a sixth of its population during King Sugar’s heyday 80 yrs. ago. Aloha, –Curt
August 30th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Akaka Falls draws as many visitors as any location in the State. Eco-tourism. Which is why doing away with Waipahu’s ag lands/rolling waves of greenleaves is not what tourists come here for!! Also eat at the most affordable/biggest bang for the buck Baker Tom’s in Papa’ikou at its junction. Former Alaska resident Tom born 1956 has the most onolicious assorted filling malassadas, & Tom’s burrito is the best-ever!! I love tomatoes, & Tom’s burrito is packed w/tomatoes!! Tom genuinely is a blithe soul/spirit, no pretense about him. He is as authentic rural roots as they come!! Love, –Curt