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. Read the rest of this entry »