Tuesday, September 15, 2009

More Old Hawaii Photos

My friend Noreen who usually e-mails me pictures of Old Hawaii sent me more the other day. These brought back some long-forgotten memories. I don't know where the photos or captions originated from, but they're pretty priceless to me.


Aloha Motors at the corner of Kapiolani Blvd. and Atkinson Drive is now the site of the Hawaii Conventon Center.



Corner of Beretania and Richards Streets where the Schuman Carriage building and a doctor’s office was located in the 1950's and 1960's. The entire block was torn down to build the State Capitol Building. This photo was taken across the street near Washington Place.



Bishop Street, looking mauka toward Beretania Street in this 1959 photo.The street eventually continued to Vineyard and Pali Hwy. Bishop St. became one way makai bound. Across Beretania now stands the Capitol Place building.



The old Civic Auditorium at 1314 S. King St. being torn down to make way for progress, in April, 1974. Built in January 1933, it hosted many functions through the years.


The last day of Coco's Coffee House, Aug. 31, 1986. After 26 years of business on the corner of Kapiolani and Kalakaua, it made way for a new business, The Hard Rock Cafe. Before Coco's, The Kau Kau Korner was in that location.


Fort Street looking mauka from King Street. Nov. 8th 1959. Today Fort Street is a pedestrian mall.

Hawaii Kai in a 1960 photo as Henry Kaiser was beginning development of the area.


The HIC later renamed the Neal Blaisdell Center is under construction in 1963.


Statehood celebration at the old Honolulu Stadium. March 13,1959.


1970 photo of baseball fans lining up on King Street and Isenberg at the Honolulu Stadium box office to purchase playoff tickets.

The annual Thanksgiving Day high school football championship game at the Old Honolulu Stadium on Isenberg and King Street in 1963. Today this is the site of the Honolulu Stadium State Rec. Area or as many call it, the Old Stadium Park .


HRT bus barn on the corner of Alapai and Hotel Streets in the 70's. The Honolulu Police Dept. is now on this corner.


Honolulu Iron Works 1960. Today it is the location of Restaurant Row.


Kapahulu Avenue in March 1959.


Kapiolani Drive In on the corner of Ala Moana and Ena Rd in July, 1968. A popular hangout in the 50's and 60's it was demolished in late 1960 to make way for the Wailana condominium.

The Kau Kau Korner on the corner of Kapiolani and Kalakaua in the 1940's. The business was torn down in 1960 and replaced with Coco 's Coffee House, which was torn down in 1986 to make way for The Hard Rock Cafe which is currently on that location.


Construction of the Keeaumoku Street overpass on April 14 1960 looking towards the Diamond Head direction and from right to left, makai to mauka.


1959 photo of the old Sears and Roebuck building, which eventually became headquarters for the Honolulu Police Department and then a high rise condominium.


March 19, 1959 photo of the old Sears and Roebuck building and parking lot on Beretania, Young and King Streets and later in 1967 converted into the Honolulu Police Department. Later the building was torn down and a high rise condominium now is at that location. The parking lot in the foreground is today the Pawaa Neighborhood Park.


State Capitol under constructon in the background. Photo taken on Kapiolani Blvd. and Drier St. The Advertiser Building is on the left. March 27, 1967.


Construction of the State Capitol building July 5, 1966. Punchbowl and Hotel Street corner is at the bottom right. Hotel Street is now the pedestrian walkway between the Capitol Building and Iolani Palace .


Tops coffee shop in 1956, on Ala Moana across Ft. DeRussy.


Trader Vic's at the corner of Ward Ave. and King Street. It is now the location of the Honolulu Club and the now closed TGIF restaurant.


Waialae Shopping Center, which eventually became Kahala Mall, was celebrating its third anniversary when this photo was taken in 1961.


1957 photo of the Ward Estate. The entire estate was demolished in 1959 to make room for the Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall and the Blaisdell Center. It covered the entire block of Ward Ave., King St. and Kapiolani Blvd.


The water fountain at the entrance to the Honolulu airport in the 1960's. At night when the water fountain was lit up with orange colored lights, it looked like volcano eruption.

70 comments:

Erick said...

Cool, cool, cool! I remember some of those places, I must be old. Priceless old photos!

jalna said...

I know Erick . . . don't you wish you could go back in time just to get shots of those places?

K and S said...

this was awesome, thanks for sharing, some I remember and some were before my time.

SW said...

I just LOVE old photos. Can you imagine the size of the camera that was used to take these photos? Unfortunately, I don't remember most of these places since I arrived in Hawaii in 1975.

Unknown said...

priceless!!!!!!!!!

Yosh808 said...

Man...this might be the nyquil talking...but it makes me really sad to think about what my kids are gonna see when they grow up. The skyline changed sooo plenny in just 20-30 years. I can just see the caption now..."LikeLike Drive Inn on Keeaumoku street, locals used to flock here for awesome banana pancakes...demolished in 2015, now the site of the one trillionth Honolulu Condominium skyrise..." =(

Betty Townsend said...

Beautiful! Lots of memories with the really old pictures, Honolulu Stadium football games, Kapahulu Avenue going to grandma's. I left home in 1962 so was gone when a lot of them were taken. Thanks for sharing!!

jalna said...

Kat, some were even before MY time!

Shun Wah, I wonder what camera was used 'cause the photos are of excellent quality.

tippy, I agree.

Yosh, I probably should start taking photos of things I take for granted now like "Likelike Drive Inn".

Betty, really brings to home just how long you've been gone! Wow.

susie said...

Love the old pictures!!! I KNOW I'm old cuz I remember most of the places. Still haven't gotten cs4 downloaded, need to call abode again tomorrow. I'm in Gig Harbor, WA now. Wyoming was great,but miss my Wyoming family very much.

Unknown said...

Wow! Those are great photos and the captions were also good. I remember going to Aloha Motors with my parents when they purchased a couple of their Oldsmobiles when I was a small child!!!

jalna said...

Rick, I remember Aloha Motors there at the corner too! I wish I knew who compiled the photos and captioned them. They did an awesome job.

MJC said...

Thanks for posting these pictures. I love looking at historical pictures of "what used to be here" kind of things. I wish I could go back in time and walk around these places back in the day.

jalna said...

MJC, I soooo feel the same way.

Unknown said...

wow - great photos! and I remember most of those places, which really dates me! haha

jalna said...

I remember too!!

Unknown said...

i LOOOVE these photos!! they're amazing. i wish we had some of the ranch house up there. i would love to have a book with all of these photos. they''re amazing.

jalna said...

I agree Haunani, I love the photos and captions. I wish I knew who to credit with putting this together.

Jean-Michel RiHET said...

Aloha from Old Europe,

i've just discover Your site and take the opportunity to let some words.
I'm a french writer and actually working on a novel, the scenery happen on Oahu island from 1939 to 1949.
i am searching for photographs from this period... if You please know a link... ?
Thanks and congratulation for Your website.
Jean-Michel

jalna said...

Hi Jean-Michel! There is a great collection of old Hawaii photos here .

Anonymous said...

Dear Jalna

I love these old hawaii photos..
I'm plannin to open up a new hawaiian style cafe in Korea and I would love to post some of these pictures on the wall as a deco.

Can I buy these images in file?

Sincerely

Maren Kim

jalna said...

Sorry Maren, but these are not my photos. I got them in an e-mail, and don't even know where they originated from.

Jm Rihet said...

Dear Jalna,
It's a pleasure to give You thanks for the link You let.
i will find there all i am searching for.
Thanks a lot.
Sincerely,
Jean-Michel
http://jeanmichelrihet.com/

jalna said...

You're so welcome, Jean-Michel!

Old Kahala Kid said...

As I'm now 60, I do remember many of these places. Mom took me to see "Old Plantation" before it's demolition. It was open to the public one last time. I don't remember if we could go into the building however? The grounds were like being in another world at the time. Ah, Waialae Shopping Center, Western Star (in photos) supermarket after the original Piggly Wiggly and to become Star Supermarket. Aloha Motors, my first new car in '77. All the others, Cocos, Kapiolani Drive Inn...too many to recount. How about the feed store in Kahala where Macy's men is about now?

jalna said...

I'm right behind you Old Kahala Kid, but my memory is not as sharp as yours. Ahhh, perchance to go back in time if only but to look.

Larry Rac said...

jaina,
I was just web surfing for old Hawaiian pics and found your site. Blast from the past. I too really enjoy seeing old photos oh Hawaii. I was at the conner of Fort and King streets when Hawaii became the 50th State. I was selling the Honolulu Advertiser and made the most tips that day. My paper corner was the Honolulu Cafe and the building is still there. Its part of HPU Downtown Campus today. Anyway I saw a picture of that building that you had on this site.
Thanks for posting these pictures...big mahalo.

jalna said...

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment Larry. I love the special memories you have in your heart. Take care.

Wayne said...

I was stationed at Barbers Point in 1963-64 and lived in an apartment on the corner of Kalakaua and the Ala Wai canal. We had a good view of Diamond Head from the lanai. I am presently back visiting for the first time.....my have things changed. I enjoyed your collection of old photos. Top's was one of my hangouts.

jalna said...

Welcome back Wayne!! I think it's great that you were here for a little while back in the good ole days. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Anonymous said...

Anybody remember a Saffron (yellow) 1968 convertible Oldsmobile with a black side stripe on the front fenders? I'm trying to find the first owner, 1968 to 1970, and the 2nd owner, 1970 to July of 2011. I would think it would have originally sold at Aloha Motors. Thank you!
Shawn
shawnbarnes1999@msn.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the phots. I remember all of them.

Tony Lentini said...

I lived at Pearl Harbor and Ft. Shafter from 1960-1963. Anyone have photos of the old base exchanges for both?
Tony

Unknown said...

I really loved the photos, I wish we could go back to those days.

Anonymous said...

This is an interesting collection of photos! I don't remember most of these places. Sometimes I wonder if today's digital images will have the staying power of these old bromides that (luckily) someone decided to keep.

J Rogers Martin said...

These pictures are a treasure trove for our town, Honolulu circa Statehood 1959... The years following brought many changes, but then again the streets are still in the same places. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I Love these photos, it brought back some good memories. I left Hawaii in 1966, and yes the HNL Stadium had been a very busy place in those years.
I returned back to Hawaii in 1987, it sure have changed a lot since then!!!! But I love your PIX. Anyway of getting copies of these Pix??

jalna said...

Thanks for commenting, Anon. Sorry, but these aren't my photos.

Anonymous said...

Seeing the Neal Blaisdell Center is awesome.

pbr said...

I remember almost all of the buildings and places pictured here and now Sears is gone too-auwe-the price of progress.

Unknown said...

so pretty.old is gold, i just LOVE old photos. Can you imagine the size of the camera that was used to take these photos? Unfortunately, I don't remember most of these places since I arrived in Hawaii in 1975.Gatwick Meet and Greet

Unknown said...

Very cool I used to sell the Star Bulletin high school line up paper at the stadium. We would get in the game for free and have some money for a hot dog and a coke. Great pictures, thak you.

Anonymous said...

My dad was stationed at Schofield Barracks 1959 to 1964. These photos brought back so many memories. We lived in Ewa Beach not on base. Wonderful childhood and wonderful memories. Thanks for posting these pictures. Just found out that the International Market Place is being torn down to make way for a new mall with Saks Fifth Avenue. Truly awful!!!



TTK said...

Thank you very much for these beautiful pictures...I was born here in 1954 before the mad rush of development. The photos you published bring back the wonderful memories of growing up on Oahu.

Unknown said...

You know your old when you remember a majority of those pictures! Coco's and hawaii kai! Wow!!

Unknown said...

Like Vegas, the front of the airport was....i remember Coco's and hawaii kai....amazing'

Anonymous said...

Love your pictures. Brings back a lot of memories. Would you happen to have a picture of the old Kapahulu Theatre?

jalna said...

Thanks Anon, but I didn't take the photos. I got them in an email from a friend. Sorry, but I don't have a picture of the old Kapahulu Theater.

auntyanna said...

The photo just below Aloha Motors - corner Beretania and Richards - is actually of the first Central Union Church building, which got a "modern" built around the corner in front of it. Kitty-corner across the street there was a gas station in front of St Andrew's Cathedral which didn't go away until they finished the Cathedral, tearing out the termite-eaten front and replacing it with the Great West Window (that has a termite depicted in it!)

Anonymous said...

The football games on Thanksgiving Day (two were played) were not for the ILH high school championship, which was decided during the regular season based on which team had won the largest number of regular season games (eight). Kamehameha, Punahou, Roosevelt and Farrington were often in the top four and played on Thanksgiving Day. McKinley, Iolani, St. Louis, Kaimuki and Kalani usually finished behind the top four (this was late 50s early 60s).

deaton said...

my parents and I came to oahu in 1959, I was 8 yrs old, started at pearl harbor ele, and the little ben franklin and other stores made up the little shopping mall there, there as a Tastee Freeze there. All of the wild places are gone, we lived on a cul-de-sac, lots of bouganvilla, wood roses, everything, then moved to 5th st. across from the Bloch Arena, tons of myna birds, the monkey pod tree is still there as of 2007 but all the birds in the area are gone as they tore down all that navy housing. my parents bought me a very nice ukulele for $20 in 1963 the value now is about $450, I wish I had it. I learned to hula in a quanset hut and had my girl scout meetings in a quanset hut. now there is no Dole Pineapple tower. all the wild places are gone it seems, afer the several tv programs and movies that came to oahu, that brought it alot of changes, continually building. i remember the Sears store, and the first mall of america. we dined at the Al Ronde restaurant when it first opened, it revolved once every hour, i could hear it squeak. riding our bikes and playing with barbie, making leis, the same plumeria bushes and monkey pod trees still exist on 5th st. it was the only way I could tell where our townhouse was. when i visited in 2007, holy family academy for 2 yrs. we went around the island so many times. i remember some boys talking pigeon talk and I laughed because I didn't understand, I remember seeing women walking downtown with kimonos on in 1961. all the parties my parents gave, navy people, people were nice and trusting and nobody was afraid of your kids being taken. it's a different world.

Unknown said...

Aloha! I am looking for an old picture of Mr. George S. Higa's Honolulu Cafe on Fort and Beretania in the late 1930's or early 1940's. Am also looking for a picture of Mr. Higa, the owner. And if someone has a menu, I would be very grateful. Mahalo, Julie Checkoway
julie@checkoway.com

funsewfun said...

Just came across your site. Thanks for a wonderful walk down memory lane. I Remember taking my driving test at HPD on the site of the old Sears building. And Tops and a d Kau Kau Korner then Cocos. And my baby sister even got to graduate in the new HIC. The fountain at night was really cool in front of the new airport (but I loved the old airport with open sides and the ladies walking around selling leis from their arms.) Of course Henry J Kaiser building Hawaii Kai with all the pink tractors etc since Mrs. Kaiser loved pink! Thanks for the memories.

Unknown said...

Wiw! Nice picture!

Cheers from HawaiiHotel.org

Peter said...

Wonderful pictures for us baby boomers from Hawaii. Those pictures of the old Waialae Shopping Center are wonderful. I remember the shopping center BEFORE the Liberty House was built. The Supermarket there was first a Piggly Wiggly, then Western,then Western Star, Star, and now a Whole Foods. I remember all the modest tract homes in Kahala in the early 1950's before the MacMansions.

Anonymous said...

Ah, Kapiolani Drive In. As I recall you could get 5 hamburgers for a dollar then. The Ilikai was breaking ground. I think they had the miniature golf course across the street at the Hilton.

Anonymous said...

From Jain Da Pain!

Thanks for these great pix! First set foot on O'ahu in July 1974 on the way to my first duty station Down Under. Came back to stay in 1976. Ala Moana Motors, Coco's, the old Pawa'a Police Station, McInerny's, Liberty House, Patty's Chinese Kitchen, all gone. Kalakaua was two way in Waiks, cane fields stretching from Pearl City to Mililani to Ewa. DOLE CANNERY! Miss the vintage stuff, BUT there's still a lot that's the same, until development and transit demolish what little's left. Hate to think what Kaka'ako will eventually look like. The whole waterfront, from Iwilei to Diamond will be solid high rises, soon. My uncle grew up in Waikiki in the 1920s & 30s. He's too old to come back, but last trip saddened him to see all the changes. Change may be inevitable, but that doesn't make it for the better. L8rz.

hwm said...

You had a picture of Coco's restaurant, I remember before that, it was Kau Kau Korner the home of the Kentucky Fried Chicken. Yep, I used to work there making all those fountain drinks and sundaes. I started to think more into the past and remember those pine cone trees around the Zoo and the old Waikiki Band Stand. Further remembering all those palm trees and vendors on the sidewalks of Waikiki. Also remember how you had to dress nicely to attend movies at Waikiki theater. You showed a picture of Kapahulu Ave....I remember the kiddie club shows on Saturday morning at Kapahulu theater. Also as a kid, we all would walk around barefooted.
Another oldie here....a phone call from Honolulu to Wailua or Ewa was a long distance call. Mmmmm and listening to dramas and other programs were all on the radio before black and white TV. And in our youth, we made our own toys and also made up our own games. Playing cowboys and Indians were quite popular. I wonder if any of you out there remember these games..... 1) Hide and Seek 2) Mama Poletta 3) Jacks 4) Make a round round circle 5) Red Rover Red Rover send Julie right over 6) Freeze Man no melt .....gosh so many more. Remember when Mangos and Guavas and Lilikoi were plentiful and you didn't have to pay for them. Neighbors would share and tell you to help yourself. Ahhh how nice to remember the good ole days... Oh and the best yet... we didn't have to lock our front door.

Anonymous said...

Hello, Man I remember all of this sayings, because I am from Honolulu, Hawaii. I was born in August 25, 1939. I used to live on Hayden Street, in Kapahulu. I attended the intermediant school on Kapahulu and Alawai corner. Then I attended Saint Abustin Intermediant school, and then Roosevelt High School and graduated in 1958. All this time I used to walk to Waikiki beach and surf and paddle canoe and ride the boat. I used to surf with Rabbit Kekai, Jama Kekai, Duck Kahanamoku and worked at all the surf board companies at the beach. When the waves are good and up I used to skip school and go surfing and paddling canoe. I paddled for Waikiki surf club and Ala Wai surf club. Then I moved to Southern California in Hermosa beach and surfed over there at most of the beaches. I used live with 2 friends on eight street and went to second street, and met some guys from back home and they were playing ukulele music, and I borrowed a surf board form one of the guys and did my first surfing in beach. Man the water was very cold, but I really did some fantastic surfing and really enjoyed it. Then all the rest of the years, I worked for lots of surf board companies such as Happ Jacops, Greg knowl, Dewey Weber, and Lyman Surfboard company. I used to sand the surfboards for these companies for a couple of years and they asked me to have my own surf board company, so I started my own surfboard company in Hermosa beach, Upstairs and sanded lots of surf boards at the evening and in the morning I went to the beach to surf so that I would erase all the iche things off of my body.. That was the good old days, and now I really want to go back home from here in Las Vegas, Nevada. I am 76 years old and am playing some games on line and hope to win some money, so that I will return back home. I am a very religious brother as a Jehovah Witness and have been a witness for about 30 years and want to go back home and live with my brother for a couple of weeks and rent or buy a house and return back to the beach to surf and paddle canoe. So please see if you would help me. Aloha and Mahalo, Bradda Wendell Wood Abbey

Anonymous said...

I was working at Kapiolani Drive Inn in 1966, the year Mr. Francis Tom closed it, to make way for the Wailana. Still remember lots of folks. I hope it's ok to mention some of my coworkers. Mel Campbell Mgr, Mr. Arakaki chef, Goldie, Aileen Alnas "Suki", Faiumu, Liu Faleafini, worked the drive-inn carry out portion, Tony Cabral soda fountain man, Hannah Livingston & Edna Keahuhu car hops, Dodo bartender, Carol hostess "Topless Rickshaw Room bar" Hula room restaurant waitresses, Dot, Alice Lovell, Emily Canopin, & so many others. I still have a scar on my right thumb, from the meat slicer, making coleslaw. Mr. Arakaki took me to Kaiser ER to get stitched up. Military personnel would come for R&R across the street at Fort DeRussy and would sometimes stop by KDI. I was a frycook in kitchen with the Mr. A. I remember many of the songs played on the juke box. One of my favorites even today, is San Francisco (wear some flowers in your hair) Scott McKenzie. The Vietnam war was on, and so was the hippie era, I guess you can say I was a participant in both. I was classified 1A on my draft card, and volunteered in the armed services. My mother was upset, but I was glad to serve. Thank you Jalna for sharing all these old pictures. The pics and memories seem like it was only yesterday/yesteryear. I now live in Utah for past 20 yrs.

Anonymous said...

My island cousin sent me a link in 2008 of these identical pictures. They were originally published by the Honolulu Advertiser (after the Star-Bulletin was sold in the early 2000s) and one could access them for free online. Many went way back, into the late 1800's and into the 1900's. I downloaded many from 1941 to 1986 for use in class reunions for Redford High School, Class of '63, of which I am a member. I no longer live in the islands, but miss my friends, family and the beauty of the islands. OK, the food ono too.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing these photos! it was enjoyable to say the least. I wish Hawaii had not changed.. but we must all evolve to some degree.... I did not come to hawaii until 1980. I remember woolworths at ala moana mall .. thats about as far back as i go :( I remember Coco's ... i wish i had seen the old Halekulani before they renovated. I was in Hawaii in enough time to see it in all its glory but never took notice of it until it was renovated. ( i really never went to waikiki back then) I remember the theatre in waikiki that would play the organ music and I was there when they imploded Kaiser near Ala Moana beach park. anyone by chance know where i could get vintage pics of Queen St back in the day? or around Kaka'ako ?

Aloha

david

jalna said...

Hi Anon from Utah. Just wanted to let you know that I'm unable to change the year for you. Sorry. I totally appreciate your comment.

Anonymous said...

Aloha and mahalo for sharing the photos. My dad drew that Hula picture at Kapiolani Drive In but passed away in 1961. I am grateful that the picture lives on.

Unknown said...

What memories ! Was a member of a song and dance quartet"The Four Kings" that won 1st place at the US Army All Pacific talent contest in May of 1956 at Schofield Post theater. We entertained for many months appearing at the Banquet room of the Royal Hawaiian,The Rendezvous,on Wakiki and many night spots in Honolulu. Was also a member of a very popular military band The 27th Infantry wolfhounds as a lead drummer. We flew to other islands and were chosen to play for the Hawaiian Fair at which the Brooklyn Dodgers were the hosts. Some names of old friends; Charles Parmiter, Honolulu Star Bulletin,Sgt Hugh X O'reilly,Japanese orphanages,Roy Petty, Arthur Godfrey's vocalist,Ed Fenasci of the Ed Fenasci quintet,Charles Lindamood,Army photographer, Sgt Joe Villiados, director of 27th Infantry Band,Colonel Hammerle, 27th inf. Too many memories and too many friends to recall. Thank you! Kenneth E Martin Jr. 2/22/18

Unknown said...

Jalna

Interested in grabbing permission to print some of the old hawaii kai photos. Please contact me if you have tine

jalna said...

Hi Tai. I didn't take any of these photos and don't own the rights so I can't really grant permission.

Anonymous said...

Some of you may remember from the 60's-70's the Minute Chef in Wahkiki just a few steps from the Int'l Mkt Place. Loved the waffles with coconut syrup. In the back of Int'l Mkt Place each night was a free hula show. Just a small area with wood bench seating. Get there early if wanted to get a place to set. All that changed in later years, and not for the good. First time in HNL we stayed at a small family owned motel across the street from the Ala Wai Canal. Now completely gone. I guess people going to HNL for the 1st time could/would enjoy it now, but for those of us that remember the earlier days , it is depressing to see how all the building and places we remember now gone.

Rob

Unknown said...

I am looking for a picture of the old ALIOLANI SCHOOL on the corner of 6th and waialae. in 1950. I went there and never took a picture of the old school. 2 story wooden buildings and a big auditorium in the center of the lot.

Gerald k. December 15, 2018. at 8:45pm.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone remember walking through a tunnel from the streets to the beach at Waikiki in 1958 - 1961?

Unknown said...

My Hawaii is pre 1950. I left Honolulu in 1953 for college and never return except for visits.