Pawa'a Neighborhood Park

This neighborhood park is just across the street from my working place, and until Shun-Wah asked me about the sculptures there, I never thought to take pictures of them. I was kinda nervous 'cause I wasn't sure if the homeless people that live there might not like me invading into their space. Old people like me might describe this area as "where the old police station used to be" or even older people might say "where the old Sears used to be" or even older still "where the very first escalator of the islands used to be".

Korean Centennial Memorial

This plaque below describes the memorial: The tall stone represents Korea. The smaller stone, in the shape of Diamond Head symbolizes the United States or more specifically Hawaii. The greenish bronze piece adjacent to the tall granite conveys the image of the crooked backs of the laborers as well as the tools the workers used on the plantation.

The other bronze piece represents the prow of an immigrant ship and the high hopes for the future. The smaller angular stones within the circle depict the various islands in Hawaii. The embedded white pepples represent the more than 7,000 early immigrants.

The bronze circular rails provide a sense of harmony and convey the ties of friendship between Korea and the United States.

This sculpture was put up just a few months ago.