Kaimuki Intermediate School

On my Diamond Head walks I always pass by my old school Kaimuki Intermediate which not only has changed its name to “Kaimuki Middle School” but judging by the words adorning the library, alumni no longer call themselves “Pioneers”  but call themselves ‘Voyagers” nowadays….

Lots of other changes since I was a lad, with new structures, new sun-shielding coverings and big new gymnasium!  But the place still looks grassy and sunny and, attached to Leahi Field, makes for a pleasant walk!

Guess I’m not the only one who realized how picturesque the school was, as I saw it in a photobook for Japanese actress /gravure model Yuno Ohara when she came to Hawaii!

Skimming through the pictures, I had to stop when I saw her walking along the very same sidewalk that I walk all the time, laugh and say, “HEY, I’d know that Middle School anywhere!!"

The "IGA" Corner

The corner of 9th and Waialae, where through my childhood housed the IGA Superette, by the time someone snapped this pic in the 80's it had already been replaced by "Family" Superette, and my favorite haunt Walrich Drugs replaced by the Salvation Army Thrift Shop.

At some point in the 2000's they began (whoever "they" are) reinventing Kaimuki as a cool, hip place to hang out, and this very popular cafe "Brew'd" is a clear example of it- all the shops and restaurants vibe so "modern', such a contrast to the older pic which seems even more ancient than it really is!

Nice to see businesses thriving!

Yakiniku For Lunch

 Met up with some friends at Yakiniku Sizzle off Queen's street for some lunch! 

This is the area where Tsukenjo's used to be, a place we ate at all the time when all of us worked down the street at LIGHT INC...nice to know there's still a place we can frequent for a quality midday meal!

 While the old classic traditional Halloween yard decorations of carved pumpkin Jack-o-Lanterns have been largely replaced by those huge billowy electronic inflatable lighted displays, it still warms my heart to see so many households in the neighborhood joining in to celebrate the autumn holiday!

Yeah, these electronic ones are a sign of progress, but it's one that I somehow can fully get behind! I expect even more homes to join in as Halloween gets here!

The pathway behind Diamond Head Mortuary is a particularly relaxing one, very cool and shady after a long walk in the sun, and I love the glass mosaic "windows" which appear in intervals along the way...

...when the sun hits it directly from behind, the mosaic lights up and makes for a vibrant display!

Drizzly Mililani

 Another drizzling and overcast day in Mililani, perfect for walking around and not having the heat of the sun on your back!! The brief sprinkles of rain only helped keep things cool as I made my way to grab some lunch!

Aliiolani Elementary School

I attended Aliiolani Elementary School in the early 1970's, and in 2008 or so, I went back to the old school and took these nostalgic pics. LOTS had changed since then, but it still brought back the memories I spent there! Transferred over from by languishing FLICKR page.

Below: "A" Building. This housed classes for 3rd and 4th grade.

Below:"F" building which had 5th and 6th grade (also some 2nd grade)

Kindergarten Classrooms

Cafeteria

Basketball Court where the old Auditorium once stood.

View into Palolo Valley

Parking where the old Music Building once stood.

 They called these Rooms 13-14, where I had 1st and 2nd grade.

JPO Room.

The school Library where I spent many recesses and after-school hours!

Health Room

Main Office

Such a fun, nostalgic trip down memory lane for me. I recently walked by the school a few weeks ago and was surprised by how much MORE it had changed. Now completely gated and fenced in on all sides to keep intruders out, Ah, such a sad sign of the times.