By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Two mystery landmarks outside the Board of Water Supply
are an exhaust-pipe muffler, top, and a domed well cap.
YOU think the Board of Water Supply is located across Beretania Street from the state capitol solely to douse the escape of hot gasses from the Senate chamber? Water Board situated well
Wrong!
You think the Board of Water Supply set up shop on Beretania because, they, like the street-namers of olde Honolulu, thought Britannia was spelled Beretania?
Incorrect!
You think the Board of Water Supply is where it is, because, possibly, conceivably, that is where the water is?
You are correct, sir!
The remains of the original artesian well remain in the front of the BWS, confounding passersby. The iron half-round thing that looks like an egg laid by a steam locomotive is actually the cap to the well. Don't pop it, or you could turn all of downtown Honolulu into a fishpond.
Nearby is a squarish structure, set low, that looks like a World War II pillbox, possibly built to scare off the screaming hordes of Axis soldiers who wanted to seize Honolulu's water supply and ship it off to Manchuoko.
Wrong again. It's actually a great big exhaust-pipe muffler, built to vent fumes from the water pump built under the station. Sniff it next time you walk by. Smell that? It's the scent of water getting pumped.
It also makes a terrific base for Christmas decorations.
Burl Burlingame, Star-Bulletin