Rant & Rave

Tuesday, March 17, 1998

A symbol of childhood
gone forever

By Kenneth Nishiguchi

THE Hawaii Kai community has lost something very special. We have let business and politics destroy our keikis' future. This is what compels me to take up arms against our own inherent human greed and stupidity ... the Hawaii Kai Fun Factory is officially closed.

Here comes the flashback: When I was 6 or 7, my mom, uncles, aunties, whoever, would take me to the Fun Factory. It was really nice and comfy. The smallness of the establishment gave it a very homey, welcoming vibe.

Even the jerks who taunted me in school dared not set foot into this Eden. It was here that I felt safe and happy, where I learned to play skee-ball, improved my hand-eye coordination, learned valuable lessons about sportsmanship and, best of all, kicked some alien butt.

I will still remember the weekend shopping trips with Mommy. I didn't like shopping back then so she'd give me a few bucks and let me loose Friday nights. (Thanks Mom!) So many times I scored stuffed animals.

Some of my friends celebrated their birthdays here, and having Pizza Hut nearby was a godsend.

I must have gone there a million times, mostly on weekends, and yes, even when I was grounded. The flashing lights, the selection of games and rides, prizes, the cheerfulness of the employees, the comfort and aloha made this place an asset to the shopping center.

HERE the flashback ends. The magic stopped. Don't ask me when or why. I dunno. I dunno why things change. But I know the poop hit the fan when the popularity of fighting games rose to ridiculous heights, when corporate greed overtook kids' need for fun and variety.

I would like to say that the MK/"Street Fighter"/racing games are all good games, for older kids. I played them in my pre-high school years, when the pressures of school were too much and I needed to shoot those computerized characters real bad.

But those in power overlooked the younger keiki. They overlooked the need for friendlier, non-hostile themes in video games. They forgot that "Paperboy," "Rampage," "Space Harrier," "Star Wars" and "Pole Position" were just as good as the MK3 machines.

Then they raised token prices through the roof. They hired kooks to work there. (I know because I worked there and witnessed the heartbreaking downfall.)

The only thing they did not do was toss in pool tables and change the Fun Factory's name to Hawaiian Brian's!

The only thing that would add insult to injury would be to see a bar built where my old keiki place used to be. What's next? Destroying every crack seed store? Every shave ice stand? Ignoring the feelings and sensibilities of Hawaii's youth?

I can truly say that for youths, our island paradise is not so sunny anymore.

Someone told me once to remember the past but not dwell there.

You know, I always read the Star-Bulletin and see articles about old Hawaii. My story is not from old Hawaii, but it comes pretty close. And if others can write about the old eating places/theaters/saimin stands, etc., that are no longer with us, then I can babble and scream about the loss of my old stomping grounds too.

Hawaii Kai Fun Factory, you will be missed. Trust me.

But kids, do not despair. There are other Fun Factory locations throughout Oahu. I haven't visited the other ones much, but I hope that they are doing better in keeping the feeling of youth alive.

---

Kenneth Edward Nishiguchi is a
1996 Kalani graduate.

Rant & Rave is a Tuesday Star-Bulletin feature
allowing those 12 to 22 to serve up fresh perspectives.
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