Kuapa Fishpond was filled in to create the area
that is now Hawaii Kai.

That vision is known today as Hawaii Kai. There's another "Re-Discover Hawaii Kai" celebration running 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for those who have forgotten what it's like out there in east Oahu.

As a contractor on the Grand Coulee and Hoover dams, Kaiser didn't mind moving earth. Lots of earth. Creating Hawaii Kai required something like $350 million and an agreement between Bishop Estate and Kaiser, but it primarily required pushing dirt into Kuapa Fishpond until flat land had been created, and then building atop.

The present arrangement of Hawaii Kai is built around the marina created from the remnants of Kuapa Fishpond. The first design for the project, however, had the highway running arrow straight across Hawaii Kai, ending near the Makapuu Lighthouse.

These and other historic notions about the area will be displayed at the event, joining games, food booths and entertainment.

At 10 a.m. Saturday, the training canoe E'ala will enter the marina by Hawaii Kai Towne Center. It is the landfall of the maiden voyage of the teen-age members of Hui Nalu Canoe Club, beginning at Honolulu Harbor, and the canoe is skippered by master navigators Nainoa Thompson and Bruce Blankenfeld. A 10:30 a.m. tree-planting honors master woodworker Wright Bowman Sr.

Daylong entertainment includes "The Koko Marina Show" with Krash Kealoa at Koko Marina Center; "A Taste of Hawaii Kai" with Roy's Restaurant, Hawaii Kai Historic Time Tunnel, Kaiser High School Band and Junior Air Force ROTC Color Guard at Hawaii Kai Towne Center; and "Shaka Bird" with Sea Life Park and Waimea Falls Park, the Race for Life and health testing at Hawaii Kai Shopping Center.

Rides include the "Ejection Seat," which fires people straight up 150 feet, the "Aero Flight," which flings the rider up on a bungee cord, ponies, and the "Bungee Run," in which sprinters wrestle with a bungee cord holding them back.

A water-taxi tour of Hawaii Kai's marina is provided by Snuba Tours of Oahu; the 50-cent admission helps fund Kaiser High School education programs.

Admission to all events is free; rides have fees. Information: 395-8011.

Along the original sea wall of Kuapa fish pond.