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Photographs often are the best way to show dramatic changes in Hawaii, providing an easy update on landmarks, persons and events. At other times, however, photos showing minimal changes during the years remind us that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Look for examples of big and little changes every Monday in "It's about time," which will inform, update and prod a few memories.

By Bob Young, Star-Bulletin
Gov. Ben Cayetano plans to amend an executive order and reclaim
the Ala Wai Golf Course land from the city, turning it into an
expansive urban park. He says the golf course can be relocated
elsewhere, including possibly Sand Island. The island has been
home to many and sundry people and businesses during the
years. Among the occupants have been ocean-front
squatters, as shown in this 1977 photo.

By John Titchen, Star-Bulletin
Sand Island's history dates back to the early 1800s, when it was a
landfill. In 1940, the island as we know it today was formed by
joining the landfill area and an islet known as Quarantine Island,
where vessels coming from certain plague-ridden ports were
confined for a few weeks.The shanty-town dwellings were razed
in 1979 and the squatters booted out as the state proceeded with
plans to develop a state park. The park not only displaced the
squatters, but also helped get rid of a lot of the junk that
used to be dumped on the island, above.

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
This is today's view of the south shore of Sand Island. The beach,
now cleared, is part of the 187-acre Sand Island State Park.