If you discounted the few high-rises in the background
(including the Ala Moana Building, center), you'd think this
was a scene from rural Oahu. But this was Makiki in 1970,
with the former Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association property,
once the world's foremost sugar cane research center, dominating
the landscape. Wilder Avenue is in the foreground, and Keeaumoku
Street is at right. The history of sugar cane in Hawaii was tied closely
to the HSPA, which began as the Planters' Labor and Supply Co. in
1892. It began experimental cane plantings in Makiki in 1895, when
it became the HSPA, and moved its lab there in 1900. In 1974,
HSPA sold the property to the city for development of Makiki
District Park and moved its headquarters to Aiea. In April 1996
the HSPA became the Hawaiian Agriculture Research Center,
reflecting the steady decline of King Cane in Hawaii's economy
and the need to broaden the state's economic base by looking
at other crops.

This is the HSPA Makiki property in 1961. The building
to the extreme left, with the American flag flying atop, was
the old HSPA library. In 1978, the nonprofit, community-
run Makiki Library -- once dubbed "The People's Library"
-- opened. Despite funding problems over the years, it
continues to operate through the help of volunteers
and a small staff.

Today, a wide expanse of green covers the former rows
of sugar cane. Makiki District Park is undergoing major
improvements, with the mound of dirt to the left evidence
of work beginning on a swimming pool, the first being
built by the city since 1977.

Here's a close-up view of the planned pool, expected to
be completed by next summer. A new skateboard park
opened recently at the park, and other improvements are
planned to tennis and basketball courts, lighting and
walkways.

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