Kaimuki to celebrate
revitalization

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By Mary Vorsino
mvorsino@starbulletin.com

Kaimuki resident and business owner Mike De La Cruz likes what he sees -- and what he doesn't see -- when he walks down Waialae Avenue these days.

He sees lovers sharing ice cream on park benches. He doesn't see gobs of gum, cracks or cigarette butts on the newly renovated sidewalk.

Widened sidewalks, landscaping, lighting and benches on Waialae Avenue are just part of the $2.6 million Kaimuki revitalization project. Crews recently completed Phase 1, which began Sept. 10.

Ginny Meade, president of the Greater East Honolulu Community Alliance, agreed with De La Cruz, saying that when she walks down the avenue, residents and visitors alike are commenting about the additions.

Changes include burying overhead wiring, except for electrical lines, which have been moved to the mauka side of the street.

To celebrate the completion of Phase 1, Meade helped organize "Topping Off the Top of the Hill," a block party set for tomorrow.

The party will begin 10 a.m. at Kaimuki District Park with children's activities and entertainment. Waialae Avenue between Sierra Drive and Koko Head Avenue will be closed to vehicles from 3:30 p.m. for a street celebration from 5 to 9 p.m.

For Meade, the party represents an ending and a beginning to the renovation.

"It had a good start," she said. "It's just that we're trying to bring more markets, expand the retail shops ... and get more of a mix."

Phase 2 is in the design stage, and plans could include restriping of the municipal parking lot behind Big City Diner on Waialae Avenue.

Phase 3, which could begin as early as 2006, would center on renovation of Kaimuki District Park.

When De La Cruz heard about plans to have a post-construction bash, he decided to pitch in and encouraged his fellow merchants to do the same.

The co-owner of "A Gift for all Seasons" off Waialae Avenue, De La Cruz went to more than 50 small-business owners in Kaimuki asking for donations and support for the block party.

Nearly all of them pitched in.

De La Cruz has had his shop for more than six years and said he decided to help coordinate the block party because he wanted people to forget the past 11 months of bumpy roads, delays and lost business.

Leonard Tam, 58, who has lived in his family's Kaimuki home much of his life, said he has similar hopes.

Tam volunteered for the committee that organized the block party because he "want(s) to show the community the new Kaimuki (and wants to) help the businesses" that lost some of their customer base, he said.

Meade said the changes are not altering the fundamental flavor of the town.

"We don't want to make this into a shopping mall. ... We like to keep it small," she said.

De La Cruz agreed, saying, "Sometimes change is good for everyone."

And Tam, whose father opened Tam Shoe Repair on Waialae Avenue, said there is still "a lot of the mom-and-pop businesses and the personal relationships that people have with business owners."

The block party includes crafts, games, a treasure hunt and local entertainers Poodle, Soul, Backyard Pain and Jon Kosovo. For more information, contact Meade at 737-4125.