OUR TOP ISSUES

Streets need city attention

» Repair and maintenance of streets. “;Private ownership”; status of many Kaimuki residential streets has been used as the reason for City & County inability to provide full maintenance.
» Pot holes throughout Kaimuki. Too many layers of asphalt raise roads above grade; this causes storm water to pour into and flood downhill residential properties.
» Safety hazards due to failure to maintain and repair streets.
» Many streets are overdue for resurfacing.
» Municipal parking lot is in need of repaving and maintenance.
» Upkeep of park facilities; Kaimuki parks are in need of repair and maintenance.
» Preservation of the small town flavor through controlled development.
» Aging sewer system is in need of repair.
» Traffic-calming and pedestrian safety vital in a community with many senior citizens and schools.

BOARD NO. 4         THE OFFICERS         Chairman         Vernon Tam         Vice chairwoman         Sharon Schneider         Secretary         Daniel Nahoopii         Treasurer         Lori Yamada         Members         John Cater, Abigail Leong, Ginny Meade, Leonard Tam, Daniel G. Carvalho and Tim Tybuszewski         TO GET INVOLVED The board meets at Liliuokalani Elementary School cafeteria. Call 768-3710 or 768-3718; see www.honolulu.gov/nco

» Rental homes and businesses in residential areas have insufficient on-site parking.

» Synchronization of traffic lights needed on Waialae Avenue. Present timing favors pass-through commuters and not local traffic.

» Repair and maintenance of buildings needed in the business district at the top of the hill. Some buildings are in poor condition.

» Bulky items are put out too early, creating visual blight.

OUR SIGNIFICANT SITES

Asked to name an area icon or two, the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board came up with many. Here are some of them:

» Kaimuki Fire Station, with its period hose tower. Also on the grounds: a cut into the slope of Puu O Kaimuki revealing the geologic strata of the crater.
» Christmas tree on Puu O Kaimuki
» Puu O Kaimuki, a small volcanic crater that formed after Leahi. The north slope is home to a passive park/lookout that provides a spectacular view of Kahala, St. Louis Heights, Palolo, Maunalani Heights and Kaimuki.
» Kaimuki Dry Goods, one of several family-owned businesses that have been in Kaimuki for more than 60 years.
» Tam's Shoe Repair, another family-owned business that has been in the area for more than 60 years.
» Other longtime businesses such as The Crack Seed Store, Fort Ruger Market, W & M Burger, Better Home Appliances, Harry's Music, Victoria Inn and Market City
» Diamond Head Theatre
» Queen's Theatre
» The Kaimuki Christmas Parade
» Queen Liliuokalani Elementary School, dedicated by Queen Liliuokalani
» Kaimuki Park and Bandstand
» Mauumae Nature Park: Mauumae Gulch is thought to be the source of the four sacred wizard stones at Waikiki.

FACTS & FIGURES

» Kaimuki includes the word imu, meaning “;ti root oven”;; the area was once known for the many ovens to bake ti roots into a sweet food similar to candy.
» King Kalakaua's ostrich farm was once here (they roamed wild over the mountain side), as well as the state's carnation farm for funeral flowers.
» Many schools are here, including the public Kaimuki High and Liholiho Elementary, and private Saint Louis School, Sacred Hearts Academy and Chaminade University.