On Saturday, December 30th, 60 people attended the ceremony dedicating new history signs at the Waialua Bandstand Park. One is on Ancient Waialua and the other about Waialua Town, the Bandstand Park, and the Waialua Sugar Plantation.
Kumu Hula Keith Awai gave the welcome oli, Kahu Susan King of Liliuokalani Protestant Church, the pule, and Senator Gil Riviere, Board member, served as Master of Ceremonies.
Kathleen Pahinui, Board member, summarized the mission and activities of the Society and Kendra Martyn, President, Friends of Waialua Bandstand in the Park, spoke eloquently of the community's renewed interest in revitalizing Waialua and its history.
Antya Miller, Society President, spoke of her journey from the average resident's unawareness of Waialua's history, to her now long-term dedication to making Waialua moku's history known and available to everyone.
Boyd Ready, Lead Docent for the Historical Society, reminded all of how different life was in the 1920s, and read a 1925 newspaper account of 3,000 people enjoying a 'Smoker,' a boxing match with band, hula, choir recital, comic interludes, and referees, organized by the U. S. Army's 64th Artillery camp at Kawailoa Beach, and the Waialua Agricultural Company.
All attendees at the dedication were invited to a reception following, at the beautifully restored managers' office in the Waialua Sugar Company's office building on Kupahu St.
A special mahalo to volunteers Julie Patacchia, Evelyn Kaneshige, Sharryl Matsumoto, Melissa & Phil Meek, Alice Rogers, and Rose Tsukada. Thank you also for donations from Brown Bottle, North Shore Equipment Rentals, North Shore News, and Linnie Pascual from CM Matt Weyer's office.
For more info, or to get involved in other Historical Society activities, sign up at the website waialuahistoricalsociety, or email to info@waialuahistoricalsociety.org, or call President Antya Miller at 808-342-8557.
The signs were researched, designed, and built by the Haleiwa Waialua Historical Society. Funding provided by Hawaii Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Progarm, in association with the Oahu Visitors Bureau. The gift of the kiosk and signs was accepted for placement in the Waialua Bandstand Park by resolution of the Honolulu City Council on December 6, 2023.
