Kaimukī Town Tour: Architecture, History, Food & Art
The Discover Kaimukī Town Tour on July 21 was a sold out event bringing together history, architecture, youth, art, local lore, business and food. Sixty event guests were joined by an impressive entourage of volunteers for a walking tour event that showcased the unique history and architecture of a thriving historic neighborhood with many stories to share.
The five-stop tour shared numerous tidbits of architectural buildings such as Lee & Lee Building (built 1947); YF Zane Building (built 1930) and Coffee Talk’s home (built 1967) between 9th and 12th on Wai‘alae Avenue. Enhancing the architectural history was a dive into the cultural history of the area including the origin of Kaimukī’s name, it’s significance in prehistoric Hawai‘i, the development of the “Kaimukī Tract” between 1898 and 1920 and the eventual building of the Lunalilo Freeway (H-1) and its impact on the community.
The event was a truly collaborative experience led by HHF and its Preservation Programs Committee and enlisting many partners including students Alexus Delaury, Josiah Smith and Cameron Hersh, from Hawai‘i Technical Academy, SEEQs charter school and Mid-Pacific Institute, respectively. The students played major roles in researching the architectural history of specific buildings and delivering impressive presentations as docents at three stops along the tour. The students were excited to participate as a summer volunteer project and HHF was thrilled to harness the opportunity to delve more deeply into mentorship and youth preservation education. Also on hand as a volunteer docent was Raechelle Villaneuva, a teacher at the Kaimukī Elementary Charter School. Raechelle wowed everyone with her absolute passion for Kaimukī (born and raised there) and her stories of connection to this special neighborhood.
Members of Kaimukī’s incredibly vibrant business community, many of whom are members of an active network known as “Keep It Kaimukī”, generously offered special coupons to attendees with other businesses donating portions of sale proceeds on certain items on tour day.
Enjoy the photo gallery of the tour below by professional photographer Michelle Mishina. Photo credits: Michelle Mishina | @michelle.mishina
THE EVENT IS SOLD OUT! Click here to sign up for the wait list.
Join us on Saturday, July 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a one-of-a-kind guided walking tour, talk story with Chef Ed Kenney, and art sale and print signing with retro artist, Nick Kuchar.
TOUR
Exclusive, one-of-a-kind architecture, history and culture walking tour on Wai‘alae Avenue in quaint Kaimukī. Learn about architecture, cultural history and mo’olelo along a specially designed tour route.
FOOD
Tour ends at Mud Hen Water with pūpū and talk story with chef/owner Ed Kenney, star of the PBS series Family Ingredients.
ART
Meet vintage artist Nick Kuchar. He’ll unveil and sign his brand new print, Kaimukī, created especially for this tour and available for purchase. Mahalo Nick!
Sign up early! Tour is limited to 60 people.
All proceeds benefit the programs & services of Historic Hawaii Foundation.
SPECIAL MAHALO TO:
WHEN:
Saturday, July 21, 2018
11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Tour begins at Kaimukī Community Park
3521 Wai‘alae Avenue, Honolulu
between 10th and 11th Ave.
[map]
PARKING:
Kaimuki Municipal Parking located at 1150 12th Avenue; ProPark at 1217 Wilhelmina Rise; 12th Avenue Kaimuki Parking Lot; street parking mauka and makai of Wai‘alae.
COST:
$50 HHF Member
$65 General