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Published: December 22nd 2006
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Kaneohe, literally “Bamboo Man”, which has it’s name of origin in Hawaiian Legend, is a mid-size town of about 35,000, but covers a large area of mostly uninteresting buildings, homes and maybe a semi-high rise or two. It’s about a 20 minute drive from Honolulu.
Being as described above, one may wonder why then am I writing a journal and posting photos of this seemingly boring town or city. They have a fair size shopping mall called the Windward Shopping Mall there. As I was being quite bored and jaded doing my Christmas shopping at our larger Ala Moana Shopping Mall, I thought I go somewhere a little different for a change in atmosphere and scenery and bring my camera just in case, I find something interesting while in that neck of the woods.
Kaneohe Town is the Gateway to the beautiful Windward Side of the island, if you’re driving around the island counter clockwise, something I would advise visitors to do. The reason is the sun rises on that side (the Eastern side) and it’s reflection off the long Koolau Mountain Range is stupendous. Once the sun goes behind the range, usually by afternoon, the mountain
take on a foreboding dark look, and are less photographic.
Except for the Windward Mall, Kaneohe does not have a sense of town centerness. There is a two mile strip along the Kamehamaha Hwy. that is line with strip malls and commercial buildings interlaced with homes built in the towns booming era around the 50’s and ‘60’s in what I would describe as “Cracker Jack Box” architecture. Sorry, Kaneoheans, but that’s my opinion, and I’m sticking to it. When the most interesting and exotic building along this stretch is a Taco Bell Restaurant built in Alamo style, you know what I mean by dull.
However, there are some worthwhile stops one can make beside the Windward Mall which is located at the northern most end of this strip, and outwardly looks like a huge box also. Besides the usual chain stores like, Macy’s, Sears, Borders, etc. there are some local owned stores selling local or Asian products such as Marukai 99 Cents Store and even a Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi Massage Studio. The inside is like a huge wheel with the center being open space where, entertainment can be held and viewed from the bottom and second floors. Surrounding this
Daaam!
Dam in Hoomaluhia Botanic Gardens (HBG). hub are like spokes in the wheel where there are the shops and restaurants.
I think one spot I feel is a visitor’s must-see is the Byodo-In Temple located in the depths of the Valley of the Temple Cemetery, along Kahekili Hwy. a by-pass road through a residential part of Kaneohe, about a mile above and running parallel to the Kamehameha Hwy., mentioned earlier. It seems they are again charging a $2.00 admission fee, again to enter the complex. It was free the last time I visited it with an overseas cousin so I really didn’t need to enter it, as it’s not that interesting inside. Besides, I’ve been told by some friends, they often hear me squeak when I walk. Anyway, by the photos posted, you may see you can get some nice photos of the place where the ticket booth is located, though you may have to snap it just in front of the ticket seller.
Another place which may be worth a stop at is the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens, a very spacious beautiful Garden of Eden where beautiful views of the environs can be had. The entry fee is the good part, it’s free, yes
The Hygenic Store.
Forgot the origin of this unusual name for the store. It's at least a half century old store. fuureee! It’s was once the site of a subdivision called Apuakea, but one winter, the river or stream overflowed, damaging most of the homes there. I think there were no fatalities though. Anyway, it was decided to demolish the homes and build a dam for flood control and a Botantic Garden with plant and trees from around the world. The area near the dam or lake is quite beautiful with wild ducks. As you drive towards the end of the Gardens past the Visitor’s Center, you may see a chained driveway with a water station at the top. You are allowed to walk up this driveway which is about 100’ and graded. At the summit you can get a panoramic view of the town and it’s environs. If you are taking the Likilike Hwy. though the Wilson Tunnel, go straight to Kamehameha Hwy., turn right about a block at Burger King, on to Luluku Rd.
Incidentally, there are 3 ways to access the Circle Island Drive, going through Kaneohe. One is around Diamond Head and through the towns of Waimanalo and Kailua. Another is through the Pali Hwy. and Tunnel. If taking this route, make sure to stop by
the Pali Lookout for a breathtaking view of the Windward Coast as well as the towns of Kailua and Kaneohe. Though Kaneohe is located along the shore, you will note, there is a Kaneohe Bay. If you are thinking Montego Bay or Repluse Bay, forget it. The bay is practically unswimmable, the water murky and smelly. For good swimming Beaches, you need to go to Kailua about 5 miles away, or Kualoa about 5 miles the other way, north.
Another worthwhile stop, is Haleiwa Joe’s (in Kaneohe). Haleiwa is actually a town about 60 miles away, so it the name can be misleading. To get there, one needs to go towards the mountains above Kahekili Hwy. on Haiku Rd. Below the Restaurant is a sunken garden, very tropical and picturesque with nice view of the mountains, also. Windward Mall is located on the corner of Haiku Rd. and Kamehameha Hwy.
Some of the photos posted are surplus photos of my last entry taken in Honolulu mainly at the Ward Complexes.
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Monkey and Bear
Studio 21
Nice pictures again
Hi Franco, nice pictures and story again. In the meantime we learn more and more about Hawai. Merry X-mas en a very good new year Monkey and Bear (Adriaan B and Jacqueline - Holland)