Hawaii Kai

To comprehend why Hawaii Kai is a treasure in the State of Hawaii, you must pause and understand Henry John Kaiser. He was born the son of cobbler in upstate New York. His trajectory to fame and fortune were bleak. Yet, this man became one of the most celebrated shipbuilders and industrialist in the United States. He built the Liberty and Victory ships during World War II; he was involved in the construction of the Hoover Dam; he teamed up with Warner Brothers in the 1950’s to film TV series including, Hawaii 5-0. Many of the segments of Hawaii 5-0 were filmed at the Kaiser Hawaiian Village Hotel ( now the Hilton Hawaiian Village), which he built in the 1955. He had a vision of Hawaii Kai, which would be unlike any town ever built in Hawaii. That vision was that everyone deserves a plate at the table.

There is something magical about water’s ability to transform the human spirit. What is more soothing than the gentle sounds of the tides washing onto the shore? Water, whether it be from the ocean, a river, a stream or inlet, has power. The “table” in Kaiser’s vision was the ocean and a wide marina connected to the ocean for everyone to share. The “plate” at the table was a home, a place were as many people as possible could share the energy of that water.

Kaiser, when faced with overwhelming obstacles, pushed ahead with the dredging and shaping of this marina reaching from the sea to the valley. Instead of erecting massive mansions at the water’s edge, he built condominiums, town homes and single family homes. People who knew they could never afford to live on the water, incredibly could live in a condominium or town home with a private dock beyond their deck on the marina. For those who would rather have expansive views of the ocean, there were views from the towering ridges. In these lofty locations, expensive and totally splendid homes were constructed. Of course, there had to be homes surrounding a golf course for those who enjoy the energy of this pastime. The valleys were filled with homes, which were a short distance from the marina. On the oceanside, dreamy homes with views of Maunalua Bay and Diamond Head were erected on the shore line and at the base of Koko Head Crater. As diverse as it seemed, the residents of Hawaii Kai all shared a collective appreciation for the beauty of the marina which was always present when enjoying a meal or shopping at any of the establishments in the central shopping areas of the Hawaii Kai Town Center. After all, Henry Kaiser was a “field of dreams” kind of man. The next time you turn onto Lunalilo Home Road, I hope you smile and nod with respect for Kaiser’s efforts to bring people together on a grand scale around something as basic as water.