Paradise lost, Kailua in the 70's (Honolulu, Pearl City: best city, house, job market)

[nowimfound]

I also would like to see some images of Kailua from back then- I went to Puahala Elementary and Kailua Intermediate-(i still remember most of my teachers names and some of my clasmates) a bakery next to Times supermarket that had the best butter rolls I have ever tasted to this day- the man that worked there would give me a treat. i could walk anywhere or ride my banana bike.There was a family of small people(dwarfs) that lived down the street and I was always fascinated by them but tried not to ever stare. I remember the wigwam store where I used to get my slippas(the straw ones with velvet thong straps and rubber bottoms).I used to love shredded mango,sweet lihi-moi(sp?)baby seed from the peg racks at the convienant store.

[nowimfound]

Sometimes when I see certain pictures of places on Oahu- I kinda get a lump in my throat and I'm a grown man! Hawaii was awesome!

[whtviper1]

For those who want to see a lot of pictures and images from Oahu in the 60's and 70's - start watching old episodes of Hawaii Five-O. In the vast majority of those episodes - if you live here - you can quickly know where they were filming and see how much has changed.

[JJackambient]

Oh man, I loved Kailua.... graduated from Kailua High School 1975, went a year to UH, then left. I've lived all over north and south America, and elsewhere, and finally landed in Huaraz, Peru. I've looked far and wide for the simple, beautiful life of Kailua in the 70's. The closes I came was New Caledonia (near Australia). It was close, but lacked the number of nice beaches and the surf culture. Huaraz is the perfect weather, glacier-covered mountains, rainy season, and simple lifestyle.... I guess it will have to do. I have a little ranch, surrounded by warm but tough people who find happiness in small farming and the mountain climbing tourism. Good surf is about 4.5 hours away, and we are surrounding by clean fish-filled lakes. We wander the area on horses and occasionally crank-up the classic rock and pop open a bottle of wine with other "searchers".

[alikair]

Originally Posted by JJackambient

Oh man, I loved Kailua.... graduated from Kailua High School 1975, went a year to UH, then left. I've lived all over north and south America, and elsewhere, and finally landed in Huaraz, Peru. I've looked far and wide for the simple, beautiful life of Kailua in the 70's. The closes I came was New Caledonia (near Australia). It was close, but lacked the number of nice beaches and the surf culture. Huaraz is the perfect weather, glacier-covered mountains, rainy season, and simple lifestyle.... I guess it will have to do. I have a little ranch, surrounded by warm but tough people who find happiness in small farming and the mountain climbing tourism. Good surf is about 4.5 hours away, and we are surrounding by clean fish-filled lakes. We wander the area on horses and occasionally crank-up the classic rock and pop open a bottle of wine with other "searchers".

Wow, that sounds like a good life you got there. I'm stuck in Oregon and miss the warm of the sun a people of Hawaii. im so broke I cant even move away at this point thanks to the friken housing problem

[KauaiHiker]

Interesting about New Caledonia, it's off of most people's radar and you don't hear much about it, much less being compared to HI. I applied for a job there once, but didn't wait for an answer before accepting one in California. The ocean and mountains seemed appealing, but as much as I love the French, it seemed too colonial with some unrest (but they will get a true referendum for independence in 2014). Locals call themselves Kanaks, and I wondered if they were somehow related to the Polynesians (wikipedia says perhaps).

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by HankDfrmSD

I lived there then, and I live there now.

Of all the places I have ever lived and gone back to (and I have lived a BUNCH of places), I think it is the least changed.

I'll put together some photos of places you would recognize.

Hank

Sounds like a name change is in order

Mods can change that HankDfrmSD to HankDfrmOahu!

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by KauaiHiker

Interesting about New Caledonia, it's off of most people's radar and you don't hear much about it, much less being compared to HI. I applied for a job there once, but didn't wait for an answer before accepting one in California. The ocean and mountains seemed appealing, but as much as I love the French, it seemed too colonial with some unrest (but they will get a true referendum for independence in 2014). Locals call themselves Kanaks, and I wondered if they were somehow related to the Polynesians (wikipedia says perhaps).

New Caledonia is one I've occassionally researched. I think it's the fact that it's French speaking, that generally puts me off, whenever I examine it more.

Fiji, however...that place place looks cool. It also has a Hawaii feel, in my opinion, based on what I've seen in film, documentaries, photos, etc. Also, English is the national language.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by JJackambient

Oh man, I loved Kailua.... graduated from Kailua High School 1975, went a year to UH, then left. I've lived all over north and south America, and elsewhere, and finally landed in Huaraz, Peru. I've looked far and wide for the simple, beautiful life of Kailua in the 70's. The closes I came was New Caledonia (near Australia). It was close, but lacked the number of nice beaches and the surf culture. Huaraz is the perfect weather, glacier-covered mountains, rainy season, and simple lifestyle.... I guess it will have to do. I have a little ranch, surrounded by warm but tough people who find happiness in small farming and the mountain climbing tourism. Good surf is about 4.5 hours away, and we are surrounding by clean fish-filled lakes. We wander the area on horses and occasionally crank-up the classic rock and pop open a bottle of wine with other "searchers".

I'd like to see this poster come back as a regular! (Your first post, I see).

Your life reminds me of my life! I also spent a month in Peru....meandering....well, among 10 months total in South America. Brazil is the one I liked best down there.

[JJackambient]

I've heard Brazil is awesome too, but havent had a chance to get there. Anyone remember Maunawili falls kailua? You had to know your way around to get there when I was a teen, and you had to stay on the trail to avoid the maryjane fields; but how nice was that, yea? As a teen, we had so much to do.... the mudslides past pali, paddling out to the mokes off Lanikai (day and night diving.... summer crab!!); checking out the birds on flat island (just looking brah); scuba at lookout point just past sandies beach, puka shell hunting (everywhere); watching the golden tube flash a yokohama's at low tide (the sunshine did crazy things there), riding dirtbikes at kaena point, and hanging out at the ranch (look out for those wild dogs brah); spear fishing from a flatbottom boat in Kaneohe bay; dropping crab nets off the pier in Kaneohe bay..... loved those parties at the Clemon's/Silen's boathouse.