Welcome to the Kailua Historical Society website. We are a small nonprofit dedicated to collecting, sharing, and preserving the history of Kailua, located on the windward side of Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. Please use the links to the right or at top to explore our site.
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Beginning in the early 1900’s, all Kailua stores were located where the streams enter into the Kawai Nui Marsh. It was here that a thriving rice industry had sprouted – including three rice mills. The stores played a central role in the emerging urbanization.
Before the moderni Pali Haighway was constructed (1955 – 1960), a thriving early community of immigrant farmers blended in with the Hawaiian families already there to experiment in a consumer lifestyle. It demanded patience, trust, hard work, cooperation, and, when making a purchase, a good credit rating. It was an experiment demanding much flexibility – so much so that today all of Kailua’s stores are situated three miles down the road.
A panel of early residents – moderated by Dr. Paul Brennan – will share their memories.
September 17, 2008
7:00 pm
Trinity Presbyterian Church
875 Auloa Rd
Kailua Historical Society 