I ran across this snapshot earlier in the week.
It’s a photo taken from the 15th floor of what was then known as the Circle Jade apartments, the round high-rise building on 9th Avenue in Kaimuki, just off of Waialae Avenue.
We rented an apartment on the 15th floor when we first entered graduate school at UH in the fall of 1969, but moved down to a less expensive apartment on the 4th floor in about May 1970. I think this photo was taken late in 1969, not long after we had moved in. We were still getting used to the view from that height.
It’s actually quite amazing how little has changed in the part of Kaimuki over the decades since this photo was taken.
Hawaii National Bank on the corner. The parking lot and Chinese restaurant next door, that at the time was operated by Brian Schatz’ future in-laws. There’s the black Punchbowl Fender Works sign that rises over the buildings on our side of Waialae. Amazingly, both the sign and the company are still there.
Anyway, click on the photo to see a larger version, and add landmarks that you recognize (or that have yet to appear).
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More structures have remained rather than changed in that part of Waialae, for sure.
One notable exception: the old W&M burger joint that was on the corner of Waialae and 9th (bottom left hand side of the photo) has been replaced by a rather non-descript structure with wooden shingles. Of course, W&M is still going strong a few blocks away, but I really miss the old style drive-in ambience of the original location.
What an amazing photo.
My family owns and operates Punchbowl Fender Works and I am proud to be a part of something that has had such long standing and continued success in such a great community.
Thanks for sharing!
Love your photos! As a life-long Kaimuki resident (Wilhemina Rise), I find these photos poignant and priceless.
I glad Kaimuki hasn’t changed that much. We lived for a couple years a few houses up from the Queen Theater on Center St. In the early 1950s. Kaimuki is a great neighborhood. My father grew up on Koko Head Ave when it was called Reservoir Ave before it was renamed. I remember the original Tanouye’s Okazuya, Piggly Wiggly, Ben Franklin, Thrifty Drugs, Aotani Fountain, McInerney, Zanes Market, Harry’s Music, 9th Ave Drive (W&M), King’s Garden, 9th Ave Bakery, Stewart’s Pharmacy Rexall Drugs, and all the little shops that populated Waialae Ave. I even remember the trolley cars going up and down Waialae.