Hawaii | Page 15 | Images of Old Hawaiʻi

July 15, 2025 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kealakīpapa

Maunalua, the traditional name for the area now known as Hawai‘i Kai, literally means two mountains in reference to Kuamo‘okāne (Koko Head) and Kohelepelepe (Koko Crater), on the east side of O‘ahu.

Numerous small valleys are contained within, and a Keahupua o Maunalua (Kuapā Fishpond) is also located on the coastline in the western portion of this ahupua‘a. (KSBE)

Before Western contact, there was a close association between the regions of Wawamalu (Sandy Beach) and Waimanalo. (Ka Iwi Master Plan)

The land of Maunalua was formerly an ‘ili (subdivision) of the Waimanalo ahupua‘a and originally belonged to Ko‘olaupoko district. (KSBE) This “would indicate an easy route of communication between the two lands.” (McAllister)

During his visit to Maunalua in 1810, John Papa ‘Īʻī noted the ancient trail system of Oʻahu and its connection to Maunalua. He wrote, “go along Keahia and so on to Maunalua, to the sea of Koko, to Makapuu, and so on”. This mention of the trail indicates that this route extended through Maunalua, continued on to Kealakīpapa Valley, and ended at Waimānalo. (Nohopapa)

“This path may have existed in 1822, when Mathison passed from Waimanalo to Maunalua, but it was not known to him. Mathison was guided by an English sailor who had settled in Waimanalo.” (McAllister)

Before Western contact, there was a close association between the regions of Wawamalu (Sandy Beach) and Waimanalo. (Ka Iwi Master Plan)

“Running from a point slightly mountainwards of the [Makapu‘u] lighthouse road up Kealakipapa Valley, down the Waimanalo gap, and through the village site in Waimanalo, are the remains of an old road.”

“It has not been definitely determined whether it is of old Hawaiian origin or of post-European construction. … The name of the valley, Kealakipapa (paved roadway), indicates that a trail at least has been here for many years.” (McAllister)

In 1851, William Webster, a land agent of the Hawaiian Kingdom, produced the earliest map of Maunalua. The map depicts a road extending from the cliff of Makapu‘u Bay to Kealakīpapa Valley, which might be the ancient trail previously mentioned by ʻĪʻī. (Nohopapa)

The name Ka Iwi is derived from the Ka Iwi Channel, which lies between the islands of Molokai and Oahu. This area of Ka Iwi can be divided into four topographic regions: a coastal zone (referred to as Queen’s Beach); a valley (Kealakīpapa Valley); a rocky headland (Makapu’u Head); and a coastal bench.

Queen’s Beach generally refers to the shoreline area from Kaloko Beach to the rock cliffs of Makapu’u Head. Kealakīpapa Valley comprises the area from Makapu’u Saddle down to Queen’s Beach.

Makapu‘u Head, rising northeast of Kealakīpapa Valley, reaches 647 feet above sea level at its highest point. Kealakīpapa Valley through to Queen’s Beach allows the viewer to see both the windward and leeward shores from this vantage point. (Ka Iwi Master Plan)

Access between the two areas was by way of the road named Kealakīpapa, which is now generally the route of Kalanianaole Highway. “An ali’i who lived at Wawamalu had the road built. He made the people who annoyed him build the road.” (Pukui, Maunalua-net) It has also been referred to as the old “King’s Highway.”

The mouth of Kealakīpapa Valley, at Queen’s Beach, is wide and narrows to its head near the Makapu’u Lookout at 160 feet. (Ka Iwi Master Plan)

“In places the natural outcroppings of rocks have been used as steps, but where stones have been laid and a terraced wall built up to support the paving, this paving has been constructed with large stones laid at an angle sometimes as great as 45 degrees. From the foot of the gap the road ran into the village site on the Waimanalo side.”

“Near the top of the gap, on the Maunalua side, is a small walled enclosure which, according to Stokes, is said to have been made at the time of the rebellion in 1895. From the top of the gap down Kealakipapa Valley for about 600 feet the road is in fairly good condition and can be followed with ease.” (McAllister)

“The central part is paved with flat stones 1 to 2 feet in width, with smaller stones heaped about a foot in height on either side, Along this distance the road averages between 15 and 16 feet in width.”

“Farther into the valley the road runs into a heavy growth of kiawe. Here it is generally without the side rock-walls, about 11 feet wide, and of arched or curved surface.”

“Throughout the lower part of the valley the road is in a poor state of preservation. On the immediate mountain side of the lighthouse road it cannot be found. Seaward of the lighthouse road it appears again and seems to end some 140 feet from the present road, for on the sea side of this point it cannot be found.” (McAllister)

“The plain below Kamiloiki and Kealakipapa was known as Ke-kula-o-Kamau[u]wai. This was the famous potato-planting place from which came the potatoes traded to ships that anchored off Hahaione in whaling days.” (Handy)

In 1859, Maunalua was included in the Kona district with the Revised Laws of Hawai‘i 1925, setting the district boundaries from Makapu‘u Head to Moanalua inclusive. (KSBE)

July 14, 2025 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Hobrons

Two brothers (Thomas Henry Hobron (1823-1889) & Ebenezer Coit Hobron (1834-1921)) came to Hawaii in about 1853 or ‘54, from New London, Conn. Thomas’ son, Thomas William Hobron, also has a role in this story.

Captain Thos. H Hobron “laid his schooner on the Kahului route and became identified with the East Maui trade, making his home at Grove Ranch, where he started the sugar plantation known by that name, which [later] consolidated with the Paia Sugar Company.”

Grove Ranch was on 3,000 acres in Hāli‘imaile and Pā‘ia; his Waihe‘e sugar mill was managed by Samuel Alexander and his field boss is H.P. Baldwin. (Orr)

“From his schooners and plantation he accumulated quite a large fortune. … [H]e engaged very successfully in the codfish and salmon expeditions sent out from San Francisco to the North Pacific. …”

On July 17, 1879 Captain Thomas H Hobron ran the first train line from Kahului to Wailuku; the 3-foot-wide was eventually extended to over 15 miles in length along the north coast to Kuiaha with a number of branch lines. (AASHTO) The Kahului & Wailuku Railroad began passenger service on Maui on, thus initiating the first rail common carrier in the Islands. (Schmitt)

That year, Hobron issued in 12 ½ cent copper tokens bearing the initials ‘T. H. H.’ (as well as G. R. P.) and ‘12 ½’ on the obverse. In the same year he also issued a 2 ½ cent copper token, intended also for use on the Kahului railroad.

Within a year or two the line was extended eastward from Kahului to Pāʻia. The enterprise was incorporated July 1, 1881 as the Kahului Railroad Company.

The Kahului station was located southeast of the harbor at Hobron Point (the east side of the harbor (which includes Pier 1)) and tracks extended through Spreckelsville as well as to the sugar mill at Puʻunene.

Hobron, who also was postmaster of Kahului, allowed mail to be sent free over the railroad. Later, in 1884, a subsidy of $25 per month was paid for hauling mail. Mail carried on the railroad was in closed bags for delivery to postmasters along the route. Probably loose letters were also carried. (HawaiianStamps)

Thomas H Hobron’s son, Thomas William Hobron, was “a druggist by profession”. (HnlAdv, March 21, 1922) “Hobron, Newman & Co were incorporated September 21, 1891. TW Hobron and ER Newman, the principals, went to San Francisco in the following October, and procured a complete stock of drugs, chemicals toilet articles, etc.”

“They opened for business on November 16^th, 1891, in a handsome new store at Fort and King sts. All car lines pass the store, so that there is not a more central stand in Honolulu.”

“On May 31^st, 1894, TW Hobron purchased ER Newman’s stock. The name of the corporation changed to Hobron Drug Co in August [1894]. One feature of the young corporation’s enterprise is its liberal advertising.” (Daily Bulletin, Dec 22, 1894)

Hobron Drug Co (that noted themselves as ‘Cut-rate Druggists,) marketed themselves saying, “Anything bearing our name is a guarantee. We cannot afford not to make good anything bearing our name.”

“We believe in generous dealing. We are going to give the people the most for their money; we are doing it every day. Test us.”

(Hawaiian Star, April 4, 1896)

Thomas William Hobron, allowed Jack London and his wife Charmian to stay in Hobron’s bungalow at Pearl Harbor. In 1906, Jack London announced he was planning a trip on a boat – the Snark – he was to build and do blue-water sailing on a round-the-world cruise. (The Snark was named after one of Lewis Carroll’s nonsense poems.)

“‘Honolulu first,’ said London yesterday. ‘After that we are not very definite. Everybody’s in good health, the bourgeoise tradesmen have finally freed us, the boat is staunch, the weather fine. What more a man wants I don’t know.’”

“‘Meet me in Paris,’ called Mrs. Jack London back through the megaphone as the boat disappeared. ‘Isn’t it glorious? Good-by, everybody!” [April 23, 1907]

“On the mainland, before sailing out through the Golden Gate, [Jack and Charmian] made the fortunate acquaintance of one, Mr. Thomas W. Hobron, artist, merchant, good fellow, and citizen of Honolulu, who spoke in this wise: …”

“‘I wonder if you two would care to put up in my little shack on the peninsula? It isn’t much to look at, and there’s only room enough for the two of you; but it’s brimful of Aloha, if you care to use it.’ …”(Jack London in Hawaii, Blunt)

“Folks flocked down to the waterfront to get a glimpse of the little craft which was designed to circumnavigate the globe.”

“A glimpse was all they got, for the Snark gave a line to Young Brothers’ tug Waterwitch and was towed to Pearl Harbor, where she dropped anchor off the Hobron place, and will probably remain there for the best part of the next two months.” (Hawaiian Gazette, May 21, 1907)

“So here are we, blessing good Tom Hobron, as we shall bless him all our years, for the gift of so idyllic a resting-spot after the tumult of our first traverse on the bit of boat yonder. …”

“Leaving the crew aboard to make everything snug, Jack and [Charmian] were carried by launch farther up the Loch to a long wooden foot-pier that leads over the shallow shore-reef to a spacious suburban place where live Albert Waterhouse and his little family.” (Jack London in Hawaii, Blunt)

Thomas Henry Hobron’s brother E Coit Hobron was a little over 18-years of age when they arrived; he became a resident of the Islands for almost 70 years. “He was prominent on Honolulu business circles for many years and was … one of the founders of the Honolulu Brewing & Malting company”. (PCA, Feb 13, 1921)

“The Honolulu Brewing and Malting Company, Limited, which has been in course of formation for several weeks. Has incorporated … A. Hocking, the Senator, is president of the new company. He is also treasurer and Mr E Coit Hobron is secretary.” (PCA, Nov 23, 1898)

A new plant and their first brew came out in 1901; “On Saturday afternoon the offices and buildings of the Honolulu Brewing and Malting Co were thrown open to the general public …”

“… a large crowd of citizens assembled at the brewery, some attracted by curiosity and a desire for knowledge and others actuated by a laudable desire to sample the product”. (Evening Bulletin, June 17, 1901)

“The Honolulu Brewing and Malting Co have a home production – ‘Primo Lager Beer’ – why not order some when it is the equal of any beer brewed?” (Honolulu Republican, June 27, 1901)

“There is not a brewery of its size in the world more thoroughly adapted to the uses designed. There have been mistakes it details and not cost has been spared to make the plant like the beer, ‘Primo.’” (Evening Bulletin, June 17, 1901)

“Following more dredging to widen a path to sea through the reef, the Territorial Government initially constructed the Ala Wai Boat Harbor in 1935 at the mouth of the Canal with purported financial support from the Hobron family, who had purchased land in the Kālia area.” (DLT) Kalia’s Hobron Lane in Waikiki is named for brothers Thomas Henry Hobron and Ebenezer Coit Hobron.

July 13, 2025 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

C&H

“Among the many varieties of sugar the most important are the sucroses and the glucoses. They form a natural group of substances, chiefly of vegetable origin. Chemically considered, all sugars are carbohydrates, that is to say, bodies composed of three elements: carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.”

“Apart from sucrose, which is usually cane and beet sugar, the variety most generally met with is dextrose one of the glucoses. It possesses less sweetness than sucrose and differs from the latter in chemical composition.” (Rolph)

“Glucose enters largely into the manufacture of candy, being particularly necessary in the preparation of soft filling for creams, as a certain amount of it added to cane-sugar syrup prevents crystallization.”

“Sucrose is derived from sugar cane, maple sap, sorghum and the sugar beet. It is a solid, crystallizing in the form of monoclinic prisms, generally with hemihedral faces, which are colorless, transparent, have a sweet taste …” (Rolph)

“Sugar cane, described in botany as Saccharum officinarum, is a giant-stemmed perennial grass that grows from eight to twenty-four feet long. … As a rule, sugar cane consists of about eighty-eight per cent of juice and twelve per cent of fiber”. (Rolph)

Sugar cane is processed at two facilities: processing starts at a raw sugar factory (the mill at the sugar plantation) and finishes at a sugar refinery.

Typically, raw sugar was processed in Hawai‘i. Claus Spreckels, the “sugar king” of California, Hawaiʻi and the American West, constructed a sugar refinery in California in 1867 where the sugar was finished, packaged, and marketed/shipped.

“[W]hen the Hawaiian plantation owners organized the Sugar Factors Association, Limited, in Honolulu, the authority to dispose of crops of the Islands as a whole was vested in a special committee. These representatives of the growers then sought to enter into a new contract”.

When negotiations deteriorated, the Sugar Factors’ Association stopped all further negotiations. “The explanation of this bold show of independence on the part of the plantation owners lies in the fact that the [sugar refining company] has been getting the lion’s share of the profits of the sugar business …”

“… and the growers are now determined to get not only their profits under the contract, but also the profits on their sugar which heretofore has gone into the coffers of the [refiners].” (PCA, April 13, 1905)

Then, the news reported, “The relations hitherto existing between the Western Sugar Refinery, controlled by the Spreckels interests, and the sugar planters of the Hawaiian Islands have been ruptured.”

“The planters have acquired a controlling interest in the refinery at Crockett, Cal. … and are making preparations to operate the plant in competition with the Western Sugar Refinery.” (Hawaiian Star, Nov 3, 1905)

In 1906, the California and Hawaiian Sugar Refining Company began refining pure cane sugar in the small town of Crockett, California, near San Francisco.” (C&H)

Early on, it was known as California and Hawai‘i – Hawai‘i represented the place where the sugarcane grew and was initially processed; Crockett, California is where the processed sugar was refined and packaged. (C&H) A small portion was refined in the Islands; the bulk goes to Crockett. (United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit)

The new refiners noted, “It gives us great pleasure to be able to state that on or after April 1^st, 1906, the California and Hawaiian Sugar Refining Company, by beginning the work of refining raw sugars, will enter the field of the Refined Sugar business.”

“This Corporation, hereafter to be familiarly known as the ‘Hawaiian Refinery,’ has entered into strong and intimate relations with Hawaiian Plantation Companies.”

“Every share of our stock is owned or controlled by Hawaiian planters, or their close associates in California, and these Hawaiian shareholders are, in turn, members of the Sugar Factors Company, Limited, of Honolulu, and constitute its shareholders.” (Circular 1, SB, Feb 13, 1906)

The refinery first opened in 1906, when a man named George Morrison Rolph transformed a beet sugar refinery into an operation for refining raw cane sugar from Hawai‘i. (Wells, SFGate)

Rolph wanted to build a loyal workforce and inspire them to stick around, so he started investing heavily in the underdeveloped town. Improvements included building housing, a community center and even a park for his employees. (Wells, SFGate)

Early on, as cargo ships offloaded raw cane sugar from the Hawaiian Islands, the refinery employed 490 people and produced 67,000 tons of refined cane sugar. (C&H)

In the 1920s, some 95 percent of Crockett residents worked for the C&H. (Hayes) At its peak, just before World War II, C&H employed 2,500 workers. (Wells, SFGate)

Cane sugar contains trace minerals that are different from those in beet sugar, and it’s these minerals that many experts say make cane sugar preferable to use.

As professional bakers have long noticed, cane sugar has a low melting-point, absorbs fewer extraneous and undesirable odors, blends easily and is less likely to foam up. (C&H)

The refined sugar – the white stuff – was sold by C&H to groceries for home consumption and to the soft drink and cereal companies that were its industrial customers. (United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit)

In 1993, the member companies sold their interests in C&H to Alexander & Baldwin in Honolulu, and the refining company’s status changed from a cooperative to a corporation.

Alexander & Baldwin subsequently sold its majority share to an investment group in 1998, retaining a 40% common stock interest in the recapitalized company.

In 2005, the common stock shares were acquired by American Sugar Refining (ASR, better known as Domino Sugar), a company owned by Florida Crystals and the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida.

Florida Crystals is a privately held company that is part of FLO-SUN, a sugar empire of the Fanjul family whose origins trace to Spanish-Cuban sugar plantations of the early 19th century. (Finale)

July 11, 2025 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kohala Shark Hunt

In the old days, folks used to catch and kill sharks. The accepted attitude was, “the only good shark is a dead shark.”

In an attempt to relieve public fears and to reduce the risk of shark attack, the state government of Hawaiʻi spent over $300,000 on shark control programs between 1959 and 1976. Six control programs of various intensity resulted in the killing of 4,668-sharks.

Subsequent evaluation of the 1959-1976 efforts noted, “Shark control programs do not appear to have had measurable effects on the rate of shark attacks in Hawaiian waters. Implementation of large-scale control programs in the future in Hawaiʻi may not be appropriate.” (Wetherbee, 1994)

At the turn of the century, my grandfather and his brothers (Young Brothers) used to have various jobs in Honolulu Harbor; one was taking paying customers out to harpoon sharks off-shore. My great-uncle, William, wrote books about his adventures shark hunting.

I remember Kohala shark “hunts” on the Big Island where a donated steer carcass was tied between points in a cove and “hunters,” on surrounding cliffs using high-powered rifles, shot at sharks feeding off the carcass.

“For both spectator and participant thrills it would be hard to beat a shark hunt, a sports event that originated in Kohala and perhaps is still unique in this community.”

“The shark hunt is the brain child of Pierre Bowman, personnel manager for Kohala Sugar Co, and these day-long events are staged a couple times a year with hundreds of people turning out with family picnics to watch the kill from along the low cliffs two miles west of the Kohala mill.” (HTH, July 2, 1952)

“The shark hunts originated [in about 1950 and appear to have been run into the mid-1970s] … [on each hunt] hunters have bagged as many as a half-dozen sharks, ranging in size to 29 feet, in good years.” (HTH, July 26, 1965) Some years, no sharks showed up.

“The shark hunt conducted annually be the Kohala group has drawn the interest of persons all over the state.” (HTH, July 24, 1965)

“The affair goes like this: Forty eight hours before the shark hunt begins, a mule [steer] or a horse is shot and the carcass is lashed securely to the reef, out of reach of the sharks but so that the water will wash over it.”

“The vicious monsters of the sea eventually scent the bait and begin to collect. Sharks are always ravenous. When the hunt begins the bait is allowed to float out into the sea, and the sharks close in. The bait is hauled slowly shoreward and the hungry sharks fighting for food come right along with it.”

“Three or four men with harpoons strike when a shark comes close enough, and then the real fun begins for the trick is to get 700 to 1,000 pounds of thrashing hell and fury out of the water and onto the reef for the kill.”

“Then the shore battery, which includes almost everything from .22 rifles to Revolutionary muskets, closes in to finish off the monster.” (HTH, July 2, 1952)

Occasionally, “The Kohala High School stage band played swing music from the 1930s – rather incongruous music to watch sharks while the now bloated cow bobbed in the sea.” (Adv, June 25, 1975)

“Over the years, shark hunts have been staged to raise money for all sorts of school projects in North Kohala.” [i.e., Future Framers of America, Kohala high basketball team, Boys Scouts, Kohala squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, …] [HTH, June 19, 1975)

Times have changed.

We have learned that tiger sharks (the ones most implicated in attacks on humans) don’t simply dwell in small coastal territories but are instead extremely wide-ranging.

They are opportunistic predators and typically move on soon after arriving in an area, because the element of surprise is quickly lost, and potential prey become wary and difficult to catch.

We know more now and recognize that sharks are an important part of the marine ecosystem. Sharks are often the “apex” or top of the food chain predators in their ecosystems because they have few natural predators.

As top predators, sharks help to manage healthy ocean ecosystems. Sharks feed on the animals below them in the food chain, helping to regulate and maintain the balance of marine ecosystems; limiting the populations of their prey, in turn affects the prey species of those animals, and so on.

To some, sharks are ʻaumakua (ancestral spirits that take possession of living creatures) that make appearances to express parental concern for the living, bringing warnings of impending danger, comfort in times of stress or sorrow or in other ways being helpful. (Kane)

Sad and Tragic, yes – we continue to have shark attacks. However, many believe it is typically mistaken identity – the sharks mistake surfers and floaters as turtles or seals. (Remember, we are visitors to their realm in the ocean.)

I still vividly recall Halloween morning, 2003, when DLNR’s shark expert came to my office to brief me on the shark attack on Bethany Hamilton on Kauai. It was a somber day at DLNR. Unlike the old days, there was no “hunt” called for. Other incidents and attacks continue to occur.

“The number of shark attacks has nothing to do with how many sharks are in the water and everything to do with how many people are in the water,” said Kim Holland, University of Hawaiʻi shark researcher and Shark Task Force member. (Honolulu Advertiser, following the Hamilton attack)

John Naughton, a National Marine Fisheries Service biologist, said previous efforts to remove large predatory sharks saw the proliferation of smaller ones, which harassed fishermen and their catches.

“It’s an archaic way to manage the resource. It’s like the turn of the century, when they shot wolves. It doesn’t make sense anymore.” (Honolulu Advertiser, November, 2003)

July 10, 2025 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Pacific Bakery and Hotel

Pacific Bakey operated at 19 Kalakaua in Hilo, then … “Rumors widely current in the city to the effect that the Pacific Bakery is planning to transfer its field of operations to a larger structure on the vacant lot at the corner of Kalakaua and Keawe streets, are not denied by the management, although it does not wish to make a statement until final action is taken.”

“From other sources, however, it is learned that a prominent local Japanese merchant is preparing to build a two-story structure on this ground fronting Keawe street”.

“The plans have been under contemplation for a number of months, it is said, but they appear nearer fruition now than ever before.” (Hilo Daily Tribune. Oct 19, 1921)

“[T]he new two-story structure at the corner of Keawe and Kalakaua streets, which will be known as the ‘Pacific Building,’ will be rushed to completion”. (Hilo Daily Tribune, Jan 11, 1922)

“The main business site will be occupied by the Pacific Bakery and Restaurant, the entrance to be on the corner of Keawe and Kalakaua streets, this concern to utilize the entire lower floor fronting on Kalakaua street and extending back to the police station. On the Keawe side there will be four additional business rooms available”.

“The Pacific Bakery and Restaurant rooms will occupy a space … divided in three sections, to accommodate the bakery and restaurant feature, dining room, kitchen, and workroom. The kitchen will be equipped with electric washing machines and other modern equipment.” (Hilo Daily Tribune, Jan 11, 1922)

“On the second floor of the Pacific building there will be located 24 large, airy, well-lighted rooms for the accommodation of the general public, in connection with which there will be hot and cold water bathrooms for ladies and gentlemen.”

“The water for the bathrooms will be heated from a large tank in the bakery and carried to the upper floor by asbestos covered pipes. The entrance to the upper floor will be located about the middle of the building on the Keawe street side.” (Hilo Daily Tribune, Jan 11, 1922)

“N. K. Takahashi is proprietor of the hotel as manager of the restaurant and bakery, all of which give employment to 29 people, including bakers, waitresses, cooks and other hotel employes.” (Hilo Daily Tribune, Nov 2, 1922)

“In the basement of the new structure, which was designed by F. Arakawa, local architect and civil engineer, provisions are made for a cold storage plant in connection with the restaurant and bakery, In which may be stored meats, eggs, butter, vegetables and other perishable food products.”

“Among the promoters and principal owners of the new bakery, restaurant and rooming house are K. Takahashi, T. R. Saiki, Y. Hata, S. Murakami and S. Kawasaki, the latter having the contract for the construction work.” (Hilo Daily Tribune, Jan 11, 1922)

It is one of the first businesses that developed the concept of a sidewalk cafe in downtown Hilo. In 1924 the Hilo Library was a tenant on the first floor and in 1929 a bakery moved in at the corner of Keawe Street.

In order to be profitable for owner, tenants and the islanders/tourists have tried to have diverse businesses as tenants – to be a place to shop, eat, sit and meet.

Keawe Street is covered with a canopy so shopkeepers put tables and chairs outside, provide free internet and allow people an open-air dining experience. While customers are eating or doing work, some with their pets alongside, others are playing a music and singing, and making new acquaintances. The general feeling is uplifting and community centered. (HHF)

During the war, in a survey of structures, the Pacific Building was identified as one of downtown Hilo’s “approved shelters”, noting, the “spacious hall upstairs … can easily accommodate at least 200 comfortably without utilizing the rooms themselves.”

The “Recommended evacuation to this shelter is as follows: All occupants of Theo. H Davies & Co, offices and warehouses. All concerns on Keawe St extending for Paul’s Beauty Shop to and including the five residences … and from the Style Center (on the lower Keawe side) to and including Economy Motors.” (Hilo Tribune Herald, Jan 18, 1942)

The Pacific Bakery & Hotel was listed in the 1949 business directory and served as a gathering place for people travelling on the railroad tracks from Hāmākua and Kona, allowing them overnight eating and resting place, and a library for entertainment, and access to other businesses on the first floor. The commercial property has upkept its image as a community gathering place. (HHF)

Pacific Bakery was dissolved on September 10, 1954. (Hilo Tribune Herald, Sep 30, 1954) Later, the upper floor room rentals were monthly, as well as used by visiting sports teams for overnight accommodations; then, commercial office rentals took over up and down stairs. The 2-story reinforced concrete Pacific Building still stands at the corner of Keawe and Kalakaua.