We call it "Admissions Day" - on August 21, 1959 Hawaii became the 50th state!  Over the course of this week, local newspapers have included special sections about statehood and there are some TV specials being aired.

Today started like most any other day, except it's a state holiday.  State offices were closed and most state workers got to spend time in the sun or at home relaxing.  I was lucky enough to get a phone call, saying "surf's up" at Ala Moana and we headed to the beach for some waves.  By 8 a.m. the park was crowded, there were still a few parking spaces left and we paddled out to catch some good ones.

An hour later I was back out of the water and heading home, getting ready to meet a customer and look at properties.  Driving around…

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Are you into Hawaii Nostalgia?  I love it. 

Hawaii Airplane history

I've had an interest in World War II airplanes since I was a young kid.  There's a great website prepared by the Hawaii Aviation Preservation Society that has lots of photos of vintage airplanes, long forgotten airfields and famous landmarks such as Diamond Head.  If you're into vintage propeller-driven airplanes, you will love this website. 

Hawaii Five-0

A favorite TV show about the 50th State is Hawaii Five-0.  When I was a kid, I was not much interested in this show.  Now, decades later I love to watch it.  Why the change?  Because Hawaii Five-0 was filmed all across Oahu and sometimes on the neighbor islands.  I think it's so cool to see McGarrett drive down the street, past…

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The Aloha Airlines name may fly Hawaii skies again

You may have heard that Aloha Airlines shut down on March 31, 2008.  In an odd twist of fate, the Aloha Airlines name may be revived.

Mesa Airlines entered the Hawaii market in 2006 with its regional company named go! Airlines.  Prior to go!, Aloha and Hawaiian Airlines were charging around $150 per roundtrip between the Hawaiian Islands.  go! started a fare war with with seats marketed as low as $10.  By the end of 2007, rates settled around $45 each way or $90 roundtrip.

In early 2008, higher oil prices affected airfares and interisland rates went up to about $120 roundtrip.  The fare increases probably were not enough to compensate for increased fuel…

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Have you eaten at Flamingo Restaurant on Kapiolani Boulevard?  If you haven't, well you're too late!  On October 22nd 2008, the owners announced that the restaurant would close on Sunday, October 26th.  My wife and I went to Flamingo for the last time on Thursday the 23rd.

The restaurant was popular because of its local style food and meals which included a drink and dessert.  For our last dinner at Flamingo Kapiolani, my wife had a breaded chicken cutlet with brown gravy.  I had the Oyako Donburi (chicken, rice and egg with some vegetables).  The chicken cutlet tasted better, but if you're watching your waistline this is a meal best eaten on rare occasions.

According to the newspaper, the owners of Flamingo had a buyer lined up but the landlord and…

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This house is on Lincoln Avenue in Kaimuki.  It went on the market for $525,000 on September 19th, 2008.  If you've watched Honolulu home prices for awhile, you know that a house for sale in this neighborhood in the $500's is a rarity.  The price was reduced to $505,000 on December 12, 2008 and $495,000 on January 16, 2009 and reduced again to $475,000 on March 12, 2009.

Does it need work?  Yes.  However, the house seems to be fundamentally in good shape.  Some aspects I like are that it has copper plumbing and updated electrical wiring.  It might be feasible for a buyer to move in and fix 'em up while living here. Paint, flooring, updating lighting and fixtures.  

Fix this house up and…

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Aloha Airlines closes

 

 

There was little notice on the closing of Aloha Airlines.  March 21, 2008 Aloha Airlines announced it had enough cash to operate for ten more days and it was filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.   The company was also looking for potential buyers.  For about a week there was nothing in the newspapers or on tv news about Aloha Airlines.  Suddenly on Sunday, March 30th Aloha announced that March 31st would be their final day of business.   How could this have happened?  We just didn't think the March 21st announcement was that serious.  After all, Aloha had… Read Full Post

Varsity Theatre destroyed

When Honolulu's Varsity Theatre closed in June, 2007 the owners had planned to renovate the building and use it for another business. Subsequently they found that there were structural problems - cracks going up the walls all the way to the ceiling.  Thus the owners decided to destroy the landmark building.

I wish they had given us some advance notice.  The first time I learned about the demolition was the day after it started.  On the second day of demolition (March 26, 2008) I was there with my camera.  I returned on March 27th and got a few more pictures.

Varsity Theatre March 26, 2008 View  from across the street Look at… Read Full Post

W&M Bar-B-Que Burgers

This drive-in is tucked in at 3104 Waialae Avenue in Kaimuki.  What, you haven't seen it before?  W&M is pretty well hidden.  You can find W&M by driving to the intersection of Waialae Avenue and Saint Louis Drive (you'll see City Mill on the corner).  Continue Kokohead-bound (east) just past City Mill and there's W&M, right next door.

What kind of food do they serve?

It's pretty much American style with Hawaii style added in.  Hamburgers, friench fries and teriaki burgers.  As you can see from the lunchtime crowd, this place gets busy!  They are open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch.

Remember how McDonalds was in the old days (before the Big Mac)?  Hamburgers, fries and a coke.  That's what W&M is like, but add in some teri…

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