The Areas of Honolulu #1 (Kaimuki)

Honolulu proper contains a number of subarea each with its own name and flavor.  Sometimes the differences have to do with geographical uniqueness.  Sometimes it's just the chosen name for that particular area.  Some of them are Manoa and Maikiki, Nuuanu and Pauoa, Palolo and Kaimuki, and of course Waikiki.  I thought it might be interesting for people outside of the islands to learn a little bit about each area. 

For today's area, I have selected one of my favorites:  Kaimuki.

Located east of Manoa, behind Diamond Head (the mountain in the distance).

Kaimuki is a considered a middle-class neighborhood and was first developed in the 1920s. The following was taken from Travel Ape: 

"While it was once the hub of banking giants, Kaimuki today has the feel of pre-World War II Honolulu, with residential side streets featuring simple homes on neatly tended plots. This quaint town offers cozy shops, service establishments and a smattering of good and affordable restaurants. The Temari Center for Asian and Pacific Arts, a small art center tucked away, offers classes in lei making, basketry, book binding, flower pressing, paper making and painting on silk. Comme Ci Comme Ca Consignment Boutique and Jan's Secret Closet are favorites among those who frequent thrift and consignment shops. Kwilts 'n Koa is a small Hawaiian quilt shop and Montsuki features mother and daughter designed fashions using Japanese kimonos, silk and natural fibers. On Wai'alae Avenue, take your pick of some great restaurants: 3660 On The Rise (Euro-Asian), Boston's North End Pizza Bakery, Beau Soleil (Mediterranean) and Eastern Garden (Chinese) to name a few. Pick up yummy manapua at Kwong On and fresh island fruits and vegetables at Kaimuki Produce Market."

Maybe because I am use to suburban life, Kaimuki generally has a much warmer feel than the high-rise areas like Waikiki and Ala Moana.  It's much better kept than some of the eastern sections of the city.  The Kapolani Community College weekly farmers market is a lot of fun.  Lots of interesting produce and prepared foods.  If I had the time, I would go there every week.  The Kahala Mall is smaller but much less crowded and very much more accessible than the huge, impossible-to-find-parking Ala Moana Mall.  There's also the Diamond Head Theatre which calls itself the Broadway of the Pacific.  I have yet to catch a show there.  Right now they are hosting a production of "Little Women".  Then there's this sub shop called Storto's that half the island calls the greatest sandwich place on the planet and the other half calls a soggy, tasteless mess.  But supposedly all agree that there is a better Storto's on the North Shore.  I'll have to give both of them a try and report my findings someday.

As of now, Kaimuki is my number one spot of choice living wise--well, besides the more affluent areas which I will never be able to afford to live in.  So hopefully one day soon I will be a resident of Kaimuki.