Kaimuki, Hawaii facts for kids
Kaimukī is a friendly neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawaii. It's a part of the United States and a great place where people live and go to school. Kaimukī is close to famous spots like Diamond Head.
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The History of Kaimukī
Kaimukī has a long and interesting past. In the 1800s, it was a farm owned by King Kalākaua. Ostriches even roamed freely on the hillsides! Later, it became a farm growing carnation flowers. Today, Kaimukī is a busy neighborhood with homes and a small area for businesses. You'll find many restaurants and shops there.
The name Kaimukī is very old and comes from the Hawaiian language. It means "The ti root oven." Long ago, people in this area used many ovens to bake the roots of the kī plant. This plant, also called ti, is known scientifically as Cordyline fruticosa. When baked, its roots turned into a sweet food, almost like candy!
The main street in Kaimukī is Waialae Avenue. You can find many restaurants and stores along this street. Kaimukī District Park is also located there. A special landmark in the area is Pu‘u o Kaimukī, also known as Kaimuki Hill. Over time, this hill has been used for many things. It was once a water storage area, a telegraph station, and even a place to observe the stars. Now, it's a peaceful park for everyone to enjoy.
Kaimukī's Buildings and Architecture
Kaimukī is home to some really old and cool buildings. The Kaimukī Fire Station was built in 1924. It was designed in a special style called Spanish Mission Style. This building is still used as a fire station today! There was also a movie theater called the Queen Theater. It opened in 1936 but closed its doors in 1985.
Learning and Education in Kaimukī
Kaimukī has many great schools, from colleges to elementary schools.
Colleges and Universities
If you're looking to go to college, Kaimukī has two options. Kapiʻolani Community College is part of the public University of Hawaiʻi System. There's also Chaminade University, which is a private university.
Public Schools
The Hawaii Department of Education runs the public schools in Kaimukī. Waialae School is a public elementary school located here. Kaimukī Middle School is also in the area. For high school, many students attend Kaimuki High School. Some students from Kaimukī might also go to Kalani High School.
Private Schools
Kaimukī also has several private schools. These include Saint Louis School for boys and Sacred Hearts Academy for girls. St. Patrick School is a co-ed school for students from kindergarten to 8th grade. Kaimuki Christian School is another co-ed option for younger students up to 11th grade.
Weekend Learning Programs
Some students attend special weekend classes. The Hawaii Japanese School, also called Rainbow Gakuen, holds its classes at Kaimukī Middle School. This school helps students learn Japanese on the weekends.
Famous People from Kaimukī
- Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, a famous Hawaiian musician, grew up in this neighborhood.
