Kakaʻako facts for kids
Kakaʻako is a busy area in Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. It's known for its shops and businesses. Kakaʻako is located along the southern coast of Oʻahu, between the Ala Moana area and downtown Honolulu.
Contents
A Look Back at Kakaʻako's History
Kakaʻako was once a lively Native Hawaiian community. Hawaiian kings and queens lived here, and the land was used for farming. People grew crops, made salt, and raised fish in special ponds. Ancient Hawaiian burials (called iwi) are also found throughout the area. One place, the Honuakaha Smallpox Cemetery, holds over a thousand iwi.
In 1976, Kakaʻako was mostly an industrial area. To help guide its growth, the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) was created. This agency helps plan how Kakaʻako will develop in the future.
Kakaʻako Today
Today, Kakaʻako is a mix of old and new. Important places like the Victoria Ward Centers and the Neal S. Blaisdell Center are here. The John A. Burns School of Medicine and the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center are also located in Kakaʻako. The main roads are Ala Moana Boulevard and Kapiʻolani Boulevard.
In recent years, many new homes have been built in Kakaʻako. The HCDA has plans for many more buildings, some of which could be very tall. These plans have led to protests from people who worry about how the area is changing. Some residents are concerned that new developments might limit public access to the waterfront. There are also worries about gentrification, which means that housing that was once affordable for many families might become too expensive.
Our Kakaʻako Project
Our Kakaʻako is a big project that aims to make Kakaʻako an even better place to live and visit. It's being developed by Kamehameha Schools and Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaiʻi Inc. The project will add many new homes and business spaces. It also includes plans for walking paths, green areas, and unique shops. This project is expected to take many years to finish.
Ward Village Community
Ward Village is another large community being built in Kakaʻako. It covers 60 acres and is being developed by The Howard Hughes Corporation. When it's finished, Ward Village will have many tall residential buildings, shops, entertainment spots, and public spaces. It's designed to be a friendly place for people to walk around and enjoy the beachfront area.
Images for kids
-
Walter Murray Gibson with the Sisters of St. Francis at the Kapiolani Home for Girls built near Kakaʻako Branch Hospital for the daughters of Hansen's disease patients
