Kapālama facts for kids
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Kapālama, also known as Pālama, is a neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawaii. It's often grouped with the nearby Kalihi area, and together they are called Kalihi–Pālama.
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The Story Behind the Name
The name Kapālama comes from the Hawaiian language. It means "the enclosure of lama wood." Lama is the Hawaiian name for a special kind of ebony tree. These trees were important in ancient Hawaiian religious ceremonies.
A Look at Kapālama's History
In ancient Hawaii, land was divided into areas called ahupuaʻa. These were like long slices of land that stretched from the ocean all the way up to the mountains. They were used for farming.
The parts of Kapālama near the ocean later became part of Honolulu harbor. The higher, inland areas of Kapālama developed into places like ‘Ālewa Heights and the main campus of Kamehameha Schools. Many schools are in Kapālama, from Honolulu Community College to Kapālama Elementary School.
You'll find streets named after the area, like Palama Street and Kapālama Avenue. There's also the Kapālama Stream, which flows into the Kapālama canal and basin. To the northwest of Kapālama is the neighborhood of Kalihi, and to the southeast is downtown Honolulu.
Historic Buildings and Community Places
During World War II, a military area called the Kapalama Military Reservation was built here to help with supplies.
The Palama fire station, located at 879 North King Street, is a historic building. It was designed in 1901 and added to the list of historic places in 1976.
The Kaumakapili Church is another important landmark. It was first started in 1838 as a church for common people. It moved to its current location at 766 North King Street after a big fire in Honatolu's Chinatown in 1900. The beautiful building you see today was dedicated in 1911. After many years, the community worked together to restore this historic church.
Palama Settlement: A Place for Everyone
In 1896, a community center called Palama Chapel was started. After the 1900 fire, it grew into the Palama Settlement, offering social services to the community.
Today, Palama Settlement is at 810 North Vineyard Boulevard. It continues to be a lively place that offers fun activities and educational programs for people of all ages. It's even famous as the place where the martial art of Kajukenbo was created!
