Mōʻiliʻili, Hawaii facts for kids
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Mōʻiliʻili, Hawaii is a lively neighborhood in Honolulu CDP, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Its name is from the Hawaiian language and means “pebble lizard.” This area is known for its shops and businesses, especially near South King Street and University Avenue. It's also very close to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
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A Look at Mōʻiliʻili's Past
Mōʻiliʻili started as a farming area. But in the early 1900s, it grew into a city neighborhood. By the 1930s, many people of Japanese heritage lived here.
Later, the H-1 Freeway was built. This highway changed how people traveled and shopped. It meant fewer cars drove through Mōʻiliʻili's main streets, which affected local businesses.
For many years, people thought about making Mōʻiliʻili a "college town." This would mean building more things for students and the university. In 2002, the head of the University of Hawaiʻi System, Evan Dobelle, wanted to make this happen. He even thought about moving the university offices to Mōʻiliʻili.
In 2007, Kamehameha Schools bought more land in the area. This included the old Varsity Theatre, which had been open since 1939. The theater was later taken down in 2008.
What Makes Mōʻiliʻili Special?
Mōʻiliʻili is a small, local community. It has many unique small businesses. You can find flower shops, stores selling imported goods, ethnic foods, and surf gear. The main part of the community is around University Avenue and King Street.
The Hidden Caves of Mōʻiliʻili
Underneath the busy streets of South King Street and University Avenue, there's a secret world! It's a complex system of caves called the Mōʻiliʻili Karst. These caves used to have an underground stream from the Manoa stream.
A natural pond once formed here, and a famous restaurant called The Willows was built around it. However, construction nearby changed the underground water flow. This caused the pond to become artificial, meaning it's now man-made. Even so, different kinds of fish and plants still live in this amazing cave system. These caves are not open for visitors and can only be reached through a city sewer grate.
Getting Around Mōʻiliʻili
The neighborhood is served by Honolulu's public bus system, TheBus. Many bus routes, like 1, 4, 5, 6, 13, and 18, help people travel through the area.
Learning in Mōʻiliʻili
The Hawaii Department of Education runs several public schools in Mōʻiliʻili. These include King William Lunalilo, Prince Jonah Kūhiō, and Queen Kaʻahumanu Elementary Schools. There are also other schools like Voyager Public Charter School and private schools such as ʻIolani School. Maryknoll School and Punahou School are also very close to the neighborhood.
Fun and Community
The City and County of Honolulu manages the Mōʻiliʻili Neighborhood Park. It's a great place for outdoor activities.
The Mōʻiliʻili Community Center is also a very important part of the neighborhood. It started in 1906 as a Japanese-language school. Before World War II, over 1,000 students attended this school! To protect the school during the war, its ownership was transferred to non-Japanese people. A Boy Scout troop even moved into one of its buildings.
In 1945, the Mōʻiliʻili Community Association took over the school's land and assets. This led to the creation of the community center we know today. In 1996, the center offered programs for hundreds of children and adults of all ages.
