Hawaii Kai, Hawaii - Definition and Overview

Hawaii Kai is a largely residential area located in the City & County of Honolulu, in the District of Honolulu on the island of O'ahu. Hawaii Kai is the largest of several communities at the eastern end of the island. The area was largely developed by Henry J. Kaiser around the ancient Maunalua fishpond and wetlands area known as Kuapā (meaning "fishpond wall"). The Hawaii Kai or Koko Marina was dredged from Kuapā Pond starting around 1959. Dredging not only transformed the shallow coastal inlet and wetlands into a marine embayment, but was accompanied by considerable filling and clearing of the pond margins. In 1961, Kaiser-Aetna entered into a lease agreement with the land owner, the B. P. Bishop Estate, to develop the 521 acre (2.1 km²) fishpond into residential tracts with a marina and channels separated by fingers of land and islands upon which house lots and commercial properties would be laid out and developed (ACOE, 1975). Nearly all of the low-lying lands surrounding the marina have since been developed, and neighborhoods now extend back into the several valleys and up the separating ridges.

The U.S. Postal Code for Hawaii Kai is 96825. Other neigborhoods included in this postal delivery area are: Portlock, Hahaione and Ka'alakei valleys, Mariners Ridge, Queen's Gate, and Kalama Valley.

Geography

Immediately west of Hawaii Kai along Kalanianaole Highway (State Rte. 72) is the East Honolulu neighborhood of Kuli'ou'ou. Eastward from Hawaii Kai on the same highway are Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach, and eventually the road crosses over to the windward side near Makapu'u Point.

The eastern tip of O'ahu is quite scenic. The following features are found between Hawaii Kai and the eastern end of the island:

• Koko Crater is a massive tuff crater that visually dominates the area.
• Koko Head forms the eastern end of Maunalua Bay, with the Hawaii Kai community of Portlock occupying the western slopes of this headland formed of multiple volcanic craters. On the eastern or "back" side is Hanauma Bay, an old crater breached by the ocean.
• Halona Blowhole

Reference

• U.S. Army Engineer District Honolulu (ACOE). 1975. Final environmental statement for Department of the Army permit applications in the Hawaii Kai Marina, Oahu, Hawaii. 52 pp. + appendices.