ALA MOANA & KAKAAKO Ala Moana & Kakaako 220 The newly revitalized neighborhoods of Kaka‘ako and Ala Moana are hip and hospitable – with beautiful apartments, a convenient waterfront location, excellent eats, fun festivals, and cultural events. And new construction – and the eventual advent of Honolulu Rail stops – add to the excitement of the area. Located between Waikiki and Downtown Honolulu, the old warehouses of Kaka‘ako are adorned in extravagant murals, many which were painted by local and global artists during the yearly POW! WOW! festival. The next door neighborhoods of Ward Village and Ala Moana, many who would say are a part of Kaka‘ako, have enticing shopping and restaurants – along with a variety of urban housing options. Throughout Ala Moana and Kaka‘ako, there continues to be an influx of trendy businesses, like microbreweries, hidden speakeasies, luxury shops and more. One of the best things about this area is the many trendy gems scattered throughout such a compact urban area – making for many days of entertainment. FISHING VILLAGES TO IMMIGRANT CAMPS TO TRENDY HOT SPOT Kakaako’s land was once filled with fishing villages that not only cultivated fish but also salt – which was treasured like gold to Native Hawaiians. This important neighborhood was called Kaakaukukui, roughly translated to ‘the northern light,’ describing the pure black sky with its vibrant starlight. Starting in the 1800s, immigrants from around the world would move to camps in Kaka‘ako, creating a diverse community and establishing the neighborhood’s first churches, stores, parks, and even a school, Pohukaina School. In the early 1940s, the neighborhood’s zoning changed from residential to commercial, making Kaka‘ako home to Honolulu’s heavy industries. While iron factories, lumber yards, and shipping warehouses replaced family homes, many legacy families remained in the neighborhood, moving a few blocks away to Ward Avenue. The industrial aspects of Kaka‘ako can still be seen today, with a few functioning auto body shops and warehouse facades transformed into art pieces. Ala Wai Harbor is the largest small boat and yacht harbor in Hawaii.
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