Between Pearl City and Kapolei lie the former sugarcane plantation towns of Waipahu and Waipio. With easy access to the H1 and H2 freeways and soon-to-be rail stops – the West Loch Station and the Waipahu Transit Center Station – Waipahu and Waipio are in an excellent central location and a short commute to Kapolei, Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam, Schofield Barracks, the Windward side, or Downtown Honolulu. Waipahu is makai (or towards the ocean) of H1 while Waipio is mauka (or towards the mountainside) of H1. The City and County of Honolulu designated Waipahu as the first community to have TransitOriented Development (TOD), meaning there are plans for affordable family housing, parks, open spaces, connected bike paths, and a modern Farrington Highway Boulevard. Families who visit Waipahu and Waipio today will discover an aloha-filled community with a rich cultural history. NATURAL SPRINGS TO SUGAR PLANTATIONS TO FAMILY TOWN In Hawaiian, Waipahu means water exploding up and Waipio means curved water – a name derived from the cool and clear water that once gushed out of a natural spring in the rocky terrain. This spring was once enjoyed by early inhabitants on Oahu and even Hawaiian ali‘i, or royalty. In 1897 the Oahu Sugar Company established a plantation and mill, bringing workers from around the world – Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Puerto Rican, Filipino, Korean – to toil the rocky soil. The plantation workers lived in villages, which also had stores, restaurants, medical facilities and elementary schools. In 1995, the sugar mill shut down – after nearly 100 years of operation – yet the smokestack still remains as a reminder of the molasses that once wafted from the mill. Museums, designer and wholesale shopping, golf courses, parks and plenty of amazing businesses: Waipahu and Waipio are family neighborhoods with lots to do. HAWAII’S PLANTATION VILLAGE Next to the old mill in a movie-set-liketown is Hawaii’s Plantation Village (94-695 Waipahu Street hawaiiplantationvillage.org). Walk around this outdoor museum to discover the story of Hawaii’s sugar plantations. Walk into the workers’ houses to explore these immigrants’ ways of life. The museum also displays native plants and birds along with a number of unexpected gems – a traditional Chuukese hale, a Shinto shrine, and more. WAIKELE PREMIUM OUTLETS Favorite brands – like Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, Adidas – at incredibly discounted prices attract locals and tourists alike to this amazing shopping center – Waikele Premium Outlets (94-790 Lumiaina St premiumoutlets.com/outlet/waikele). Show your military ID to get additional discounts at some stores! The center also offers military veteran parking. GET ACTIVE Waipahu and Waipio have incredible parks and golf courses. Many days can be spent discovering these refreshing green spaces. And, with Oahu’s best bike shop Waipahu & Waipio 240 WAIPAHU & WAIPIO 1 2 3
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