Hawai'i Kai residents save time in a capsule

By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Writer

HAWAI'I KAI — Brannon Wong, a former Kamiloiki Elementary School student, predicts that in 2052 Hawai'i Kai residents will use electric trains and ferries to commute to work, pedestrians will get around on moving sidewalks and all doors will open automatically.

Rachel Oda, a Kamiloiki second-grader at the time, predicted that Kalaniana'ole Highway will be called Kalaniana'ole Skyway, robots will help clean our houses and cars will fly.

Those visions of the future will be read by community luminaries 50 years from now when they open a time capsule being buried today at the base of the Hawai'i Kai community identification sign on the corner of Hawai'i Kai Drive and Kalaniana'ole Highway. At the same time, the new sign will be officially dedicated.

Both the sign and time capsule, the brainchild of resident Murray Luther, were designed to instill a sense of community pride in Hawai'i Kai.

The sign was seven years in coming, and last-minute glitches threatened to mar today's ceremony. First the sign faced the wrong way, and then it was discovered that the okina in the word "Hawai'i" was actually an apostrophe.

The sign was realigned late in July, and the okina was supposed to have been fixed by today, both at no cost to taxpayers.

Also included in the time capsule are a who's who of area service clubs, a glimpse at the tenant mix at the three area shopping centers and other essays from youngsters in 2002. The information to be included in the silver cylinder is on paper and some CDs and encased in plastic sheets for protection.

The capsule is the work of Luther and Hawai'i Kai Neighborhood Board members Mary Houghton, Tony Paresa, Steve Hirano and Lester Muraoka, who solicited contributions from schools, churches, service groups and shopping centers.

"Hopefully something like this will stimulate the pride in the community," said Luther, 86.

The new community sign is a product of the city vision team and part of a three-sign project that cost $190,000. The other two signs are in 'Aina Haina. At the base of the sign on top of the capsule will be an inscription that Luther and the others came up with: "May the beauty and aspirations of this community continue to grow for a greater Nani Hawai'i Kai. Our history is now yours."

The sign replaces one removed in 1995 to make way for the Kalaniana'ole Highway widening project.

Luther was also behind that sign, and ever since it was taken down, he has been clamoring for a new one.

"This time capsule and these essays brought new life into what our purpose is out here — to enjoy the beauty and do something to keep it that way," Luther said. "I did this for the community."

Reach Suzanne Roig at 395-8831 or sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Correction: Hawai'i Kai Neighborhood Board member Lester Muraoka was one of the people instrumental in organizing the time capsule buried at the Hawai'i Kai community identification sign. His name was misspelled in a previous version of this story.