By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist

Behind Cutter Ford 'Aiea (where you make the deals) it's like another planet, an alternate universe, an over-ground underground of shops and businesses. It's the matrix.

There you will find rows of mismatched two-story light industrial buildings that are home to everything from specialty food stores to shops that sell only ceiling fans. Actually, there are two shops that sell nothing but ceiling fans. Really nice ceiling fans.

The original Jelly's music store is back there, as well as Fabric Mart, home to every Hawaiian print ever created, or so it would seem.

The KC Company LTD, known for its collection of mail-order nodding head dolls, has a space back there.

There are dance companies and a gymnastics center. Lisa Matsumoto's 'Ohi'a Productions theatrical company has its office there. There are places to eat, specialty boutiques, tailoring and alteration shops next to fish stores. You can't imagine a more diverse collection of businesses.

The location itself is a study in contrasts. The clean, nondescript buildings, some with bottom floors lined with roll-up warehouse doors, obscure a lovely waterfront view.

On a tiny grass easement alongside the back of two of the buildings, a dad plays catch with his sons. There's just enough room, but the boys have to be accurate or the football will whack a car in the parking lot or fall into Pearl Harbor. If you go past the trash bins to the water's edge, there's a lovely view across Pearl Harbor of Ford Island and the bridge.

The collection of shops off to the left of Hekaha street (there are more on the right by the bike path) is known as Harbor Center, but is more commonly referred to as "behind Cutter Ford 'Aiea ... where you make the deals." (It's hard not to add that last part.) There's a guard shack with nobody in it, an unused machine for getting parking tickets, an electronic arm left in the "up" position and a curious pattern of parking stalls that keeps you guessing.

A number of nonprofit agencies have space in the area. Goodwill is across Hekaha Street from Cutter Ford 'Aiea (OK, I won't quote the commercial anymore.) The American Cancer Society has an office in the area, as does Honolulu Habitat for Humanity.

There's a healthcare supply company as well as the Health Care School of Hawai'i. There are medical offices, accountants' offices and mortgage companies.

And the specialty stores are pretty darn special. Kelsey's Baby Specialties carries everything you need for a baby and lots of things you didn't know you needed but thank goodness your best friends will give you at the baby shower. Crazy Canine is the same, but for pet owners.

On such a small island, it's always amazing that you can stumble into such a place that is — love it or hate it — its own little colorful community.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.