Personal Recollections of Ewa Plantation Days
April 15, 2023
Storytellers:
Dennis Irie, Carolyn Okinaga, and Saxon Nishioka
Dennis Irie, Carolyn Okinaga, and Saxon Nishioka share their recollections of ʻEwa Plantation Town at a talk story sponsored by ʻEwa Villages Historical Society (EVHS) and Kapolei Public Library. At the end of the talk story, those who came to listen also shared their connection to and/or interest in the former plantation town where I grew up. I was pleasantly surprised to have so many attending for this first event of EVHS. There was a shared feeling of good will and learn about a piece of Hawaiʻi’s history. With the new neighborhoods springing up all over Ewa Beach and Kapolei, I hope talk stories like this fosters a greater sense of community and belonging.
Thanks to all who made this happen and most of all to our speakers, guests, and Emy.
-Agnes Malate Facebook entry April 15, 2021
Carolyn Okinaga & Agnes Malate
Dennis & Patsy Irie
Saxon & Linda Nishioka
What triggers your memory?
“When I drive to work I need to drive right through the heart of Ewa on Renton Road and those shade trees always throw me back in time. I’ll look left or right and imagine that tourna haulers emptying its load of sugar cane; or, drive right past the Industrial Relations (that now houses Lanakila Baptist school); or the Ewa Community Church where at Christmas time the live nativity scene beckons one to stop; or a look down the road that once led to the “tanke” ….. I could go on and on!
Today’s Talk Story featured three speakers who shared their photos, their stories and fond memories. In the small area set aside for the Talk Story in the Kapolei Library were many ‘ohana of the community who, too, remembered - nodding their heads in agreement or in surprise.
Please look forward to more moments like today’s Talk Story and keep an eye out for upcoming events and requests from the #EwaVillagesHistoricalSociety.”
-Myrna Lyn Dias-Abang, Facebook Entry