Back in the late 1960's my family would have 'Special Family Sunday's. We'd either do a family dinner with my aunt, uncle and cousins or we'd do a picnic or something. One of our 'relaxation' excursions would lead us to the Moanalua Gardens. After a hearty homemade fried chicken and potato salad lunch we'd all spread out under a tree on our mats or blankets.
Looking through the branches up to the blue skies with a tropical cool breeze fluttering across my face I would daydream about whatever 10 year old kids dream of. The shade from the huge umbrella shaped tree was no doubt the reason for the cool air and proved to assist in the relaxation on a Sunday afternoon.
Tidbits of History regarding Moanalua Gardens and Park:
- This umbrella shaped canopy tree is known as the Hitachi Tree (monkeypod). The Hitachi Tree has been the corporate symbol of the electronics manufactorer Hitachi, LLC since 1973.
- The Hitachi Tree corporate symbol was through an agreement for worldwide rights through an agreement with the Damon Estate for $20.000 year payments.
- The Cottage that sits on the Moanalua Gardens was the home of Prince Lot Kamehameha who became King Kamehameha the V.
- When Bernice Pauahi Bishop died in 1884 she willed the Moanalua land division and the Cottage at Moanalua Gardens to Samuel Damon.
- The Hitachi Tree is a registered "exceptional tree" with the City and County of Honolulu and cannot be removed or moved without permission from the City Council.
- In 2006 a new agreement was reached with Hitachi and Kamaiana Ventures (great grandson of Samuel Damon) for an annual fee of $400,000 for the use of the Hitachi tree symbol.
On the way home from running an errand in Downtown Honolulu yesterday I glanced to the right at Moanalua Gardens. I swiftly changed lanes and got off H-201 to reminisce in those memories from years past.
Another Place to Visit in Honolulu County.
