The History of Horse Racing in Hawaii

Did you know the main attraction at Waikiki's Kapiolani Park use to be a huge horse racing track with grandstand seating? In the late 1800's and early 1900's horse racing was a favorite sport of Hawaiian royalty, rich landowners, and plantation workers. At one time there were horse racing tracks on several of the islands but the sport died out in Hawaii by the 1950's, in part because locals in Hawaii have a long history of resisting any form of legalized gambling.

The History of Horse Racing in Hawaii

The History of Horse Racing in Hawaii

Did you know the main attraction at Waikiki's Kapiolani Park use to be a huge horse racing track with grandstand seating? In the late 1800's and early 1900's horse racing was a favorite sport of Hawaiian royalty, rich landowners, and plantation workers. At one time there were horse racing tracks on several of the islands but the sport died out in Hawaii by the 1950's, in part because locals in Hawaii have a long history of resisting any form of legalized gambling.

The History of Horse Racing in Hawaii

Other Equestrian Sports in Hawaii

Events in Hawaii This Weekend:

Apr 28: Waikiki Spam Jam Street Festival (Oahu)

Apr 28: Maui to Molokai Challenge Paddling Race

Apr 28-29: East Maui Taro Festival (Maui)

Apr 29: I Love Kailua Town Party (Oahu)

Apr 29: Haleiwa Metric Century Bicycle Ride (Oahu)

2007 Lei Day Events in Hawaii

May 1 is Lei Day in Hawaii and almost everybody in the islands will be wearing a flower lei that day, from little kids in school to executives at Hawaii's top corporations. On May 1 there will be Lei Day celebrations in Kapiolani Park on the island of Oahu, in Hilo on the Big Island, and in Lihue on the island of Kauai. The Brothers Cazimero will perform their annual Lei Day Concert at the Waikiki Shell on Oahu on May 1 and at the Maui Arts Center in Kahului on Mau 2.

Don Ho Memorial Service May 5 in Waikiki

On Saturday, May 5 there will be a public memorial service for Hawaii entertainer Don Ho who died on April 14, 2007. At 4:30 p.m. outrigger canoes will launch from the beach in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel to scatter his ashes in the ocean. From 6 to 8 p.m. there will be a musical tribute and a celebration of Don Ho's life at Queen's Surf Beach across the street from the Honolulu Zoo. A video of the scattering of Don Ho's ashes will be shown on a a large outdoor screen and performers will include Nina Kealiiwahamana, Melveen Leed, Willie K, the Brothers Cazimero, Society of Seven Las Vegas, Marlene Sai, Iva Kinimaka, Jimmy Borges and Matt Catingub. Up to 25,000 people are expected to attend.

Farewell to Don Ho

I am very sad to report that Hawaii's legendary entertainer Don Ho died of heart failure at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2007 at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu. Don Ho's talent and self-effacing sense of humor will be missed by Hawaii residents and visitors from all over the world. Farewell to a great entertainer. My condolences to his family.

Don Ho - His Life and His Music

Post Your Memories of Don Ho

Audio Clip: Tiny Bubbles

Norwegian Pulls Cruise Ship Out of Hawaii

Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) is moving their 2466 passenger "Pride of Hawaii" cruise ship from Hawaii to Europe in February of 2008 because their inter-island Hawaii cruises have not been profitable. NCL's other two Hawaii based cruise ships, the "Pride of Aloha" and the "Pride of America" will remain in Hawaii. When those two ships have achieved profitability NCL expects to move the "Pride of Hawaii" back to the islands. For more information see the April 11, 2007 Honolulu Advertiser article.

Historic Kakaako Pumping Station

As you drive down Ala Moana Boulevard on the island of Oahu, between Ala Moana Park and Honolulu Harbor, you will pass an old blue stone building with a green tile roof on the harbor side of the street. That beautiful building is the Kakaako Pumping Station, a wastewater disposal facility that was built in 1900, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Larger Photo of the Kakaako Pumping Station

Other Historic Buildings in Honolulu