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In the 16th century, Kailua attracted the ali'i giving birth to many rich Hawaiian legends, some of which may be found in written and oral reminiscences in Hawaii State Libraries. Many legends were born here including the menehune who were known for working at night in Kaiwainui Marsh and mo'o who took the shape of a large lizardthat attracted fish. Kailua was denselypopulated before the arrival of Captain Cook and was the ancient capital of O'ahu's kings. The biggest event in Kailua and the entire Windward side was in 1795 when King Kamehameha I conquered O'ahu in his quest to unite the Hawaiian Islands. The King granted Kaiwainui Marsh and old Kailua, which included large freshwater fish ponds and saltwater ponds at Mokapu, to the warriors and chiefs that had helped him. The land was used in various forms for agriculture from sugarcane to rice to taro and eventually was used primarily for cattle raising. The town has grown more than 100 percent since 1960 when its population was 24,402. It has a compact, easy-to-shop business district surrounded by mostly single-family homes. By 1992 50,000 residents encompassed a central urban core with surrounding residential areas. | Before and AftersBefore-Kailua/Oneawa junctionThis is the junction of Oneawa and Kailua Road Mauka (mountain) bound. The white building is the old movie theater where tickets were just 12 cents.
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Before- Lanikai Circle Undeveloped Lanikai. View from Alala point towards Lanikai.
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Lanikai today Before-Kalapawai Market Kalapawai market has catered to Kailuans for over 70 years.
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Even with corporate supermarkets only miles away, Kalapawai still flourishes today. Before-Jean's Bakery Jean's Bakery 1955 was a Kailua institution but has been closed for nearly 30 years.
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Where Jean's bakery was now stands Chinese Garden. Some of the architectural structure of the original building scan still be seen. |