Point 4

Welcome to point 4 on the Lihue Loop Tour, the Hardy Street Homes, a diverse division of homes in the Molokoa Subdivision.

The first homes built in this area are described as Hawaii-adapted ranch-style homes and most are 1-story and have low-pitched roofs.

Currently, there are some bigger, more luxurious homes mainly in the Molokoa 3 section. These more modern homes are 2-stories and much bigger than the original homes in the first two sections of Molokoa.

But this all started from humble beginnings, 1000sq. ft homes on Umi Street. Here’s local historian Pat Griffin to tell us more.

After plantation workers unionized in 1946 the era of company-supplied housing ended. For many employees of Lihue plantation, who’d grown up in dilapidated camp houses, The ability for the first time to buy a modern, affordable, 1000sq ft, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, lot and house package in molokoa subdivision near school, food markets, and often work right in the center of town, why that was a dream come true.

Thanks, Pat, but this didn’t come so easy as back in the day residents of nearby towns were concerned that people would flock to these homes making their towns vacant. Residents of Kapa’a were especially concerned because they had already lost the Hawaiian Canneries, and they were concerned the economy would crash.

Their stresses did not come to fruition though as the homes were a great success adding homes to where they were needed close to the town core without vacating the towns nearby.

After the Umi Street homes were built they expanded to Hardy street. These homes were larger than the ones on Umi street, and continue to be expanded to this day.
But in 1992 several of the tongue and groove constructed houses were destroyed in Hurricane Iniki.

As a response to this the homes now are being built out of stronger materials such as cinder block, and single wall tongue and groove is no longer allowed to be used.
Nowadays if you buy a plot of land in Molokoa subdivision 2 or 3 you can choose your own house design. Needless to say, the homes have changed a lot since its humble start.
That’s the story about point 4, the Hardy Street homes. I’m Turner Harr from Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School and thank you for listening. Enjoy the rest of the tour!