‘Go With The Flow’ In Kailua Sunday

Kailuans who weren’t around in the early 1900s may be surprised to learn what Kailua Historical Society president Paul Brennan has to share at 3 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 27) on the Faith Baptist Church lanai.

The free program, “Going With The Flow, Roadside Stands,” features a panel discussion, with speakers representing water resource management as well as the sellers and customers of Kailua roadside produce stands back then, including Lydia Asato Ranger, Norman Kawauchi and Leroy Gilliand.

“The panelists were involved with roadside stands when they were young,” said Brennan.

Since the recent clearing of land makai of Kapaa Quarry Road, residents and visitors have a better idea of how the water flowed into Kailua, which fed a thriving agricultural community resulting in more than a dozen roadside stands along the old Auloa Road. Back then, folks islandwide headed over the Pali to purchase fresh, organic produce from the farmers manning the stands. “Koolau Farmers began from that,” said Brennan, referring to the familiar gardening shop on Kailua Road.

The Nishikawa-Kimura family also will share their photos of the era, and participants are welcome to add their own memories during the program.

Faith Baptist Church is located at 1230 Kailua Road. For more information on the program, call Brennan at 262-7316 or email drpbrennan@yahoo.com.