"Time Warp Back to 1920" Honomu by triplehelix

Honomu is a tiny little suburb in North Hilo. If you can call it a suburb... The area is a sleepy old plantation town situated 11 miles (17.8 km) from downtown Hilo. One would ask, why should I go here? Well honestly, don't waste your time driving up here unless you want to see how Hawaii once looked circa 1920. Many of the shops along the main road were indeed there since the 20s and 30s. The buildings are very old and late colonial type in structure. There isn't much else to do other than walk along the short distance and nose around the little shops. The place is cute though and I wouldn't mind living up there. It's so quiet!

Many local crops come from this area as it looks to be a subsistance community for the most part. There are newer homes dotted in between the very old Japanese style plantation homes. Those kinds of houses will always hold a special place in my heart since I grew up in one.

The photo above signifies the strong Japanese population that still lives here. An odaishisan is a kind of healer in local Buddhist tradition. During a time when many Japanese servants were losing their identity in a fast Americanizing of old Hawaii, many took on a new form of worship involving strong supersition. Practices would include exorcisms and took on a less refined version of Buddhism known as Shingon. Modern worshipers no longer carry strong ritualistic practices but congregate to learn of the indended teachings.

Still, one cannot escape the fact that every day, educated tourists drive through here to get to a famous site. That place is, Akaka Falls just 3 miles (4.8 km) west. If that confuses you, just follow the big green street signs that say "AKAKA FALLS".

view from the top

Heading down from Akaka Falls offers a nice view of the coast. At sunrise, it is awesome. It looks like the suns fingers are wading in the ocean!

Old Honomu Theater

I'm not sure if this theater still functions but I bet it's used for something...

• In a nutshell:quiet and serene