Many of you have written about the dozens of drive-ins Hawaii had when you were younger and had wheels of one sort or another.
Nohea Chang shared a story about Hale Nuuanu drive-in that also touched on the legendary ‘Iolani coach Father Kenneth Bray and the famous Triple Crown racehorse Seabiscuit.
Hale Nuuanu was part of Dairyman’s four retail outlets, which also included Moiliili Drive-Inn, Purity Inn and Dairymen’s Waikiki.
Hale Nuuanu opened in 1927 on the corner of Nuuanu Avenue and Pauoa Road, just as cars were becoming popular in the islands. A Texaco station is on the site today.
“My father-in-law, George Chang, was a bus driver in the 1940s,” Nohea Chang recalls. “George was assigned to take the ‘Iolani football team from their Bates Street location in Nuuanu to the old Honolulu Stadium in Moiliili for a big game.”
As the team left the bus, George said the players were touching something Father Bray held: a horseshoe of Seabiscuit, the top racehorse of the 1930s.
Retired neurosurgeon and ‘Iolani graduate Max Urata provided some background. “Charles S. Howard, Seabiscuit’s owner, apparently vacationed in Hawaii. Father Bray knew him and asked for a horseshoe that Seabiscuit wore when he beat War Admiral at Pimlico in 1938.
“Before each football game the team would huddle around Father Bray. He would take the horseshoe out of his coat pocket, and every member of the team would touch it.”
“Because Seabiscuit was undersized with knobby knees, he was overlooked in most races,” Nohea Chang says. His owner had fortunately hired the right trainer, who was able to get Seabiscuit to start slow but end fast.
“In 1937 Seabiscuit won 11 out of 15 major races and became the top money winner in the 1940s. Father Bray used the horseshoe as motivation for his undersized football team.
“‘Iolani won that night, and on the way back to campus, Father Bray asked George to stop at Hale Nuuanu, Dairymen’s drive-in.
“Father Bray announced that they were going to celebrate with ice cream. As the team cheered and happily left the bus, Father Bray turned and motioned to George, ‘Come on … you too!’
“Reminiscing about Father Bray, almost 60 years later, gave George reason to pause and smile quietly as he reflected on a very special man.”
‘Iolani won the Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship in 1939 and 1940. This year’s Father Bray Memorial Football Classic game is Aug. 11 at 3 p.m. against Waipahu High School.
Chunky’s Drive-In
Ray Wong says his most memorable drive-in was Chunky’s. “Located on the corner of King and Isenberg streets and directly across from the old stadium, it was within walking distance of my childhood home on Coolidge Street.”
The nearby Civic Auditorium and University of Hawaii also supplied a never-ending stream of customers.
Francis “Chunky” Murayama opened Chunky’s Drive-In in 1959 on the corner of Isenberg and King streets, which at the time was in the parking lot of Super Value Market. It was a self-service drive-in without carhops.
“Chunky” said a classmate in junior high school in Waialua gave him the nickname. He was 42 years old when he left a career in meat sales to open his drive-in, which closed in 1992.
Typical prices in the early days, Wong recalls, were soda, 10 cents; french fries, 15 cents; hamburger (white paper wrap), 25 cents; cheeseburger (yellow paper), 30 cents; and teri beef sandwich (pink paper), 45 cents.
“The teriyaki beef and beef cutlet were two popular choices. The beef goulash, a daily special item, was another hit,” Wong recalls.
“Isenberg Street, between Kapiolani and King, used to be popular with late-night outlaw drag racers. We would hear engines thundering, and then police sirens some nights.”
Donald Duck Drive Inn
Walter Yuen says his sister distinctly remembers a Donald Duck Drive Inn, but he doesn’t. “Can you find out if there was such a place?”
Your sister is correct. Donald Duck Restaurant and Drive Inn opened in 1946 at 2840 Kapiolani Blvd. The Nako brothers build it across from where Kaimuki High School would open in 1950. The parking lot held 50 cars, and there also were booths inside. One of its dessert specialties was a Marshmallow Flip.
Disney objected to the use of its trademark, and the name was changed to Bea’s in 1966. Bea was short for Bernice Miyasato, the owner at the time.
A 1966 advertisement announcing the name change to Bea’s offers roast beef or short rib plate lunches for 75 cents. Burgers, hot dogs, fries and shakes were 20 cents.
Kapiolani Drive Inn
In my article two weeks ago, I wrote about Kapiolani Drive Inn, which was affectionately called KDI. Today it’s evolved into Wailana Coffee House.
Beverly Zane says she met her future husband, Harold, at the 1951 Roosevelt Senior Dinner at Lau Yee Chai’s. “After that we went to Kapiolani Drive Inn for dessert and an orange freeze. It was so ono.
“I married Harold two years later, and we will celebrate our 65th wedding anniversary on Aug. 29. It’s been a long run with five children, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. We still go to Wailana Coffee House on special occasions.”
Happy anniversary, Beverly and Harold!
Max Urata says his favorite drive-in was also KDI. “We went for the barbecued pork sandwich. This was thin sliced pork, teriyaki style, stacked several slices thick on a hamburger bun. It was gooood.”
Chuck Reindollar also shared a memory of KDI from 1961. The carhop took their order, delivered their food but didn’t return to pick up their plates.
“We sat in the parking lot for almost 90 minutes, thinking the service was bad. My date finally said, ‘Flick the lights.’ I did, and immediately the carhop came back out. It was my first drive-in. I’ll never forget this experience.”
Capital Drive Inn
Faye Nakashima wrote about Capital Drive Inn at 6th and Waialae avenues in Kaimuki. It was affectionately known as “Caps” by its customers.
“The owner was my father’s friend, and my dad would bring me there quite often. I remember when I was 5 or 6 years old, the workers would let me stamp the ‘ice cake’ flavors on the covers of the containers.”
Ice cakes were flavored ice in a cup, Nakashima says. “They were like shave ice but solid, so you kinda scraped the ice with a little wooden spoon.
“I can’t remember all the flavors, but I believe there was strawberry (my fave), orange, lime, lemon and maybe others. They were really ONO!
“I also loved to see how the waitresses would roll the fresh saimin noodles into balls to use when they cooked.
“The staff all knew me and would ‘reward’ me for helping them with a scoop of ice cream or a chocolate shake. My dad would always give me coins so I could play the jukebox or get toys from those little machines.
“I remember their maintenance worker, Jimmy. He was always nice and talked to me when I was bored, waiting for my dad.
“Capital Drive Inn was next to the swimmer Keo Nakama’s house. I went to his house once, and he showed me his trophies. I recall him being a friendly man.”
Nakama was coached by Soichi Sakamoto and was part of his Three Year Swim Club. He won 14 national championship swim meets.
“I was very sad when they closed Capital Drive Inn in 1967 when I was still in elementary school,” Nakashima says.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
In his book “Showman of the Pacific,” Tom Moffatt said the name “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” came from a live remote “fishbowl” broadcasting booth at the Ilima Drive In on King Street, next to the Wisteria Restaurant.
“That name would stick with me for the rest of my life. Later, I got a better offer from The White Top Drive In on Ala Moana Boulevard, so I moved my ‘cabin’ there.”
Eddie Kamae
I wrote about Eddie Kamae last week and heard from his widow, Myrna. She told me Saturday would have been his 91st birthday.
“We are showing a documentary at Bishop Museum as part of their ‘Hula, Mind, Body and Spirit’ film series at 12 noon and 2 p.m. Aug. 4. It’s a great way to celebrate his birthday,” Myrna Kamae told me.
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