You Can't Go Home Again

The American Legion office on McCully Street, a few blocks from Waikiki, is dwarfed by the high rises surrounding it.

The structure is a reminder of the neighborhood as it looked before the War--small single-family dwellings that were outfitted with then-modern conveniences of indoor plumbing, telephones, and electricity.

The high-rise behind the American Legion office was built on the site of Everybody's Supermarket, which closed in 1981.

Spruced up, this house is at least 70 years old.

While working as a stockboy at Everybody's, my brother tried to stop a robbery by grabbing the steering wheel of the getaway car. Thankfully, everyone survived.

He and I walked around the neighborhood last year to check out the changes. Heat, humidity, and termites have taken their toll on the houses, many of which have been replaced by small apartment buildings.

I've grown used to the cooler climes and spaciousness of Northern California. It will be tough to move back to the old neighborhood.