North Shore NewsThe North Shore Chamber of Commerce is kicking off its 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Hale‘iwa Anahulu Stream Bridge & the Surf N Sea Building, on June 18, 2021, the centennial of the bridge’s completion. The Offices of Governor David Ige, Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the Honolulu City Council will join in the celebration by presenting a proclamation and certificates in recognition of the Anahulu Stream Bridge’s 100th Anniversary.
A Honolulu Advertiser article, dated Saturday, June 25th, 1921, announced the Anahulu Stream Bridge’s completion after nine months of construction. According to the article, on June 18th, 1921, a 1920 Buick was the first car to ceremoniously cross the bridge. The second car to cross the bridge was another older model Buick, both from the von Hamm-Young company’s showroom which touted its slogan “Buick is First.” The bridge cost $71,000 plus county materials, was made of 91 tons of fabricated steel and was built to hold a 40-ton load. The article stated, “The heaviest tractor the army has on the islands, about 25 tons, was driven over the bridge as a test. A steam plow of the Waialua Agriculture company weighing less than the tractor crashed through the old wooden bridge last year, but the tractor went over (the Anahulu Stream Bridge) with no noticeable impression on the structure.” The article further described how tests on the bridge showed that the new bridge’s foundation would withstand flooding. Furthermore, the stronger bridge was necessary to support the increasing traffic to and from Hale‘iwa and also accommodate the army’s transport of heavy guns from Schofield Base.
The Surf N Sea building, which houses the oldest surf shop in Hale‘iwa, was built by Ikuzo Sato along Maeaea Beach at Waialua Bay circa 1921. It has survived tsunamis and hurricanes over the ten decades – a testament to its excellent construction. In the early 1930s, W.H. Miura and his family lived
upstairs while operating their dry goods and tailor shop downstairs. In 1935, the Ochiai family became the new owners and continued operations as a grocery store. The family lived upstairs and would leave a light on each night to guide the fishing sampans back to moor along Anahulu Stream. Later in 1944, Solomon Wong became the new owner of the grocery store; then subsequently the Mori family ran a soda fountain shop called Chic’s Fountain. Paul and Priscilla Liskey started Surf N Sea in 1964,
succeeded by Ron Stroble, selling surfboards, hardware, guns, fishing tackle and dive gear. From 1982 the Joe and Naoko Green family have operated Surf N Sea there, one of the most successful surf shops in Hawai’i.
The North Shore Chamber of Commerce has launched the site, www.anahulubridge100.org listing a schedule of Hale‘iwa town’s special events in celebration of its beloved “Rainbow Bridge.” Other Continued from page 1 events being planned for the fall are Walking Tours by the North Shore Chamber of Commerce’s Historic Preservation Committee and roll-out of the Interpretative Signage Project, an Anahulu Stream Bridge Art Contest for local school students, along with other festive events to be announced at a later date.
Businesses are also invited to join in commemorating this 100th anniversary! Contact Roxana Jimenez at the North Shore Chamber of Commerce, roxana@gonorthshore.org, to participate and be included in the calendar of activities at www.anahulubridge100.org or go to www.gonorthshore.org, Facebook/Instagram “gonorthshore.”