the community of Niu Valley. Some residents will readily admit there’s no well known landmark or stunning scenic spot that attracts tourists in any way. But as KITV’s Kenny Choi found out, the valley has kept its folksy charm thanks in part to a community committed to keeping it that way. Drive toward Hawaii Kai from Diamondhead, and you’ll find a place nestled between Kuliouou and Aina Haina.
JOSH MAROCCO- KING’S CHAPEL PASTOR “07:40 HAVE TO BE CAREFUL IF BLINK TOO QUICKLY YOU’LL MIISS IT,” It’s Niu Valley.
And on this Wednesday night… 00: 20:21 “JESUS! JESUS” – .
..music and worship fill the air at King’s Chapel Church…
…while just down the street..
. women come together to share the rhythm and cadence of hula… NATS HULA 56:20 DANCING .
..and like the soft movements of dancers, this community is also harmonious and tightly-knit . Until you ask what the town’s name actually means..
. SHAUN TAJIMA – NIU VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL 17:11 NIU VALLEY STANDS FOR COCONUT.. COCUNUT VALLEY,” KAUI LUCAS- RESIDENT 26:38 “NIU IS NOT THE VALLEY..
THERE ARE 2 VALLEYS PIA.. AND KUPAUA AND KULEPEMO RIDGE IN MIDDLE..
THIS WHOLE AREA IS THE AHU PUAA OF NIU.
” Kaui Lucas is a descendent of the Lucas family, which has rich ties to this land going all the way back to King Kamehameha the First. KAUI LUCAS- 27:32 PIA IS HAWAIAN WORD FOR ARROWROOT… BUTT 27:48 RIDGE IN MIDDLE KULEPEMO RIDGE FLAPPING CHICKEN,” NATS: 10:45 IS THERE AN EGG IN THERE.
OH SHUCKS!!! Laura Thompson, is also a descendent of the Lucas family and lives far back in the valley. She used to roam the area on horseback with her father–Charles Lucas, who founded Niu Dairy, which flourished in the early 1900’s.
LAURA THOMPSON – 11:08 “2 DAIRIES THEN NOTHING AFTER THE WAR,” NATS/2SHOT 11:45 THEY WERE GOING TO PUT UP 35 HOUSES DECIDED TO MOVE UP HERE, LUCKY,” LAURA THOMPSON – 05:48 “NOW I SEE JI BOXES OPENED LAST WEEK.. UP WITH TIMES I GUESS. QUITE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IT USED TO BE. OH YEAH,” What was once farmland is now a community of homes, churches, restaurants, and schools.
LAURA THOMPSON – 03:06 I WOULD MUCH RATHER HAVE IT COWS AND HORSES! HOWEER I LOVE THE WAY IT IS! 2SHOT BONNIE OZAKI JAMES – WALDORF SCHOOL 21:03 THIS IS CLORINDA LUCAS AND CHARLES.. In 1961, the Lucas family gave land to the founders of Waldorf School so they could build what they had envisioned.
BONNIE OZAKI JAMES 25:47 IT’S A PEACFUL GENTLE PLACE..WE HOPE …
OUR SCHOOL IS A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO WHOLE ETHOS OF WHOLE AREA,” …While education attracts families to the area, what drives the local economy here is the Niu Valley Shopping Center, which is owned by King’s Chapel Church.
It has an array of eateries from fast food, to fine dining at Le Bistro.
NATS 2 SHOT KENNY AND ALLAN 00:26:20 “ALAN GOOD TO SEE YOU .. THANKS FOR COMING,” Executive chef and owner Alan Takasaki is the mainstay here. NATS 35:30 WE’RE JUST GOING TO WORK IT IN..
” Takasaki started washing dishes some 30 years ago… 00:32:37 THIS IS WHERE I GREW UP 1 VALLEY OVER KULIOOU WENT NIU VALLEY INTERMEDIAT E..
CAME TO SHOPPING CENTER TO GET ICEE,” He always dreamed of opening up a restaurant.. and finally got that chance a week and half before 9-eleven.
ALAN TAKASAKI- CHEF LE BISTRO 00:33:24 THE COMMUNITY RALLIED AROUND US, FOUND OUT LATER SAID THEY CAME ITN BECAUSE FELT SORRY FOR US,” butt 00:33:03 IT’S VERY CLOSE KNIT VERY SUPPORTIVE, Close knit..
Supportive. It’s no surprise residents will tell you… The most important thing in Niu Valley.
. 2SHOT 37:33 LOOKS BEAUTIFUL SMELLS GOOD! THAT’S IT! Is WHO lives here. JOSH MORACCO – KING’S CHAPEL PASTOR 06:02 “ITS VERY QUIET TENDER HEARTED PEOPLE WHO LOVE THIS PLACE.
. LOVE THIS COMMUNITY,” might not want this bite ERIN WILLIAMS – NIU VALLEY TEACHER 25:07 IT HAS SPECIAL MANA SPIRIT CAN SEE IT IN THE PEOPLE,” Some residents in the Niu area are also working to preserve some of the fishponds that once thrived there.
You’ll want to see the before and AFTer pictures. Tune in tomorrow on KITV4 News This Morning to see what that entails..
Yunji, Paula? Let’s check in now with Mike Cherry to see what’s coming.
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