Ewa Beach, Hawaii

Let me explain where I live exactly. I live on Waimahui (whya-ma-hooey) Place in the subdivision of Ewa (prounounced eva) Gentry, in the town of Ewa Beach (the address listed on the map is not mine), in Honolulu county, Leeward side of the island of Oahu, in the state of Hawaii. Oahu is one of the eight islands of Hawaii. Although the one most commonly associated with tourism and travel because of Waikiki Beaches, North Shore hottie surfers and Magnum P.I., it is not the largest and is not the Big Island of Hawaii. The Big Island is called Hawaii, but Hawaii is also the name of the state. Got it. Excellent. There might be a quiz later. I provided the map so that it would also add the visual representation for those that learn through picture books, and you know who you are. Please do not send mail to the listed address, it is not mine, I just took this map off of a website for representation purposes only. Ok. Now for some history.

From Wikipedia.

ʻEwa Beach (pronounced /ˈεvə/ in English) is a census-designated place (CDP) located in ʻEwa District and the City & County of Honolulu along the leeward coast of Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi. As of the 2000 Census, the CDP had a total population of 14,650. The term "Ewa" means "Stray" in Hawaiian, it comes from the myth that one day the Gods were playing a game of ʻulu maika and while playing one of the "rolling stones" went astray and landed in an area the Gods than called that area Ewa for the stray ʻulu maika. Along much of the South Shore of Oʻahu, ʻEwa is a reference to the direction of ʻEwa Beach, roughly westwards along the shore. Related terms are mauka (towards the mountains, roughly northwards), makai (towards the ocean, roughly South), and Diamond Head or Koko Head, roughly eastwards along the shore. From http://www.hawaiistateinfo.com/ewa-beach.php Ewa Beach is among the places in which the balance of rich history and diverse cultural heritage is apparent. The ancestry of the people who have tilled its blessed lands are a mixture of people from foreign lands. The present make-up of Ewa Beach's residents comprise of Native Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Whites, and African Americans, with Asians consisting almost half of the area's population. It is no wonder why the diversity of this village's culture is so much nurtured and treasured by both locals and tourists up to now. Being a prime sugar production machinery in the mid 1900s, the Ewa Beach was also able to make use of its lusciously fertile soil and vegetation. From the time the sugar production industry of this tropical island crumbled in the 1940s, Ewan Beach unrelentingly picked up its pieces and remade itself into what it is right now: a tropical paradise in Oahu, frequented by both local and foreign travelers. Ewa Beach has had its fair share of historical wounds from the Second World War, but its recovery is pretty evident, especially in the present-day towns nearby. Being close to the site of the historical Pearl Harbor, something that makes us all remember the bitterness of victory and the spoilage of defeat, this community has bounced back from the damages on its coasts brought by war to fully recover and reinvent itself as a prime heavenly spot for the unending boom of the tourism industry of the Hawaiian Islands.

From me:

Ewa Beach is a busy area that houses many families from all over the globe as well as a rich local population. Although the census of 2000 puts the population at almost 15,000, I would be surprised if it hasnt dramatically increased. You are likely to hear someone ask you where you live and when you say Ewa, it may be they live or have relatives that live in the area. Since 2000, new housing developments have sprung up along the Fort Weaver road. My house is considered an older home and it was built in 2002. Traffic is often backed up and when talking to just about everyone, is the first thing that they mention. I see this traffic and we are actively looking at alternative ways out of the area, but honestly, as far as traffic goes, it is nothing compared to Seattle I-5 at rush hour or the viaduct right before a Mariners game. But it is a pain if you want to get to work and you are running late. There are many golf courses, a Zippy's (it's the local Denny's), sushi, grocery stores and other restaurants along the main Fort Weaver road. Since I have lived in my neighborhood (August 1), I have been able to take a nice walk (less than a mile) and get sushi, buy birthday cards at Long's Drugstore, get coffee at Starbucks, rent a movie at Blockbuster, and get my haircut. There is even a Child and Family Service Center, just two miles away, that I hope to eventually find a position and become employed (take that bad traffic).

Nice to note there are many local beaches within just 2-5 miles drive. These beaches are not the crowded beaches of Waikiki. They are local, sometimes down this road and around a corner til you hit the dirt road and go a little further, kinda local. They have surfers at some of them and many allow dogs (below the high tide line and always on leash, please pick up after your dog, PLEASE). These beaches provide beautiful views of Diamond Head, Honolulu and Waikiki, located (refer to your map, please) on the opposite end of Oahu (roughly 20-30 minute drive on H1, you guessed it, depending on traffic).

I have met all the neighbors surrounding the house, plus a few extra, and everyone has been inviting and pleasant. Everyone has been great about the dogs and there are many, many dogs in the neighborhood (noted by Nash barking at other dogs barking at other dogs barking....you get the idea). Brad and I look forward to Saturday, when we will move the grill to the front drive and set up a little camp and have a good ole fashioned ya'll come, or a new Aloha Saturday, to get to know the neighbors better.

I like Ewa Beach and look forward to living here throughout our time in Hawaii, that is Hawaii, Oahu, Leeward side, Honolulu County, Ewa Beach, Ewa Gentry, Waimahui Place, mahalo very much.