Walkin' Down Kailua Road

My YouTube Channel is named "KailuaKid" for a reason.I was raised and educated in the town of Kailua, Hawaii and a graduate of Kailua High School 1965. It was a great place to grow-up in and my fond memories will forever live in my heart. A few weeks back, I wrote the lyrics to a song which expressed my feelings very well, and, I was told, gave "chicken skin" to those old classmates and close friends to whom I sent it to. They asked me if I could post it online, but you tube is mostly a visual medium and it has taken me a while to find the right images to make my words find comfort in them as well. The lyrics are: Walkin' Down Kailua Road - Redux (Remastered) [Chorus] E ku no ka polu me ke kea (This is the Hawaiian language equivalent to the E ku i ke kukui malama lama English lyrics noted directly below it.) E na keiki kupa`a, na u`i e Hali`ali`a ka mana`o I ke aloha me ka hanohano E ku ha`aheo no ka hae E ku "Dear Alma Mater" Eoe "Kailua High" All hail to the blue and to the white All hail to the true and guiding light Thy loyal sons, thy daughters fair Happy memories share In love and honor, we will hold thy name Thy banners keep on high All hail dear Alma Mater Hail, Hail, Kailua High! [Instrumental interlude] [Verse 1] Number four in a litter of five in vintage Kailua Old Hawaii. - Early sixties. - I had it made. I never really knew just how good it really was Till the memories of my youth began to fade. [Verse 2] The Ben Franklin Five and Dime. - Wigwam - or was it The Cornet? Which one was where, I'm starting to forget. But, I remember most of it. (Like it was yesterday.) [Verse 3] The Campos Dairy, - Kailua Arms, Yacht Club Dances by the Bay.. I won a prize at the opening of Liberty House. Cracked seed store - Also made us shave ice. [Verse 4] The groovy records we bought were sold at Steven's Music Store And when you walked inside the Bakery. Da smells jump't up and kissed your nose Was it Craig's or was it Jean's ? (I guess I'll never know). [Verse 5] I ate at Andy's Drive In - when KDI closed. Teriyaki burgers - less than twenty-five cents. I can't believe I chased the mosquito trucks, With their yellow flashing lights - I had no common sense (What was I thinking?) [Verse 6] I ate steak at “Buzzes" on opening night, back in sixty-two. Fished da Ka'elepulu Canal - Caught tilapia by the score. They told me , “Catch 'em, but don't eat 'em”, Or, you'll be gone forever more! [Verse 7] So many climbs up to the Pillbox, Awesome Lanikai sunrise - To start my day. And when I was older - I Bought a Kamaka - It was an 8-string, - Custom made. I credit ukulele lessons - Intermediate school - Back in seventh grade. [Verse 8] Fond memories of strummin' - And singin' our songs. Parties with friends, - Getting lucky at second base. At the giant redwood log - behind Charlotte's House On the beach at Pilipu Place. [Verse 9] We shouted "Aloha" to President Eisenhower - In front of Rocky's liquor store. He waived back from his shiny black caddie -That was in June of Nineteen-Sixty (You know.) Same time when da Foodland Store had a rounded roof , Now-a-daze home base for "Island Snow". [verse 10] Used to climb da Keolu Hills- da one next to Mid-Pac golfing course Watch da gliders soar past silently - Use da kine wind, - from Ka'iwa Ridge Almost forgot how traffic used to back- up, - At da, "Wana'ao Bridge" [Verse 11] These were the same hills - From where we trap da Mongoose Got 'em ready for 'Friday Night Races'. We had a checker flag - Parents bring-out - Chairs - Pu-pu's and Drinks, There was parimutual betting on da Fastest One - Then back to the bushes from where they come - Across da fairway links. [Verse 12] If you were here in the sixties There's one important thing you learned "Kailua Friends" are “Forever Friends ” And da best kine friendships are earned. [Verse 13] I have hailed to the Blue - And to the White. Kept my Eye on her Guiding Light. Stayed a Loyal Son, Kept a Daughter fair Shared my Memories till I didn't care I've Upheld your Name Kept your Banners high All Hail dear Alma Mater Hail, Hail, Kailua High! [Repeat Chorus] E ku no ka polu me ke kea E ku i ke kukui malama lama E na keiki kupa`a, na u`i e Hali`ali`a ka mana`o I ke aloha me ka hanohano E ku ha`aheo no ka hae E ku "Dear Alma Mater" Eoe "Kailua High" All hail to the blue and to the white All hail to the true and guiding light