Waiʻanae (1984) | PBS HAWAIʻI CLASSICS

In this 1984 episode of Spectrum Hawaiʻi, Auntie Aggie Cope, surfers Rell Sunn and Buffalo Keaulana, rancher Albert Silva, and ceramicist Bunky Bakutis introduce you to the Waiʻanae Coast of Oʻahu.
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Classics Episode 104: "Exploring Waiʻanae"
Original Airdate: 10/24/84
Rebroadcast Date: 11/23/22
#hawaii #pbs #waianae

[@Michimama60]

Rell Sunn, sweet lady. May she rest in peace.

[@ikaikamaleko8370]

I was just googling her to see if she was alive still and I read your comment. May she Rip eternally. 😞 🙏.

[@ioaneluteru8276]

I was raised in Wai'anae. My grandparents bought property up Makaha Valley Road in the 50s. I came here from California in 1981 when I was 8 years old. Although my early life was rough, I quickly learned and adopted true family values and respect. This beautiful valley and its beautiful people have given me a wonderful experience.

[@ikaikamaleko8370]

Born and raised on the north shore but the Waianae coast was so fun. In the 70s we spent so much time in Nanakuli, Maile, Pokai Bay and Waianae, to me that was the closet you could get to the real old Hawaii, I loved it out there. I miss it so much. This program generated so many emotions. RIP Rell Sun🙏🌴

[@garymlindo8115]

Yeah my niece sent me this from PBS. It's kind of funny you mentioned Rell Sunn. She was one of my classmates. Was nice thinking back to those days. Days that seemed to last forever. Days that I wish I could roll back and relive those times again! There are some who say that cannot be done. I'm 73 years old. I say can! Seeing her name, (Rell Sunn) brought me back to those days for a little while. Seeing Rell there, and even her mother! Who worked in the school cafeteria, who I sometimes helped while doing cafeteria duty in those days. Students don't do that anymore. Thanks for the trip back in time! RIP Rell Sunn. I'll be seeing you when my time comes. Aloha

[@ikaikamaleko8370]

@@garymlindo8115 Yes it was emotional watching this program. My mother grew up in Haleiwa Wailua side.....Polynesian, Portuguese, Chinese, Filipino mix, she passed in 2019 and is buried in Punchbowl with my sister and two brothers.......Rell was one beautiful and akamai local sista for sure.

[@AuRowe]

@@ikaikamaleko8370 Rip to your mother/friend, God bless.

[@ikaikamaleko8370]

@@AuRowe 🙏🤙

[@slugnaholowaa7406]

Beautiful video.

[@Kim-mz8co]

Wonderful to see this film from my old home Waianae/Makaha. Best wishes from Cambodia.

[@JAnotherday]

Oh my gosh it is so beautiful to see the old Hawaii and to learn the names of the different areas of Waianae. It is also so nice to see Rell Sunn. I'm a few years younger than she is and I remember people always talking about her. I've only seen her once walking on the beach with her beautiful sun tan and her Hapa haole looks the surfer girl as she was known by. Gone Young Too Soon. The magnificence of the sugar Kane, and slopes of the mountain tops to the ocean. And all the others in this interview of so long ago. This part of the island needs to be protected from tourism. I understand now that a Korean buyer is purchasing or have purchase the old Chin Ho Resort formerly known as Makaha Golf Course. Supposedly Condominiums are going to be built and of course private investors will be investing into it possibly turning it into another Airbnb investment where tourists will be able to come out there and populate the areas while the investors of these condos sit back and collect their rent money. Hawaii really needs to stop this form of buying from outside investors purchasing land and Condominiums for the sole purpose of not living here but to rent it out. It's a travesty to see that what the new government sees as an improvement the people see as a form of heavy population, leading into local homelessness, and inability to purchase homes because of the high price or cost of living there driven by politicians and investors who cares nothing but to line their pockets with greed. This is the very reason why the beauty of Hawaii is fading. I have also just Googled Auntie Agnes cope to find out that she has passed in 2015 I did not know her but she seemed to have lived a long life. Auntie Agnes thank you for all the love and support you've given Hawaii and its people. We need more people like you Auntie Agnes and all the other Old-Timers not mentioned who contributed by displaying so much love Aloha and respect towards the betterment of Hawaii and it's people. Thank you, mahalo for all your love and support!

[@theway3058]

Ah Rell Sunn to see her so young. Amazing. Rest in peace Rell.

[@Allencartercomix]

Excellent upload! My parents, sister and I had just moved to Ma'ili in the summer of 1984 (July I think) from Waipahu. I was four years old, and my sister was eight. We stayed on the coast through high school, with both my parents teaching at the elementary schools in Ma'ili and Waianae respectively. I think I went to Bunky Bakutis's house with my fifth grade class at Waianae Elementary to learn ceramics, but I definitely remember his name as a Honolulu Advertiser staff writer.

[@JB-sv5pr]

That super cool!

[@FpSNet]

This was pretty cool to see. I've recently moved to O'ahu and alot of my work requires me to be on the Waianae coast. So many people bolster the history of Hawaii giving explaination as to the history of Honolulu, Nuuanu, and all the other more densely populated areas of the island, and I had always wondered about history of the Waianae coast and this provided me a little insight as to a history lesson on the leeward coast. It intrigues me to want to know more about it.

[@davidc436]

Westside! IMUA HAWAII! DEFEND HAWAII! Like go Tumbleland or Restcamp!

[@anthonyemmm]

My family and I vacationed in Waianae a few years ago. My sister and her family moved there from the mainland. Beautiful beaches and you get a sense of old Hawaii. You can still feel the history there. Besides the poverty, drugs and homelessness there is still much beauty on that side of the island. We spent most of our time at Pokai Bay and Makaha Beach. So pretty and uncrowded. The Waianae coast is definitely a special place if you can look past it’s flaws. Not too many tourists venture up there which is a good thing.

[@kristinabouquet7108]

Thankful for my life. Aloha Ahhh Kapolei oka ehu kai .... Malama Aina Hanna Hau Malama Ke kai....Ke Akua bless our loved ones from the past and the present and the future. Our water and our land. Aloha nui loa Mahalo Mahalo for my beginning being in O'ahu, at Kapiolani. Ke Akua bless the souls of King Kamehameha and his Queen Liliokulauni, and Princess Kapiolani. And IZ...Duke...my Papa San Lucky Alfonso Viloria and Gramma Joyce, and Ewa Beach. God bless O'ahu. Im 50 now, the last time I was there. I flew all by myself from NW Montana, the mainland. To turn 7 at gramma and Grampas. I stung by a Portuguese man o war. At Pok'I Bay. I miss eating limu off the beach. I want to be a Paniola and ride on the beach before I go into the spirit world. Thank you for sharing this. I want to be like Rell Sunn. I want to eat Biko again. And smell the fragrance of plumerias and the ocean again. To 🔥Pele💃🏾Hiaka 🎣Maui 🌈🌤🌴🌴🛖🌴🏇🏻🌺🌴🏞🏖🏊🏾‍♂️🌊🏄🏽‍♀️ 🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊

[@S_Davis11]

Missing my home!! 😢

[@Paul11B2P]

Awesome 👏

[@cirokamai1603]

Lord Tally Ho Blears...what a great well known world champion wrestler and his children of great surfers from Makaha. Last saw him working as a substitute teacher at Waianae High in late 80s. Buffalo Keaulana, still going strong, one of a kind waterman who was on the original Hokulea and his children of great surfers and working for movies..Legends!!

[@jjjo7352]

Damn I wouldve loved 75 or even 400 buck price tags for a board, it can get to 1000 easily now. Other than that Waianae has sure changed since those days.

[@laurakibben4147]

I used to live behind the Waianaes on Schofield 😢

[@Lillaidee808]

I agree we are a changed island internally , but just know the island filled with aloha still, it lingers in folks that’s still hold on to it and share it, Same we feel in the mainland and our people get high nose since they moved mainland

[@JWH808]

Railway from Waianae to Honolulu…. Too bad we couldn’t see the future.

[@jaspdx63]

"plus 4% tax" just killed me.

[@FawknHayn2986]

Why home sweet home. Im almost 40 and still remember the story my grandma and mom told me of my birth. My grandma refused for my mom to give birth to me at the hospital so i was taken to Po`ka i bay. Shoot we still in that bay today the fam still paddles for na keiki o kamoi. Who if im still correct is owned by unko Joe Momoa

[@LaniJeb96960]

mostly pit bull now in Waianae today 24:02

[@soleloa5090]

It is crazy how ugly Oahu looks now compared to then. Forty years is only a blink of an eye in the grand scheme. People still remember how beautiful Oahu used to be. Even twenty years ago, it was way cleaner. Humans really are the virus haha.

[@laurakibben4147]

So very true!! I lived on Schofield 79-82 and was saddened by the decrease in military expectations for the housing alone upon my return in 08. Went back again in '12 and spent most of last day on Waianae side away from the hustle and bustle. They should have never removed the memorial cross that once sat in Kolekole pass. 😭😭 over how unbelievable that's it's been 40+ years all total since my feet first touched the island.

[@razorburns8651]

I was last in Hawaii in 1884 and I haven't been since.but I remember how beautiful it was and how nice the people were.i don't think I would recognize it nowadays.but I long to go back someday.what a nice lady,she is typical of the Hawaiian people .god bless them.

[@laurakibben4147]

I certainly want to meet you if you're still alive from 1884🤣🤣

[@thisisallthereis]

Waianae means far to drive to.

[@123downthecount5]

Haoles making clay pots. Yes that defines Waianae to the fullest

[@bsmbB]

Lol

[@userwaianae8841]

Hater

[@thanhdinh3179]

@@userwaianae8841says the hater

[@DinoINeverObject]

I came here looking to learn about my culture since I was born but not raised on the islands, (still have family over there) and as soon as I seen them with the clay pots all I thought was ohhh greattttt this is where all the Haoles got the idea they can come to Hawaii and buy all our native land for their "businesses". Never have I gone to Hawaii for ceramics.... This is super disappointing, but it truly shows how out of touch with the TURE SPRIT OF Hawaii they are compared to the Native Hawaiians. I truly don't understand why they decided to film these people and the way they speak to the actual local Hawaiian whos working for them.... DISRESPECTFUL! @19:10 "One of my best friends is..... a ah the best ah top water person, on the island.." How high are you bruh? lmfao it just kept going downhill

[@erikh9991]

@@DinoINeverObject This was produced for rich white people to get donations. Do you donate, I did. Must be tough living next to people you call names.

[@InfamousAustinT0]

Whats the song at the beginning?

[@EASbear]

Aloha ‘ia ‘o Wai’anae

[@danikojapan2018]

You should see it now. Actually, I don't recommend you even come here.

[@MasterYoist]

My family has lived in Hawaii since the 60s. Waiʻanae could be a beautiful place if they'd get rid of the two huge homeless camps next to the high school, get rid of their hatred for America, and get rid of their hatred for white people. They also need to rid themselves of their "gangland" mindset of wanting to confront neighbors, who are just out checking their mail and violent attacks against the elderly at the bus stops. I intervened to stop high school students, who I knew personally, when they picked up a trash can and started to dump it on an old man who was just minding his own business waiting for a bus. They also need to get rid of their cowardly game of "sucker punch" which has seriously injured many people, who were just minding their own business. And lest we forget the meth lab in the house across the street from me and the local drug dealers who live next door to it. Thank God the meth house caught on fire. I could go on for hours about Waiʻanae. Yeah, such a beautiful place.

[@S_Davis11]

As true as this is and as sad as this is Hawaii is still home to us who are from there. But unfortunately because of these truths we have moved far from our home and don’t plan to return anytime soon!

[@rinkusu254]

The hatred for america and yt ppl is bc Hawai‘i was illegally occupied by america and stolen, our language and practices were banned, and yt ppl continue to disrespect us. We have more than a right to be upset and hateful

[@kristinabouquet7108]

What is the Aloha Spirit? What is the Hawaiian way? What is the way to overcome? Malama Aina Malama Kuleana Stop the hatred. See and seek the Kingdom dynamics of the Old Style ways of the Kanaka Maoli Ke Akua is still able. Da Kine way has to be shown by example. That is how the world will know how to be a better place. Make a new way, by bringing back the Aloha Spirit and show the world what it all about. Be the change! Time no go backwards. Hatred is no pono and racism only make more hate. Not da kine Aloha way ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡have a heart♡

[@bsmbB]

You don't like it leave... waianae culture is waianae culture

[@laurakibben4147]

​@@rinkusu254Sorry but that's as bad as blacks expecting repartitions for the practice of slavery of people they never knew at the very least. Nothing is an excuse for the horrible things people do to each other anywhere. Nothing.

[@laurakibben4147]

They should have never removed the memorial cross from Kolekole pass...

[@user-xd7zr5zy8k]

Waiʻanae could be a beautiful place if they'd get rid of the huge homeless camps They also need to rid themselves of their "gangland" mindset and the drugs And the bullying, which seems to be passed down from generation to generation As an old white guy I get along fine with the locals and find them to be friendly but do occasionally run into the aholes

[@Aloha.Sunny.]

Haha no Haoles now running our own businesses lol

[@williamd.costigan3]

You fogot to mention that they are complete assholes to anyone that not from there!

[@sevenblessed2543]

Yessuh come with respect next time

[@575BRAH]

NANAKULI HIGH SCHOOL GOLDEN HAWKS!!!

[@sevenblessed2543]

When you think of Waianae you forget nanakuli exist lol