History of the Lanikai Association

Until 1920, there was no bridge over Ka'elepulu Stream and no potable water. Watermelons and turkeys were raised in Lanikai and the land was farmed using brackish water pumped by windmills.

The first permanent houses were built in 1924. The owners used them as weekend and vacation retreats because the drive over the old Pali Road was very slow and windy. Before the tunnels were built and the road widened, a high-riding Model-T crossing the pali could be blown sideways.

Lanikai was developed as a subdivision in the early 1920's when Charles Frasier, Irwin Beadle and Chalrles Heiser laid out, paved and named the streets. These men also planned the Mid-Pacific Country Club and had the foresight to provide rights-of-way for non-beach residents. Beach-front property originally sold for 20 cents a square foot and was not very popular because there were no windbreaks to protect the structures from the strong sea breezes.

In the late 1940's and early 1950's. the Lanikai Association acquired land for a community park at the corner of 'A'a'apapa and Kai'olena Drives. For many years, beginning in 1951, very popular and well attended luaus were held to raise money for the mortgage payments on this property.

In August of 1963 the first melodrama performance was held by the Mortgage Players. This group was established as a separate entity to raise funds for helping to pay off the mortgage. The original mortgage was completely paid off in the mid-1970's. The Mortgage Players continue to this day making a large annual donation to the association for park improvements.

In 1971-72 the Lanikai Association spearheaded a movement to install the state's first bikeway. This involved a considerable willingness to change on the part of the entire community. The result was a complete revision of the main roads into a two directional bikeway and one-way streets comprising the 'A'alapapa - Mokulua loop.

The next bikeway project promoted by the community was the construction of a connecting route from Lanikai to Kailua. The final segment, a bikeway bridge over Ka'elepulu Stream, was completed in 1998.

The 1987 the old "long house" was demolished to make room for a new building that houses maintenance equipment owned by the association, the Mortgage Player's props and storage space for various other active groups in the community such as the Lanikai Canoe Club and the volleyball players. This Structure was named the "Ralston Frodahl Building" honoring two long time community members for their years of dedication and service. The building was the result of many generous gifts of time, labor and money from residents and friends of the community.

The Lanikai Canoe Club was an integral part of the Lanikai Association between 1953 and 1960. George Perry and Herb Dowsett joined forces to found the club. George did the organizational and coaching work, and Herb provided the equipment and training site. The Lanikai Association at the time had been hosting a number of sports teams for the children of the Lanikai Community. Unique to canoe racing at the time was the participation of the children in all aspects of running the club.