Kaimuki - Wai‘alae YMCA

Welcome to the East Side.

One Branch. Two beginnings.

The Kaimuki-Wai‘alae YMCA has its roots in two clubs practically down the street from one another. The first was a YMCA Boys' Club started in 1925 at the Kaimuki Japanese Language School on 10th Avenue. The second was a Y’s Boys’ Club that used a “shack” on 9th Avenue. In 1939, the shack and the land beneath it were donated to the Y by Mr. and Mrs. Morita Kosasa, whose sons, Neil and Sidney, had benefitted from Y programs. The “shack” was soon remodeled and became the Palolo YMCA Community Center.

Meanwhile, the Boys’ Clubs at the nearby Japanese School were also thriving. Then WWII hit. The school closed and donated its property to the Y. Now, with room to spare, the Palolo YMCA joined its sister club at the school, and together they became the Kaimuki YMCA.

Although the school had donated its property to the Y, there was still a mortgage to be paid. Guess who paid it so the Y could own the property free and clear? Neil Kosasa, the son of Palolo’s first major benefactor.

Young and Young at Heart

As people moved farther east, the Kaimuki YMCA was closed and a new branch was built on Wai‘alae Avenue in 1962. Renamed the Kaimuki Wai‘alae YMCA, the branch focuses on programs for youth, teens, family, and seniors. The Y’s "Over 90s Club,” a group of proud members aged 90+ who stay active and embrace life through Y fitness and friendships.

The three buildings of the Kaimuki Japanese Language School on 10th Avenue became the Kaimuki YMCA’s first headquarters in 1943.
1951 Kaimuki YMCA Kindergarten Class Graduation.
The first Tri-Hi-Y Club (girls) was organized in 1948 and met at the 10th Avenue Kaimuki YMCA.

This club, named the Hi-Lighters, continued to meet for dinner every three months from 1940s to the 1990s. From left to right: Jo Ono Okumoto, Amy Sakuda Muramoto, Frances Tsushima Mori, Lucy Ogata Nakano, Sylvia Iwanaka Yoshida, Mytle Ogata Morita, Helen Iwamoto Ushijima (club leader), Betty Hashimoto Morimoto, and Jane Nakamoto Hatanaka. 
1950s Little Keiki Hula Class at Kaimuki YMCA.
It’s a Summer Fun snow day at Kaimuki-Wai‘alae YMCA!
On April 7,1962, a new Kaimuki-Wai‘alae YMCA Branch was built and dedicated where it continues to serve today.
A few “Over 90s Club” members taking a break from their workouts.

 John Hamano, pictured on the far left, is 98 years young. He first joined the Central YMCA in the 1970s and today can be found working out four times a week on cardio and strength training machines at the Kaimuki-Wai‘alae YMCA. “Helps me sleep and gives me an appetite,” says Hamano. He also enjoys socializing with his friends at the Y.
Fundraiser with Hi-Y teens.

Kalihi YMCA ➔