Wahiawa and the Pineapple Run!

I’m mostly done being sick, which means I’m ready (for the mostpart) to do the Wahiawa Pineapple Run taking place on Saturday, May 19th, in Wahiawa. This is a 10K run which begins at Ka’ala Elementary School, and which heads north towards the pineapple fields along Kam. Hwy., then back west, towards Kemoo Pub and Schofield Barracks, and wraps back around to Kamehameha Highway, past the historic Takano Store (whose only remaining historic item seems to be the lone, old-school gas pump, and I think someone new– not a Takano family member– sells furniture out of the old general store), and back up to Ka’ala Elementary.

The first packet pickup was at Runner’s HI on Saturday, May 12th, where I got my pre-run t-shirt and instructions. There was a second packet pickup at The Running Room yesterday, and the last one will be today, also at The Running Room, from 10a – 6p. This is also the last day to register. (Just head down to the packet pickup for late registration). When I picked up my packet on Saturday, one of the volunteers told me over 700 had signed up, and they were expecting more late registrations. Last year, there were over a thousand runners.

I love this run. It gets people out of the city, and into beautiful central Oahu, and it’s always well-organized. And, of course, there’s the Pineapple. Everyone who participates gets a Dole Maui Gold Pineapple! Yummmmm!!!

I’ve done this run every year since 2008. I grew up in the neighboring town of Mililani, so I hung out a lot in Wahiawa (also did my National Guard stint at Wheeler AAF, and attended Wheeler Intermediate for middle school). I still remember dad taking us to the old Dairy Queen, which is now a Koa Pancake House… and I remember shopping for clothes with mom a few times at Duke’s… not sure if they’re still around. My mom had a couple of beauty salons in Wahiawa before my dad got too sick and needed her to be home… Artistic Hair Studio near Coronet, and in another location above what is now Molly’s Smokehouse. Dong Yang had the best Korean food. Period. (Not sure if that still holds true today).

Here is the super cute timing chip I got for the run:

wahiawa pineapple run timing chip

Hope everyone participating has a great run on Satuday! I’ll post some pictures on this blog after the race.

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