Every Sunday, “Back in the Day” looks at an article that ran on this date in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. The items are verbatim, so don’t blame us today for yesteryear’s bad grammar.

A $215,000 appropriation has been written into the House-passed public works bill for a Pali Lookout tourist attraction.

Spearheaded by representatives Frank W.C. Loo and Peter S. Iha, the appropriation would be used to build a lodge, rest rooms, restaurant and souvenir shops, as well as a lookout.

Loo and Iha, 12th District legislators, feel the facilities are needed to accommodate the stream of visitors to the Nuuanu Pali.

“We would also take in a few more dollars from the tourists,” Loo commented.

Other legislators aren’t entirely pleased by the proposal, however.

Representative Hiram K. Kamaka, Oahu Democrat, said he feels certain facilities, such as rest rooms, are needed, but he thinks it is going too far to put up restaurants and souvenir shops.

“It will detract from the natural beauty and we’ll end up with litter and filth all over the place,” he said.

He said the historic spirit of the Pali should be retained.

Loo feels the facilities can be planned so that they won’t destroy the area’s beauty and historic background. 

Many Mainland cities have done the same with their historic sites, he pointed out.

He also noted that a number of vendors operate at the Pali now. 

This, he said, contributes more litter to the area than organized facilities would.

The Senate version of the capital improvements budget contained a $15,000 appropriation for the Pali, but to be used only for a parking area.

The Governor also recommended $15,000, the sum to be used for plans for facilities at the Pali.