Oral History –
Notes transcribed from letter from Dr. Hon Chong Chang: dated 6/9/01
I am quite sure the original bakery was in existence in 1920 and even as early as 1918. In my school years of 1921, ’22 and ’23, my older brother and I used to come down from Eleele School during lunch hour and go to the bakery (at 3865 Hanapepe Road) to buy a loaf of bread with guava jelly and split it for lunch – for only a nickel. This has always stuck in my mind as a great event. Therefore, the bakery was operating in the early 20’s. I had also recalled that in the summer of 1925, I spent 2-3 weeks with my father in Hanapepe in his living quarters in the Serikawa Building (see map). At that time, the bakery had moved there as a temporary location.
My theory is that the old bakery building at 3865 Hanapepe Road in 1925 was torn down or was rebuilt with a new building and the bakery had moved to the Serikawa Build as a temporary location. Then in 1927, when the new building at 3865 Hanapepe Road was ready, the Bakery moved back there (& Robert Ozaki was just a youngster then at about 13 years of age and he could have easily been misled into thinking it opened in 1927.) I am absolutely certain that during the school years of 1921, 22 & 23 my older brother and I went to the Bakery for lunch.
I was a youngster then but I was impressed at my older brother for having nickel to spend---which was big money in my young mind. I know of no one that can validate my theory of the bakery at 3865 Hanapepe Road.
I have no knowledge of the people who worked in the bakery as I did not hang around the store. I lived up in the valley about one mile above the town and usually I stayed in my own neighborhood doing needed chores on the farm or lese laying with the friends in the adjacent homes.”
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“a few thoughts to clarify a few things:
Chang Wai Tsing, my father, was also known as Chang Chong (Married name) and to local Hawaiians as Chang Wai. He was the father of 7 children – 3 girls and 4 sons of which 2 became dental surgeons and 2 became medical doctors. I am the last surviving member of the family except for nieces and nephews.
I am quite certain we (Chang family) had no financial interest in the land or building on which the bakery was located. There could have been a partnership agreement between Dong Pui, the bakery and owner, and my father but no legal documents have ever been found. The agreement would have been between 2 good friends.”
(note from researcher Carol Bain– Chang Wai Tsing was an accountant and could have been providing related services for the bakery and perhaps other businesses in the area)
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