11/17/2025
In 1942, the Honokaʻa USO Club was established by Elizabeth Cooke, with its first location housed in the Honokaʻa Library. The club was managed entirely by volunteer hosts and hostesses, who provided support and recreation for service members during World War II.
Just two months later, the club relocated to the recreation room of the Unity Church to accommodate its growing activities.
By 1944, the need for an expanded facility led to another move, this time to the Botelho Building,where a grand opening was held on December 22, 1944. The ground floor served as a spacious lounge furnished with game and writing tables, books and magazines, a piano, and a radio phonograph. The second floor offered a variety of recreational spaces, including pool and ping pong tables, a bowling alley, card and reading rooms, a handcrafts area, a music room dedicated to jazz, and a dance hall.
Today, the Botelho Building remains an important part of Honokaʻa’s landscape. The structure now serves as a mixed-use building, home to both local businesses and residents, ourselves included!
