Waipahu is an older area on the island of Oahu that over the years has gone through many changes in order to keep up with the times. It was originally a small fishing town, before becoming a farming area, and then a sugar cane plantation. These days you can see evidence of the plantation that are still scattered throughout the area, such as buildings which have been preserved for historical and cultural reasons. The area which houses these buildings is called the Hawaii Plantation Village and acts as a kind of museum to play homage to the time of the sugar boom, which played a huge part in shaping Hawaii. Waipahu has plenty of shopping centers, in which locals will find groceries, eateries and a number of different service providers. There is plenty of choice considering the Waipahu Shopping Village Shopping Center, the Waipahu Shopping Plaza Shopping Center, the Waipahu Town Center Shopping Center and the Westgate Shopping Center are all located in the area. There is also a wide range of parks for relaxation or engaging in recreational activities in Waipahu, which are also popular for weekend picnics. Waipahu Cultural Garden Park, Honowai Neighborhood Park and Waipahu Field all have ample space to enjoy the outdoors. Hans L'Orange Park, which was originally set up as a playing field back in 1923 is the official home of the West Oahu CaneFires, a popular local minor league baseball team. The area has its own school district which is comprised of five elementary schools which will prepare your child for Waipahu Intermediate Middle School and finally high school. The Hawaii Tech Academy can also be found in Waipahu.