There was tremendous damage to the Waiākea Peninsula as a result of the 1960 tsunami. Before the tsunami, there had been a town there (now the site of Banyan Drive, the hotels, and golf course).  At its peak in the 1950’s, Waiākea Town had a population of some 5,000 people living within ten square miles.  There had been forty businesses, the electric and Canec plants, a school, theater, churches, and a social center.  There are many stories told by the survivors of Waiākea Town, all highlighting what an idyllic place it was.