One of the driving forces of Kakaʻako in the early 20th century, Mother Waldron is credited with being the individual who had the most influence in transforming “Kakaʻako gangs” into law abiding groups and wiping out the unsavory reputation of the district at the time. She was orphaned and then educated at Kawaiahaʻo Female Seminary. She later went to Makapala on Hawaiʻi Island and lived with the Bond Family. From 1912 until 1934 she was a 4th grade teacher at Pohukaina School, near where the park named for her is today. She is buried in Oahu Cemetery.
