FacebookTwitterYouTubeNewsletter SignupNewsletter Signup

Yearly Archives: 2014

November 20: 2014 Most Endangered Historic Places Pau Hana Event

The IBM Building, a mid-century icon designed by Vladimir Ossipoff, set a dramatic backdrop for the launch of Hawaii’s Most Endangered Historic Places of 2014 on November 20. About 60 people gathered to learn more about this year’s sites, and enjoy refreshments and conversation in the building’s beautiful outdoor courtyard. After sunset, guests were treated to a magnificent view of the trademark grille infused with heliotrope lighting against the night sky. Mahalo to David Striph and the Howard Hughes Corporation for hosting this exciting event!

2014-12-19T23:27:47-10:00December 19th, 2014|Categories: Events - Past|

September 6: Volunteer Appreciation Day at Kualoa Ranch

Historic Hawai‘i Foundation recognized the extraordinary support and assistance of its volunteers with a fun, family-friendly day at Kualoa Ranch. HHF staff, volunteers and their guests enjoyed Makahiki-style games and crafts and an HHF trivia game testing everyone’s knowledge about Hawai‘i’s well- and lesser-known historic sites while inciting a bit of friendly competition. There was ample time for strolling through the petting zoo, visiting the history museum and enjoying the beautiful views of the Ko‘olau Range and Mokoli‘i (aka Chinaman’s Hat). A guided Movie Site and Ranch Tour on colorful ranch buses capped off the day, alternately enchanting and enthralling guests with movie film sites and memorabilia, WWII history and grazing pastoral cows. Mahalo nui loa to John Morgan and the Kualoa Ranch staff for creating a wonderful experience for our guests. Most of all, thank you to all of our volunteers: more than 85 people contributed 379 hours of time to support historic preservation activities in Hawai‘i in the past year!  

2014-12-19T23:25:49-10:00December 19th, 2014|Categories: Events - Past|

Jan-Mar 2015: Annual Experts Series Showcases Historic Cemeteries

The 28th annual lecture series will include six expert lectures about preserving historic cemeteries. The weekly lectures will be held on Thursdays, 12-1 p.m., beginning January 29. They are free and open to the public. The location has been changed to the Hawai‘i State Art Museum, located in the No. 1 Capitol Building at 250 South Hotel Street. Photo Courtesy Kalaupapa National Historic Park Photo Courtesy Fung Associates, Inc. January 29 “Gravestones and History: Cemeteries As Genealogical Resources” Nanette Napoleon, Hawai‘i Cemetery Research Project February 5 “The Arizona Memorial: Maintaining a War Grave” Scott Pawlowski, Chief of Cultural and Natural Resources, World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument February 12 “Punchbowl Memorial: Honoring Our Wartime Sacrifices” Tonia Moy and Louis Fung, Fung Associates, Inc. February 19 “The Mo‘ili‘ili Japanese Cemetery: Preserving a Community Landmark” Laura Ruby, University of Hawai‘i at Manoā February 26 “Saving a Special Heritage: Gravemarker Preservation at Kalaupapa” Richard Miller, Kalaupapa National Historic Park, March 5 “Evaluating and Nominating Cemeteries and Burial Places: The State and National Register of Historic Places” Jessica Puff and Regina Hilo, Hawai‘i State Historic Preservation Division The series is co-sponsored by the Historic Preservation Program of the Department of American Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Friends of 'Iolani Palace and Historic Hawai‘i Foundation. Parking for the Series There is limited metered parking on Iolani Palace grounds and nearby streets. Parking meters take only quarters with a rate of 25cents/15minutes. Be aware that street parking may be limited to certain lengths of time and prohibited during morning and afternoon rush hours. Please read posted signs carefully and take note of TOW [...]

2017-04-21T01:01:20-10:00December 19th, 2014|Categories: Events - Past|

Jan 18th – Historic Kaka‘ako: Photography Workshop and Tour

Sunday, January 18 – 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Kaka‘ako Agora, 441 Cooke Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 Learn how to take exquisite architectural photos with a professional photographer while enjoying the sights and sounds of historic Kaka'ako. This workshop will include a brief overview of area history followed by a walking tour to several historic buildings in the neighborhood for instructor-led onsite photography. There will be an opportunity to have your worked critiqued by professionals afterward. Bring your own camera or smartphone. Tickets are $15 general and $10 for HHF members. Space limited. Click Here to Register Photo Courtesy Thom Benedict Photo Courtesy Thom Benedict We'll start with a short talk by architectural historian Don Hibbard. Next, we'll have brief intro to architectural photography by Hawkins Biggins and Chase Norton, two accomplished professional photographers who will help us better frame, compose, highlight and capture the built environment. We'll then set-out on a walking tour of historic Kaka'ako with Hawkins, Chase and HHF staff, and wrap up with refreshments at Kaka'ako Agora. Bring your own camera, smartphone, digital, analog, instant, vintage, or homemade picture-taking device. Also bring a waterbottle, sun/rain protection, walking shoes. Participants must be able to walk about 2 miles on relatively flat urban terrain. ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS Hawkins Biggins grew up on Oahu, surrounded by artists. From an early age photography was her creative outlet. A graduate of New England School of Photography in 2003 with a focus on architectural and portrait photography, she's traveled and lived in cities around the world. In 2008 she returned to O'ahu and founded Hawkins Biggins Photography. Over the years, she has been [...]

2017-04-21T01:01:20-10:00December 19th, 2014|Categories: Events - Past|

SHPD Proposes Projects That Do Not Affect Historic Properties

State Agency Proposes to Exclude Minor Projects from Review Process In October, the State Historic Preservation Division proposed a list of projects that have no potential to affect historic properties and that would no longer be subject to review and comment by the agency, if and when the exclusion list is finalized. Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS) §6E-42 requires that before any State agency or officer of the State, including its political subdivisions (such as the county governments or the Hawai‘i Community Development Authority), approves any project involving a permit, license, certificate, land use change, subdivision or other entitlement for use “which may affect historic property,” it shall refer the matter to the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) for review and comment on “the effect of the proposed project on historic properties.” The referral applies to any property over 50 years old (§6E-2). SHPD’s review then establishes: Whether the property has historic significance and integrity that would make it eligible for the state register of historic places, and Whether the proposed project has the potential to “affect” the property, and specifically if it would have an adverse effect or inflict harm on the property’s historic integrity or character-defining features. The purpose of the review process is to help ensure the preservation and appropriate use of historic properties, and to provide opportunities for correction should a proposed action be found to inflict irreversible harm. This is consistent with the constitution of the State of Hawai‘i, which recognizes the value of conserving and developing the historic and cultural property within the State for the public good, and the public interest to engage in a comprehensive program of historic preservation at all levels of government to promote the use [...]

2017-04-21T01:01:20-10:00December 19th, 2014|Categories: Advocacy|

UH-Hilo Establishes Heritage Management Program

By Peter Mills, Professor of Anthropology, UH-Hilo On August 7 (the morning Hurricane Iselle was heading ashore on the Big Island), the Academic Affairs Committee of the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents voted to approve a new Master of Arts (MA) program in “Heritage Management” at University of Hawai‘i Hilo, which will be administered through the department of anthropology. The program’s main strengths will be in archaeological heritage, traditional cultural properties, and cultural impact assessments, and will primarily address heritage issues affecting Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. The program is intended to complement UH Mānoa graduate programs offered in applied archaeology (Anthropology Department) and the graduate certificate in Historic Preservation (American Studies Program). One major benefit of having such a program in Hilo is that it will reach a somewhat different pool of descendant community members who can then gain leadership positions within consulting firms, community organizations, and county, state and federal positions related to heritage management. Without the MA program, many UH Hilo students end up working with BA degrees for existing firms, but are barred by state regulations from obtaining leadership positions in those organizations unless they obtain a graduate degree. The first cohort of eight graduate students is slated to enter the program in the Fall of 2015. In the interim, the UH Hilo anthropology department is conducting a search for new faculty member who will specialize in Pacific Island paleoethnobotany, who will broaden the range of faculty expertise available in the graduate program. The department also intends to hire another faculty member by the Fall of 2016 (when the graduate program will begin teaching the full range of the graduate curriculum) who will specialize in community-based collections management. Those who may [...]

2014-12-19T22:51:53-10:00December 19th, 2014|Categories: Preservation|

Hawai‘i County Gains Status as Certified Local Government

By Anna Broverman, Architectural Historian, State Historic Preservation Division Hawai‘i County has joined Kaua‘i and Maui counties to become Hawaii’s third Certified Local Government (CLG), a designation under the National Historic Preservation Act. The CLG program is a partnership between local, state and federal governments to promote historic preservation at the local level. By joining the program, local jurisdictions make a commitment to preservation and become eligible to receive technical assistance and funding. Hawai‘i County adopted its enabling ordinance in 2009, and took several years to develop the rules and operating procedures, appoint the members of the preservation commission, and apply for certified status. The State approved the County’s program in 2014. Benefits of the CLG program include access to expert advice from the State Historic Preservation Division and the National Park Service, the chance to network with other CLG programs throughout the state and country, and grants up to $57,000 within the State of Hawaii. Requirements include the formation of a qualified historic preservation commission; the establishment of a local preservation ordinance; the creation and maintenance of a system of survey and inventory for historic properties; and the facilitation of public participation in local preservation efforts, including the National Register of Historic Places listing process. Together, these programs help the community continually identify their historic resources, educate the public about those resources, and monitor changes to them. The CLG program hinges on the idea that local communities know the most about their historic resources. Each CLG has a commission that consists of local experts knowledgeable in specific fields including culture, history, architecture, and archaeology. Through the county historic preservation commission and county staff person, CLGs are able to raise awareness about historic preservation and [...]

2017-04-21T01:01:20-10:00December 19th, 2014|Categories: Preservation|

Preservation is Everyone’s Kuleana: Protecting the Places You Love Through Advocacy

By Megan Borthwick, Preservation Program Manager Historic Hawai‘i Foundation is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with a mission to encourage the preservation of historically significant places in Hawaii. Advocacy for historic preservation is a main strategy in accomplishing this goal. This means that we propose and support policies that promote preservation, and oppose actions that destroy or damage historic properties. Advocacy includes both policy or programmatic actions, as well advocating for specific places. Historic Hawai‘i Foundation encourages and supports the tax benefits available to historic property owners in Hawai‘i, and supports the historic preservation statutes and policies in the state. On the federal level, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation serves as a consulting party for federal projects that impact historic properties. We strive to protect Hawaii’s important places from inappropriate development and demolition, but we can’t do this alone. We often hear from community members about threats to historic places after it is too late to take action. Preservation is everyone’s kuleana and starts with caring about your community and the places important to you. Each person can act as an advocate for preservation. Here are five ways to act now: 1. Get Involved at the Policy Level Support through voting, signing petitions, and writing letters in order to pass or maintain local, state and federal policies that provide regulatory protection and tax incentives for historic places. If there is a historic property that you love and care about—be it an archaeological site, historic park, or historic neighborhood or district—the local, state, or federal policies that promote historic preservation often will provide assistance or protection to that site. Historic Hawai‘i Foundation submits testimony and speaks at legislative hearings to support the continuation of preservation policies and benefits, including [...]

2017-04-21T01:01:20-10:00December 19th, 2014|Categories: Trends & Issues|

What’s the Difference Between “Integrity” and “Condition” and Why Does it Matter?

By Megan Borthwick, Preservation Program Manager As advocates of preservation, we often hear things like, “why not tear it down – it’s in terrible condition?” or “it’s practically falling down – how could it be historic?” We sometimes even hear the opposite, such as “they did so many great improvements, why don’t you consider it historic anymore?” The answer is: condition and historic integrity are two different concepts that play a large role in defining what properties are eligible for the historic register and which properties are not eligible. A property that is eligible for the register of historic places meets a number of criteria. First, the architectural historian or archaeologist evaluates which criteria of significance the property falls under: (A) Historic Pattern or Event,  (B) Association with Important Person, (C) Architectural or Engineering, or (D) Potential for Information. Then the property’s ability to convey this significance, also known as historic integrity, is assessed. The property’s ability to convey its significance—that is, its historic integrity—must be intact in order for the property to be eligible for the Register of Historic Places. This means that the property must retain a majority of the seven aspects of historic integrity: Materials Design Feeling Location Association Workmanship Setting Condition, on the other hand, is an assessment of the physical state of the property and is usually listed as poor, fair, good, or excellent. Therefore, a historic property that has been well maintained and any work done to the property that followed the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties would have high integrity and excellent condition, while a property that had largely been left unchanged and not maintained would have high integrity and poor condition. Additionally, [...]

2017-04-21T01:01:21-10:00December 19th, 2014|Categories: Ask an Expert|

Mokuaikaua Church (2014)

Photography: Courtesy of David Croxford Article Written By: Loren Moreno, HONOLULU Magazine What is it? A landmark in the Kailua Village in Kona, Moku‘aikaua Church enjoys the unique distinction of being Hawai‘i’s first church. Its 195-year history began when Boston missionaries arrived on the Big Island after the death of King Kamehameha I. The current building sits on land once belonging to Prince Liholiho. In fact, Liholiho donated his home in 1820 to be the first church building. It was later rebuilt in 1837. Recently named one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Moku‘aikaua represents the “new” western architecture of early 19th-century Hawai‘i and is a symbol of Hawai‘i’s missionary past. Its roof and iconic steeple were built with ‘ōhi‘a wood that had been cured in the ocean. Its walls are constructed of lava rock and mortared coral. What threatens it? While far from crumbling, Moku‘aikaua is in need of major repair and restoration, says senior pastor David de Carvalho. The church suffered earthquake damage in 2006, including large cracks in the south corner walls, which threaten its structural integrity. Salt air has also caused deterioration in the building’s aging wiring and electrical system. Moku‘aikaua’s steeple, the highest structure in this sleepy community, is perhaps its greatest problem, suffering from termite damage and severe rotting. What can be done? Civil engineers are helping the church develop a plan to reinforce the building’s walls, replace its rotting beams and rebuild its steeple. Work would be done in three phases, but Moku‘aikaua will need some $3 million to do it.

2015-05-08T19:45:20-10:00December 8th, 2014|Categories: MES Hawaii|Tags: , |

501(c)3

Historic Hawaii Foundation is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit organization dedicated to saving Hawaii’s historic places. Historic Hawaii Foundation exists because of the financial support of its members. Please do your part to keep Hawaii’s past preserved by becoming a member today. FEIN: 23-7441972

Sign Up For E-News

Receive HHF Newsletters to stay updated on preservation news and events.
Go to Top