Perhaps you’ve just closed on your “new” historic home or inherited your childhood dwelling and you’re considering nominating it to the Hawai‘i State Register of Historic Places. Here are some useful tips and resources to help you on your way.
How do I get started?
Download Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s “Guide for Nominating Residences to the Hawai‘i Register of Historic Places” at this link: https://historichawaii.org/resource-center-2/register-guide/ This comprehensive manual can walk you step-by-step through the process.
Why List?
Does your home tell a piece of the collective story of our history? Listing honors a residence by recognizing its importance to the community, State, or the Nation and by deeming it to be worthy of preservation.
Everyone benefits from preserving our historic resources, which are an integral part of the familiar local landscapes of our island home. Recognizing this importance, the government offers certain tax incentives such as the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit. This federal program is applicable for income-producing residential homes certified as historic or listed on the Register. While owner-occupied residences are not eligible, historic properties, or a portion thereof, used as a source of rental income (for example as a Bed and Breakfast operation) would qualify. You can learn more here https://www.nps.gov/tps/tax-incentives.htm
At the county level, Honolulu, Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i, offer tax relief for owners of residences listed on the Hawai‘i Register. These programs are similar in each County and offer a property tax exemption from real property taxation for homes listed on the Register. More information is available at https://historichawaii.org/resource-center-2/tax-info/
How do I know if my home is eligible?
In deciding whether a residence should be placed on the Hawai‘i Register, state law requires that the Hawai‘i Historic Places Review Board and county preservation commissions evaluate whether a residence meets the Hawaii Register criteria. (The Review Board, is appointed by the Governor with professionally-qualified members from archaeology, architecture, history, sociology and traditional Hawaiian culture.)
To be eligible for listing, residences need to possess historic significance and integrity. That is, they need to be representative of something important in our past and maintain the characteristics that made them so. More specifically, the property should meet one or more criteria of significance: be associated with events or people who have significantly contributed to our past; embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction or represent the work of a master; or yield information important in prehistory or history. Additionally, it must possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and/or association.
Common Misconceptions
Do I have to open my listed property to the public?
There is no obligation to open your property to the public if it is listed on the Register. However, you are required to provide a reasonable view of the property from a public access way if you are receiving a county property tax exemption for your listed property.
Will listing affect my property rights?
Being listed on the Register does not restrict the rights of private property owners in the use or sale of private historic property. When seeking permits or land use approvals, additional government review are required before making modifications that could affect the historic character or integrity.
Am I required to make repairs and alterations?
Private property owners are not required by law to repair or restore properties listed on the Hawai‘i Register at a greater level than otherwise required by health, safety, land use or building codes. They may make changes to their historic homes that are in keeping with retaining the historic character. The State Historic Preservation Division is given the opportunity to review and comment on any changes that require a permit or other government approval. This is to ensure the appropriateness of the alteration. Inappropriate alterations could result in de-listing.
Properties granted a County tax exemption shall maintain the historic property in at least average condition. Ordinary repair and/or maintenance shall not alter those characteristics that qualified the property for listing on the Register.
Will I automatically receive a historic residence sign when my home is added to the Register?
No. It is up to the owner to purchase a historic residence plaque. Owners of historic residences who receive tax exemption from the City and County of Honolulu are required to place a sign or plaque on their property of specific size, material, finish with specific wording requirements. Learn more here https://historichawaii.org/resource-center-2/signs/
How long does the nomination process take?
Allow approximately 12 to 18 months for the entire process from researching the nomination through the Historic Places Review Board’s review and determination. Nominations are first submitted to the State Historic Preservation Division for review to be sure they are complete prior to being added to the agenda for the next Review Board meeting. The Review Board reviews nominations for eligibility four times annually. The meeting notice is shared 45 days prior and the meetings are open to the public.
Should I do the research myself or hire someone?
It’s up to you. Many people enjoy the process of researching the history of their home, playing detective and piecing together the story of its past. Your goal is to find out what the property was like originally and to answer questions such as: Who built the house and when? Who owned and lived in it? What were the cultural forces at work when the house was built? What did the house originally look like—inside and out? What changes have been made and when?
You can seek out this information in a variety of places such as the Hawai‘i State Archives, State Bureau of Conveyances, the Department of Planning and Permitting, the County Real Property Tax Assessment Office, and newspaper archives. The journey of discovery may unearth some things you already know, new information and some interesting surprises!
What’s my roof type and other architectural ponderings
If you decide to write the nomination yourself, you need to identify and describe the distinct architectural features that make it significant. Chapter 5 of the “Guide for Nominating Residences” noted above is a comprehensive Glossary of façade and exterior elements, roof types, finishes and more.
Can you name this…
Roof type?
Roof material?
Finish?
Window type?
I still have a few questions…
You’ve become more familiar with the process, eligibility requirements and benefits but may still have questions. First stop, visit the Frequently Asked Questions section (Chapter 6 of the “Guide for Nominating Residences”). There you can find out more about: how to appropriately make alterations for a home on the Register; eligibility for the National Register; restrictions, if any, related to changing your historic residence and more.
If you have further questions, please call Historic Hawai‘i Foundation at 808-523-2900 or email member@historichawaii.org and we’ll provide the information you seek or help direct you to the appropriate resources.
Now that you have more information, we hope you will consider nominating your historic home to the Hawai‘i State Register of Historic Places and encourage your family, friends and neighbors to do the same!
Answers: Roof type: Double Gable; Roof material: Mission Tile; Finish: Stucco; Window type: Casement