4/30/2020 – As an organization, we have been very fortunate to receive support from dozens of people with whom we share similar interests and a heart for preservation.  We are often amazed by how much people give of their time and talent to help us execute an event and reach our objectives.  As Volunteer Appreciation Month concludes, we’d like to thank and recognize our programs and event volunteers, board of trustees, committee members by sharing a few of their stories.

Discovering Hawai‘i’s History with John Williams

by Andrea Nandoskar, Education Program Manager

I remember the first time I saw John. It was my second year at Historic Hawai‘i Foundation and I was given the task of introducing HHF at the annual Experts at the Palace lecture series. As we were about to begin, I nervously looked out at the audience from the podium and John caught my eye. Initially it was his height that attracted my attention—he’s a tall one. But that wasn’t what held my gaze. It was the way he sat, straight and attentive with an elegant understated style. And most of all, it was his presence—you could feel that he was fully present in the space in calm anticipation of what he was about to hear.

John signed up to volunteer with HHF that day and his constancy, dedication, impeccable attention to detail, humility and incredible curiosity to learn more about this diverse and multilayered world of Hawai‘i have led him on extraordinary preservation adventures. He once shared that each new project, lecture and presentation offers up another strand of the tapestry that is Hawai‘i nei.

In addition to volunteering with Historic Hawai‘i Foundation, John has been a board member of Docomomo Hawai‘i since 2015 playing an instrumental role in such preservation projects as saving and finding a permanent home for the Isamu Enomoto’s Labor Murals at UH West O‘ahu’s Center for Labor Education and Research (CLEAR) and helping to produce the truly exceptional Docomomo National Symposium held in Honolulu in September, 2019. In 2018, John received a Preservation Honor Award for Individual Achievement in recognition of his significant contributions to the perpetuation of Hawai‘i’s history and preservation of our historic places. He was honored for “his tireless efforts to complete preservation projects” and “application of his wisdom and sophisticated intellect to deliver comprehensive research, documentation and other assistance that enabled Docomomo Hawai‘i, The Red Cross and Historic Hawai‘i Foundation to share the history, art and architecture of Hawai‘i.” In 2019, John was invited to join the board of the John Charlot Foundation whose mission is to perpetuate the legacy of artist Jean Charlot.

John sharing Līhu‘e Plantation history as a docent on the Kaua‘i Modern Tour in 2017.

Through it all, John has selflessly lent his time and skills to HHF taking on projects large and small, everything from researching and writing blog posts for Preservation Month to standing sentinel at the entryway to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s back lawn at our annual Kama‘āina of the Year gala. He’s created a slideshow of the history of Honolulu Harbor for our annual members meeting and attended numerous Historic Places Review Board meetings managing the addition of historic properties to our website. Over the years, I have been witness to the unfolding of countless synchronicities as John explains his latest interest and pursuit of another piece of the tapestry that is our island history. Everyone at HHF is grateful for John and his dedication, passion and commitment to HHF and the preservation cause.   – May 1, 2020

Phil Deters: Passion and Grace

By Michelle Kiczek, with HHF Staff

5/1/2020 – When Phil Deters first began volunteering at our office each week (pre-COVID-19), I was pleasantly caught off-guard to encounter someone who may be best described as a bundle of joy and curiosity. Phil actually radiates an aura of positivity that is totally infectious.

Phil has an innate ability to put a smile on anyone’s face. His joy is second only to his humility and willingness to take on any task from simple filing and data entry to more complex legislation research. Not only does he possess an incredible work ethic, but he approaches every situation with eagerness and enthusiasm.

Phil has such a zest for life and knowledge. He puts himself in situations where he can continue to learn and gain insight about the world around him, including sharing the history of Waikīkī’s Gold Coast homes with his UH Osher Institute classmates, researching historic cemeteries with local historian Nanette Napoleon, and volunteering at the Judiciary History Center on a regular basis. For him, it’s all things that he is innately passionate about; Hawai‘i holds a special place in his heart.

“Learning about and experiencing Hawai‘i and the people who are Hawai‘i,” he says, “is a challenge that, for me, will never end. The history of Hawai‘i has always fascinated me, and in retirement it still does. HHF has demonstrated over and over again history for most of us is reflected in our sense of place – in standing structures, neighborhoods, landscapes, and cultural traditions, as they evolve.”

Phil has made such an impact not just within our organization, but also in our lives. We thank Phil for all he has done and continues to do to support the mission of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation.

Geeking Out with Cheyenne Martinez-Boyette

By Michelle Kiczek, Development Assistant

As an organization, we have been incredibly lucky when it comes to our volunteers and supporters. We have been surrounded by people with similar passions and a true heart for preservation. Cheyenne Martinez-Boyette joined our ‘ohana in 2019 and has been an amazing asset. He possesses such a beautiful soul, kind spirit, and remarkable work ethic. As Volunteer Appreciation Month draws to a close, we’d like to thank and celebrate Cheyenne for all he has done for us.

Cheyenne joined our Programs Committee and started volunteering with us in April of last year. His journey with HHF started when he attended a presentation given by our executive director, Kiersten Faulkner. “Kiersten did a presentation about the preservation work of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation at an industry networking event,” he explained. “I was impressed with how knowledgeable she was, along with her passion about preserving Hawai‘i’s historic places. I said to myself, that’s the group – that’s who I’m going to volunteer with.”

His first experience volunteering was at the gorgeous historic Dillingham Ranch out on the North Shore of O‘ahu. He was a docent for that event and spoke about the history of ranching here in Hawai‘i. As a docent, he impressed us with his engagement and delivery. He shared a fond memory of that day: “At the end of the event, the ranch hand guided the few remaining volunteers next door to visit some of the horses in the stable.  The horses were unbelievably chummy and golden hour painted the unspoiled landscape with an incredible glow.  It was the exact view that many lucky visitors to the ranch have had over the decades, and it was then I truly appreciated the preservation work of HHF – so that these moments and places can continue to be a part of Hawai‘i’s ethos.”

Cheyenne sharing the history of ranching as a docent at HHF’s tour of Dillingham Ranch on May 11, 2019.

Since then, Cheyenne has continued to impress us with his commitment and enthusiasm. He truly goes above and beyond at every event he has volunteered at. He movingly shared, “While the backgrounds of the volunteers and members vary, there is no ego or societal measuring stick being used when we come together.  It’s an opportunity for those who truly appreciate Hawai‘i’s layered history and cultural experience to come together and celebrate.  It’s okay to ‘geek out’ over architecture, design, stories, history, and presentation with everyone around you and I thoroughly enjoy each opportunity to do so.”

Our hearts are filled with gratitude for Cheyenne and all of the volunteers who help make our events a positive experience for our guests and a meaningful part of our mission. We would not be where we are today without all of you!

Since 2013, Cilla and Kevin Arelliano have been part of our preservation ‘ohana. It is always a joy to work with them, for they bring such light and positive energy to our events. Cilla first became involved with Historic Hawai‘i Foundation through the Bank of Hawai‘i Community Live Kōkua Event. Since then, she and Kevin have been consistent and reliable volunteers. Cilla and Kevin exemplify all the qualities that make up a wonderful volunteer. They always go above and beyond, are sweet in nature, and have a strong work ethic.

When asked why she volunteers for HHF, Cilla explained that she and Kevin love “meeting people and learning about historical places that we never knew of.” One of her most memorable moments with HHF was, “Volunteering at Washington Place and being able to tour the inside.”