Ka Hale Lā‘au, the oldest still-standing, Western-style structure in Hawai‘i, also known as the “Old Mission House” and the “1821 Frame House”,  is celebrating its bicentennial year in 2021.

Originally built as a residence for the first company of New England Protestant missionaries sent by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, the structure became the first seat of the Sandwich Islands Mission and served as the Honolulu Mission Station. It was in active use from 1820-1862.

The structure was delivered from Boston as cut lumber to be assembled upon arrival (what would be called pre-fabricated today). To get here, the structure travelled around Cape Horn aboard the brig Thaddeus with the first mission company, arriving first in Kona in April 1820. It was transported to Honolulu on board the ship Tartar on Christmas Day of 1820.

After careful consideration by the ali‘i, in particular King Liholiho, the missionaries were given permission to build the structure in March of 1821. Construction for the first iteration of the house began the following month, and members of the first company were residing in it by August. The house remained in various stages of construction throughout the 19th century, changing to fit the evolving needs of the Honolulu Mission Station. The station compound grew, as did its community, and by the 1840s the house had two kitchens and up to 5 families living inside, each family occupying one room.

When the active mission era concluded in the mid-19th century, the house became the primary residence of the Cooke family and remained their property until it was gifted to the Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society to be used as a historic site in 1907. Since then, due to numerous preservation efforts, including recent work by preservation architect Spencer Leineweber, the house is in excellent condition for its age and origins and stands as a key feature of the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives. The historic site, research destination and museum now comprises three historic buildings and an archival collection, all of which are integral to understanding life in early 19th century Hawai‘i. The 1821 Frame House serves as an educational centerpiece of Hawaiian Mission Houses’ tours and school field trips, providing the community a visceral connection to Hawai‘i 200 years ago.

By Elizabeth Po‘oloa, Director of Operations, Hawaiian Mission Houses

The bicentennial anniversary of Ka Hale Lā‘au will be recognized at the 2021 Preservation Honor Awards Virtual Ceremony on Friday, May 21, 2021. Click here for details.

“A View of the Mission Establishment at Woahoo: copied from a drawing taken by a native of the Northwest coast.” Source: Ellis: Richards & Stewart-Stockton

Further reading: “Hawai‘i’s Two Oldest Houses” by Peter T. Young, Images of Old Hawai‘i