With the start of this year’s Experts at the Cathedral Lectures just a few weeks away, what better time to introduce the key person who works “behind the scenes” to make it happen.  Ralph Thomas Kam, PhD, Interim-Director of the Historic Preservation Graduate Certificate Program at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa has been responsible for planning the annual Lecture Series since 2019.  Taking into consideration current events and historical milestones, Dr. Kam identifies a theme for the next series, then proceeds to recruit lecturers within academia and the broader community and finalize a schedule.  This is not an easy task and we mahalo Dr. Kam for his gifts: his passion for sharing knowledge and ability to inspire others.

Historic Hawai‘i Foundation: Please tell us about your personal connection to Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s mission of saving places. What is your favorite historic place that holds a special place in your heart?

Ralph Kam:  I have taught Introduction to Historic Preservation, Elements of Style, and the Historic Preservation Field Seminar, all courses fulfilling requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation in the American Studies Department of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. During a past field seminar, the class visited Kaniakapūpū, my favorite historic place.

HHF: We have been partnering with UH for our Annual Experts at the Cathedral Lunchtime Series since 1986. Can you explain how this partnership started and what you have found most valuable?

RK: The partnership began long before I started curating the series in 2019. In fact, Dr. William Chapman invited me to speak in 2009 when I delivered a presentation titled, “Kaula Lei: The Lei Sellers of Maunakea Street.”  I truly value the passion for historic preservation shown by the members of the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation.  The series has also given new scholars and individuals outside academia the opportunity to address topics related to preservation and Hawaiian history.

HHF: Throughout the years, have there been any memorable moments that really stuck with you (in regards to Experts)?

RK: The opening Hawaiian chants by Samuel Gon at his presentation on Pu‘ukohola Heiau, by Noelle Kahanu before her talk on “Na hulu ali‘i no Kamehameha” and the entrance of Nanette Napoleon prior to her lecture on the death of Kamehameha I made the 2019 series especially memorable.

HHF: What do you hope the future holds for the Experts Lecture Series?

RK: The series has been well received by the community, so I hope to be able to attend the 50th anniversary in 2037.  The pandemic opened up a new venue, livestreaming the talks, and increased audiences, allowing Neighbor Island members and friends to see the historic preservation series. I hope to see a future series focus on the pioneers of historic preservation in Hawai‘i: people like Nancy Bannick and Henry Kekahuna and organizations like the Daughters of Hawai‘i.

HHF: As a lecturer and author, your words have left an incredible mark on our community. You are such a vessel of information and a true treasure to our preservation ‘ohana. What are some aspects about preservation and/or history that you would like future generations to know or practice?

RK: One aspect of historic preservation that I would like future generations to practice is to look beyond the aesthetically pleasing nature of a structure when considering if it is worthy of preservation.  The simple plantation houses of ‘Ewa tell a compelling tale about the agricultural history of Hawai‘i just as the lowly Quonset hut in Kaka‘ako or Wahiawā displays a rich story of the impact of the military during World War II and the reuse of resources in its aftermath.

HHF: Do you have any exciting upcoming projects that you would like to share with us and the HHF community?

RK: I have a book titled Lost Palaces of Hawai‘i: Royal Residences of the Kingdom Period currently scheduled to be published by McFarland & Company in February 2022.  I’d especially like to share my appreciation for the staff of the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation and all they’ve done to support the series.

Editor’s Note: This article was published in the November 2021 issue of HHF’s Historic Hawai‘i News.