The Sam and Mary Cooke Preservation Fund for Hawai‘i Supports Local Preservation Efforts
The Sam and Mary Cooke Preservation Fund for Hawaii helps preserve and enhance historic places in Hawai’i for future generations. The grants are administered through the National Trust for Historic Preservation in cooperation with Historic Hawai’i Foundation. In October, 2022, three iconic Hawai’i sites received grants to help them properly assess and protect their historic properties.
The Grantees
Liljestrand Foundation | Honolulu, O‘ahu
$5,000 to conduct an existing condition survey for the Liljestrand House, Vladimir Ossipoff’s work of mid-twentieth century Hawaiian modern architecture that is now open to the public as a historic house museum and programmatic space.
Built on the slopes of Pu`u Ohia (Mount Tantalus), overlooking Honolulu, the Liljestrand House is recognized as an outstanding example of Vladimir Ossipoff’s work and of mid-twentieth century modern architecture.
Howard and Betty Liljestrand originally intended to design the house themselves with the help of a friend, but quickly realized that they needed more than just appreciation for good design to build a house. After a search, Vladimir Ossipoff was selected.
The Liljestrands gave Ossipoff a brief list of requirements that shaped the house. The family and Ossipoff worked collaboratively throughout the project. Betty Liljestrand was engaged on a daily basis as general contractor, supervising the crew of craftsmen and carpenters. Even with the language barrier between the Japanese craftsmen and Betty Liljestrand, they found creative ways to communicate when making adjustments throughout the process.
Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center | Makawao, Maui
$3,500 to restore original doors and windows at Charles W. Dickey’s Kaluanui Estate. Originally built as a family home for Harry and Ethel Baldwin in 1917, the 25-acre estate has been transformed into working artist studios, exhibition galleries, and classrooms.
The Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center in Makawao provides a gathering place to foster creativity and connection that is rooted in the history and architecture of Maui. The site, the former Kaluanui Estate, designed in 1917 by C.W. Dickey, features Mediterranean-inspired architecture with a decidedly local expression. The original owners, Harry and Ethel Baldwin, first started a “club” for artists there in 1934.
Read an interview with the former executive director, Caroline Killhour.
Haleʻiwa Waialua Historical Society| Haleʻiwa, O‘ahu
$5,000 to complete a historic structure report for the Waialua Agriculture Company building, which was originally used as the office headquarters for the Waialua Plantation but has sat vacant for nearly three decades. Plans involve working with the community and stakeholders to determine the future of the building.
The building design by architect Mark Potter was in the classic Hawaiian style of architecture. The structure, about 9500 square feet and erected in 1936, was the headquarters of the Waialua Plantation for 60 years and was built to consolidate operations under one roof. The Waialua Sugar plantation was created when Benjamin Dillingham built the O‘ahu Railway company and encouraged Castle & Cooke to buy the Halstead Sugar Mill along the route in 1898. It was one of the most productive sugar plantations in the islands.
Funding Resources for Historic Preservation
- Grant funding through Historic Hawai‘i Foundation: View grant opportunities.
- Preservation Funding for Community, Public and Nonprofit Stewards Workshop: View the recording & resources.