Mokuaikaua Church in Kona on Hawaii Island has made this year’s list! Read more about the church and the most endangered historic places in America list below (content from The National Trust for Historic Preservation).
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Photo by Steve Conger
The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places of 2014
Mokuaikaua Church
Year Listed: 2014
Location: Kailua Village in Kona, Hawaii
Threat: Deterioration
Significance
Mokuaikaua Church, Hawaii’s first Christian Church, is a large stone building located in the center of Historic Kailua Village in Kona, Hawaii. Its iconic steeple stands out conspicuously among the low rise village and has become a landmark for nearly 200 years from both land and sea.
Completed in 1837 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, Mokuaikaua Church represents the new, western-influenced architecture of early 19th century Hawaii. This stone and mortar building is believed to be built out of stones taken from a nearby heiau (Hawaiian temple) with mortar made of burned coral. Construction beams are made from Hawaiian ohia wood joined with ohia pins.
The building has suffered from earthquake damage, as well as dysfunctional and faulty electrical wiring, termite damage, and dry-rot damage to beams in the steeple and wooden window frames. A Hawaiian landmark for nearly 200 years, Mokuaikaua Church now needs immediate attention if it is to be saved.
Visit the Mokuaikaua Church’s website for more information.
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About America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
Since 1988, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has used its list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places to raise awareness about the threats facing some of the nation’s greatest treasures. The list, which has identified more than 250 sites, has been so successful in galvanizing preservation efforts that only a handful of sites have been lost. Dozens of sites have been saved through the tireless work of the National Trust, its partners, and local preservationists across the country. Many more sites are now considered “favorable” and are on the path to a positive solution. Still, others remain threatened, and the National Trust and its partners continue in their efforts to protect these important endangered places.
More about the National Trust’s 11 Most Endangered list here:
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/11-most-endangered/index.html
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Historic Hawaii Foundation 1974~2014 ~ Celebrating 40 years of preservation in Hawaii!
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