HistoricHawaii

Celebrating 120 Years of a Community Gathering Place By Susan Forbes Hakalau Jodo Mission, located on Old Māmalahoa Highway in Hakalau, Hawai‘i Island, is the community’s gathering place. Supported by an HHF Preservation Grant, Hakalau Jodo Mission completed a five-year rehabilitation project in 2024, just in time for a milestone anniversary. Founded by Japanese plantation workers in 1904, the Hakalau Jodo Mission, of Japanese Buddhism’s Jōdo-shū sect, follows the Pure Land Teachings of Honen. The current Mission building, built and dedicated in 1936, stands near the cliffs overlooking Hawai‘i Island’s Hāmākua Coast on an acre of land provided by the Hakalau Plantation in Hakalau Upper Camp (aka Up Camp). PRESERVING A HISTORIC PLACE The Mission is significant for its association with historical events and is a good example of an East-West Buddhist temple built in Hawai‘i during the 1930s incorporating Renaissance, Mughal and Japanese elements. After being listed in the Hawai‘i Register of Historic Places in 2018, the Mission secured funding from the Freeman Foundation in cooperation with Historic Hawai‘i Foundation, and embarked on what would become a five-year capital improvement project to safeguard its legacy for generations to come. The initiative aimed to address critical issues such as structural damage, water infiltration, and the deterioration of decorative elements. From repainting the social hall to replacing colored glass window panes, each accomplishment brought the congregation closer together as volunteers and professionals meticulously restored the temple, social hall, and parsonage. Today the water and termite damage have been repaired, the exterior façade restored, plywood panels replaced, and roofs fortified against the elements. A significant achievement was the replacement of 1970s jalousie windows along the breezeway between the parsonage and the temple. Inspired by the [...]

At a special ceremony on February 2, 2025, the Hawaiian Railway Society rededicated a historic railway car and shared a glimpse of post-World War II history. The “Merci” Boxcar came to Hawai‘i in 1949, one of 49 “Merci” boxcars sent by France to the U.S. filled with gifts to thank Americans for the “Friendship Train” that sent aid to post-WWII Europe in 1947. Despite post-war shortages, Hawai‘i contributed significantly to the Friendship Train, filling two boxcars with sugar. The reciprocal gifts from France two years later included gifts from every French province, transported in a boxcar that had been used during World War I. Originally the boxcar transported 40 troops or eight horses, earning the nickname ‘40 & 8’. The Merci boxcar was left by the American Legion Hawai‘i clubhouse in Waikīkī from 1950 until 1998, when it was moved to the Hawaiian Railway Society’s Museum and Base Yard in ‘Ewa. The restoration effort took shape in 2013, led by Glen Houlton until he passed away and then under the management of Jeff Livingston. The effort received a boost from the Aloha Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) when they adopted the project in 2015. The DAR provided volunteers to remove rust and repaint the boxcar and its heraldic shields representing 40 French provinces. Although Houlton did not live to see the end results of his efforts, his legacy lives on through the dedicated volunteers who continue to honor his vision. Livingston said that his example and the DAR volunteers’ commitment ensures that the restored Merci boxcar stands as a testament to Hawai‘i’s role in international goodwill and the enduring spirit of gratitude and friendship between nations. Photos by Historic [...]

In November 2024, Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua celebrated the completion of a significant restoration project to preserve its historic structure. The Church was constructed in 1867 and is one of only a few nineteenth-century frame churches on the island of Hawai‘i and is the oldest wooden Episcopal Church in the State. It is listed in the Hawai‘i Register of Historic Places. The building is a single-story, frame structure with a concrete outer foundation measuring 25’ x 50’ and raised on wood posts set on stone. The restoration project began in 2018 to provide structural support, resurfacing exterior walls and repairs to the roof and bell tower. Architect Jaime Bush, AIA played a crucial role in documenting the historic structure and securing permits for the restoration. Mark Hummel Construction was contracted to execute the work. Initial efforts focused on restoring the Sacristy, South Wall, and North Wall. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a suspension of work in 2020-2021. In 2022, with support from the grant from the Freeman Foundation in cooperation with Historic Hawaii Foundation, restoration efforts resumed. The remaining tasks included restoring the Mauka Wall, Makai Wall, Tower, and Steeple. Structural repairs and replacements of rotted wood ensured the stability and safety of the tower, while volunteers assisted in cleaning and painting the interior walls. The restoration of the steeple was made easier when a former Junior Warden came back to visit and admired the restoration done to date, assured the church leadership that previous reinforcements had secured its structure. A report was confirmed and only a few problematic wood supports had to be replaced. Throughout the restoration, the church community adapted by holding services in the Queen Emma Community Center. Despite [...]

The National Trust for Historic Preservation selected five historic small restaurants on Maui for grant support in response to the economic impacts from the 2023 fires. Small businesses on Maui, heavily reliant on tourism, have weathered a series of devastating challenges over the past five years. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic led to travel restrictions, which resulted in widespread unemployment and the closure of numerous restaurants. While the easing of the pandemic brought some relief, labor shortages and soaring product prices quickly placed new pressures on already struggling enterprises. In August 2023, the island was hit by catastrophic fires in Lahaina and Kula, further stalling tourism and economic recovery. Against this backdrop, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, funded by American Express, launched a special grant program aimed at revitalizing historic restaurants on Maui. The initiative, an offshoot of the “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” program that started in 2021, offered $40,000 renovation grants to five selected eateries. The goal was to support these establishments in preserving their historical significance while navigating the financial strains of the past few years. The Trust worked closely with the Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation to identify and encourage potential grant recipients. HHF Trustees met with several of the grantees to encourage them to apply and to refine their applications. The selected restaurants, each representing different phases of Maui’s rich history, are essential community fixtures. The grants have not only provided financial relief but also renewed hope and optimism for the future of Maui. The selected restaurants are: Ichiban Okazuya is a traditional Japanese delicatessen near Wailuku. Established in 1982 in what was once a plantation house, it is one of the last remaining okazuya eateries on the island. Co-owner [...]