HistoricHawaii

The Pacific Building located in downtown Hilo is a prominent two-story concrete reinforced structure which carries a physical historic presence and landscape within the core of downtown Hilo and was built during the territory of Hawai‘i. It is the home of Bears Coffee, one of the first businesses that developed the concept of a sidewalk cafe in downtown Hilo. The main building was built in 1922. Lyman Museum’s records call this the Pacific Hotel with a hotel on the second floor and commercial businesses on the first floor. In 1924 the Hilo Library was a tenant on the first floor and in 1929 a bakery moved in at the corner of Keawe Street. An outdoor oven or smokestack stands in the back could have belonged to the bakery. The Pacific Hotel was still in business in 1942 and served as a gathering place for people travelling on the railroad tracks from Hāmākua and Kona, allowing them overnight eating and resting place, and a library for entertainment, and access to other businesses on the first floor. The commercial property has upkept its image as a community gathering place. In order to be profitable for owner, tenants and the islanders/tourists have tried to have diverse businesses as tenants - to be a place to shop, eat, sit and meet. Keawe Street is covered with a canopy so shopkeepers put tables and chairs outside, provide free internet and allow people an open-air dining experience. While customers are eating or doing work, some with their pets alongside, others are playing a music and singing, and making new acquaintances. The general feeling is uplifting and community centered. The 100th anniversary of the Pacific Building in Hilo will be commemorated at [...]

May, 1910: New head office completed in new location of Makai-Diamond Head corner of Fort and Merchant Streets. Photo: Hawai‘i State Archives HPP-7-7-004-00001.   In 1893, Charles Montague Cooke (1849–1909) with his brother-in-law Joseph Ballard Atherton and business partner Peter Cushman Jones founded Bank of Hawai’i.  In 1897, it was chartered in the Republic of Hawaii by Interior Minister James A. King and opened its main branch located at the corner of Fort and Merchant streets. A decade after its founding, in 1903, the bank opened its first branch in Kauai. In 1922, the bank acquired First Bank of Hilo, which had four branches. Charles Dexter Lufkin organized First National Bank of Wailuku in 1901. Five years later, he had organized Lahaina National Bank. Then he organized the First National Bank of Paia in 1913. Lastly, in 1917, First National Bank of Paia merged with Lahaina National Bank and First National Bank of Wailuku to form Bank of Maui. In 1930, Bank of Hawai‘i  amalgamated Bank of Maui. From the beginning, Bank of Hawai‘i’s mission has been to provide banking services to the community. The bank’s growth depended on the growth of that community, which was directly related to the growth of Hawai‘i’s pineapple industry. During the first years of the 20th century, at roughly the same time the territory's political leaders first pushed for statehood, advances in the efficiency of canning methods fueled the expansion of pineapple production. Sugar production increased as well, providing the seeds for Bank of Hawai‘i’s continued growth—waves of new immigrants and new businesses, both attracted by the flourishing pineapple and sugar industries. The growth in population greatly increased Bank of Hawai‘i’s potential customer base, which enabled it [...]

  The iconic Hawai‘i Theatre, featuring an elegant neo-classical theme with stately Corinthian columns, a domed ceiling and Lionel Walden’s mural, Glorification of the Drama, on the proscenium arch, first opened its doors on Wednesday, September 6, 1922. Over the decades, the theater has played a significant role in Honolulu’s cultural landscape bringing live music and performances to O‘ahu. Its original neo-classical design by Honolulu residents and architects Walter Emory and Marshall Webb, saw the theater christened the ‘Pride of the Pacific’ on its opening. From plays, world-renowned musicians, award shows like the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, film screenings and comedy shows, the theater, nestled in Honolulu's Chinatown, has been a gathering place of creators and fans alike. In 1984, a group of concerned citizens reestablished the theater as a nonprofit organization, renamed it the Hawai‘i  Theatre Center (HTC) and rescued it from demolition. HTC was restored to its former glory with public and private funds and re-opened in 1996. While the theater has experienced several shortfalls and closings throughout its lifetime, the mission of the non-profit Hawaii Theatre Center helped to continue to provide a broad range of entertainment, cultural and educational experiences; promote redevelopment and revitalization of downtown Honolulu/Chinatown; and enhance the quality of life in Honolulu. As part of the conversion to a non-profit, the theater was also designated as a national historic property, preserving many of the historically significant features of the architecture.  Elements such as the fine detail of the tiny maile leaves (reminiscent of Greek-style headdresses) adorning the proscenium arch to a large canvas mural of dancing figures overlooking the audience and the theater’s 1921 Robert Morton pipe organ. HTC is the second largest proscenium performance facility in the [...]

  Since 1874, Ali‘iōlani Hale has been the home of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court. The building was commissioned by King Kamehameha V and built between 1871 and 1874.  The name means “house of Heavenly Kings.” Originally designed as a palace, King Kamehameha V instead decided to use it as a government office building for the growing kingdom.  It held the executive offices, legislature and judiciary. The name Ali‘iōlani was one of the given names of Kamehameha V. He laid the cornerstone in 1872, but died before the building was completed in 1874.  Seeking to abolish the Hawaiian Monarchy, the Committee of Public Safety took over Ali‘iōlani Hale on January 17, 1893. Queen Lili’uokalani, to avoid violence, abdicated. At the Ali’iolani Hale, the declaration of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Island was read marking the overthrow of the traditional Hawaiian monarchy and the beginning of government by American interests which eventually led to statehood for Hawai‘i. After the overthrow of the sovereign in 1893, the legislature and administrative functions were relocated to Iolani Palace, leaving Ali‘iōlani Hale for the courts. The Hawai‘i Judiciary remains the primary occupant. The King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center is also located in the building and provides public exhibits and programs related to Hawai‘i’s legal history. Ali‘iōlani Hale was designed by Thomas Rowe of Sydney, Australia and is constructed of concrete blocks that were cast and fitted to resemble cut stone, with a coral foundation to support the concrete block walls.  The interior features two open rotundas with lantern roofs, and the exterior walls are lined with arched entrances and windows.  The central clock tower is four stories high and has dials facing each of the four directions.   The [...]

Today, a living history museum on campus shows how the school has progressed from its humble beginnings. Konawaena High School, located on the slopes of Mauna Loa on Hawai‘i island, celebrated its centennial year in 2021. The name “Konawaena” means “the center of the leeward side.” The area, at the time, was described as having rocky soil, with large piles of pāhoehoe. The high school’s history traces to the Konawaena School, an elementary school established by H. S. Greenwell in the late 1800s next to the Central Kona Church. Its young students tried their hand at agriculture – growing daikon, beans and corn. In less than two decades, the school population grew to 300 pupils. Julian Yates, the county supervisor, and Bertha Ben Taylor, Supervising Principal of West Hawai‘i Schools, requested funding from the Territorial Legislature for the growing school. In 1921, the school was expanded to a nine-room school serving Grades 1-9 at its present location. Buildings included a new cafeteria and shop which were constructed with wood from the original school. Cooking, sewing, carpentry, shop, gardening, and later, homemaking were taught. Principal Clyde E. Crawford supported the school as it met many new milestones. One year later, Konawaena School joined the Big Island Football Federation and saw construction of a new gymnasium – the first on the island – “consisting of a roof, wooden floor, and lots of fresh air.” A Centennial Edition of the school newspaper summarized the celebratory events organized by the school and alumni. It was not until 1928 that the school recognized its official mascot and colors as we know them today. The Konawaena Wildcats charged their opponents energetically at a football game against St. [...]