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Kaka‘ako, A Vibrant Mix of Old and New

Historic Universal Building/Dearborn Project An unexpected discovery leads to the revitalization of a prominent building in Kaka‘ako and a new easement promises its preservation in perpetuity. By Sara Lin and Francine Murray, Hawai‘i Community Development Authority The altered façade with the attached retail fronts of the Universal Building. In architecture, the fenestration, or placement of the windows, doors and skylights greatly affect the look, feel and function of a building or structure. “We were all surprised to learn that many of the original glass windows were still there, hidden behind interior walls or framing,” said Kiersten Faulkner of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation (HHF) about the Universal Building on Ward Avenue. In 2018, an application was submitted to HCDA, requesting to renovate and restore the historic Building to its original grandeur - the 1928 Dearborn Chemical Company Warehouse. “The project was able to refurbish and restore the original fenestration and window patterns, bringing natural light and openness to the space,” said Faulkner. “The historic windows were also used as the pattern for replica windows and fenestration when they restored the Ward Avenue façade that had been covered with an addition in the 1960s. The windows are the light and soul of the building.” The rehabilitated windows vastly improved the look and feel of the interior space; photo courtesy Dearborn LLC In 2018, the project’s historic architect contacted HHF to let them know that the building had been purchased by an owner interested in and committed to preserving the property. “HHF agreed to accept the preservation easement and to review any modifications for consistency with preservation standards,” Faulkner explained. “Preservation easements are a tool to ensure that the historic building, site, and features are preserved [...]

2022-08-26T10:28:36-10:00August 4th, 2022|Categories: Blog|

Photos from the Statues of Waikīkī Walking Tour

On July 16th, author and city planner Cheryl Soon, Ph.D, FAICP, led a group of 21 people on a two-hour walking tour of statues and monuments along Kalakāua Avenue in Waikīkī. Soon shared the history of several statues and one monument--how they came to be and the intention behind their creation--that are featured in her newly published book, Reflections in Stone and Bronze: Exploring Hawai‘i’s History & Culture Through Sculpture (Mutual Publishing, 2022). The chief planning officer for the City & County of Honolulu under the Jeremy Harris administration, Soon offers a unique perspective and is a natural storyteller. Copies of her book are available for purchase at Mutual Publishing (1215 Center St # 210 in Kaimukī) and via its online shop. Below we share photos of the tour, identified by stop number on the tour map. We welcome everyone to download the walking tour map and enjoy the tour at your leisure. DOWNLOAD THE TOUR MAP 1. King David Kalakāua, Waikīkī Gateway Park, 2050 Kalakāua Avenue Artist: Sean L.L. Browne 2. Gabby "Pops" Pahinui, Waikīkī Beachwalk, 227 Lewers St. Artist: Kim Duffett 3. Bernice Pauahi Bishop, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, 2201 Kalakāua Avenue Artist: Sean L.L. Browne 4. Duke Kahanamoku, Waikīkī Beach, 2424 Kalakāua Avenue Artist: Jan Gordon Fisher Kapaemahu Sacred Stones, Kūhiō Beach Park (not on the map) 5. Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, Kūhiō Beach Park, 2501-2537 Kalakāua Avenue Artist: Sean L.L. Browne 9. Kamehameha IV, Queen Emma, Prince Albert, International Market Place, 2330 Kalakāua Avenue Artist: Aspeli (Viliami) Tolutau 10. Don Ho, [...]

2022-08-12T15:22:39-10:00July 22nd, 2022|Categories: Events - Home sidebar, Events - Past|

La Pietra Townhouse, O‘ahu (Multiple Property Nomination)

Abstract The La Pietra Townhouse is a multiple property nomination. The townhouse was conceived in 1967 and built in 1971 by architect Louis Pursel and developer Bert Williams. The site was landscaped by San Francisco landscape architecture firm Eckbo, Dean, Austin and Williams. The site is comprised of 19 duplexes and 38 units, although the listing is comprised of only10 units. The dwelling units at La Pietra Townhouses are significant on the local level under Criterion C, as a very good example of a luxury townhouse unit built in Honolulu during the late 1960s-early 1970s in a modern Hawai‘i style. The design is based on open flowing interior spaces, use of local lava rock and low-pitched hip-gable roofs, with overhanding eaves and exposed rafter tails. The extensive indoor-outdoor opportunities are typical of Hawai‘i’s regional architecture in the modern style. The dwelling units are significant at the local level under criterion A for their associations with the development of townhouse complexes in Hawai‘i. Unusual for the time, the La Pietra Townhouses are the employment of duplexes, as well as the size of the individual units, with 2,228 square feet of living space, and the size and privacy of the back yards. The development’s amount of green, open space is significant.  They are also significant for associations with historic preservation in Hawai‘i. The call for the need to preserve La Pietra, which had been slated for demolition, was among early successful public outcries against a large-scale private development proposal in the name of historic preservation. Unit 1: Al and Vivian Phillips Residence Address 3005 La Pietra Circle TMK (1) 3-1-029:0330001 Nomination Form Unit 2:  [...]

2024-03-05T17:25:21-10:00July 15th, 2022|Categories: Historic Properties|Tags: |

Walker Park

Address Bounded by Queen Street, Nimitz Highway, and Topa Financial Center building facade TMK N/A SHPD Historic Site Number Not Yet Available Abstract Walker Park is locally significant under Criterion A for its association with post-World War II community planning and transportation on the island of O‘ahu, and under Criterion C for its design as a modern pedestrian plaza. With its broad, paved open space, fountain, decorative planters, and seating integrated into the hardscape, is a successful example of office tower plazas typical of the era. The triangular plot of land is the result of a major road construction and traffic alleviation project initiated in the 1930s and completed in the 1950s. Originally a traffic island created in 1952, it was designed by Honolulu landscape architects Catherine and Robert Thompson. The designed plaza portion was added and the site named Walker Park, in honor of former Amfac, Inc. executive Henry Alexander Walker, Sr., in 1972. The plaza and fountain were designed by architect William D. Podesto and landscape architect Anthony M. Guzzardo & Associates, both of San Francisco. The 1972 plaza’s connection and integration into the 1952 landscaped traffic island is an early example of private development of a public open space. The later period changes, creating a plaza or mall from a block of Fort Street, and the addition of salvaged historic objects and art to the landscape, are considered integral to the resource. The landscape and hardscape work done in 1971-1972 expanded the original boundaries of the park up to the new building facade, and added the salvaged historic building materials, art objects, and commemorative signage to the site.

2022-07-19T20:45:48-10:00July 15th, 2022|Categories: Historic Properties|Tags: |

1308 Alapai Street/ Queens Quarters (Alapai Apartments)

Address 1308 Alapai Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 TMK (1) 2-1-037: 001 SHPD Historic Site Number Not Yet Available Abstract The Queens Quarters, also known as Alapai Apartments, was designed by Jo Paul Rognstad. Built by Allied Construction, the structure was completed in 1969. The Queen’s Quarters is significance under Criterion A for its association with the development of housing in Honolulu during the late 1960s. Queen’s Quarters is also significant under Criterion C for its distinctive mid-century design employing strong horizontal and vertical elements. The open-air walkways at each lever and the cantilevered lanai are local adaptations to the mid-century vocabulary. The building’s rectilinear forms, asymmetry, cantilevered elements, and a lack of decoration are key characteristics of the International Style.  The building is an expression of Hawai‘i vernacular in its use of concrete as the primary building material, its open-air walkways and stairs, breis block walls for ventilation, and louvered windows and doors.

2022-07-15T22:50:46-10:00July 15th, 2022|Categories: Historic Properties|Tags: |

3011 Vista Place/ Martin J. & Mary Condon Residence, O‘ahu

Address 3011 Vista Place, Honolulu, HI 96822 TMK (1) 2-9-030-017 SHPD Historic Site Number Not Yet Available Abstract Built in 1928, the Martin J. & Mary Condon Residence is significant under Criterion C as a bungalow style house built in the 1920s. The house sits on a lava rock and post and pier foundation. It differs from the typical bungalow by its use of clipped gable roofs, both on the main body of the house and its two projecting porches. Other unusual features include the placement of the “front” and “rear” porches adjacent to one another and the orientation of the house with its façade facing the side of the lot rather than the street. The use of Tuscan columns is also uncommon for the style. Elements typical of the style include the projecting porches with front facing clipped gable roofs, use of lava rock in the foundation and the roof’s open, overhanging eaves with exposed rafter tails. The flowing living-dining room space on the interior is also associated with the bungalow style in Hawai‘i.

2022-07-15T22:47:01-10:00July 15th, 2022|Categories: Historic Properties|Tags: |

1828 McKinley Street/ Dr. Claude & Helena Buffet Residence, O‘ahu

Address 1828 McKinley St, Honolulu, HI 96822 TMK (1) 2-8-021-030 SHPD Historic Site Number Not Yet Available Abstract The Claude & Helena Buffet Residence is significant under Criterion C as a bungalow style house built during the 1920s. Built in 1929, the residence includes many features typical of the style including its prominent, projecting, gable roofed-enclosed lanai, square columns, and the use of local lava rock, and open, overhanging eaves with exposed rafter tails. Craftsman elements include the flowing living and dining room spaces with their 15 pocket doors and oak floors as well as the 6 x 1 double hung sash windows. Unique to the home are the ornate Cephas B. Rogers four socket, flush mount, ceiling lights.  Cephas Brainerd Rogers (1836-1919) was the eldest of four brothers who gained national recognition for their manufacture of silver-plated goods and flatware.

2022-07-15T22:45:10-10:00July 15th, 2022|Categories: Historic Properties|Tags: |

436-442 Ulunui Street/ Farias Building, O‘ahu

Address 436-442 Uluniu St, Kailua, HI 96734 TMK (1) 4-3-053: 006 SHPD Historic Site Number Not Yet Available Abstract The Farias Building was built in 1955 and designed by architect Herbert Beyer.  It is significant under Criterion C as a commercial building constructed in Hawai‘i during the post-war period in the modern style. The modern style became popular in Hawai‘i in the late 1930s as an expression of the forward outlook of the era. The style enveloped a move away from ornamentation to a clean “contemporary” design. The Farias building is typical of the style with its clean lines and avoidance of applied ornament. Key modern style design elements include concrete block, concrete masonry unit and brick construction, three dramatic brick, fin-like columns, the canted display windows and the perforated screen wall adorning its northeast-most bay.

2022-07-15T22:42:05-10:00July 15th, 2022|Categories: Historic Properties|Tags: |

2823 Coconut Avenue/ Donald & Lillian Holzinger Residence, O‘ahu

Address 2823 Coconut Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 TMK (1) - 3-1-033: 049 SHPD Historic Site Number Not Yet Available Abstract The Donald & Lillian Holzinger Residence was built in 1926. The builder was Pacific Trust Company. The home is significant under Criterion C as a bungalow built during the early 1920s.  The craftsman/bungalow style is an American architectural style and philosophy that began in the last years of the 19th century. Originality, simplicity of form, local natural materials, and the presence of hand craftsmanship were encouraged. The house boasts a lateral running gable roof, lava rock shoulders on the front steps, overhanging eaves and 6 x 1 double hung sash windows and 15-pane entry doors. The house is also significant on the local level under criterion A for its associations with the development of the Diamond Head Terrace tract.

2022-07-15T22:38:11-10:00July 15th, 2022|Categories: Historic Properties|Tags: |

68-433 Crozier Drive/ Luther & Addie Hough Beach Cottage, O‘ahu

Address 68-433 Crozier Drive, Waialua, HI 96791 TMK (1) 6-8-004: 027 SHPD Historic Site Number Not Yet Available Abstract Built in 1926, the Luther & Addie Hough Beach Cottage is architecturally significant under Criterion C as a vernacular beach cottage constructed in Hawai‘i utilizing single wall construction methods developed on the Islands’ sugar plantations. Elements typical of the period include vertical tongue and groove walls, canec ceilings, post and pier foundation and use of double hung and sliding windows. The openness of the living spaces and lanai and use of open shelving in the bathroom and kitchen lend an air of simplicity associated with a vacation retreat. The beach cottage is also significant under Criterion A for its associations with the development of the Mokulē‘ia Beach Lots subdivision.

2022-07-15T22:36:03-10:00July 15th, 2022|Categories: Historic Properties|Tags: |
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