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USS Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor National Memorial Built to commemorate the lives lost on the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona Memorial marks the final resting place of over 1,100 sailors killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the island of O‘ahu that brought the United States into World War II. Built some 20 years after the end of the war, Alfred Preis’ award-winning Arizona Memorial of 1962 has both New Formalist and Expressionist qualities. In 1966, the Memorial was included in the list of the nine best examples of contemporary architecture by the Hawai‘i Chapter of the AIA. Preis explained his design: “Wherein the structure sags in the center but stands strong and vigorous at the ends, expresses defeat and ultimate victory… The overall effect is one of serenity. Overtones of sadness have been omitted, to permit the individual to contemplate his own personal responses…his innermost feelings.” Photo by David Franzen Accessible only by boat, the Memorial is a 184-foot-long bridge over the wreck of the USS Arizona. The structure contains three rooms: the Entry, the Assembly Hall and the Shrine. The center hall is dominated by seven large openings on each side. The solid floor is interrupted by an area open to the water, through which the wreckage of the Arizona can be seen below. The wreck of the USS Arizona is designated a National Historic Landmark, as is the entire Pearl Harbor Naval Base, which encompasses all of Battleship Row. The Memorial itself, as well as the Battleship Row Mooring Quays, the nearby Chief Petty Officers Bungalows on Ford Island, and the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center, are part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial (originally [...]

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and Honolulu Memorial Commonly known as Punchbowl and historically known as Puowaina Crater, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific was originally listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 as “Puowaina—Hill of Sacrifice.” The historic designation was updated in 2014 to include the Honolulu Memorial and to update the documentation about the design significance of the entire district. The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is located within a caldera that was formed about 275,000 years ago. The Cemetery was established in 1948 as burial space for U.S. military dead from the Pacific Theater of World War II. From January 4 – March 25, 1949, nearly 10,000 World War II casualties were laid to rest; another 1,777 were interred in June that year. It remains an active cemetery. The Cemetery is designed to fit within the caldera. The interior walls form a green backdrop while an 800-foot long central boulevard provides a formal central east-west axis connecting a circular flagpole plaza at the entrance and an imposing marble memorial as a focal point at the western end. Two circular drives wind around the crater floor and sides. Granite markers lie flush with the lawn while Chinese banyan trees line the central drive. Monkey pod, shower trees and other landscaping contribute to the lush and serene setting. The substantial Honolulu Memorial was planned from the beginning and opened in 1964. The crescent-shaped building is centered on an 80-foot tall tower which carries a 33-foot-high sculpted figure of Columbia. In her left hand she holds a laurel branch, symbolizing valor or victory, and stands on the prow of a Navy carrier. The central galleries include a chapel, flanked [...]

Waikīkī War Memorial Natatorium The Territory of Hawai‘i built the Beaux Arts-style Natatorium in 1927, dedicating it to those from Hawai‘i who served in World War I. With its salt-water pool intended for healthy recreation, it was the nation’s first “living” war memorial. Duke Kahanamoku was the first to plunge in on opening day. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for both its historic and architectural significance. The War Memorial Natatorium contains a swimming complex that is situated along the oceanfront in Kapi‘olani Park and is surrounded by expansive lawns, coconut and banyan trees, and other vegetation. The property contains a 100-meter saltwater swimming pool, a set of concrete bleachers that rises thirteen levels high, a main entryway that includes an elaborate sculpture and triumphal arch entablature supported by Ionic pilasters and flanked by two lesser round arches, a set of locker rooms, and a volleyball and basketball court. The War Memorial Natatorium is significant as a major social and recreational local landmark and for its association with the history of competitive swimming. Closed to the public since 1970, the fate of the Natatorium has been the subject of fierce public debate for over 50 years. It is listed on both the Hawai‘i and National lists of Most Endangered Historic Places due to the years of neglect and failure to follow a preservation plan. In November 2019, the City and County of Honolulu issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the rehabilitation of the historic structure. The City’s proposed action is to retain the physical structure of the memorial with a new sea wall and perimeter deck, while maintaining the historic integrity of this iconic structure that has been part of [...]

HHF is pleased to share this personal reflection written by Nathan Valera, a senior at Inderkum High School in Sacramento, California. The essay was written as part of his senior independent volunteer-work project. Nathan contacted HHF with the intention of volunteering (virtually) with a community organization that aligns with his interest in perpetuating Hawaiian history and culture.  He will share a second essay later this month. Puka mai ka lā i ka wena o ke ao I ke aʻo kūpuna mālamalama The sun rises in the rosy glow of dawn like the enlightened ways of our ancestors. - Randie Kamuela Fong* The sun was still tucked away in her slumber when we awoke. Excitement-filled young children who had just finished our first year of middle school, we jumped out of our sleeping mats and ran to get into a line even before our kumu instructed us to. We walked outside single file towards the beach, our feet digging into the wet dirt of the backyard before reaching the cool sand and our eyes still adjusting to the darkness around us. Barely able to see ahead, we strode forward into the calm kai (ocean), allowing the warmth of the water to envelope us like a blanket against the cool morning wind that blew against us.   "We are at a program to learn...embrace...and lead by Hawaiian cultural values," wrote Nathan during his first Hoʻomākaʻikaʻi experience. “All the way! Get your head under!” instructed our kumu of Kamehameha Schools’ Ho‘omāka‘ika‘i Explorations** program. Like every morning that week, we did as we were told, and lowered ourselves under the warmth. It did not always begin as easily as this though. Curly hair was my biggest enemy growing [...]

The season of spooks and chicken-skin moments has arrived! Halloween in Hawai‘i is full of wonder, mystery, legends, and ghost stories. On camping trips growing up, we all remember hearing about the Night Marchers for the first time and we could have sworn seeing the light of torches and hearing distant chanting at one time or another. Maybe it's hard to recall exactly who we heard it from first, but everyone knows to never mess with Pele, the Goddess of Fire. We were warned not to bring pork across the Pali Highway after listening to stories about the mysterious and haunting incidents that befell those who did. And haven't you been haunted by the obake and bakemono of Japanese folklore?  One of Hawai‘i's commanding ghost storytellers, Glen Grant, remarked in his book, Obake Files: Ghostly Encounters in Supernatural Hawai‘i, “I thought about the presence that I had felt at my right shoulder during the ceremony and held back my tears, as we drove through the mystic Kohala night under the lunar bow. From that time forward, I realized that I could never look upon the supernatural tales that I was gathering in a wholly objective light.” Whether or not you believe in ghosts or supernatural entities, we can all recall a moment in our lives that made us wonder. It seems as though historic buildings and scary ghost stories go hand in hand with one another. Over the years, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s staff has heard of ghostly activity in our office building in the Dole Cannery and at other historic places in Hawai‘i (to remain unnamed!) that send shivers down our spine. Halloween may be different this year, but one way you can still get [...]

At Historic Hawai‘i Foundation's Annual Meeting in August, four additional members were elected to the Foundation's Board of Trustees. We are delighted to welcome them and as a preliminary introduction, each of them responded to a brief Q&A. Linda D. Chiu, MD Dr. Linda Chiu Linda has a private medical practice in Kailua, O‘ahu and specializes in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck surgery, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and pediatric otolaryngology. She is affiliated with Castle Medical Center. An avid traveler and photographer, Linda enjoys learning about the histories and cultures of destinations across the globe. Her wide-ranging interests encompass photography, collectable figurines and graphic novel-themed art, and archaeology. Linda's community service includes medical missions to perform cleft lip, head and neck surgeries in Laos, The Philippines, Honduras and Mexico. She serves on the Boards of Directors for the Physicians Exchange of Honolulu and the Ko‘olau Federal Credit Union. HHF: Can you name a favorite historic place in Hawai‘i? What makes it special to you? Linda: Pearl Harbor. The global impact of this site and the events that transpired there have always reminded me of what is truly important. HHF: What’s the latest thing that has inspired you? Linda: The current COVID pandemic has been an inspiration as we have had to adapt and modify our lives to survive. HHF: What are you most proud of? Linda: My medical missions abroad to provide pro bono surgical care for those with facial deformities is something of which I am very proud. Juliette M. Cooke, RN Julie Cooke (on right) Julie is a nursing professional with 15 years of hospice and palliative care experience. She is a graduate of Hawai‘i Pacific University (RN) and University [...]

Preserving Hawai‘i’s timeless places of history and heritage is essential to sustain our communities and quality of life. Today during these turbulent times, it is evident that places from the past are important sources of inspiration and lasting beacons of hope.  Places of history and heritage hold our memories, honor our ancestors, and provide us with a deep sense of belonging to the place we call home. Historic places inspire us with stories of perseverance and strength in the face of adversity. Yet, in spite of their value, historic places are under constant threat of demolition or lack of stewardship and are in need of help to protect them.

When considering examples of adaptive reuse in the Islands, one worth noting is Isaacs Art Center at Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy (HPA) in Waimea on West Hawai‘i.  The Center showcases a vibrant collection of some of Hawai‘i’s most celebrated artists housed in “Building N”, the original schoolhouse from Waimea School that was built in 1915. The Center originated from an annual auction that was launched in 1974 to raise funds for HPA's nascent scholarship program. Prominent families such as the Isaacs donated works of art to support the effort and the auction quickly became the go-to event to acquire important works by Hawai‘i artists. Once HPA began to look for a brick-and-mortar gallery, Thomas Quinlan, president of the Waimea Preservation Society and board member of HHF, and members of the Waimea Community Association presented a unique proposal; finding a new home for the beloved Building N in order to preserve it.  The conversation led to a community call to action to help relocate and restore the building for its  new purpose.* After an 18-month restoration, Isaacs Art Center opened in 2004, and received a Preservation Honor Award from Historic Hawai‘i Foundation for its rehabilitation the following year.  The schoolhouse was named to the State Register of Historic Places in 2003 and to the National Register in 2005.  Also in 2005, the Center was named custodian of the largest collection of works by internationally acclaimed artist Madge Tennent, giving it distinction as one of the finest public collections of Hawaiian art in the state.  Today, the Center thrives as a place to share, educate and appreciate fine art by established and emerging Hawai‘i artists, while supporting HPA and its students. Taking proactive steps to maintain the 105-year [...]

Two grants facilitated by Historic Hawaii Foundation help fund the restoration In 2014, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (PHAM) received an HHF Historic Preservation Grant of $100,000 to restore the Aerological Tower at the Ford Island Control site. Funding was used to restore historic windows and doors; to refurbish exterior and perimeter walls, flooring, and ceiling; and restore electrical conduits for interior lighting.  This project, finished in 2017, completed the restoration of the Tower and enabled a preliminary exhibit to be set up inside. A second grant was used to repair and restore all windows that could be salvaged on the second floor of the Operations Building at Ford Island Control Tower. Broken glass was replaced with plexiglass; window settings were repainted; and corroded hinges were repaired.  Restoration of these windows was a critical step to stabilize the historic structure. This project was part of Phase I of PHAM's preservation plan which addressed interior renovations on the first floor, installation of air conditioning and electrical lines, and the installation of restrooms.  Phase I was completed in 2019. PHAM reports that the final phase of the restoration is near completion. The installation of an elevator to the observation deck enables visitors to view Pearl Harbor from the historic landmark and imagine the moment of the WWII attack that changed the course of history.  A virtual viewing from the deck was shown during the 75th Commemoration of the End of World War II Ceremony held on September 2nd.  An opening ceremony to officially launch public access to the Tower is reported to be scheduled at a later date. The historic Ford Island Operations Building Aerological Tower is a reminder of a pivotal moment in our history that not [...]

A Self-Directed Independent Study Project with HHF By Nayun Hong, student of architecture at University of Notre Dame, September 8, 2020 Nayun in London during her study abroad. This summer, I had the opportunity to pursue a self-directed independent study project with Historic Hawai’i Foundation (HHF). I had just completed my junior year in architecture school at the University of Notre Dame, which was supposed to be a full year abroad in Rome, Italy, until I was unfortunately sent home due to the pandemic. Before this abrupt ending, my seven months next to the Colosseum was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience living in a city with so many layers of architectural and cultural history. I learned so much, both inside and outside the classroom, and was looking forward to applying all that I learned at a firm through a summer internship. Unfortunately, the state of our public health only worsened since my repatriation from Rome and many of the emails I sent to firms were ignored or received with apologetic responses. Although I struggled difficult to stay positive at times, I was determined to pursue some type of summer experience where I could enrich my knowledge in architecture or a field closely related to it. After a Google search of “historic preservation in Hawai’i”, I came across Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s website and, with very low expectations, sent an email to Andrea Nandoskar, the Education Program Manager. As an aspiring architect, I understand that there is so much more to architectural practice than design and construction. As a student of a classical and traditional architecture program, I understand the importance of preserving the character of places, and that is not possible without historic preservation. Although [...]