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We have been closely monitoring developments regarding COVID-19 and Coronavirus and have been following recommended guidance from the State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control to prevent the spread of any respiratory illness. The health and safety of our staff, members and guests is of utmost importance to us, and we have implemented measures at our office and public programs to help protect the health of our community. In light of the recent guidance to postpone or cancel public events and gatherings, and out of an abundance of caution, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation will be cancelling or postponing all public programs through October 31. We will continue to provide updates on future programming as the situation evolves. Though our public programs will be suspended, we will continue preservation initiatives and activities. Our staff will be working remotely and the office will be closed until October 31, at which time we will re-assess. We will be checking voice mail messages (808-523-2900) and email (member@historichawaii.org or outreach@historichawaii.org). Mahalo for your steadfast support for preserving Hawai‘i’s historic places. Our mission is to enrich lives by understanding and honoring our past. We continue to look to our history for courage, comfort and inspiration. We thank all of our members, supporters, family and friends for standing strong with us. Mālama pono, Kiersten Faulkner Executive Director  

Baldwin Home Cookhouse Archaeological Dig Underway in Lahaina The original adobe cookhouse at the Baldwin Home in Lahaina, Maui is the subject of an archaeological excavation supported by the Sam & Mary Cooke Preservation Fund for Hawai‘i, a grant program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in cooperation with Historic Hawai‘i Foundation. The Lahaina Restoration Foundation is conducting research to prove (or disprove) written accounts and physical evidence that indicate that an adobe cook house was located near the mission home that was built in 1834. The archaeologists started work the week of March 16, 2020. Historic documentation includes a firsthand written account by Dr. Baldwin’s grandson as to the existence of the cookhouse, its general location and that it was built of adobe. LRF also has a hand drawn diagram by Dr. Baldwin showing the location and dimensions. Visible stones laid in a straight row in the vicinity could be evidence of the foundation. The archaeological excavation includes public viewing of the dig in progress and discussions with the archaeologists on their methods and findings. The project report will be used to incorporate information into the historic home tour. If the location is confirmed, a future project may be to reconstruct the lost cook house.   Photos courtesy of Lahaina Restoration Foundation.  

In Loving Memory of Joy Davidson It is with great sadness that we report that Joy Davidson passed away on January 24, 2020. She was active in Historic Hawaii Foundation, serving as a member since 2001, on the Board of Trustees since 2015 and as the Board Secretary since 2017. Joy was a partner in the architectural firm MASON, which she joined in 2002 with a Doctorate in Architecture from the UH School of Architecture. She immediately became a key consultant in the firm’s historic preservation work. Hers was a life too short by any measure, but she departed in control of things to the end, ensuring that we would remember all the good things. She’ll always be in our hearts and we miss her. Her colleague on the HHF Board of Trustees, Donne Dawson, shares the following remembrance. Joy and Abundance Joy Davidson epitomized Joy, pure and simple. She lived up to her name to the very end. I had the honor of serving with Joy as a fellow Trustee on Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation‘s board for several years and I developed a close friendship with her that I know would have lasted a lifetime.   We were kindred spirits for a lot of reasons.   And I just loved her spunk.   Back in 2016, Joy hosted one of our first board get togethers at her beautiful historic home in Kaimukī when we hardly knew each other.  I loved the way she welcomed us all in, shared her story openly and honestly, and introduced us to her awesome dogs and adorable pet chinchilla.  (Yes, pet chinchilla!)  I remember Joy saying she needed to keep the dogs a safe distance away from the chinchilla—something about the animals being [...]

AMENDMENT XIX THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES TO VOTE SHALL NOT BE DENIED OR ABRIDGED BY THE UNITED STATES OR BY ANY STATE ON ACCOUNT OF SEX. On August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the last state needed to ratify the 19th Amendment. A proclamation was issue on August 26, 1920 declaring the 19th Amendment ratified and part of the U.S. Constitution.  (Source: Women’s Vote Centennial) In recognition of this significant historical event, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation convened a round-table of nonprofit, governmental and educational organizations in November, 2019 and January, 2020 to discuss how best to recognize and honor this momentous anniversary. The consensus was to weave the theme through events during the year, encourage voter education and share the established and less well known stories of women in Hawaiian history --helping to highlight how far we've come. As part of these efforts, HHF has launched the Hawai‘i Women's Suffrage Centennial Commemoration website. The site is a collaborative effort and encourages public groups to share relevant events, opportunities to advocate for civic education and profiles of notable women in Hawaiian history as well as those today who continue to impact our community in a positive way. WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION WEBSITE   Themes that emerged from the round table include: When women thrive communities prosper. Unearthing hidden stories of notable women and, when relevant, the historic sites associated with them. Civic engagement. Engaging Hawai‘i in this significant event we aim to: Use the platform of the centennial to create public awareness, education, and inspiration. Apply the lessons from the past to the present. Empower girls to tell their own stories. Utilize place-based storytelling. Share civic education and a call to action for [...]

November 11, 2019 Aloha, Just in time for Veteran’s Day, the City and County of Honolulu has issued the final Environmental Impact Statement for the rehabilitation of the historic War Memorial Natatorium. 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 Waikīkī for over 90 years. The Waikīkī War Memorial Natatorium opened in 1927 as a “living memorial” to those who served in World War I from Hawai‘i.  The structure is significant for its long history as a swimming venue and its association with legendary watermen Duke Kahanamoku, Buster Crabbe and Jonny Weismuller. It is listed on the National and Hawai‘i State Registers of Historic Places for both its historic and architectural significance. It has been closed to the public since 1979. Historic Hawai‘i Foundation strongly supports the Proposed Action, called the “Perimeter Deck” alternative. The plan addresses the need to improve safety, restore public access, limit environmental effects, honor the legacy of veterans and the history of World War One, and comply with historic preservation standards. The alternative addressed concerns for functionality, water quality and cost. On this anniversary of the end of World War One, our community has the opportunity once again to honor those who served by committing to restoring this living memorial. We thank all who have persevered and acted with integrity, honor and dignity throughout this 40-year preservation endeavor. With warm aloha, Kiersten Faulkner Executive Director Historic Hawaii Foundation "Places preserve our memory — not only our individual personal memories, but more broadly our national, historic, and cultural memory.  The memories preserved here — [...]

Nancy Bannick, the Hawai‘i editor for Sunset Magazine in the 1960s-1970s, traveled the Islands and around the Pacific taking photographs of people, places and events with a particular focus on scenic, historic, cultural and natural resources. She was a charter member of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation and extremely active in the arts and cultural organizations in Honolulu. The estate of Nancy Bannick donated a unique collection of photographs, slide transparencies and photo negatives with over 500 images of places and people in Hawai‘i and the Pacific Islands to HHF in 2008.  At the time, the executors first offered the images to local archives, but none of the public archives were in a position to receive the collection. Historic Hawai‘i Foundation agreed to accept the files that would otherwise have been discarded. HHF recently donated the collection to the Hawai‘i State Archives. “Although HHF has some capacity to care for archival collections, it is not the organization’s core competency or purpose,” said Kiersten Faulkner, HHF executive director. “We decided to accept the images as important records that would otherwise be lost, with the intention to transfer them to an appropriate long-term caretaker when one could be identified. We are pleased that State Archives is now in a position to accept the donation.” Bannick served as an inspirational role model to volunteers for over 50 years until her passing in February 2008.  She was known for her steadfast fight to preserve Honolulu’s historic Chinatown, the Waikīkī War Memorial Natatorium and Kapi‘olani Park. Bannick was also a life-long champion of the arts in Hawai‘i, and was a dedicated member of the boards of directors for the Honolulu Symphony, Chamber Music Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Public Radio. During her lifetime, Bannick [...]