Blog

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 [...]

Aloha United Way has been a driving force here in Hawai‘i for the past 100 years! AUW has done so much for the community; they have been a beacon of hope and inspiration. Over the past century, AUW has raised a staggering amount for the community, more than $677 million. We were humbled to celebrate and recognize AUW for their milestone anniversary at our 45th Annual Preservation Honor Awards Ceremony this past May. To really implement change and provide support, we must come together as a community. AUW’s tagline for their Centennial Celebration is, “Creating Change Together.” This is such a simple yet important sentiment. Maura Dolormente, Director of Marketing and Communications at AUW provided an incredible statistic; last year alone, AUW invested in $16.2 million into the community and supported 315 non-profit partner agencies. It truly is beautiful to see the amazing things that can happen when we support, lift up, and work with one another. Transforming Lives and Spreading Aloha are two big parts of AUW’s outreach; and they have done just that since 1919. As an organization, they have been able to support and address the various issues our community here in Hawai‘i faces on a daily basis. I wholeheartedly believe AUW will continue on this amazing path of creating a better future for Hawai‘i and to remind us all to, “Live United.”   *Photo from the Aloha United Way Instagram Page

Historic Hawai‘i Foundation's executive director and education program manager enjoyed a site visit to the Hakalau Jodo Mission, perched on the stunning Hamakua Coast on Hawai‘i Island, on Kamehameha Day 2019 while on island for HHF's annual preservation seminars co-hosted by the National Park Service. Community engagement and ongoing stewardship of this beautiful and significant historic place is notable and inspiring. An upcoming  presentation on the history and meaning of Obon and Bon Dance lent an air of great excitement and a multitude of other activities and events such as yoga, farmers market and senior luncheons help introduce new members and local community to the rich history of the Mission and plantation era. The Mission received a preservation grant through Historic Hawai‘i Foundation in 2018 that will help repair leaks and water damage in the temple and social hall; restore the decorative medallions on the temple facade; repair windows and doors and install safety barriers at the remains of the former language school. Community member and Mission steward, Susan Forbes, DrPH, who co-authored the Historic Register nomination with architectural historian Don Hibbard, PhD, gave HHF a tour and shares more below about the preservation of the Mission and what makes Hakalau unique. Historic Hawai‘i Foundation: What were some of the threats that this area or property faced? Susan Forbes: Hakalau Jodo Mission has a small, aging membership. Sustainability is a challenge. Fortunately, the Mission is viewed as an important part of the community. The threat is being viewed as irrelevant in a changing environment. The Hakalau Jodo Mission works hard to remain relevant by engaging the community as well as other Buddhist sects. HHF: What was most needed to preserve the Hakalau Jodo Mission? SF: [...]

by Phil Deters and Beth Iwata Have you ever wandered past the YWCA building on Richards Street in Honolulu and wondered when and how the conception of this fabulous building came about?  You might be surprised that the building has been a landmark in downtown Honolulu for more than 90 years.  You may find it even more intriguing that the building was designed and supervised by architect Julia Morgan (1872-1957) of Oakland, California, the first female architect licensed in California and the first woman admitted to the prestigious L'Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. When she undertook the Honolulu YWCA project in 1925, Morgan had already designed several YWCA buildings and other institutions in California, Hawaii, and elsewhere, many serving primarily women and girls.  Her work included buildings at the University of California, Berkeley; Mills College; numerous residential projects; and, notably, the William Randolph Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. Julia Morgan first worked for the YWCA in Hawaii around 1917, when she remodeled a beach house in Waikiki for the Atherton family and later their Fernhurst homestead, both of which eventually became property donated to the YWCA.  For the Richards Street YWCA, she managed final design and almost-daily long-range supervision of construction long distance while remaining in California where she continued to oversee building at San Simeon.  The almost exclusive and graceful use of stucco reinforced concrete for the building and earthquake-resistant design demonstrated her early UC Berkeley training as both an architect and a civil engineer.  The Spanish style three-sectioned building, with its "gently advancing and receding bays," surrounds a courtyard, a two-story central arcade, and large outdoor swimming pool and dining area.  Ornamental ironwork at key points casts changing shadows while [...]