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Students Enjoy Learning about the History of Transportation in Mākaha On May 8, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation, the Hawai‘i State Department of Transportation (HDOT) & the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) teamed up to share the story of the Mākaha Bridges with more than seventy Career and Technical Education students studying Marine Sciences, Agriculture and Hawaiian Studies at Wai‘anae High School. The historical bridges are being replaced. As mitigation for their loss, HDOT and FHWA commissioned the development of a pamphlet documenting the history of transportation in Mākaha.  (Click here to view the pamphlet.)  The presentation shared cultural history of the region, historical significance of the bridges, engineering challenges, and steps in the preservation process that led to the decision to remove the bridges and create the pamphlet as mitigation. (Click here to view the presentation.) Copies of the pamphlet were distributed to the students.  HHF, HDOT and FHWA staff presented with Boday Borres, P.E., a Senior Transportation Engineer from the Federal Highway Administration's Hawaii Division, providing an impromptu engineering lesson. A lively Q&A followed the presentation with students in the Marine Science program interested to learn what protective measures were being implemented to safeguard the ocean and reef from sedimentation runoff during the removal and new construction process and Hawaiian Studies students interested in the cultural impacts of the project. Students were also exposed to a range of possible career opportunities available in preservation-related fields. HHF extends much mahalo to Wai‘anae High School's CTE faculty, Dana Hoppe and Shannon Bucasa, who welcomed us and made our presentation possible.  

Our experiences in the field are diverse! Recently our Executive Director, Kiersten Faulkner, was invited on a hard hat tour of the restoration work underway at the iconic Cathedral Basilica Our Lady of Peace in downtown Honolulu.  "The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, located at the north end of Fort Street Mall in downtown Honolulu, is said to be the oldest Catholic cathedral in continuous use in the United States and one of the oldest existing buildings in the downtown area."* The Cathedral is a National Historic Landmark. The coral block columns were revealed for the first time since 1843 this week.   HHF staff had a hard hat tour with historic architect Barbara Shideler (Mason Architects), construction project manager Mladena Kukin (Trinity) and the crews from Constructors Hawai‘i to see the work in progress on this restoration project. The coral block walls and columns are being patched with a lime mortar that allows them to breathe and then will be sheathed in a special plaster from Germany that will restore the original appearance. The work is planned to be complete in time for the 175th anniversary commemoration in August. *http://www.cathedralofourladyofpeace.com/History.html 

Ever wonder what Section 106 Consultation looks like? What is Section 106? The portion of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) that is concerned with Federal undertakings. That is, a project, activity, or program either funded, permitted, licensed, or approved by a Federal Agency. Undertakings may take place either on or off federally controlled property and include new and continuing projects, activities, or programs and any of their elements not previously considered under Section 106. Who participates in the consultation? It’s mostly people with various interests meeting about aspects of an a proposed project to collectively discuss the goals of the proposal, how it might affect historic properties and seeking to understand each other’s perspectives in hopes of reaching agreement. In the photo above are two consulting parties for the Leeward Bikeway project—Chad Taniguchi of the Hawaii Bicycling League and Steve Vendt of the Hawaiian Railway Society—in the conference room at Hawaii Department of Transportation waiting for the final meeting. The parties have reached agreement on the proposed design and mitigation measures and are waiting for the Memorandum of Agreement to be finalized in the next few weeks.

Spring Awakening Kanewai Spring, one of the last freshwater springs in Honolulu, is saved, thanks to relationship building, community outreach and organizing and a lot of yardwork. Eight years, eight long years. That’s how long it took for the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center to acquire Kanewai Spring, a lava tube-fed, freshwater spring on the grounds of a broken-down estate along East Honolulu’s busy Kalanianaole Highway. It was eight years of relationship building, negotiating, community outreach and organizing, politicking, lawyering, grant writing and fundraising, but, truth be told, most of the nonprofit’s conservation effort was spent doing yardwork. Chris Cramer tells the story of the rebirth of Kanewai Spring. In 2010, the property, which hadn’t been occupied for decades, was mired in litigation and tangled by a small forest of haole koa trees when Chris Cramer, President of the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, called the landowners with a proposal. “I shared with them that they had an ancient spring underneath all the invasive vegetation on their property, and we proposed to properly bring it back to health,” says Cramer. “As we got to know the owners, we learned that they wanted to sell the property one day, so I said: ‘Whenever that day comes, we’d like to buy it.’” When the landowners agreed to the first part of the organization’s proposal, Cramer, a former schoolteacher, and fellow Heritage Center volunteers discovered nearly an acre of dense brush almost two stories high. However, they eventually uncovered a 1,000 square-foot, stagnant spring that had once been the home’s water feature and before that an important source of fresh water for Kanewai Fishpond, once a thriving estuary, which in turn flowed into nearby Paiko Lagoon and then [...]

Camp Tarawa USOs By Fred Greguras I have recently attended several reunions of Iwo Jima veterans who trained at Camp Tarawa on the Big Island of Hawaii. The highlight was exploring the Big Island with them during the Fifth Marine Division Association (FMDA) reunion in October, 2017. In listening to the vets, the two most common memories I heard were about the graciousness of the people of the Big Island and the relief they felt when the word came down that the Japanese had surrendered after the two atomic bombs were dropped so they wouldn't have to invade the mainland of Japan which is what they were training to do. One of the places the Marines remembered liking on the Big Island were the United Service Organizations (USO) so I thought it would be interesting to try to identify where they were and what happened to them. The United Service Organizations offered a touch of home for servicemen during WWII through activities and events such as dances, movies, music and a place to write a letter home or grab a free cup of coffee and a sandwich. Founded in 1941, the USO was created at the request of President Franklin Roosevelt. His call brought six organizations (YMCA, YWCA, Salvation Army, National Catholic Community Service, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board) together to form a private, non-profit organization to provide morale, entertainment and other support services for U.S. military personnel away from home. The Big Island USO was organized on September 14, 1941 and USO facilities were opened throughout the island beginning in early 1942 in buildings such as former stores, public libraries, church and school buildings, community halls and other places. [...]

In March, 2018, HHF staff took a field trip to Kalaeloa Heritage Park and was treated to an interpretive tour of this special heritage site with a cultural, military and plantation past. Our hosts, Uncle Shad Kane and Kawika Shook, shared the history of the area, their vision for the future and the steps community is taking to bring this vision to life. We were so moved, we asked Kawika to elaborate so we could share it more broadly. (All photos courtesy of the Kalaeloa Heritage & Legacy Foundation.) Why Kalaeloa Heritage Park Matters and a Vision for Its Future Historic Hawaii Foundation:  Please describe the goals of the Kalaeloa Heritage Park restoration project. Kawika Shook on behalf of the Kalaeloa Heritage Center: The primary goal of the Kalaeloa Heritage Park (KHP) is to preserve the historic sites, structures, preserve the cultural landscape of Kalaeloa, and to share this special place through engaging our communities and visitors from around the world. The KHP is meant to serve as an educational and cultural resource in Ewa and Kapolei. One of the long-term goals is to establish and foster partnerships with schools and educational institutions in the community. It’s a place for stewardship and networking as well as an ideal venue for place-based and culture-based education.  Kalaeloa Heritage Park  HHF: Who is involved in the project? Shad Kane, left & Dwight Victor, right, accepting the 2017 Cultural Stewardship Award from the Society of Hawaiian Archaeology   KS: The project is led by current board President Dwight Victor, the Kalaeloa Heritage & Legacy Foundation (KHLF) board members and stewarded by community volunteers and organizations. Every last Saturday of the month, the KHLF hosts community work days at [...]

Entertaining Hawai‘i since 1917 Over the past 100 years*, Consolidated Theatres has been a staple of entertainment here in Hawai‘i. We all lead busy lives making it even more special when we can be transported to a different world, even if only for a brief moment in time. For a couple of hours anything is possible--we can fight among the Avengers, sail the seas with Captain Jack Sparrow, enter the magical wizarding world of Harry Potter or get lost in a love story with Noah and Allie. Consolidated Theatres gives us an avenue to escape, to wanderlust, to let our imaginations run wild. Cover Art by Wooden Wave Lindsey Chun-Hori, Director of Marketing at Consolidated Theatres states, “When we talk with people in the community, we’re always hit with a sense of nostalgia. Lots of first dates, lining up for midnight premieres, family movie days… it’s an amazing feeling that we’ve touched so many people’s lives.” In many ways, Consolidated Theatres is the heart of entertainment here in Hawai‘i. There is a sense of bliss and excitement people feel when they are at the movies. Division Manager at Consolidated Theatres, Rod Tengan humbly says, “All of us at Consolidated have seen firsthand how our theatres and the magic of movies can bring people together. Here’s to continuing that special relationship for another 100 years in Hawai‘i.” Times are forever changing, but the memories we have created will last a lifetime. There will always be a touch of beauty and mystery behind Consolidated Theatres. Think back, remember, and relish in your favorite Consolidated Theatres' memory. I am sure it will bring a smile to your face. We look forward to another 100 years of [...]

Preservation of the Isami Enomoto Labor Murals May 9, 2018 John B. Williams The preservation, and relocation, of the Isami Enomoto Labor Murals was a collaborative effort on the part of a large bank, an organization dedicated to the history of labor unions in Hawaii, an all-volunteer non-profit, large and small money donations from organizations and individuals, and many hours of donated time. It is a wonderful example of a community coming together to preserve a piece of Hawaiian history. The story begins in 1960 when the Bank of Hawaii was constructing a new branch bank at 727 Kapahulu Avenue in Honolulu. A set of ceramic murals was commissioned that would be installed on the wall above the teller counter, and the goal was that the murals would be a center piece of the bank’s public space. The selected artist was Isami Enomoto, who was born in Hawaii, had his ceramic studio in the Kapahulu neighborhood, and was a recognized artist. The theme for the murals was recognition of the laborers and workers in various trades, professions, and small businesses. Murals 2 through 5 each had a separate category: ‘Agriculture’, ‘Building and Construction’, ‘Commerce’, and ‘Transportation’. The first mural, ‘Kapahulu at Work’, is special because all of the figures were based on people who actually worked in the Kapahulu neighborhood. Enomoto Murals at Bank of Hawai‘i. Photo by David Franzen. A newspaper article about the May 8, 1961 opening of the new bank branch included that the actual creation of the murals was done in less than a month in order to be installed in time. The manager of the new branch, Walter Yen, was quoted saying about Enomoto and his assistants “. . . for the last three weeks they have been working all [...]

Preservation Project Restores New Life to Second Floor Washington Place has been at the center of social and political life in the Hawaiian Islands for over 170 years. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, designated a National Historic Landmark in 2007, and considered to be a structure of historical distinction in the United States, it was originally constructed in 1844-47. In 1848, Kamehameha III approved US Commissioner Anthony Ten Eyck’s wish to name it “Washington Place” in honor of George Washington. Washington Place is closely associate with Queen Lili‘uokalani, the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian kingdom, and was her home from 1862 when she married John Owen Dominis, until her death in 1917. From 1919 through 1959, Washington Place became the executive mansion for the territorial governors, and, after statehood, the Governor's mansion of the state of Hawai'i (1959-2002). Hawai‘i’s Governor and their family resided on the second floor of Washington Place until 2002 when a new home was completed on the property allowing them more privacy and the upstairs floor of Washington Place an opportunity to take on a more public face. However, prior to this project, the number of visitors allowed at one time up to the second floor was limited to 10 or 12. The completion of four simultaneously pursued restoration projects: the removal of the screened porch; reconstruction of the front gate posts; restoration of historic door lock-sets; and the restoration of the historic site lighting, along with a structural upgrade, has allowed public use of the second floor that includes classes, lectures and displays in the four main rooms of the original house. Interior Hall before (L) and after (R). Photo: Mason Architects, Inc. [...]

The Restoration of Hana Buddhist Temple The Hana Hongwanji Gakuen Temple also known as Hana Buddhist Temple, was built in the 1940s and still stands as a historic cultural beacon in the Hana community. Thanks to an incredible community of dedicated individuals, the Temple restoration is in full swing.  It means so much to so many, to preserve the history of this special symbol of spiritual and cultural values of the Japanese people who lived and worked in Hana, and to work to ensure it remains as a link to the past and a gathering place for the present. Historic Hawai‘i Foundation: Please describe the genesis of the Hana Hongwanji Gakuen Temple restoration project. Joe & Miho Brower, Hana Buddhist Temple Preservation Association: The Hana Temple is a gem hidden in plain sight of the tiny coastal town. My wife and I fell in love at first site with the Temple shortly after arriving in Hana nearly twenty years ago. I, being a builder, was drawn by the style, workmanship and aura of the building while my wife, a Japanese Buddhist, had a familiar spiritual connection to the temple. Out of admiration and wanting to be involved with the temple and her grounds we wrote a letter to the Temple caretaker, a stern original member who had been the caretaker of the Temple since returning to Hana from WW II, asking to be given a chance to help out with the maintenance. The letter was returned with the words “The Answer is No - Stay Away” written in black sharpie. Some years later, in 2012, the aging caretaker fell ill and was forced to leave Hana for an extended hospitalization.  At this point the [...]