Blog

It’s easy to kick back at the edge of the Beach Bar and gaze wistfully out at the ocean trying to imagine a Waikīkī far removed from today’s hustle and bustle. Affectionately nicknamed “The First Lady of Waikīkī”, the Moana opened its doors to its first guests on March 11, 1901. It was the tallest and most elaborate building of its time, infused with old world charm and island-style hospitality which continues to this day. In this spirit, special events are planned throughout the month of March in honor of the Moana Surfrider’s 115th Anniversary. Save the Date! March 11, the anniversary of the Moana's opening day, will feature a special evening of events including Makana live on the Banyan Courtyard Stage. Click here for ticket information. Event Proceeds to benefit Historic Hawai‘i Foundation, Bishop Museum and Waikīkī Aquarium                             Amid the sounds of Waikiki Beach and a nostalgic concert that will hearken back to its glorious opening day, the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa is planning a 115th anniversary celebration reminiscent of the same magnificence and opulence of 1901. To celebrate the occasion, the Moana Surfrider Hotel will stage multiple events on Friday, March 11 to benefit three Hawai‘i non-profit organizations, including Historic Hawai‘i Foundation. On the Banyan Courtyard stage at 6:30 p.m., slack key virtuoso Makana presents a modern-day tribute to Moana’s musical past with a “Hawaii Calls” concert. The original “Hawaii Calls” was a long-running radio show that introduced Hawaiian music to the world. While entertainers played on the very same Banyan Courtyard stage, show emcee Webley Edwards’ voice could be heard across the globe, “From the [...]

As a nonprofit, our volunteer needs are always in flux. And somehow, as if by magic, we always seem to have just what we need arrive at the right moment, sometimes literally on our doorstep! In similar fashion, several months ago we received a phone call from a young woman with an impressive and diverse background. In our favor, she and her husband had just moved back to the islands and she was seeking opportunities to learn more about preservation in Hawaii. Trina Evensen began volunteering with us on a regular basis and has been a tremendous asset to HHF bringing with her myriad skills and talents, and a willing spirit to help where needed.  Trina is now poised to continue her preservation journey as a new employee at Mason Architects and a student in Dr. Bill Chapman's Historic Preservation Program, Department of American Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. We featured an abridged  version of this interview in our January, 2016 newsletter and promised the full version online.  Here it is!   Historic Hawai‘i Foundation: Tell us a little about yourself—where are you from, what are your interests and hobbies? Trina Evensen: I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, which by the turn of the century had an extensive immigrant population. My mother’s family emigrated from Naples, Italy early in the 20th century and lived downtown in an Italian-American neighborhood. After moving to the suburbs in the 1960’s the family always shared photographs and stories from the now historic neighborhood. Without a doubt this strong focus on family heritage and exposure to various historical and cultural sites at an early age had a profound effect on my interests and the desire to discover [...]

NPS PHOTO/JANICE WEI “Glow show” at Halemaumau Crater. A century of wonder By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi January 3, 2016 - Honolulu Star Advertiser Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is 520 square miles of miracles and mysteries. >> It claims the largest concentration of petroglyphs in the Pacific — more than 23,500 images (including human figures, canoe sails, feather capes and geometric designs) etched on lava on the southwestern flank of Kilauea Volcano. The intriguing rock carvings date back 400 to 600 years. >> It is the only place in the world where one species of ahinahina (silversword plant), the Argyroxiphium sandwicense, grows. The plants live 10 to 30 years, blossom only once, producing a spectacular stalk of flowers up to 9 feet tall, and then die. >> It encompasses two active volcanoes, one of which, Kilauea, began its current eruption in 1983, thus adding about 500 acres of new land and covering nearly 9 miles of road with lava as deep as 115 feet. Adding to its natural wonders in 2016 will be a yearlong calendar of special events marking the park’s 100th anniversary. It shares its centennial birthday with Haleakala National Park on Maui and the National Park Service itself. NPS PHOTO/DAVID BOYLE PARKSuperintendent Cindy Orlando “Our centennial recognizes the vision and perseverance of those who understood the importance of ensuring that the geological, cultural and biological treasures here would be protected for future generations,” said park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. The park’s ongoing conservation efforts have saved several endangered species of plants and animals, including the Hawaiian hawksbill turtle and the nene (Hawaiian goose), Hawaii’s state bird, from the brink of extinction, she said.   The park’s story begins at the [...]

HHF Charter Member, Alice Tucker, Shares Her Favorite My favorite historic place here in Hawaii is an obvious but sometimes overlooked choice, I believe. It's our beautiful and unique Iolani Palace. How incredibly fortunate we are to have a royal palace right here in our city! Having seen how the building was misused and abused  for years when the territorial legislature occupied it, and having seen the careful and loving restoration of the palace over several years (and continuing on to today!), I revel in taking visitors to the palace to proudly show the beautiful old building with its many unique features. Iolani Palace is, to me, the embodiment of all that Historic Hawaii Foundation stands for.  Long may she grace our city!   Click here to read more about Iolani Palace and it's history. Iolani Palace today.   Iolani Palace, 1882      

History, Art and Island Culture Inspire a Community of Artists of All Ages The Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center in Makawao provides a gathering place to foster creativity and connection that is rooted in the history and architecture of Maui. The site, the former Kaluanui Estate, designed in 1917 by C.W. Dickey, features Mediterranean-inspired architecture with a decidedly local expression. The original owners, Harry and Ethel Baldwin, first started a “club” for artists there in 1934. Caroline Killhour, Executive Director of the Hui, feels the thrill of working in such a beautiful historic setting. We recently sat down with Caroline to get her take on history, art, preservation and the unique, inspiring magic of Hui No‘eau's legacy. Executive Director, Caroline Killhour Historic Hawaii Foundation: What is the most fascinating/interesting/intriguing story about this estate that you know? Caroline Killhour: On an adventurous afternoon in the 1970s, our on-site caretaker and artist in residence, Darrell Orwig, climbed near to the top of the stunning 150 year old Norfolk Island Pine tree located next to the main house of Kaluanui. From his vantage point, the view was incredible, but as he felt the swaying of the tree—almost as if on the deck of ship—he said that he became a "real tree hugger." HHF:  What’s it like working at No‘eau and how does the history infuse your experience? CK: Every day of work at Hui No‘eau is filled with creative energy! I enjoy seeing students learn new skills in our professional art studios—many of which are historic buildings that have been converted into artist spaces. For example, the former garage is now a printmaking studio and a cellar in the main house is now a photography [...]