Events – Historic Hawaii Foundation

Reviving Historic Hilo: Film, Art and Preservation event

March 21 Event Highlights Hilo Preservation & Beautification Program Public Mural Project 'Twisted Braid’: Hilo Heritage through the lens of Public Art & Film Have you noticed two gorgeous new murals in downtown Hilo? Come share a celebratory evening highlighting Hilo community, public art and culture and learn about the rich context in which the murals were created and the grant program that helped support them in this community-centric public event. The public is invited to a presentation about Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s Hilo Preservation & Beautification Program. The event includes a short film premiere of ʻTwisted Braid’ by artist-in-residence and local filmmaker, Ricky-Thomas Serikawa, and a panel discussion with Miya Tsukazaki, mural sponsor and grantee Temple Children, renowned mural artist Yoskay Yamamoto, and cultural partner Keahi Warfield, Ph. D. A reception will follow. Friday, March 21, 2025 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. In person at the Nā Leo TV Auditorium 91 Mohouli Street, Hilo RSVP by Wednesday, March 19 Pūpū by Poke Market and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required. REGISTER Please consider an offering to help fund programs like this. All proceeds support the programs and mission of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation. Event Sponsors Murals: Top of page: Artist Yoskay Yamamoto in front of his public mural at Agasa Furniture & Music Store. Above: Hilo Plaza Building, Waipio Tailgate by artist David 'Jarus' Loran. The Grant Program The Hilo Preservation & Beautification Program provides grants for the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and beautification of historically-significant buildings, structures, parks and public facilities located in the downtown area [...]

View the recordings: 38th Annual Experts Historic Preservation Lecture Series

2025 Experts Lecture Series: Conserving Architecture Wednesdays, January 29 to March 5, 2025 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Virtual on Zoom Free, registration required (scroll down to Register for individual lectures) The series is co-curated and co-sponsored by the UH School of Architecture’s Historic Preservation Graduate Certificate Program and Historic Hawai‘i Foundation. Why Conserve Architecture? How do we measure and protect what we hold dear? Built culture is an expression of human relationship to place, past and one another. Architecture, emerging out of a specific lens of time and locale, encapsulates shared meaning and weaves us together in a collective experience. Conserving architecture, therefore, is integral to the perpetuation of significant places that act as repositories of our histories, and guides to our individual and cultural identities. Join us for the 2025 Experts series -- this year's theme will take us on a journey spanning 150 years of Hawaii's history in an exploration of what it takes to save built sites. The examples highlighted will include one palace, three memorials, two churches and one residence, representing three Islands. Six expert presenters will lead us through their personal efforts to preserve, conserve and perpetuate these significant places. Architectural conservation is the act of preserving, maintaining, and sometimes restoring historic buildings, structures, or sites to protect their cultural, historical, and aesthetic value. The goal: to ensure these structures retain their historic integrity and significance for current and future generations to learn from and engage with. “In preserving a building, we are not merely conserving its material form; we are ensuring the continuity of its history, culture, and significance.” ~James Turrell Wednesday, January 29, 2025 12:00 to 1:00 PM [...]