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Historic Hawai‘i Foundation is pleased to announce the 2021 recipients of the Preservation Honor Awards.  This year’s honorees reflect an array of outstanding achievements in preservation across the state, with several focused on the protection of cultural sites and heritage.  From individual’s lifelong efforts to preserving places in their own communities, to ambitious media offerings, and robust plans that embrace community stewardship and collaboration, these accomplishments reflect the heart and soul of preservation in Hawai‘i. The Preservation Awards also honors the major anniversaries of local organizations, companies and historic places, commemorating their success and longevity in serving as vital contributors to our communities.

March 26th is a state holiday marking the birth of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, who was often called Ke Ali‘i Maka‘āinana (Prince of the People).  As a statesman, Kūhiō introduced a local system of county government, appointed Hawaiians to civil service positions, and reorganized the Royal Order of Kamehameha I.  Schools, streets, highways and buildings are named after him to memorialize his legacy.  We revisit this article about his founding of the first Hawaiian Civic Club.

2021 Experts Lecture Series Explores Changing Interpretations of National Historic Landmarks - Recordings of past presentations available below - Almost 60 years have passed since the first Hawai‘i sites were designated as National Historic Landmarks. The federal program calls them “historic places that hold national significance.” The Secretary of the Interior designates these places as “exceptional because of their abilities to illustrate U.S. heritage.” Over the intervening decades, the value of the sites remains, but increased awareness of diverse voices, through community input, has resulted in changing interpretations of the historic sites. Today, Hawai‘i has 33 properties designated as National Historic Landmarks. Learn how the original interpretations of six National Historic Landmarks in Hawai‘i have changed over time. GIVE TO HHF Thursday, January 28, 2021 12:00 to 1:00 PM USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor, O‘ahu (Designated on 5/5/89) Presenter: Hanako Wakatsuki, Acting Chief of Interpretation, Pearl Harbor National Memorial The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is the co-host for this lecture. Watch the video replay below. Thursday, February 4, 2021 12:00 to 1:00 PM ‘Iolani Palace, Honolulu, O‘ahu (Designated on 12/29/62) Presenter: Zita Cup Choy, Historian, Friends of  ‘Iolani Palace Watch the video replay below. Thursday, February 11, 2021 12:00 to 1:00 PM Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Kalaupapa, Moloka‘i (Designated 1/7/76 as Kalaupapa Leprosy Settlement) Presenters: Ka‘ohulani McGuire, Cultural Anthropologist, Kalaupapa National Historical Park Christopher E. Johnson, Historian, Preservation Partnerships Program, National Park Service, Seattle, WA   The CHANGING LAHAINA HISTORIC DISTRICT Thursday, February 18, 2021 12:00 to 1:00 PM The Changing Lahaina Historic District, Lahaina, Maui (Designated on 12/29/62) Presenter: Dr. Ronald Williams [...]

Do you know of an outstanding preservation project completed within the past two years? Nominate it for Historic Hawaii Foundation’s Preservation Honor Awards! HHF is currently seeking nominations for Preservation Awards in several categories, including honors presented for specific preservation or rehabilitation projects; printed publications or visual presentations which interpret the history or preservation of a site; and for engaging in efforts that support preservation.

On October 27, the staff of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation presented highlights of some of the projects that our members have made possible since March 2020 when HHF's team started working from home in compliance with stay-at-home orders.  Guest speaker Jean Creadick, Vice President of Philanthropic Services and Trust Officer at First Hawaiian Bank, provided practical advice on current gift planning strategies in response to those members who are thinking of ways to provide future support. If you were unable to join us, some of the positive outcomes that were shared are highlighted below. A pdf of Jean's presentation is also available for your reference. Outcomes Made Possible With Your Support 1. Grant Partnerships Preserve Historic Places Kiersten Faulkner, Executive Director: As we look at long-term impacts on saving places, we wanted to share some examples both of special places that were saved through timely support and through helping to elevate public awareness and enthusiasm about cultural heritage. The first example is the Palace Theater in Hilo. This project was supported by grants from both of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s grant programs. The Hilo Preservation and Beautification program provided funds for the exterior repairs, painting, awning and marquee sign. The Freeman Foundation program issued a challenge grant, so we would match additional funds up to $25,000. I was then contacted by another HHF member who said he would meet the challenge with a personal, anonymous donation. The Friends of the Palace Theater had other donors and supporters and the building is refreshed and ready for when group gatherings will be allowed again. It has air conditioning, sprinklers and fire safety systems on the interior and a refreshed and beautiful façade and sign that will be a catalyst [...]

HHF Members invited to an online meeting for annual reports and elections The 46th Annual Meeting of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation will be held as a virtual gathering rather than an in-person event due to restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Board of Trustees has scheduled the online meeting for Wednesday, August 12 at 4:00 p.m. via video conference.  Current HHF members may register at the link on this page.