The intent of the Most Endangered list is to bring attention to these sometimes overlooked or forgotten areas to remind people of their history, how they relate to real people and events, and how they shaped and influenced both their generation and contemporary life. The list highlights threats to historic places that occur from a variety of sources, including neglect, natural disaster, deliberate demolition and incompatible new development. The list is intended to rally the community to take action to ensure these community landmarks are saved.

The list of threatened historic sites is an annual program of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation, in cooperation with HONOLULU Magazine and the State Historic Preservation Division. The article includes a variety of sites that represent the diversity of Hawaii’s built heritage. The endangered places list lets community members know about places that are historically significant but that are threatened in some way.