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In November 2024, Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua celebrated the completion of a significant restoration project to preserve its historic structure. The Church was constructed in 1867 and is one of only a few nineteenth-century frame churches on the island of Hawai‘i and is the oldest wooden Episcopal Church in the State. It is listed in the Hawai‘i Register of Historic Places. The building is a single-story, frame structure with a concrete outer foundation measuring 25’ x 50’ and raised on wood posts set on stone. The restoration project began in 2018 to provide structural support, resurfacing exterior walls and repairs to the roof and bell tower. Architect Jaime Bush, AIA played a crucial role in documenting the historic structure and securing permits for the restoration. Mark Hummel Construction was contracted to execute the work. Initial efforts focused on restoring the Sacristy, South Wall, and North Wall. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a suspension of work in 2020-2021. In 2022, with support from the grant from the Freeman Foundation in cooperation with Historic Hawaii Foundation, restoration efforts resumed. The remaining tasks included restoring the Mauka Wall, Makai Wall, Tower, and Steeple. Structural repairs and replacements of rotted wood ensured the stability and safety of the tower, while volunteers assisted in cleaning and painting the interior walls. The restoration of the steeple was made easier when a former Junior Warden came back to visit and admired the restoration done to date, assured the church leadership that previous reinforcements had secured its structure. A report was confirmed and only a few problematic wood supports had to be replaced. Throughout the restoration, the church community adapted by holding services in the Queen Emma Community Center. Despite [...]

The National Trust for Historic Preservation selected five historic small restaurants on Maui for grant support in response to the economic impacts from the 2023 fires. Small businesses on Maui, heavily reliant on tourism, have weathered a series of devastating challenges over the past five years. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic led to travel restrictions, which resulted in widespread unemployment and the closure of numerous restaurants. While the easing of the pandemic brought some relief, labor shortages and soaring product prices quickly placed new pressures on already struggling enterprises. In August 2023, the island was hit by catastrophic fires in Lahaina and Kula, further stalling tourism and economic recovery. Against this backdrop, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, funded by American Express, launched a special grant program aimed at revitalizing historic restaurants on Maui. The initiative, an offshoot of the “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” program that started in 2021, offered $40,000 renovation grants to five selected eateries. The goal was to support these establishments in preserving their historical significance while navigating the financial strains of the past few years. The Trust worked closely with the Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation to identify and encourage potential grant recipients. HHF Trustees met with several of the grantees to encourage them to apply and to refine their applications. The selected restaurants, each representing different phases of Maui’s rich history, are essential community fixtures. The grants have not only provided financial relief but also renewed hope and optimism for the future of Maui. The selected restaurants are: Ichiban Okazuya is a traditional Japanese delicatessen near Wailuku. Established in 1982 in what was once a plantation house, it is one of the last remaining okazuya eateries on the island. Co-owner [...]