annualfund – Historic Hawaii Foundation

Update on the Campaign to Save Lihue Post Office!

UPDATE - 1/17/2019 - USPS announced the historic Līhu‘e Post Office will remain open! HHF joined with the County of Kaua‘i, Līhu‘e Business Association, National Trust for Historic Preservation and scores of community members to save the civic building in the heart of the Līhu‘e Civic Center. Our beloved post office will remain part of the history of Līhu‘e and Kauai thanks to a grassroots coalition of advocates. Mahalo to all who joined the effort! The Honolulu Star Advertiser reports the USPS decision in its January 17, 2019 edition. USPS ANNOUNCES DECISION TO CLOSE HISTORIC LĪHU‘E POST OFFICE 12/6/2017: The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced its final decision to close the historic post office on Rice Street in Lihue, Kaua‘i, via letter to Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho dated November 29. USPS received over a thousand written comments in opposition to the proposal to “relocate retail services” from the historic facility to the Līhu‘e Carrier Annex on Kapule Highway. Letters in opposition to the move were sent to USPS by Historic Hawai‘i Foundation, Līhu‘e Business Association, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Mayor Carvalho, U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, Governor David Ige, State Senate President Ron Kouchi and other officials. Over 850 postcards and 116 coconut mailers were also sent to oppose the move. Many citizens and residents sent individual letters and signed an online petition to save the historic post office. Despite the overwhelming opposition of the community, USPS stated that “the Postal Service has determined that the relocation is the optimal solution to satisfy the Postal Service’s need to improve operational efficiency, and reduce the financial burdens facing the Postal Service.” At the February 23, 2017 public meeting, the USPS representative [...]

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Introduces Legislation to Honor Nation’s World War I Memorials

Repost Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Introduces Legislation to Honor Nation’s World War I Memorials November 9, 2017 Press Release Washington, DC—Ahead of the 100th Anniversary of World War I next year, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) today introduced bipartisan legislation to rehabilitate World War I memorials in Hawai‘i and across the country. H.R. 4328, the Honoring World War I Memorial Act of 2017 would authorize $50 million awarded through VA grants to eligible entities for the rehabilitation of World War I memorials throughout the United States. Eligible entities include non-profit organizations or state or local governments with direct jurisdiction over the rehabilitation of a World War I memorial. Hawai‘i is home to one eligible World War I memorial at Waikiki Natatorium, along with 47 other states. In recognition of Veterans Day, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard will deliver the keynote address during the Veterans' Day Ceremony in commemoration of the 99th Anniversary of the end of World War I at the Waikiki Natatorium this Saturday, November 11. “More than four million brave men and women, including 10,000 soldiers from the territory of Hawai‘i, bravely served our country during World War I,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. “Nearly a century later, many of the memorials, like the WWI Waikiki Natatorium in Hawai‘i, are deteriorating, decaying, and crumbling due to decades of neglect, and many have been closed to the public for decades. The heroes of World War I fought bravely and sacrificed greatly for our country and deserve places of rest and reflection that honor their service. Passing the Honoring World War I Memorials Act of 2017 to restore our country’s World War I memorials would provide a small measure of our nation’s gratitude to those who served and sacrificed.” “Part [...]