Hawaii

Lapakahi (2009) SAVED

Photos: Courtesy Kirk Lee Aeder UPDATE: SAVED IN 2011 Coastal Property Added To Lapakahi State Historical Park Endangered Historic Property HONOLULU, March 18, 2011 - The State of Hawai‘i, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks announced the addition of 17 shoreline acres to Lapakahi State Historical Park in North Kohala on the Island of Hawai‘i, located in an area traditionally known as Nu‘uanu. The parcel will be added to the Lapakahi State Historical Park, which is listed in the National and Hawai‘i Registers of Historic Places as an excellent example of a leeward coastal settlement that spans a 600 year period from circa A.D. 1300 to the early 1900s. The 17-acre parcel has significant cultural sites that are part of this larger Lapakahi complex and the potential for development of the parcel under private ownership resulted in its recent listing as one of Hawai'i's Most Endangered Places by Historic Hawai‘i Foundation. "This parcel was surrounded on three sides by Lapakahi State Historical Park with the fourth side being adjacent to the Lapakahi Marine Life Conservation District. It has been the State’s desire for many years to acquire this property and include it within the park as part of the larger Lapakahi complex. The 17 acres are a vital piece of a cultural and biological landscape of the Kohala coastline, and we are thankful that future generations will have an opportunity to appreciate this cultural complex within its natural setting and to enjoy the open space and access to the shoreline," stated William Aila, Jr., Director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The acquisition was assisted by a diverse public-private partnership of Kohala community organizations, the Trust for Public Land (a [...]

2016-11-17T10:48:37-10:00March 3rd, 2014|Categories: MES Hawaii|Tags: , |

Lower Hāmākua Irrigation Ditch (2013)

  Video Credit to Save Our Hamakua Heritage Ditch: http://youtu.be/EX4thP2acJE Article Written By: Victoria Wiseman, HONOLULU Magazine What is it? The Lower Hamakua Irrigation Ditch is an irrigation system and waterway that was used during the sugar plantation era. It was excavated in 1906, not just for watering sugar crops but also for sending the cane to the mill for processing. Its total length is about 26 miles, including tunnels, flumes to control water flow and open ditches with stone walls. Community members say that, because of the ditch’s role as a community water source and home to micro- ecosystems that include wildlife such as crayfish, ducks and dragonflies, it’s more of a historic waterway than a simple water distribution system. “We don’t have many streams in the state of Hawaii; this is essentially a stream with an ecosystem,” says Margaret Wille, an attorney and Hawaii County council member. “This connects the community from the past to the future,” she says. What threatens it? In 2004, heavy rains collapsed part of the ditch, blocking off the transfer of water, says Glenn Okamoto, an engineer for the state Department of Agriculture. The state applied for a FEMA grant to rebuild the section, which was approved. The department’s proposed fixes enclose and bury a five-mile section of the irrigation ditch, which critics like Wille say would destroy the spirit of this historic property. As the project went through the approval process, a memorandum from the state historic preservation division said that the project would have an inverse effect on historic properties, and required some additional study and documentation. When the community was notified on the eve of its execution, it immediately mobilized and protested to FEMA and [...]

2017-04-21T01:01:47-10:00March 3rd, 2014|Categories: MES Hawaii|Tags: , |

Na‘alehu Theater (2010)

UPDATE: March, 2018, THREATENED The Na‘alehu Theater, owned by the 300 corporation, an O‘ahu division of the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation, continues to fall into serious disrepair. It has been empty since 2006 when the last tenants moved out. According to a March 19th article in the Hawai‘i Trubune Herald, repeated attempts by both local community members as well as a group of Hawai‘i Island state lawmakers eager to discuss the state of the theater, have gone unheeded by the owner. The State Historic Preservation Division had determined the building’s eligibility for inclusion on the Hawai‘i Register of Historic Places in 2005 but the owners objected to listing the property. Meanwhile, damage to the structure continues to worsen and includes a growing hole in the theater’s roof and siding and termite infestation. The property has been vandalized and attracts users of illicit drugs. Due to its decline, the State Historic Preservation Division has determined it is now too damaged for the registry. As the structure’s decline continues, there is the potential that the building could be declared a public safety hazard forcing the owners to decide between repair or demolition. Listed as Endangered in 2010. Photos: Courtesy Joshua Fletcher Article Written By: Jenny Quill, HONOLULU Magazine What is it? The Nā‘ālehu theater was built after World War I by the Hutchinson Sugar Co. to provide entertainment for the residents of the town. In 1979, the theater was purchased by the 300 Corp., an affiliate of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, which is one of the largest landowners in the state. After 300 Corp. acquired the theater, it was leased out and, over the next two decades, has housed several different operations, including a [...]

2018-03-19T13:16:52-10:00March 3rd, 2014|Categories: MES Hawaii|Tags: , |

Petroglyphs on O’ahu’s North Shore Exposed in a Rare Natural Event

The recent high surf has exposed rarely seen petroglyphs on O‘ahu’s North Shore. This cultural resource was noticed by a Lieutenant in the City’s Ocean Safety division, who then alerted Historic Hawaii Foundation (HHF) member Donna Ching, who let us know of the discovery. HHF notified the State Historic Preservation Division and State Parks. Alan Carpenter, archaeologist at State Parks, says that the site was previously documented in 1970 (Halley & Cox) but is rarely exposed. It includes approximately 70 figures of humans and dogs. DLNR staff are working to photo-document the site before the surf and sands shift again. (Photos courtesy of Donna Ching.)        ________________________________________________ Historic Hawaii Foundation 1974~2014 ~ Celebrating 40 years of preservation in Hawaii! We’re Social! Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter Sign up for our E-news for the latest on preservation-related events, news and issues here in Hawai‘i & beyond. 

2017-04-21T01:03:26-10:00January 29th, 2014|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , , , , |

National Trust for Historic Preservation Seeks Nominations for 2014 National Trust/ACHP Award for Federal Partnerships in Historic Preservation

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are seeking nominations for the 2014 National Trust/ACHP Award for Federal Partnerships in Historic Preservation. A category of the Richard H. Driehaus National Preservation Awards, this joint award honors outstanding federal partnerships that advance the preservation of important historic resources. Federal activities have a profound impact on our nation’s cultural landscape. This national awards program provides an opportunity to showcase an agency’s commitment to a preservation ethic and gain public awareness of its accomplishments. This award requires a demonstrated partnership with a federal organization. Partners may include Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, not-for-profit organizations, individuals, businesses, state and local governments, and other non-federal persons or organizations. Nominated projects or programs can include more than one non-federal partner and more than one federal agency. The deadline for nominations is March 3, 2014. The entire application must be completed online. Please fully read the general eligibility and nomination requirements, and especially the award description for the National Trust/ACHP award before submitting. Since 2002, the National Trust/ACHP Award for Federal Partnerships in Historic Preservation has recognized the achievements of a variety of partnerships including: •    National Park Service and the Alliance for National Heritage Areas (Homestead, Pennsylvania) for the more than two dozen National Heritage Areas nationwide •    Bureau of Land Management and the Arizona Site Steward Program for its Arizona-wide project of enlisting volunteers to monitor and protect archaeological sites •    General Services Administration and New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office for the Amy Biehl High School project in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. Please share this information as widely and quickly as possible. For more information contact Patricia Knoll, ACHP Awards Coordinator, at [...]

Kakaako residents want a state agency to void a permit for a skyscraper

STAR ADVERTISER SEPT 20 - Beatrice Shiroma, 91, a resident at Royal Capitol Plaza, joined a protest in September to oppose a plan to build an additional tower at the 801 South St. condominium project. Neighbors and other opponents of the project plan another sidewalk protest today. Hui mounts legal fight against condo      By Andrew Gomes Honolulu Star Advertiser, January 17, 2014  - Neighbors of a planned Kakaako workforce housing condominium tower approved by a state agency last month are appealing the decision, calling it an abuse of discretion that violates state law and numerous agency rules. The association of apartment owners at Royal Capitol Plaza recently filed a legal petition against the Hawaii Community Development Authority, asking to invalidate a development permit for the second phase of the project at 801 South St. Royal Capitol residents retained Honolulu attorney Carl Varady, and he filed the petition Jan. 2. "The actions of HCDA in approving the Phase II permit were clearly erroneous, arbitrary and capricious, and characterized by both an abuse of discretion and a clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion," the petition said. Allegations in the petition are far-ranging. They include contentions that the HCDA's approval of the permit was predetermined before public hearings, that the traffic impact from the 1,700 parking stalls in 801 South's two phases constitutes a public nuisance, that HCDA rules violate the state Constitution and that the Legislature improperly delegated authority to the agency. HCDA Executive Director Anthony Ching reserved comment and said state attorneys are reviewing the petition. The developer of 801 South, Downtown Capital LLC, led by local affordable housing developer Marshall Hung, declined comment given that the petition was filed against HCDA. The $400 million [...]

2017-04-21T01:03:36-10:00January 17th, 2014|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , , , |

Downtown Hilo’s makeover begins

By COLIN M. STEWART Tribune-Herald staff writer Hawaii Tribune Herald. January 7, 2014:  With a flourish of a brush stroke, Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi set in motion Monday a project that promises to put a new face on downtown Hilo businesses. It seemed fitting, then, that he chose when making his mark to paint a smiley face. About 50-or-so community members, politicians and others were present at the ceremony to kick off the Benjamin Moore Main Street Matters renovation project, in which Kenoi and other dignitaries were invited to make the first strokes of paint on the facade of Hawaiian Arts at the corner of Furneaux Lane and Kamehameha Avenue. Hilo was one of 20 communities across North America chosen from a pool of 800 applicants to win a new paint job as part of the paint company’s promotion. Over the course of the next month, Hilo’s facelift procedure will run along Kamehameha Avenue from Mamo Street to Waianuenue Avenue. “We were very humbled to be selected,” Kenoi said as Monday’s ceremony began under the Mooheau Bandstand. “Our community is a strong community, because people here work together.” That strong sense of community spirit was palpable over the last few days as the launch to the project approached, said state Rep. Clift Tsuji, Hilo, Keaukaha, Panaewa, Waiakea. “I was here this past weekend and saw people from the community power washing and sanding. The community has really gotten involved,” he said. “It’s exciting to see.” Priscilla Ghaznavi, director of color and design studio for the renovation project, said that she had worked with community members, building owners and business owners to come up with a color palette consisting of 28 colors for the project. [...]

2017-04-21T01:03:36-10:00January 8th, 2014|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , |
Go to Top