Historic Hawai'i Foundation
680 Iwilei Road, Suite #690, Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: 808-523-2900 Fax: 808-523-0800 Email: member@historichawaii.org
Copyright 2003-2006 Historic Hawaii Foundation unless otherwise noted
The Beginning...
In 1973, the National Trust for Historic Preservation was invited to send representatives to Hawai'i by Trust Advisors Helen H. Cole and Charles M. Black. A team of preservation professionals toured the islands to evaluate what was being done to preserve the architectural history of our state. Their tour concluded with a workshop held in June at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel at which time the team recommended that a statewide organization be established to initiate, coordinate and encourage preservation efforts. Planning began with application for nonprofit status, drafting of a charter and bylaws, selection of trustees and election of officers.
1974
Papers of incorporation were granted in June, 1974. The purpose of the organization was defined:
To preserve and encourage the preservation of historic buildings, objects and sites relating to the history of Hawai'i; to promote an awareness of and respect for all that is historically significant and architecturally distinctive about our State; through these efforts, to keep alive and intact for the enrichment of present and future generations the inherited beauty of the Hawaiian Islands and its unique history in the development of the Pacific Basin.
1981
- Workshops in Honolulu and Hilo addressed the "Economics of Rehabilitating Older Buildings from an owner's, architect's, contractor's point of view and included tax incentive information.
- When it was announced that the Falls of Clyde might be sold and moved out-of-state, members proposed to take over the ship to assure her future in Hawai'i.
- Ongoing efforts in support of the Wai'anae Hawaiian Civic Club's Maritime Project included resource, advice and coordination with the grantor, the National Trust.
- The acquisition of Hego Fugino's architectural drawings by Hamilton Library at the University of Hawai'i was coordinated.
- Hundreds of questions were answered; support given to efforts to fund state acquisition of developable portions of Kawainui Marsh which passed the Legislature; and stabilization of the Bloomfield Brown Home on Lana'i was accomplished.
1982
- Educational efforts included a "Nuts and Bolts of Adaptive Reuse" workshop on O'ahu, followed by workshops detailing the 1981 Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credits, held on O'ahu, Kaua'i, Maui and Hawai'i. A major workshop co-sponsored with the City Council of Honolulu addressed Historic Preservation with Michael L. Ainslie, National Trust president as key speaker.
- A Challenge Grant from the Trust was offered to the Foundation to strengthen and expand our membership base. The first Cultural Heritage Conservation Seminar shared Hawai'i's preservation expertise with representatives of Pacific Basin countries.
- The seminar was attended by 46 people and co-sponsored by the East-West Center, Pacific Area Travel Assn., National Trust, State Historic Preservation Office and Historic Hawai'i. Key-note speaker was Bill Lane of Sunset Publications.
- Preservation Week, co-sponsored with the Bank of Hawai'i, emphasized the positive economics of building re-use. Funds were raised for stabilization and initial reconstruction of the Meyer Mill.
- The Planning Committee actively participated in planning for the future of Chinatown.
- Hart Wood's architectural drawings and the original renderings of the Alexander Young Building were added to Hamilton Library's collection.
- Discussion was started with the Kahuku Housing Corp. and assistance given to their application to the National Trust for a grant/loan to rehabilitate up to 200 plantation homes. This launched ongoing efforts to encourage plantation companies and workers to recognize the value of these homes. Efforts were made to make ongoing use financially attractive. Government support was solicited. The year ended with a major victory:
- A real property tax exemption for homes listed on the State Register of Historic Places was passed by all counties and signed into law by the four mayors.
1983
An HHF resource team (lawyer, accountant, architect, banker, developer) assisted 21 tenants of the O'ahu Market to purchase, coordinate with government and begin rehabilitation of their landmark.
Planning was initiated for a course and a graduate program in historic preservation at the University of Hawai'i. An evaluation of needs and uses of the curriculum was prepared by Trustee Barnes Riznik, Ph.D.
A seminar on the National Trust's Main Street Program was the first step toward establishment of a program in Hawai'i to help rural communities and urban neighborhoods revitalize their commercial areas. The seminar was underwritten by six major landowners.
Heritage Associates, a major donor program, were established to provide funding for special programs and to expand our resource capability.
The second Cultural Heritage Conservation Seminar was held with Stephen Halsey, president of the American Express Foundation and Gov. George Ariyoshi as key speakers.
Efforts continued to establish a preservation resource center at the university. A review procedure was established by the Planning Committee to study public and private sector plans involving historic sites.
Preservation Parade drew more than 1,800 people to the Manoa neighborhood and home tours with seminars on rehabilitation techniques for older homes.
Efforts were also originated with major landowners and government representatives to continue to find ways to facilitate the purchase of homes by plantation workers.
Ongoing support was provided to the Kahuku Housing Corp.'s efforts to acquire and sub-divide the plantation villages.
1984
With increased revenue raised by the Heritage Associates Program, Pat Avery was hired as education/development director.
The Main Street Task Force, appointed by Susumu Ono and staffed by the foundation, gained the support of county mayors, planning and building departments. Informational meetings were held in each county with three communities expressing interest in being pilot Main Streets. Funding potential is being ascertained. The foundation's Board approved undertaking the responsibility for implementing the program in Hawai'i. T
he Annual Meeting celebrated our 10th Anniversary at the Willows with founding Board members and all Preservation Award winners as special guests. A 10-year index to Historic Hawai'i News was completed. An Action Force of volunteers was organized to provide manpower and leadership for HHF programs.
Preservation Parade returned to Manoa and following the event, four evening seminars were held to help owners of older homes repair and preserve them.
The Hale'iwa Historic Cultural and Scenic District was passed. To provide incentives to commercial property owners there, Honolulu Councilmen Rudy Pacarro and Toraki Matsumoto initiated efforts to provide a tax assessment freeze. A workshop on government, private sector concerns which encourage rehabilitation was held at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. A study of the historic buildings in Chinatown showed that more than half have been or are in the process of being rehabilitated by Historic Hawai'i members.
Heritage Associates honored Mrs. George R. Ariyoshi and her volunteers for the cataloguing and preservation of the historic furnishings of Washington Place.
Membership tours ventured to Moloka'i, Waimea, Hale'iwa, archaeological sites at Kawainui Marsh and Bellows, Schofield Barracks, Kemo'o Farm, the Hawaiian Railway Society, Falls of Clyde, Aloha Tower Maritime Museum and the Honolulu waterfront.
The History of Historic Hawai'i Foundation
by Phyllis G. Fox
Historic Hawaii Foundation Executive Director 1977-1994
1975
- Ken Watson of Historic Denver began work as Historic Hawai'i's first executive director in April 1975.
- The Internal Revenue Service granted nonprofit status in August.
- Membership efforts yielded 100 supporters and the first edition of Historic Hawai'i News came off the press in September.
- In November, 42 members, including Neighbor Island representatives, met to set goals and objectives for the fledgling foundation.
1976
- The Charter Membership Drive tallied 1,754 members.
- The first Preservation Award was given.
- Members' efforts to stop the planned demolition of the Agee House in Manoa were successful and resulted in the formation of the Friends of the Agee House.
- Members assisted the Bicentennial Commission in plans to purchase the Royal Brewery and for a Heritage Center, but efforts to raise money through the state legislature were unsuccessful.
- Concern for the Katsuki House resulted in its sale to an HHF member who planned to move the home and reuse it.
- The Foundation was asked also to assist the Meyer family with planning to save the R. W. Meyer Mill on Moloka'i, to help with a re-creation of the old Trolley Stop in Kapiolani Park, and to support efforts to save the Robert Lishman Building in Makiki Park.
- Our first preservation workshop, held in Waimea, focused on Honoka'a and the Big Island.
HHF Volunteers Ted Jacobsen, AIA, and Lisa P. Fox look over architectural drawings for the renovation of the Robert Lishman Building in Makiki Park. (Photo by Mark B. Williford)
1978
Educational programs accelerated with presentations to the National Realtors Convention, the American Institute of Architects Convention, American Society of Interior Designers show and the Friends of the Tennant Art Gallery. The humanities grant culminated with a three-day workshop which included speakers from the National Trust as well as local experts. Events showed members the historic resources we were trying to save. The Waimanalo History Committee organized a tour of Waimanalo, Bellows and Makapulu; the older buildings in Chinatown were visited; and a car caravan toured archaeological sites in 'Aiea, Wahiawa, Pupukea and Hale'iwa.
1980
Organizational strength increased through definition of key areas. In the area of legislation, the foundation joined nationwide efforts in support of the ongoing federal funding for preservation and the continuation of the Revenue Act which provided favorable treatment for rehabilitation. Members successfully supported the transfer of the Hawai'i Historic Places Review Board to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, helped draft the State Functional Plan for Historic Preservation, and tried to initiate a state rehabilitation tax credit.
A statewide petition drive was launched to support real property tax incentives for historic properties and legislative planning meetings were held on the Neighbor Islands to encourage county Councils to approve it. Members also encouraged county Building Departments to give special consideration to work done on historic buildings which could not meet new building standards but were safe. In education:
Historic Hawai'i News expanded news coverage to include Neighbor Island concerns, renovation and rehabilitation techniques and tax incentives. Preservation Week took on greater educational function with joint sponsorship by Pacific Resources, Inc. to stress in a media campaign the energy efficiency of older buildings.
In the programs area, ongoing efforts for the R. W. Meyer Mill included preparation of an Existing Condition Report, finalization of the Historic American Engineering Record report and support for the formation of a Friends of the Meyer Mill organization to continue efforts, A rehab plan for the Lishman Building was done and a proposal made to the city for HHF to raise the money and recruit volunteers from the building industry to do the work and record the process on film so it could be shared with others.
When owners of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel challenged the constitutionality of historic preservation as part of their objection to the placement of the structure on the state and national registers, the Foundation and the National Trust filed as Amicus Curiae in the court case. The issue of constitutionality was upheld in both the District and State Supreme Courts, but the state registration procedure was not.
Members also provided advice, guidance and assistance to numerous projects: Kawaiaha'o Hall at Mid Pacific Institute, Hale'iwa School, Old Hilo Police Station, Friends of the Alexander Young Building, Falls of Clyde, Aloha Tower Maritime Museum, Kawainui Marsh, Wai'anae Hawaiian Civic Club, Kalama Beach Advisory Committee concerning the Boettcher Home and the China Tourism Advisory Program.
1979
With the imminent demolition of the 1905 James Dole house in Wahiawa, the foundation agreed to raise the money and move the home. The Waipahu Cultural Garden Park agreed to provide a temporary location for it, and the city Department of Parks and Recreation to later move it to a permanent place in the park and restore it for use as an educational center.
The foundation supported the nomination and registration of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. When it was learned that the land lease encouraged consideration of demolition, in favor of a new and larger hotel, efforts to find additional economic incentives to encourage preservation intensified.
Support was given to the concept of Transfer of Development Rights at the county level. Members of the Honolulu Junior League provided an impact survey of tax incentives. Honolulu Councilman Tom Nekota sponsored a real property tax amendment to exempt registered buildings.
1977
A grant from the Hawai'i Committee for the Humanities enabled the foundation to hold workshops on Kauali, Maui and Hawai'i to explain governmental regulations dealing with preservation, the state and national register process and the historic value of the built environment.
Phyllis G. Fox became executive director, working to strengthen the administrative base upon which future growth could build. An office was opened on Fort Street Mall. The first major fundraising effort featured the sale of handcrafted portfolios of drawings by artist Ramsay.
The Junior League of Honolulu was encouraged to undertake a survey of historic homes in Manoa Valley. Members of Historic Hawai'i conducted a workshop on survey techniques and secured a state grant of $10,000 to survey, inventory and prepare nomination forms for historic buildings in Kaimuki, Kapahulu, Downtown Honolulu. These building-by-building surveys resulted in thousands of inventory forms.
Fund-raising expanded with a Winter Benefit, at the Gerbode Estate, and the first Preservation Parade of historic buildings in downtown Honolulu.
Funding was raised to bring a team from the national Historic American Engineering Record to record the R. W. Meyer Mill on Molokai as a basis for future preservation efforts for the mill.
We also supported the nomination and placement of the Robert Lishman Building on the State and National Registers of Historic Places; honored building owners and developers actively involved in rehabilitation and preservation; and made arrangements for members of the National Trust to tour the islands.
The Freedoms Foundation of America honored Historic Hawai'i News with an award for excellence.
Historic Hawaii Foundation Members circulated a petition to protect the Royal Hawaiian Hotel
To reach building owners in Chinatown, the first article on federal tax credits was published in Chinese by the United Chinese Press. Using a National Trust plan for rehabilitation in Honoka'a, HHF members proposed a rehabilitation program which was undertaken by the Bank of Hawai'i. Information on the federal tax credits, regulatory effect of historic registration, grants and monies available for preservation were included in issues of Historic Hawai'i News.
Preservation activity was increasingly reported and successful projects explained so that others could use the concepts as guidelines. A second grant from the state allowed us to survey and inventory Makiki and portions of Nu'uanu, resulting in more than 1,000 inventory forms.
The first exhibit of paintings reflecting the built history and multi-cultural life styles of Hawai'i was set up in Ala Moana Center where an estimated 10,000 people viewed the art and received information about Historic Hawai'i. National Trust President James Biddle made presentations to leaders in the financial industry, government agencies dealing with Chinatown and representatives of the Wai'anae Hawaiian Civic Club.
HISTORIC HAWAII FOUNDATION
Historic Hawai‘i Foundation / 680 Iwilei Road, Suite #690, Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: 808-523-2900 Fax: 808-523-0800
Email: webmaster@historichawaii.org
Copyright 2003-2010 Historic Hawaii Foundation unless otherwise noted
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