HAWAII'S MOST ENDANGERED HISTORIC SITES 2010
All photos courtesy of Honolulu Magazine.
by Jenny Quill , Honolulu Magazine
The past year has been a time of belt-tightening for the state of Hawai‘i and many of its families, private companies and charitable organizations. The lack of funds has also had an impact on the preservation of historic places throughout the state. But when the going gets tough, the tough would be wise to find creative ways to preserve our history. In an effort to do that, the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation (HHF), the State Historic Preservation Division and HONOLULU Magazine have assembled this annual list of some of Hawai‘i’s most endangered places. This year’s nominations include an ancient fishpond, a historic district in a heavily touristed Maui town, a crumbling theater on the Big Island and a few highly visible downtown Honolulu buildings. All these sites are endangered due to financial fallout, whether through foreclosure, company merger or budget cuts. That reality should not overshadow that they represent important chapters in Hawai‘i’s rich past, and contribute to our sense of place and who we are as a community.
It’s important to note that making this list does not guarantee protection or preservation. Our goal is to raise awareness of the sites’ vulnerability and inspire community support. In the following pages, you’ll find this year’s most endangered historic sites, the stories behind what’s threatening them and what can be done to protect them. You’ll also discover updates on last year’s endangered sites, including Alekoko Pond, the Luahiwa petroglyphs and Lapakahi.
More About the Most Endangered Historic Sites in Hawaii
More About the Most Endangered Historic Sites in Hawaii
View Most Endangered Historic Sites in Hawaii in a larger map
(Kane‘ohe, O‘ahu)
Photo by Rae Huo
Waikalua Loko is one of the few remaining intact ancient Hawaiian fishponds in the state. Located in Kāne‘ohe Bay, the approximately 400-year-old fishpond exemplifies the ancient Hawaiians’ skillful management of natural resources. The Waikalua Loko Fishpond Preservation Society, a nonprofit organization, has managed the pond since 1995, working to eradicate invasive mangrove and maintain the pond’s kuapā (wall) and mākāhā (gates), work done strictly by volunteers. “Since we began,” says Herb Lee, executive director of the Pacific American Foundation (PAF) and one of the founders of the preservation society, “we’ve had tens of thousands of people come down to help.”
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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HISTORIC HAWAI‘I FOUNDATION
(Lahaina, Maui)
Photo by Ryan Syphers
The first capital of the kingdom of Hawai‘i, Lahaina was also once a bustling whaling town and plantation settlement. To recognize and preserve its rich history, two sets of historic districts have been created in Lahaina: The Lahaina Historic District, which encompasses about 1,665 acres, was added to the National Park Service’s (NPS) National Historic Landmarks Program in December 1962. Maui County Historic District Boundaries 1 and 2 cover about 65 acres in Lahaina. “Historic District 1 was designated more for traditional historic sites such as the prison, the Masters’ Reading Room, some of the older churches, the Seaman’s Hospital,” says Ann Cua, the deputy director of the Maui County Planning Department. “Historic District 2 is where you have the commercial buildings on Front St.”
(Honolulu, O‘ahu)
Photo by Rae Huo
The Honolulu Advertiser, Hawai‘i’s oldest continuously published newspaper until this year, when it merged with The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, moved to 605 Kapi‘olani Blvd. in 1930. Architects Walter Emory and Marshall Webb designed the three-story, Beaux Arts-style building, which was home to the newspaper’s news, advertising and administrative offices. On both the National and State Registers of Historic Places, the building’s design includes such striking details as a Spanish-tile hipped roof, large, divided-light awning windows, twin roof towers and terra cotta detailing.
(Honolulu, O‘ahu)
Photo by Rae Huo
In 1968, the state purchased this 53-year-old building located at the intersection of King and Richards Streets from the Hawaiian Trust Co. for $2.5 million. It housed the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs until 2003, when the building was closed for renovation due to various safety issues, asbestos among them.
(Ka‘u, Big Island)
Photo by Joshua Fletcher
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 nonprofit radio station and a plantation movie theater museum.
Photo by Rae Huo
Lili‘uokalani Elementary in Kaimukī opened in 1912 and was personally dedicated by its namesake, Queen Lydia Lili‘uokalani. While the original administration building was torn down years ago, its cornerstone still exists, and is now located in the corner by the basketball court. The current administration and classroom buildings were all built within the last 50 years, says principal Dr. Raelene Chock. The school has about 130 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
