National Trust To Close Save America's Treasures Office

After twelve years of serving as the principal private partner of the Save America's Treasures historic preservation grant program, the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that it will be closing the office.
Facing the fact that the Administration proposed zero funding for the program in FY 2011 and in FY 2012, and Congress’ decision to eliminate funding in FY 2011, and despite strong support and advocacy by preservationists around the country, it became clear that the funding for the program is not likely to return.
"The National Trust is proud of our role in establishing SAT and our subsequent work with three administrations...SAT is a program that has demonstrated its value many times over, as a generator of economic activity and as a symbol of our country's commitment to ensuring that future generations understand the foundations on which our institutions and freedoms rest," said National Trust President Stephanie Meeks in the letter making the announcement.
The office is expected to be closed by June 30th.

FOUR GRANTS AWARDED TO PROTECT LEGACY LANDS

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Legacy Land Conservation Program will award four grants to nonprofit organizations and county agencies for the protection of lands having important cultural, natural, and agricultural resources.

“During a time when we are focused on the current economy, it is important to also remember our responsibility to future generations and the sustainability of Hawaii’s agricultural, natural, and cultural heritage,” stated William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR chairperson.

The total amount of $4.45 million in State funding will secure approximately $7.6 million in matching federal, county, and private funding towards securing the protection of these lands.

The Legacy Land Conservation Commission, a nine-member commission composed of cultural, agricultural and natural resource experts and representatives from each county, advised the Board of Land and Natural Resources on this year’s project selections. Governor Neil Abercrombie released funding for the Commission’s recommended projects in late April.

“When private lands having such valuable public resources become available for sale, it is key to do what we can to protect them – sometimes these opportunities do not come again for decades, if ever,” stated Commission Chair Dale Bonar.

The approved project awards were made to:

County of Hawaii for Kaiholena, in North Kohala, Island of Hawai‘i, at $1,650,000 for the acquisition of 76.55 acres, to protect of open space, cultural and archeological sites, and coastal resources;

Livable Hawai‘i Kai Hui for the Hāwea Heiau Complex and Keawāwa Wetland in Honolulu, Island of O‘ahu, at $325,000 for the purchase of five acres to preserve native bird habitat, wetlands, and cultural sites;

Maika‘i Kamakani ‘O Kohala for Kauhola Point in North Kohala, Island of Hawai‘i, at $975,000 for the acquisition of 27.546 acres, to preserve cultural sites, recreational areas, and coastal lands; and

Trust for Public Land and North Shore Community Land Trust for Turtle Bay Mauka Lands in Ko‘olauloa, Island of O‘ahu, at $1,500,000 for a conservation easement over 469 acres, to protect productive agricultural lands.

LLCP projects are subject to a consultation process with the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the approval of the Governor. Grant funding for projects that protect lands having value as a resource to the State is awarded through the Legacy Land Conservation Program on an annual basis, subject to the availability of funds.

For more information on the Legacy Land Conservation Program please visit http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/llcp or call (808) 586-0921.

Historic Kaumakapili Church Celebrates 100th Anniversary With a Series of Events Scheduled This Summer

HONOLULU, HI – Kaumakapili Church, located in the Kalihi-Palama district of Honolulu, will be celebrating a series of events over the summer to mark the Keoneʻula Sanctuaryʻs 100th Anniversary Celebration.

The Protestant Church of Kaumakapili, located on the corner of King and Palama Streets, was dedicated in June 1911, and is the third structure built by the congregation. Notably, Mason Architects, who oversaw the recent restoration efforts, received an Award of Merit from the Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation in 2004, and the church was added to the National and State Historic Register in the same year.

The church, founded in 1838 by makaʻainana (commoners), was a thatched-roof adobe structure located on the corner of Smith and Beretania Streets. In 1881, the adobe building was torn down to make way for a new brick edifice, and in 1888, the two-steepled structure was dedicated. In 1900, when health authorities took drastic measures to eradicate the spread of the bubonic plague on Hawaiʻiʻs shores by igniting parts of Chinatown, stray sparks caused the church to be engulfed by flames, leaving only the brick walls standing.

Since its humble beginnings in 1838, the church has tirelessly served the Hawaiian community and beyond, and has expanded to include health services, human services programs, and worship services conducted in both Hawaiian language and English.

Upcoming celebrations include:

• June 8-9th – Annual ʻAha Na Kai ʻEwalu all-state Association of Hawaiian Evangelical Churches Conference

Kaumakapili Church



• June 25th – Sanctuary Centennial Celebration

E Pauahi, Aʻole Paulele ~ The fire is done, the journey continues

6pm-9pm – Sheraton Waikiki Resort Ballroom



• July 16th – 40th Annual Benefit Luʻau

8am-2pm – Kaumakapili Church


Also planned this summer are special Sunday worship services honoring past ministers and Hawaiian church choirs.

ONLINE LINKS
www.kaumakapili.org



Kaumakapili Churchʻs mission is to glorify God by bearing the fruits of God's aloha and gifts, and so proving to be faithful disciples of Christ, who are equipped for the work of the ministry of proclaiming the good news to all people, by witnessing in word and deed, by serving those in need, by welcoming and receiving all people into the church fellowship, and by nurturing and equipping the church members for the growth of the Body of Christ.

DLNR ANNOUNCES NEW STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ARCHITECTURE BRANCH CHIEF

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) announces the appointment of Angie Westfall as architecture branch chief. Ms. Westfall joins the team from her work as an architectural project manager at Conceptual Motion in Santa Barbara, California. She is a graduate of Kailua High School and the University of Hawaii.

“We are pleased to announce Ms. Westfall’s appointment as SHPD architecture branch chief,” said William J. Aila, Jr., Chairperson, “Her education and work experience are needed to improve the division’s ability to maintain its core functions and preserve and sustain reminders of earlier times which link the past to the present.”

SHPD’s three branches, History and Culture, Archaeology, and Architecture, strive to accomplish this goal through a number of different activities.

The architecture branch reviews all requests for building modifications and assesses the impact of these changes on historic properties. SHPD is the official keeper of the Hawai‘i Register of Historic Properties.

The architecture branch is responsible for maintaining the register and assisting in the nomination procedures for both the Hawai‘i and National registers. The Hawai‘i Register formally recognizes districts, sites, structures, buildings and objects and their significance in Hawai‘i’s history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture.

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For more information, media may contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public information specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320