Kimo Stowell

Downtown Honolulu has many architectural styles indicative of the many cultural influences that have helped shape modern Hawaii.

Honolulu, during the early part of the 20th century, had adopted many of the architectural styles that were en vogue on the mainland in the sunny Pacific Southwest. One such style trend is Spanish Colonial Revival. Influenced by both California and the Philippines this tropic friendly design features stucco siding, ceramic tile roofs, and old world details. Many public buildings built in the late 20's and 30's here in Honolulu were constructed in this Mediterranean influenced design style. Here are some of my favorite examples.

This is the Bethal St. Police department with its large ornate lintal moldings and coffered bronze doorway.

This is the King Kamehameha Building which functions as the Downtown Post office and houses other city administrative offices. The cloistered courtyard, stucco siding, along with the classic tile roof are all features of the Spanish Colonial Revival style.

The following photos including the one above is of Honolulu Hale, or city hall.

The tower has highly detailed "balcons" reminiscent of Seville.

A classic European coat of arms with Royal Hawaiian emblazoned shield

Bronze door with Spanish inspired embellishments and metal work.

Let JDS Consulting assist you in your Real Estate design needs. Please visit our site:

http://www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com

Photos by Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008

Manu-o-Ku, Fairy, or White Terns (Gygis alba) are found only on Oahu, with regards to the main Islands of Hawaii but are common in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands and other parts of Polynesia. Manu-o-Ku are listed as a threatened species by the State of Hawaii.

They do not build nests but rather lay their eggs in craggy ledges and tree knots. Their diet consists almost entirely of flying and goat fish and both parents take turns caring and feeding their young.

The female does not leave the incubating egg until it hatches and the male will keep his mate amply fed while she keeps vigil. Breeding pairs will sometimes produce three broods a year and nest either in solitude or in small groups preferring to nest in the same place year after year.

They are very social birds noted by their cacophonous interactions with each other in the early morning and at dusk. They often roost in Monkey Pod trees because of it's expansive canopy and afforded protection from predation.

We were blessed to have three breeding pairs living outside our former home in Diamond Head Hawaii. It was a wonderful experience to watch the hatchlings grow and finally fly away.

The parents always kept a watchful eye on human beings but many times I got the impression that they liked showing us their little ones. If we got too close they would let us know by flying around our heads and screeching but that was rare.

We need your Kokua to keep Hawaii beautiful!

Photos by Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008

The Big Island is an inspiring place, home to the Goddess Pele and high tech Billionaire's. It's natural beauty is evident from its black sand beaches to it's snow capped volcanoes.

Mauna Kea at sunset

Honu hoofing it

Hula in Kona

Steam rising from the floor of Kilauea caldera

Sunset in Waimea

Please Help Keep Hawaii Beautiful!

Photos by Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008

This stately home belonged to the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lydia Lili'uokalani. After the over throw of the Kingdom of Hawaii she was kept here under virtual house arrest until her death on November 11, 1917. Threat of counter insurgency kept her a political prisoner the rest of her life. Once Hawaii became a US territory the queen was powerless to regain her Kingdom despite the fact the international court at the Hague had ruled in favor of the restoration of Hawaiian sovereignty.

The lower portion of the house is constructed of coral blocks and the rest is of wood construction. Built in the 1840s, the home was constructed by the parents of the Queens consort, General John Dominus, in the Greek Revival style reminiscent of plantation homes in Louisiana. The defining architectural elements are the double tiered lanai's, columns, and hipped roof.

After the Queens death Washington Place became the Executive Mansion for twelve consecutive governors of Hawaiʻi until 2002, when it became a historic house museum and eventually a National Historic Landmark in 2007.

This bronze placard commemorates the Queens farewell song to her Kingdom, Aloha O'e, which became world famous and today is indicative of Hawaii's Aloha spirit.

Aloha O'e Aloha O'e

E ke ona ona noho ika lipo

One found embrace a hoi ae au

Until we meet again

Photos by Kimo

Honolulu has some beautiful Art Deco architecture and one of my favorite buildings is the Downtown Fire Department on Beretania St. near China Town. Honolulu has some amazing public buildings and here is just one example.

The giant zinc doors and the Hawaiian styled motifs are what really draw your attention to this building.

The doors stand about 15 feet high not including the monogram and transome and are excellent examples of Art Deco detail.

The triangles are an Ancient Hawaiian motif that were commonly found in Tapa cloth and body decoration.

The light fixture, layered squares and name plate font are all classic Art Deco details, as well as, the stucco wall treatment. Many of Honolulu's public buildings are quite beautiful and this one is no exception.