MEDIA RELEASE

Historic Hawaii Foundation (HHF) will offer a series of five community workshops on how to nominate historic properties to the Hawaii State and National Registers of Historic Places.

“Historic sites are under increasing pressure and stress across all the islands,” said Kiersten Faulkner, executive director. “One way that home owners and community members can protect the history, culture and identity of special places is to ensure they are identified before it is too late. The workshops help empower community members formally designate historic properties to make certain that significant places have the recognition they deserve.”

The Hawaii Register of Historic Places is a state program under the Department of Land and Natural Resources. It is the state’s official list of historic properties that are worthy of preservation, and it is meant to reflect the fullness of Hawaii’s history. The National Register of Historic Places is a similar program at the federal level, and the list is kept by the National Park Service.

“The nomination, review and approval process is highly standardized and methodical,” Faulkner said. “The high standards ensure that the historic research and descriptions are accurate, and that all properties on the historic register meet criteria for designation. The process can be daunting, so we developed the workshop and guide to help regular people understand what is needed.”

Once designated as a historic site, a property is recognized for its association with the history of Hawaii in one or more of the areas of history, architecture, archaeology or culture.

Responsibilities of historic designation include a commitment to help retain the historic character, with sensitive and thoughtful rehabilitation as may be needed for contemporary use. Historic designation is also a pre-requisite to qualify for certain federal tax credits or property tax exemptions.

The workshops will address the criteria, standards and process for nominating a property to the historic register, and will provide professional experts to discuss property research, completing the nomination form, and the benefits and responsibilities that come with designation.

The workshops are 9 a.m.-noon at the following dates and locations:

· April 17: Lihue Public Library, 4344 Hardy Street, Lihue

· May 15: J. Walter Cameron Center, 95 Mahalani Street, Wailuku

· June 18: Royal Kona Resort, 75-5852 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona

· June 19: Lyman Museum, 276 Haili Road, Hilo

· July 24: ILWU Union Hall, 849 Ilima Avenue, Lanai City

A workshop in Honolulu will be scheduled later in the summer. The seminar is approved for 2 AIA/CES LUs HSW and has been submitted for 2 AICP CM credits.

The 3-hour workshops feature instructors from Historic Hawaii Foundation, preservation architectural firms and the State Historic Preservation Division. They will provide attendees with a chance to learn the basic process to complete a nomination to the Hawaii and National Register of Historic Places.

Topics covered include: evaluating eligibility for the register; the benefits and responsibilities of designation; completing the nomination form; and the roles of the various commissions and boards in the nomination process.

The content is directed toward individuals, organizations and professionals wanting to list a site on the historic register as well as those who will benefit from an understanding of the nomination process and nomination form including planners, cultural resource staff, county officials, elected officials, architects, historians, real estate professionals who deal with historic properties, contractors and local citizens who care about preserving these sites.

Funding for the workshops is provided by the State Historic Preservation Division, Cooke Foundation, and Historic Hawaii Foundation.

The workshops are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required.

Information and online registration is available at www.historichawaii.org

Questions about the workshop may be directed to Historic Hawaii Foundation at 523-2900 or megan@historichawaii.org