Historic Hawai‘i Foundation's Preservation Honor Award Goes to Hui

The Kaluanui History Room, FREE, located in the main house of the Hui

Historic Hawai‘i Foundation will honor exemplary achievements in the field of historic preservation at the 39th Annual Preservation Honor Awards ceremony on May 31, 2013 in Honolulu.  Hui No‘eau’s Kaluanui Preservation and Stewardship Program has been named the recipient of a prestigious Preservation Honor Award, one of three honor award categories presented each year.

The Hui’s Kaluanui Preservation & Stewardship Program serves to perpetuate the history and natural beauty of its Kaluanui home, promote responsible and appropriate use of the estate and grounds, and provide a much needed service to the Maui residential and visitor community by managing 25-acres of natural, open space dedicated for public use.

Designed by C.W. Dickey in 1917 for Hui founder Ethel Baldwin and husband Harry Baldwin, the Kaluanui Estate has been home to Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center since 1976. Through extensive physical repairs completed since Hui No‘eau’s purchase of Kaluanui in 2005 via the successful “Save the Hui, Buy Kaluanui” campaign and through the development of the Kaluanui Experience, which features an historical exhibition space, estate plant guide, and multiple walking tours through the artist studios and gardens, this program enables public access to the site and stories of this nearly 100-year-old Maui estate.

The Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s Preservation Honor Award will be received by Hui President Shannon Hoekstra, Executive Director Caroline Killhour and Vice President John Hoxie, who has been instrumental to the Hui’s Kaluanui Preservation & Stewardship Program.

Believing whole-heartedly in the Hui’s mission to unlock creativity through exceptional visual arts education, John’s leadership during the 2005 “Save the Hui, Buy Kaluanui” campaign was vital to the purchase of the 25-acre estate. As current chair of the Hui’s facilities committee, John takes personal responsibility in safeguarding a successful future for the Hui by overseeing the preservation of the Kaluanui estate and proactively exploring opportunities to meet the needs of our community through facility improvements and safety. A former Hui No‘eau board president, current vice president, executive committee member, facilities committee member, development committee member as well as artist, patron, member and donor, John’s 10 years of participation and support of the nonprofit organization has been a critical tool to its success as a high-quality arts education resource center and historic community gathering place.

“We are very pleased to recognize the outstanding efforts that Hui No‘eau has taken to preserve Kaluanui,” said Kiersten Faulkner, Executive Director of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation.

“This classic Dickey-designed home in Makawao is a treasure in the architectural history of Upcountry Maui,” said Faulkner. “A major rehabilitation in 1995 created a strong starting point for ongoing stewardship of the historic property, and the recent preservation projects will ensure that the building will continue to grace Maui in the long-term.”

“Historic Hawai‘i Foundation found that the projects to repair and restore damaged features were done in a way that preserved the historic character and will perpetuate this resource for continued use and enjoyment,” Faulkner said. “This exemplary effort is a fitting recipient of a Preservation Honor Award.”

To make a donation in support of the Kaluanui Preservation & Stewardship Program, please contact Senior Development Officer Shay Belisle at (808) 572-6560 ext. 25 or visit the Hui’s huinoeau.com/support. Your support will create a relevant, community bequest that voices its support of preserving an historic Maui institution, the 15,000+ artists, educators, visitors, and community members it serves annually, and a mutual commitment to quality, accountability and accessibility.

Visit Hui No‘eau 7 days a week from 10 am - 4 pm to enjoy the Kaluanui Experience. Admission is FREE.

The 2013 Preservation Honor Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 31, 2013 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu in the Pīkake Room at 4:00 p.m.  A reception will follow the presentation program. Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s preservation awards have been presented annually since 1975.  They are Hawai‘i’s highest recognition of projects that perpetuate, rehabilitate, restore or interpret the state’s architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage.

Portrait of Kaluanui by Ron Dahlquist