MASON is honored to receive recognition from the Historic Hawaii Foundation (HHF) for three Preservation Awards at the 46th Annual Historic Preservation Honor Awards ceremony!

Our projects that will be recognized are:

Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Lāna‘i City Housing

The goal of the work in Lāna‘i City is to preserve its historic character while providing housing for the community. This program preserves, maintains, rehabilitates, reconstructs and replaces historic housing using both existing buildings and constructing new infill housing.

Lāna‘i City was a pineapple plantation town, founded in 1924 as the one urban area on the island of Lāna‘i. Although developed over several decades it has defining characteristics that reflect its history. During the past 5 years, MASON has been responsible for the rehabilitation of four existing historic houses, replacement of three houses along Lāna‘i Avenue with exact exterior replicas, and construction of nine new infill homes compatible with the town’s historic character; three additional historic homes are in the design phase for rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation of McKinley High School Senior Core Building (Building W)

This project included restoring the glazed terra cotta artwork, replicating historic wood windows, and extensive interior improvements.

President William McKinley High School was originally founded in 1865 and renamed to memorialize the twenty-fifth president in 1907. Construction began on the Works Progress Administration (WPA)–financed Senior Core Building (Building W) in 1939 as part of the historic campus quadrangle. McKinley High School Building W is on the Hawai‘i and National Register of Historic Places. Designed by Vladimir Ossipoff in a joint venture with architect Louis E. Davis, and completed in 1940, it reflects Ossipoff’s mastery of the Hawaii Regional architectural style, with an interpretation of Spanish Colonial Revival architectural forms to complement the original school buildings.

Ford Island Interpretive Trail for Achievements in Interpretive Media

MASON designed 30 interpretive panels that have been placed along a newly completed paved walking and running trail that encircles the island. The interpretive panels are paired at 15 nodes along the historic trail and were created to illustrate the cultural and historical importance of Ford Island.

Ford Island, also known as Mokuʻumeʻume, is an islet located in the center of Pearl Harbor. It was the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s forward command headquarters with moored ships and parked aircraft, which were the primary focus of the December 7, 1941 attack. It is part of the Pearl Harbor Naval Base National Historic Landmark.

Panels along the Ewa side of the island consist of information about the area’s geology, Hawaiian history, and historic Army use. Panels on the Waikiki side are dedicated to the island’s Navy history, defense development, and role in World War II. The purpose of the trail is to educate and communicate an appreciation for both Hawaiian and military history and the importance of protecting cultural resources and providing an amenity for the island residents, employees and visitors.

We are excited to celebrate this recognition with our clients and project team members. The Preservation Honor Awards Ceremony was scheduled for May 2020, but due to COVID-19, has been postponed and will be held at a later date. Congratulations to all the honorees, we are looking forward to learning about all other recent preservation projects in our community!

About the Preservation Honor Awards

HHF’s Historic Preservation Honor Awards are Hawaii’s highest recognition of projects, organizations, publications or individuals active in preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, or interpretation of the State’s archaeological, architectural, and cultural sites. Recognizing achievements in interpreting, preserving or restoring Hawai‘i’s historic and cultural resources.

Visit HHF's Historic Preservation Honor Awards article here!