University of Hawaii

University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii

University of Hawaii at Manoa Campus Heritage Report (PDF) 37.2MB

The University of Hawaii began as a college of agriculture and mechanical arts at the mouth of the Manoa Valley in 1907. With its early Beaux-Arts architectural plan, the university features a number of buildings listed on both the Hawaiian and National Registers of Historic Places that reflect the islands' diverse ethnic communities and unique climates. Envisioned since its founding as a living botanical laboratory, the campus also houses a unique collection of native plants and plant communities. With important designed landscapes by Richard Tongg, considered to be the first Chinese American landscape architect, and Japanese landscape architect Kenzo Ogata, this botanical environment has flourished. Grant funds are supporting a detailed survey of the school's architectural and landscape features, including research on approximately fifty historic buildings, an inventory of the botanic collection of specimen trees and shrubs, and documentation of the designed landscapes.

University of Hawaii received a Getty grant in 2007 for $100,000 to support campus heritage planning.

Report Summary

Purpose of grant:

• Collect heritage resources.
• Use information in future master planning process.

Planning process:

• Manoa campus and adjacent East-West Center area.
• Research and examination of 75 historic buildings and 10 historic landscape sites.
• Survey and inventory of botanic collection of specimen trees and shrubs developed with campus foundation 1914-20 with direction from tropical botanist, Joseph Rock.
• Documentation of several designed feature landscapes and features.
• Inventory condition all plant materials.
• All documentation in format of National Register nomination forms for significant landscape features and buildings including an outdoor theater.
• Evaluation of all buildings and landscaped spaces followed National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Department of the Interior guidelines of significance and integrity.
• Use of students in field work and report writing.

History:

• College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts in 1907.
• Core buildings included in first Beaux Arts plan listed in Hawaii Register of Historic Places.
• Important assemblages of early 20th Century Neoclassical style buildings in the Pacific Islands.
• Growth following World War ll
• Growth following statehood in 1959

Outcomes:

• Guidelines for preservation work on heritage resources and recommendations for new additions.
• Research and development of inventory database use as a permanent reference for future modifications to existing plan, Long Range Development Plan.
• Guidelines for treatment of historic materials and resources for buildings and landscapes.
• Documentation and inventory of 10 historic landscapes evaluated according to their significance and integrity spanning more than 50 years.
• In addition, 8 other historic landscape sites were included in the study.
• Condition and evaluation of sites included in the study.
• Inventory documents continued presence of individual trees and species on the campus.
• Survey of historic buildings and landscapes including the traditional taro terrace and the later East-West Center Complex.
• Preservation and maintenance of historic masonry
• Outlines conflicts between Campus Heritage Report and Long Range Development Plan in terms of improvement plans that would require disruption or elimination of historic buildings or landscapes.
• Recommendations for problems are included in Campus Heritage Report.

Unique features:

• Guidelines based on tropical climate and diverse plant life with recommendation of proper maintenance.
• Preservation guidelines based on Secretary of Interior standards for historic elements: masonry, wood metals, roofs, windows, signs.
• Guidelines for safety, energy efficiency.
• Guidelines for landscape preservation based on spatial organization, land patterns, circulation, topography, water features, structures, furnishings and objects, vegetation.

Noteworthy landscape architects and architect:

• Joseph Rock, tropical botanist
• Richard Tongg, landscape architect
• Kenzo Ogata, designed Japanese garden
• I.M. Pei, International Style, architect for several buildings in the East – West building complex.