Foundation honors preservation efforts

Advertiser Staff

Fourteen individuals, groups and projects involved in preservation efforts were honored this week by the Historic Hawai'i Foundation.

Barnes Riznik, who spent 25 years raising awareness of preservation issues throughout the state, received the top honor, the Governor's Preservation Award.

Riznik, who moved to Hawai'i in 1976 to become director of the Grove Farm Homestead and Wai'oli Mission House on Kaua'i, has influenced nearly everyone working in the preservation field with his vision, activism, expertise, research, mentoring and aloha, said David Scott, head of Historic Hawai'i.

Riznik, who retired to the Mainland, was involved in preservation projects from Hanalei to Kona, and with many environmental, preservation and historical groups.

Also announced during a reception were:

Preservation awards for a specific program or project:

• "The Queen's Song Book," a 25-year effort by Hui Hanai to gather and publish many of the songs written by Queen Lili'uokalani.
• Limahuli National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kaua'i, which has restored an agricultural terrace complex, dating back 800 years, into a unique resource management program.
• Koloa Heritage Trail, a free map and marking system that helps visitors learn about more than a dozen historic areas along the Po'ipu shore.
• Gay & Robinson Tours of Kaua'i, which gives visitors a firsthand glimpse into the history and life of a sugar plantation and mill.
• Nu'alolo Kai Archaeological Resource Management Project, a continuing effort to clear, map and protect a rich archaeological site on Kaua'i's north shore.
• "Puako — an Affection History," 166-page volume by a group of dedicated volunteers that details the history and life of a small community on the Big Island's South Kohala coast.
• East Hawai'i Cultural Center, a renovation of a 1931 building and creation of major community arts center in Hilo.
• "Guide to Kona Heritage Stores," a printed pamphlet that identifies and memorializes dozens of historic store buildings dating from 1860 on the Mamalahoa Highway in Kona.
• "Exploring Historic Wailuku," a small picture book that tells the story of Maui's town center.
• D.T. Fleming Arboretum, a private preserve of Auwahi forest plants maintained for nearly 50 years by Jack and Euphence Fleming Vockrodt.

Preservation commendation for an agency or organization:

• Na Kahu Hikina A Ka La of Kaua'i, which since 1988 has successfully cared for a number of highly important, sacred Hawaiian sites near Wailua River State Park.

Preservation certificate for an individual:

• Yosihiko Sinoto, for a lifetime achievement in archaeological work in Hawai'i and throughout the Pacific.
• Mary Louise and the late Paul Kekuewa, for preserving and fostering an interest in the traditional art of Hawaiian feather lei making.