Posted on: Friday, July 12, 2002
Group to restore Maunawili landmarks
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
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| Anthropologist Paul Brennan says Maunawili was "a happening place" during Queen Lili'uokalani's time. Brennan is a member of the Kailua Historical Society, which wants to preserve Maunawili's older buildings, like the one behind him.
Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser |
KAILUA — By the 1870s, Maunawili had become a hub of entertainment on the Windward side, where businessmen and high-ranking officers lived and hosted such dignitaries as Queen Lili'uokalani, who had a cottage there.
The community was dotted with homes, stores and a school, leading some to believe that Kailua's urban origin is rooted in Maunawili, which has more than 150 documented archaeological sites, including a heiau, the Hedemann House, the Queen's bath, petroglyphs and some very old trees.
"This was a happening place when Queen Lili'uokalani was in power," said Paul Brennan, an anthropologist who has spent 22 years tramping around the valley and documenting historic sites.
As many as five historic buildings near the Hedemann complex, where royalty visited and leading businessmen lived, have fallen into disrepair, Brennan said.
The site, which has been used by movie companies, is an oasis of tranquility. Two lines of stately royal palms mark a 200-foot path where carriages entered the complex. The underbrush is lush with heliconia, ferns and other plants.
Records speak of parties with such dignitaries as King Kalakaua attending, Brennan said. The area was used for festivities and relaxation.
Now, the Kailua Historical Society, which celebrates its first year this weekend, wants to preserve these Maunawili landmarks.
Its goals include cooperating with property owner HRT Inc., the money-making arm of the Harry & Jeannette Weinberg Foundation, in restoring some of the landmarks, said Brennan, who is on the historical society's board.
"We think we can get outside money to restore the buildings," said Joanne Flannery, president of the historical society. "In the last five or 10 years, over 15 of the old buildings in Maunawili have been destroyed. So time is of the essence."
In its first year of operation, the Kailua Historical Society has set up an archive of collectibles, signed up 125 members and initiated an oral history project, Flannery said.
People in their 80s and 90s have revealed a snapshot of a growing community around the late 1930s, she said.
The aging storytellers talk about aspects of everyday life such as construction techniques, watermelon patches and a horse race track.
There are more stories to tell, and the society needs help recording information from 80 more residents, she said.
"People have given us dozens of names of people we should interview, but some are dying before we are able to get to them," Flannery said.
To celebrate its anniversary, the society will host an public open house at 3 p.m. Sunday at Kalama Beach Park Boettcher Estate, 248 N. Kalaheo Ave.
A historical display will highlight Kailua's past. Jim Bartels, director of Washington Place, will discuss historic site development.
New members can sign up at the party.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
