Walking tour will offer look at Manoa's past
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
A self-guided, two-mile walking tour of Manoa Valley with visits inside five historic houses will be held May 18 as a benefit for Malama O Manoa, a nonprofit group dedicated to promoting, celebrating and protecting the valley.
What: A two-mile walking tour of historic Manoa homes, a benefit for Malama O Manoa When: 8:30 a.m. to noon May 18. Where: Check in at Kamanele Park (corner of University Avenue and Ka'ala Street); walk ends with refreshments at College Hill, home of University of Hawai'i President Evan Dobelle. Cost: $20. Late registration, after May 9, is $25.ÊChildren under 12 years, accompanied by an adult, are free. Information: Call 988-7622, 947-7400 or 946-1559.
The tour, which begins at Kamanele Park near Mid-Pacific Institute, will include a detailed map of the area highlighting 60 historic properties. The tour will end with lemonade being served on the veranda at College Hill, the home of University of Hawai'i President Evan Dobelle.
At a glance
Joan Dempster, a member of Malama O Manoa, said the group hopes 300 or more people will attend the event.
"Most people want to see the interiors of historic homes, and they are not open that often," Dempster said. "You will be able to see the architectural detailing in the houses and there will be docents inside to tell you a little more about the history of the houses."
One of the featured properties is the Cooper House, a precisely cut, gray lava stone structure built in 1898. It was the valley's first large house.
The home was built by O.G. Traphagen, designer of the Moana Hotel in Waikiki, for Judge Henry E. Cooper and his wife and seven children. It is now part of the Japanese Seventh-Day Adventist Church located at 2855 Manoa Road.
At one time Cooper was the largest landowner in the valley. He also built a nine-hole golf course on the former ranch lands.
Dempster said volunteers will be stationed on various streets to direct participants along the route. Old photos of some of the homes will be available as well.
Manoa was home to many of Honolulu's high society in the early 20th century, and dozens of their mansions still stand today because of the loving care of homeowners and a special tax break for those on the State Register of Historic Homes, Dempster said.
"There is a benefit to retaining our history through architecture and seeing the richness that architecture really lends to history," Dempster said. "That is why we are doing the tour at this time. It brings history to life when you realize all these connections down through time. And this is not ancient history; it's only 80 to 100 years old."
Reach James Gonser at 535-2431 or at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com.
