COMMENTARY
Historic gems need proper post-quake care
By Kiersten Faulkner and Laura C. Schuster
When responding to a natural disaster, emergency responders are rightfully focused on immediate threats to life and property. Preservation of historic buildings is the lowest priority for local, state and federal agencies.
But once the immediate threat has passed, preservation of our unique historic and cultural sites requires the understanding and cooperation of both public and private responders.
Sunday's earthquakes and their aftershocks undoubtedly caused severe damage to many of Hawai'i's historic treasures, including Hulihe'e Palace and Pu'ukohola Heiau. Lesser known but still significant structures were also damaged, including the Sugar Mill Stack, Kalahikiola Church and Bond Homestead.
Dozens of older homes, mom-and-pop stores and community buildings were also hurt by the seismic activity. Collectively, these structures are the living memory of West Hawai'i and should be preserved and restored following this disaster.
Despite the initial damage, the real threat may come from well-intentioned but poorly informed actions in days and weeks after the earthquake. In their haste to clean up, people may inadvertently inflict more damage and make recovery more difficult. Crucial decisions about tagging and demolition of historic buildings can happen within days. Building officials and responders can and should slow any rush to demolish until professional preservation assessments can be completed.
To prevent additional losses, the following short-term actions are recommended:
Experience from natural disasters in other states has shown how important rapid response documentation can be. In the days and weeks following a disaster, FEMA will rely on these reports as it administers its programs, including reimbursements for shoring, stabilizing or fencing buildings.
Following the earthquakes, the National Park Service and State Historic Preservation Division had qualified preservation professionals in the field within 24 hours. Volunteers with the Historic Hawai'i Foundation were also on the ground to help with damage assessment and preservation strategies almost immediately. The immediate assessment is focused on publicly-owned buildings, those on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, and National Historic Landmark structures. In the following days and weeks, non-registered older buildings may also be assessed.
In the interim, we urge people to take measures to prevent imminent harm, including stabilization and fencing, but not to demolish what is left standing. We urge those with stewardship over these resources not to destroy what the earthquakes could not.
Kiersten Faulkner is executive director of the Historic Hawai'i Foundation. Laura C. Schuster is Cultural Resources Program lead for Volcanoes National Park.
