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Lahaina Historic District

Coordinates: 20°52′24″N 156°40′41″W / 20.87333°N 156.67806°W / 20.87333; -156.67806
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Lahaina Historic District
Old Lahaina Courthouse in 2010
Lahaina Historic District is located in Lahaina, Hawaii
Lahaina Historic District
Lahaina Historic District is located in Maui
Lahaina Historic District
Lahaina Historic District is located in Hawaii
Lahaina Historic District
LocationW side of Maui on HI 30, Lahaina, Hawaii
Coordinates20°52′24″N 156°40′41″W / 20.87333°N 156.67806°W / 20.87333; -156.67806
Area1,671 acres (676 ha)
NRHP reference No.66000302
HRHP No.50-50-03-03001
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 15, 1966[2]
Designated NHLDDecember 29, 1962[3]
Designated HRHPOctober 15, 1966[1]

Lahaina Historic District is a National Historic Landmark District encompassing most of the community of Lahaina, Hawaii, on the west side of the island of Maui in the US state of Hawaii. Designated in 1962, the district recognizes Lahaina for its well-preserved character as a 19th-century port, and for its social and economic importance in the 19th century as a major whaling center in the Pacific, and as one of the capital cities of the Kingdom of Hawaii.[4]

Lahaina was a popular residential center for the kings of Maui prior to the arrival of European explorers in the late 18th century. Kamehameha I made his landing here when he began the conquest of Maui in 1795, and Kamehameha II established a residence here in 1819. That same year, the first whaling ships arrived, beginning the community's rise in economic importance. Lahaina eclipsed Oahu as a preferred whaling port between 1840 and 1855, because of its better deep-water anchorage. When Kamehameha III ascended to the Hawaiian throne in 1825, he made Lahaina his capital, preferring it to the busier Honolulu. The town declined in economic importance in the 1860s, as the whaling industry waned.[4]

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1962.[3][4] The district is bounded on the north by Puʻuona Point, the south by Makila Point, and the east by the ridge of hills above the town. Its western bound extends all the way out to the island of Lānaʻi, encompassing the Lahaina Roads, the roadstead which enabled the town's growth in the 19th century.[4] Donn Beach and Pete Wimberly played an important early role in establishing building ordinances to govern restoration and preservation projects in Lahaina.[5][6]

Buildings

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When the landmark district was designated in 1962, nine buildings were called out for their specific contribution to the district.[2] The Historic American Buildings Survey collected detailed drawings in the 1960s and 1970s.[7] The district suffered catastrophic damage in the 2023 Hawaii wildfires with historic structures being destroyed (highlighted with red background).

Contributing buildings in the Lahaina Historic District
No Name Year Notes Thumbnail
1 Baldwin House 1835 A two-story home used by early missionaries, including Rev. Dwight Baldwin. Destroyed in the 2023 Hawaii wildfires[8]
2 Old Spring House 1823 Built by Rev. William Richards to enclose a spring and used for fresh water by the community.
3 Court House 1859 Replaced the Hale Piula, a former palace used for government offices damaged during an 1858 windstorm. Rebuilt in 1925 with significantly altered appearance. Ruins of outer walls were left standing after the August 2023 wildfire, roof and interior destroyed.
4 Old Prison (Hale Paʻahao) 1852 Main cell block (plank structure) completed in 1852, and enclosing coral-block wall completed in 1854. Original cell block burned in 1958; reconstructed in 1959 along with the wooden gate house.
5 Waineʻe (now Waiola) Church 1953 Construction started in 1828 and completed in 1832. Destroyed by winds twice and again by fire in 1894. Present structure was completed in 1953, when the name was changed to Waiola. Hawaiian nobility are interred in the cemetery, which dates to 1823. Destroyed in the 2023 Hawaii wildfires[9]
6 Hale Aloha 1858 Meeting house completed in 1858, replacing an earlier stone church dating to 1823. School house and church, restored in the 1980s
7 United States Marine Hospital 1842 Herman Melville noted one of his shipmates died at this hospital in 1843. Sold in 1865 and served as a school for girls, then a vicarage for the Episcopal Church. Ruins of outer walls were left standing after the August 2023 wildfire, roof and interior destroyed.
8 Maria Lanakila Catholic Church 1858 This church, erected in 1858, replaced an earlier church at the same site built in 1846. The present building was erected in 1928 on the same foundation, but is said to be an exact replica of the 1858 structure. Survived the 2023 Hawaii wildfires[10]
9 Pioneer Inn 1901 Lahaina's first hotel. Destroyed in the 2023 Hawaii wildfires[11][12]
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  • Old Spring House, 1823
    Old Spring House, 1823
  • Old Prison yard & gatehouse, 1830s
    Old Prison yard & gatehouse, 1830s
  • Old Prison outer wall, 1830s
    Old Prison outer wall, 1830s
  • Old Prison cellblock, 1830s
    Old Prison cellblock, 1830s
  • Baldwin House, 1834–1849[13]
    Baldwin House, 1834–1849[13]
  • Baldwin House with grape arbor, 1834–1849
    Baldwin House with grape arbor, 1834–1849
  • U.S. Seamen's Hospital, 1843[14]
    U.S. Seamen's Hospital, 1843[14]
  • Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, 1858
    Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, 1858
  • Hale Aloha in 1966, before restoration
    Hale Aloha in 1966, before restoration
  • Hale Aloha with bell tower, 1858
    Hale Aloha with bell tower, 1858
  • Hale Aloha seaward side, 1858
    Hale Aloha seaward side, 1858
  • Old Courthouse, 1859
    Old Courthouse, 1859
  • Pioneer Inn front desk, 1901
    Pioneer Inn front desk, 1901
  • Pioneer Inn, 1901
    Pioneer Inn, 1901
  • Waiola Church, renamed & rebuilt 1954[15]
    Waiola Church, renamed & rebuilt 1954[15]
  • Registered National Historic Landmark plaque, 1964
    Registered National Historic Landmark plaque, 1964

References

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  1. ^ "Historic Register Counts". Hawai'i State Historic Preservation Division. State of Hawaii. February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  3. ^ a b "Lahaina Historic District". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d Russell A. Apple (December 21, 1973). "National Register of Historic Places/National Historic Landmark 1974 Update: Lahaina / Lahaina (historic district)" (pdf). National Park Service. and Accompanying 18 photos from 1973 (32 KB)
  5. ^ Sinesky, Alice (September 16, 1986). "INTERVIEW WITH DONN BEACH" (PDF). The Watumull Foundation, Oral History Project.
  6. ^ Bitner, Arnold (2001). Hawai'i Tropical Rum Drinks by Don the Beaschcomber. Honolulu: Mutual Publishing.
  7. ^ Abiang, Arlene (September 1, 2023). "Rebuilding, preserving Lāhainā's historic district". University of Hawaiʻi System News. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  8. ^ "Devastating wildfires tear through oldest home on Maui, historic structures in Lahaina". Hawaii News Now. August 10, 2023. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023.
  9. ^ Tanji, Melissa; Thayer, Matthew (August 9, 2023). "Fierce winds fuel damaging fires in Lahaina, Upcountry". The Maui News. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023.
  10. ^ LaRosa, Michelle (August 10, 2023). "'We lost the whole town' - Hawaiian priest asks for prayers after Maui wildfire". Pillar Catholic. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  11. ^ Graff, Amy (August 9, 2023). "Lahaina's 122-year-old Pioneer Inn lost in Maui wildfire". SFGate. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023.
  12. ^ Schaefers, Allison (August 10, 2023). "Century-old Pioneer Inn among property casualties of West Maui wildfires". Honolulu Star Advertiser. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023.
  13. ^ "Lahaina Restoration Foundation: The Baldwin House". Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  14. ^ "Lahaina Restoration Foundation: The Seamen's Hospital". Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  15. ^ "Waiola Church: History". Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
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