Historic places rules governed by objective, fair standards

By Kiersten Faulkner

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jul 24, 2012

~~<p>The oldest and most historically significant neighborhoods in Honolulu have large numbers of property owners who commit to preserving their community's history and sense of place. Those examples should be celebrated, not scorned. The real issue in balancing preservation efforts in Hawaii is that other properties associated with the history, culture and peoples of Hawaii have been under-represented. These groups also need to be supported and recognized for the richness of their cultural sites and historic places through the designation process.</p>
<p>The Hawaii Register of Historic Places was specifically established to recognize many types of historic resources. In addition to residences, it also includes other sites that tell the complex and varied history of the Hawaiian Islands. Designated historic properties include places of commerce, agriculture, education, recreation, worship, community gathering, battlefields and civic interaction, as well as housing.</p>
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The oldest and most historically significant neighborhoods in Honolulu have large numbers of property owners who commit to preserving their community's history and sense of place. Those examples should be celebrated, not scorned. The real issue in balancing preservation efforts in Hawaii is that other properties associated with the history, culture and peoples of Hawaii have been under-represented. These groups also need to be supported and recognized for the richness of their cultural sites and historic places through the designation process.

The Hawaii Register of Historic Places was specifically established to recognize many types of historic resources. In addition to residences, it also includes other sites that tell the complex and varied history of the Hawaiian Islands. Designated historic properties include places of commerce, agriculture, education, recreation, worship, community gathering, battlefields and civic interaction, as well as housing. Login for more...