CLIENT
University of Hawai‘i
LOCATION
Kea‘ahala, Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu
SIZE
20,000 sf
SERVICES
Architecture
Interior Design
Historic Preservation
The Windward Community College campus was originally established as a Psychiatric Hospital for the Territory of Hawai‘i. Both the Hale Manaleo and Hale Na‘auao were designed by Edwin Pettit as hospital wards.
DESCRIPTION
As part of the college campus, the buildings were being used as a classroom building and as a library. Both had been neglected over the years and undergone several modifications that either removed or concealed historic material. The rehabilitation of these two virtually identical buildings included addressing many of the original design features of the buildings. The buildings also showcase display boards at the entry, which discuss the history and significance of the building, and have smaller signs throughout the space that highlight historic features of the building.
The buildings’ Spanish Mission Revival style of architecture, popular in Hawaii in the 1920s, is complementary to its location on the dramatic slopes of the Ko‘olau mountain range. The renovations restored the buildings in a manner that is true to their historic fabric, and sensitive to its current operations. Minatoishi Architects was the Historic Architect ensuring that the design and construction of the facility follows the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines.
