North Shore NewsThe North Shore Chamber is delighted to announce that the first two plaques of its Haleiwa Interpretative Signage Project are ready for installation. The Chamber secured grant monies from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Atherton Family Foundation to mount bronze interpretive plaques on Haleiwa buildings of the most historic significance.
The narrative on the plaques provide a short history of each significant building. The Chamber’s Historic Committee Chair, Antya Miller explains, “Without interpretation, visitors do not know why Haleiwa is historic.” These signs will complement the Chamber’s walking tour and allow residents, students on field trips and visitors to experience Haleiwa’s unique history and character.
The North Shore Chamber, also known as Haleiwa Main Street (HMS), has worked to preserve our historic buildings in support of the City’s “Haleiwa Special District” ordinance since 1984. At that time, North Shore residents such as Lucky Cole, Meryl Andersen, Peggy Paty and Laura Bolles spearheaded the effort to stop the further destruction of landmarks after the unexpected demolition of the Haleiwa Theater in 1983. Local historian Rick Rogers, a.k.a Captain Haleiwa, famously stood between the wrecking ball and the Haleiwa theater to prevent its destruction. The “Haleiwa Special District (HSD)” was the result of the impassioned advocacy of such residents.
Kiersten Faulkner, Executive Director of the Historic Hawaii Foundation (“HHF”), met with the Chamber board of directors last month to partner with the Chamber for the purpose of updating the inventory list of historic properties within the district boundary. Kiersten explained the benefits to Haleiwa being a “Special District” because its restrictions protect the historic nature, distinction, and appeal of the town. “Communities such as Kailua don’t have those protections, and the “Special District” designation helps Haleiwa to stay as it is,” says Kiersten.
State funding for the Haleiwa Main Street program stopped in 1997; however, the North Shore Chamber of Commerce continued and is now supported through memberships, donations, sponsorships and fundraising.
Roxana Jimenez, the Manager of the Chamber adds, “The signage project shows the City and County government that we are an active advocacy group for improving the North Shore. We are helping more people enjoy and appreciate our town, either with historic tours, wheelchair beach access mats or a Visitor/Business Services Center. If we come together as a community, we can generate more government support for infrastructure improvements: to fix the gridlock at Laniakea, add more parking and build bike paths….”
Roxana encourages residents to complete the survey on the Chamber website, www.gonorthshore. org. “The online survey takes only a few minutes and helps the North Shore community have a unified voice with our legislators.” For more information on how to support the Chamber, call 637-4558.