Honolulu Hale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Honolulu Hale
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Front elevation along King St.
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 Location in Hawaii
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| Location | 530 S. King St., Honolulu, Hawaii |
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| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | C.W. Dickey & Hart Wood, Robert Miller, Rothwell Kangeter & Lester |
| Architectural style | Italianate Spanish Colonial Revival style |
| Part of | Hawaii Capital Historic District (ID78001020) |
| Added to NRHP | 1 December 1978 |
Honolulu Hale (which means Honolulu House in Hawaiian) is the main government building for the City and County of Honolulu in Hawaiʻi. You can find it at 530 South King Street in downtown Honolulu. This important building is where the Mayor of Honolulu and the Honolulu City Council have their offices and meeting rooms.
In the Hawaiian language, hale (pronounced HAH-leh) means house or building. So, Honolulu Hale means Honolulu House. In 1978, it was recognized as a special part of the Hawaii Capital Historic District. This district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a very important historical site.
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The Story of Honolulu Hale
The idea for Honolulu Hale started with a man named Joseph J. Fern. Before Honolulu had a mayor, it was run by a group called the Board of Supervisors. They met in different buildings around downtown Honolulu. Joseph Fern, who was a supervisor, dreamed of a permanent home for the city government. The city government itself was quite new, only created in 1900.
When the government changed in 1907, Joseph Fern became Honolulu's first mayor. He started making plans for a city hall. Sadly, he passed away in 1920 before he could convince everyone that a new city hall was needed.
Building the City's Home
Mayor John H. Wilson took over Fern's dream. With the help of many important architects like C.W. Dickey and Hart Wood, Honolulu Hale was finally finished in 1928. It officially opened for business the next year.
The building was designed in a style called Italianate Spanish Colonial Revival. This style was very popular in Hawaiʻi at the time. The inside of Honolulu Hale, with its open courtyard, grand staircase, and high ceiling, was inspired by a famous building in Italy called the Bargello in Florence. Artists were hired to paint beautiful pictures inside and create detailed stonework. Later, in 1951, two three-story sections were added to the original building.
A newer, taller building for the city government was built nearby at 650 South King Street. In 2006, it was named the Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building to honor one of Honolulu's longest-serving mayors.
Nearby Landmarks
Honolulu Hale is surrounded by many other important historical and artistic places. These include:
- Aliʻiōlani Hale: A historic government building.
- Hawaiʻi State Capitol: Where the state government meets.
- ʻIolani Palace: The only official royal palace in the United States.
- Kawaiahaʻo Church: A historic church.
- Sky Gate: A tall sculpture by artist Isamu Noguchi.
- The Territorial Building.
Other important places like the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, and Washington Place are also close by.
Gallery
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Front doors facing King Street
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Corner view, Punchbowl and King Streets
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Tower viewed from Punchbowl Street
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Dedication plaque (1928)
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New wing (1951) from Punchbowl Street
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Side door of new wing on Punchbowl Street
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Rear view of new wing (1951)
Satellite City Halls
To make government services easier to reach, there are smaller "satellite" city halls located around Oʻahu. Some of these offer limited services.
Locations
- Ala Moana Center
- Pearlridge Uptown
- Windward City Shopping Center, Kāneʻohe
- Fort Street, Downtown
- Hawaiʻi Kai
- Kailua
- Kapolei
- Kalihi-Pālama
- Wahiawā
- Waiʻanae
