Kamehameha V Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Kamehameha V Post Office
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 Location in Hawaii
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| Nearest city | Honolulu, Hawaii |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1871 |
| Architect | J.G. Osborne |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000416 |
| Added to NRHP | May 5, 1972 |
The Kamehameha V Post Office stands proudly in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the corner of Merchant and Bethel Streets. This historic building was the very first in the Hawaiian Islands to be built entirely from a new material: precast concrete blocks. These blocks were even made stronger with iron bars inside!
This special construction method was a big success. It was later used for an even grander building, the royal palace called Aliʻiōlani Hale. The Kamehameha V Post Office was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 5, 1972. This means it is recognized as an important historical site in the United States.
A Special Building in Hawaii
This building is named after King Kamehameha V, an important ruler of the Hawaiian Kingdom. King Kamehameha V was known for building many public buildings during his time as king. He wanted to improve the islands for his people.
Built to Last
The Kamehameha V Post Office was built in 1871 by a person named J.G. Osborne. It was a very modern building for its time because of how it was constructed. Using precast concrete blocks with iron inside was a new and strong way to build. This method helped buildings last a long time.
From Mail to Court
For many years, this building served as a post office, where people would send and receive their mail. But in 1922, it got a new job! It was changed into a district court office. This is where legal cases for a specific area are handled.
Later, in 1976, the building was carefully restored by architects Anderson & Reinhardt. They wanted to make sure it looked like it did when it was first built. The restoration showed off its beautiful European Neoclassical architecture. This style uses grand, classic designs often seen in ancient Greek and Roman buildings. It also highlighted the new building methods used during the time of the Hawaiian Monarchy.
