Seto Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Seto Building
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Seto Building in 2009
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 Location in Hawaii
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| Location | 4-1435 Kuhio Hwy., Kapa'a, Hawai'i |
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| Area | 3276 sq. ft. |
| Built | 1929 |
| Architect | Robert Brooks Taylor |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000758 |
| Added to NRHP | 4 September 1979 |
The Seto Building is a special old building located at 4-1435 Kuhio Highway in Kapaʻa, on the island of Kauaʻi. It was once called the Quality Market and later the Big Save Building. This building was constructed in 1929. It was the very first large food market on Kauaʻi.
The market used new ways to keep food cold, like refrigeration. This helped them store fresh meat and produce (fruits and vegetables). The owner, Ah Doi Seto, came from China in 1888. He first worked on a sugarcane plantation. Later, he started his own business in busy Kapaʻa. The Seto Building is important because it shows a mix of modern business architecture with Chinese design ideas. It also helped start the idea of today's supermarkets. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Contents
What Makes the Seto Building Special?
The Seto Building stands out for a few reasons. It was built with a unique style that mixed new ideas with traditional Chinese looks. This was not common for buildings of its time. It also changed how people bought food on Kauaʻi.
How Did It Change Shopping?
Before the Seto Building, people bought food from smaller shops. The Seto Building was different because it was a "general food market." This meant it sold many different kinds of food in one place. It was one of the first places to use modern cooling systems. This allowed them to offer fresh meat and produce all the time. This was a big deal for people living on the island.
A Look at Early Supermarkets
The way the Seto Building brought many foods together and used refrigeration was a step towards modern supermarkets. It made shopping easier and gave people more choices. It showed how food stores would grow and change in the future.
Who Was Ah Doi Seto?
Ah Doi Seto was the person who owned and built this important market. He came to Hawaiʻi from China when he was young. He first worked hard on a sugarcane farm. But he had a dream to start his own business. He moved to Kapaʻa, which was a busy town, and opened his market. His story shows how people worked to build new lives and businesses in Hawaiʻi.
Why Is It a Historic Place?
The Seto Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special place that is important to the history of the United States. It helps us remember how people lived and worked in the past.
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is a list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. When a place is added to this list, it means it has a special story to tell. It helps protect these places so future generations can learn from them. The Seto Building's story includes its unique design and its role in changing how people shopped for food.
