Territorial Building Explained

Nrhp Type:cp
Territorial State Office Building
Partof:Hawaii Capital Historic District
Partof Refnum:78001020
Location:465 S. King St., Honolulu, HI
Built:1926
Architect:Arthur Reynolds
Architecture:Classical Revival
Designated Nrhp Type:December 1, 1978
Designated Other1:Hawaii Register of Historic Places
Refnum:78001020

The Territorial Building is a government building of the Territory of Hawaiʻi.

Description

The building is located at 465 South King Street in downtown Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.The Territorial Building was designed by the architect Arthur Reynolds, in the Classical Revival architectural style. Building started in 1925 and was finished in 1926. A four-story tower sits atop a two-story base, with decoration only in the public areas. The front includes a large stairway with double landings, with massive columns for decoration. The central lobby has a leaded glass dome depicting the seal of Hawaii.[1] It is also called Kekuanaoa building after the royal politician Mataio Kekūanaōʻa (1793–1868).[2]

The building is adjacent to Aliʻiolani Hale and within walking distance of the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, Hawaiʻi State Library, ʻIolani Palace and Kawaiahao Church. The area was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 as the Hawaii Capital Historic District.[1]

The Territorial State Office Building was originally designed for the United States Federal Government to house Hawaii Territorial Administrative offices.[3] It now hosts the primary offices of the Public Utilities Commission, the Department of the Attorney General Investigations Division, the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and other state offices.

In popular culture

During season nine (1976) of the television series Hawaii Five-O, Steve McGarrett and his men had their offices in the Territorial Building rather than their usual home at the ʻIolani Palace, which was undergoing renovations at the time. In the 2010 remake, the building facade serves as the Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series) crime lab.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=78001020}} Hawaii Capital Historic District nomination form ]. Dale M. Lanzone and Gary Cummins . National Register of Historic Places . Spring 1976 . U.S. National Park Service . October 11, 2010 .
  2. News: Territorial Office Building is district's underrated gem . Burl Burlingame . June 27, 2004 . . October 11, 2010 .
  3. December 1, 1978. National Register of Historic Places – Nomination Form, Hawaii Capital Historic District . U.S. Department of the Interior – National Park Service . March 18, 2023.