Hulihee open again despite quakes' toll
KAILUA-KONA » Hulihee Palace, the two-story, 19th-century home of royalty on Kailua Bay in Kona, was to reopen to the public today, announced the Daughters of Hawaii, who operate the palace as a museum.
The building had been closed since the Oct. 15 earthquakes because of widespread damage to the building, primarily cracked plaster and moldings.
"While the palace has suffered major damage, it has been determined to be structurally sound," the Daughters announced. "The public will be now allowed to visit the central hallway and look into the heavily damaged side parlors."
One of the more severe instances of damage was in the attic, where a stone wall separated from another course of stone by a distance of eight inches, architect Glenn Mason reported.
The stonework was stabilized with wooden braces.
In several places the plaster that covers the large stones of the building is just hanging from the exterior, he wrote.
The cost to restore the building will be about $1 million, Mason wrote.
Some of the skills needed for restoration, such as ornamental plastering, probably do not exist in Hawaii, he wrote.
A fund to assist with restoration as been established. Tax-deductible donations may be made to the Daughters of Hawaii, 2913 Pali Highway, Honolulu 96817. Checks should include a notation that the money is for Hulihee.
A complete description of the damage can be seen at www.daughtersofhawaii.org.