HILO >> Historic Haili Church in downtown Hilo has been awarded a $50,000 grant for restoration work by the Freeman Foundation, said David Scott, executive director of the Historic Hawaii Foundation, which is a Freeman partner. Hilo church gets $50,000
grant for repair workStar-Bulletin staff
Members of the Congregational denomination church have been seeking a total of $270,000 for a variety of repairs to the wooden building, constructed in 1857-59.
A check for $25,000 will be presented Tuesday to the church's Restoration and Preservation Force, Scott said earlier this week.
Church spokesman Bill Thibadeau said the money will be used for the $79,000 in foundation work under way at the back of the church. A foundation wall has been removed, reinforced concrete supports are being placed and the original rock foundation will be rebuilt, Thibadeau said.
The remainder of the Freeman grant will be presented later for use on external repairs to woodwork, which is supposed to protect the building from rain damage but has become damaged itself, Thibadeau said. Other needs include termite treatment, new paint and interior work such as repairs of church pews.
Among other contributions, the church also recently received $15,000 from the Mary D. and Walter F. Frear Eleemosynary Trust for restoration work, Thibadeau said.
County of Hawaii
