The Mary Kawena Pukui Learning Commons will be a catalyst for changes if it opens its doors in 2026-genauso like the e-building of the same name in 1841. When we prepare for our exciting future, the school also learns from its past. Thanks to the thankful thank you the extensive archaeological and architectural review through cultural surveys Hawaii and scientific consultant services Inc., which the Punahou director of Physical Plant Nate Armor coordinated.
When researching potential archaeological sites, a card from 1870 (highlighted in yellow on the map below) shows the footprint of e-building relatively close to the macai side of the Pukui Learning Commons. A large horse trade, banana trees and a vegetable garden, Taro spots, a stable and the nearby school building (Old School Hall) are also shown at the scope of the building. The pastures of the Mauka of the campus showed photos of the time and open spaces of the Mānoa Valley.
E-building consisted of the original rice and dole halls and included a 31 x 16-foot classroom, a seat and prayer room, a dining room and seven rooms for boarding students. The building was described as a purely local product. “His woods and savings from the Mānoa valley, the Pili grass for his roof from the Rocky Hill and the plaster and the white wash from the Kewalo reefs.” From 1841 to 1907, e-building was the center of Punahou's student life.
It was a considerable undertaking to uncover fascinating knowledge about our architectural past. David Shideler '73 by Cultural Surveys Hawai'i prepared a thorough literary review, which collected historical background information about the school and the property around the construction site. Based on overlays of the current building location and the historical maps, 10 test areas were identified within the location for archaeological studies. Small wooden scale parts and possible ceramic material were discovered and sent to the carbon test. Other discoveries were compressed sound and soil layers, which contained brick and mortar fragments from the early demolition and a possible part of a horse stable wall. Foundation materials from the early 20th century were carefully checked by Glen Mason by Mason Architects.
Punahou proposed several strategies to illustrate the history of the website and to clarify current and future generations about previous buildings. These design elements include an overview of the location of the e-building, which is built into the flooring and the paving design, and a location history is created as part of the interior in Zentralstrasse. Other materials found in the archaeological ditch will join early archive artifacts as teaching instruments for researching Punahous deep connection to Hawaii's past.
The care of the integrity of our architectural heritage is an essential part of the design and the construction in Hawaiis approval procedures with the vigilance of the state of Hawaii Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) at the center of ensuring the integrity of the new development. SHPD consists of three branches – architecture, archeology and history and culture – SHPD strives to preserve and protect the historical identity of Hawaii, and believes that “review is an essential part of forward” to ensure that “Hawaiis estimated The past here is appreciated and learned for future generations. “Both beautiful and historically significant, several Punahou buildings and their surrounding Lava rock wall were shown as part of the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1972 the Punahou Campus was performed in the national register.
An important component in the archaeological review in order to “maintain and maintain and maintain the relationship of the school in relation to our cultural history”, demands advice from the Hawaiian members of the Hawaiian community and others with a historical connection to the school and the area, To obtain feedback on the review results. The cultural descendant and community leader Elizabeth-Ann Kahalaopuna Motoyama was invited to be part of this process.