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List of the oldest buildings in Hawaii

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This article lists the oldest extant buildings in Hawaii, including extant buildings and structures constructed prior to and during the United States rule over Hawaii. Only buildings built prior to 1880 are suitable for inclusion on this list, or the building must be the oldest of its type.

In order to qualify for the list, a structure must:

  • be a recognizable building (defined as any human-made structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or continuous occupancy);
  • incorporate features of building work from the claimed date to at least 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in height and/or be a listed building.

This consciously excludes ruins of limited height, roads and statues. Bridges may be included if they otherwise fulfill the above criteria. Dates for many of the oldest structures have been arrived at by radiocarbon dating or dendrochronology and should be considered approximate. If the exact year of initial construction is estimated, it will be shown as a range of dates.

List of oldest buildings

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Building Image Location First built Use Notes
The Oldest Frame House (Ka Hale Lāʻau) Honolulu, Hawaii 1821 Residence Oldest frame house in Hawaii; boards were produced in New England and then shipped to Hawaii to be assembled for the mission house.[1]
The Chamberlain House (Ka Hale Kamalani) Honolulu, Hawaii 1831 Residence/Mission Part of mission site, built from coral blocks cut from reefs offshore and lumber salvaged from ships.[2]
Mokuaikaua Church Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 1835-1837 Church Oldest church in Hawaii.
Huliheʻe Palace Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 1838 Palace built by governor Kuakini, and later purchased by King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani[3]
Kawaiahaʻo Church Honolulu, Hawaii 1836-1842 Church At one time the national church of the Hawaiian Kingdom and chapel of the royal family[4]
The Print House (Ka Hale Paʻi) Honolulu, Hawaii 1841 Commercial Site of first materials printed in the Hawaiian language[5]
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace Honolulu, Hawaii 1843 Church Oldest Roman Catholic church in Hawaii[6]
Punahou School's Old School Hall Honolulu, Hawaii 1851 School
Melchers Building Honolulu, Hawaii 1851 Commercial Earliest commercial building in downtown Honolulu.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Official website https://missionhouses.org/
  2. ^ Official website https://missionhouses.org/
  3. ^ "Hawaii's 48 Preserved Buildings and Their Architectural Style". 9 June 2021.
  4. ^ Official website https://kawaiahaochurch.com/
  5. ^ Official website https://missionhouses.org/
  6. ^ Official website http://www.cathedralofourladyofpeace.com/
  7. ^ Schweizer, Niklaus Rudolf (2005). Turning Tide: The Ebb and Flow of Hawaiian Nationality. p. 134
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