Classicism in Tropical Hawaii

February 26-March 4, 2011

Arranged by Classical Excursions

Join us on the Institute’s premiere tour of the Hawaiian Islands, where you will be introduced to the diverse and very unique Hawaiian style, from the very first and simple Hawaiian thatched huts called Hale, which were built on the islands some 1500 years ago, to the Missionary Period of the 19th century, when the first prefabricated house arrived from New England, and to the Golden Age of Hawaiian Architecture of the Roaring 1920s, known as the Territorial Period. It was the time when such prominent architects as David Adler, Warren & Wetmore, Julia Morgan, Hart Wood, C.W. Dickey, and Bertram Goodhue were designing houses and public buildings on Oahu. The architecture of Hawaii is as diverse and multicultural as the people who populate the islands. This unique tour includes visits to private houses, public buildings of note, museums, as well as our nation’s only Royal Palace.

Hawaii’s population explosion, as well as increased wealth and tourism, which occurred just after the turn of the 20th century, brought forth the Golden Age of Hawaiian Architecture. Not unlike the mainland, architects and commissioners alike initially looked to Europe for inspiration, creating a flux of buildings in the Beaux Arts, Gothic, and Mediterranean styles.

Through the collective efforts of such prolific architects as Dickey, Hart Wood, and Goodhue, a design approach that was appropriate for both the tropical climate and the distinctively Hawaiian environment was developed. Such features as the “Hickey,” a double pitched hipped roof, lanias or porches, deep roof overhangs, and large open spaces take advantage of the trade winds and remove the barriers that exist elsewhere between indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a vernacular style suitable for the islands. This unique six day-exploration of Classical Hawaii will take the traveler to two of the islands, Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii. DeSoto Brown, Collections Manager of the Bishop Museum, will lead the tour. Mr. Brown’s family has lived in Hawaii for generations.

Tour Highlights

A six-night stay at the luxurious and historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel, located on the oceanfront at Waikiki Beach. The hotel, designed by Warren & Wetmore and built in the 1920s, still retains much of its original salmon-pink appearance and elegant features, though updated with all the modern amenities.

A private tour of Doris Duke’s famed and exotic Shangri La. Built on five acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this was Duke’s most private retreat and was designed and decorated in the Islamic style.

A day on the “Big Island” with an exclusive visit of Keawaiki, a private estate comprising of ten acres of black sand beaches and an artesian spring fed swimming pool carved out of the natural rock. The houses and outbuildings on the compound are constructed of lava rock and date from the 1920s.

A tour of the Iolani Palace, America’s only Royal Palace, built in 1882. It is built in the late Victorian vernacular style with such neo-classical details as cast iron Corinthian columns. Also included is a visit to Queen Emma’s Summer Palace.

Visits to three privately owned houses designed by Bertram Goodhue. One of these houses has the original Hart Wood pool house intact and an authentic imported Chinese pagoda.

A reception at the home (designed by Hart Wood) of one of Hawaii’s top interior designers.

A private tour and dinner at the Liljestrand House designed by Vladimir Ossipoff in 1952 and remaining unchanged since then. The house is considered one of the purest examples of Ossipoff’s work with the original furniture designed by the architect still in place.

The Kawaiahao Church, from 1837, is considered Hawaii’s most significant architectural contribution from the Missionary Period. Built of 14,000 coral blocks cut from reefs located some 10-20 feet below surface, the church took five years to build. It is known as Hawaii’s Westminster Abbey.

Honolulu Hale (City Hall), from 1929 and designed by C. W. Dickey and Hart Wood, is in the California Mission Style.

A private visit to La Pietra, designed in 1922 by David Adler as the residence of Walter Dillingham. The house was modeled after La Pietra in Italy where the Dillinghams were married. Presidents and royalty were entertained at La Pietra, which is now the Hawaii School for Girls.

A tour of the Honolulu Academy of Art designed in 1927 by Bertram Goodhue and Hardie Philips. Such features as the massive tiled Hawaiian roof, entrance arcade, open interior courtyards and use of such local materials as lava rock make this distinctively Hawaiian.

A visit to Julia Morgan’s wonderful Beaux Arts style YWCA from 1927. This is one of the finest examples of European design adapted for local use in the Islands.

A curatorial tour of the Bishop Museum. The Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. The Museum was established to house the extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal family heirlooms of the Princess, and has expanded to include millions of artifacts, documents and photographs about Hawai‘i and other Pacific island cultures.

An evening Luau on the beach, with Hawaiian food, dance, and music.

Tour price: Land cost is $4,050.00 based on double occupancy. Please contact Classical Excursions to reserve your space. Call (413) 528-3359 or contact@classicalexcursions.com. A tax-deductible $500 donation to ICA&CA is included in the tour price.

Members at the Contributor or Individual ~ Professional level or higher are welcome to attend our tours. Members at the Donor level and higher receive Priority Registration E-alerts before the general public. Join online today or call (212) 730-9646, extension 104 to upgrade your membership.

In addition, participants are required to make a contribution to the Institute’s Annual Fund—which help to further our mission of advancing the practice and appreciation of the classical tradition in architecture and the allied arts. This contribution is fully tax-deductible.