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Federal Building and U.S. Post Office

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1917, Henry D. Whitfield; 1938 additions. Waianuenue Ave. and Kekaulike St.
  • (Photograph by Augie Salbosa)
  • (Photograph by Augie Salbosa)
  • (Photograph by Augie Salbosa)

An adaptation of standard governmental forms to tropical Hawaii, the three-story, reinforced-concrete post office successfully integrates a formal classical composition with an open informality. A two-story colonnade of Tuscan columns is tempered by the green tile hipped roof with overhanging eaves, and the open lobby. Service counters, tables, and post-boxes are situated on a central lanai, allowing customers to conduct business outdoors. Two wings added in 1938 adhere closely to the original design and finishes, and further enhance the convivial indoor-outdoor relationship through their use of lanai as corridors. The building bears a high level of detailing, from its marble and terrazzo floors to its spiral stair with marble treads and wrought-iron banister, whose newel post is capped by a pineapple finial. The third-floor courtroom unfortunately has been remodeled into office space.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Don J. Hibbard
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Data

What's Nearby

Masonic Lodge
Burns Block
East Hawaii Cultural Center (Hilo District Courthouse and Police Station)
Hawaiian Telephone Company (Mutual Telephone Company)
Hilo Armory

Citation

Don J. Hibbard, "Federal Building and U.S. Post Office", [Hilo, Hawaii], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/HI-01-HA36.

Print Source

Cover: Buildings of Hawaii

Buildings of Hawaii, Don J. Hibbard. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2011, 266-266.

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