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Old Lahaina Courthouse

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EDITORS' NOTE: 
Due to the recent wildfires on Maui, this entry will be updated as more information becomes available.
1859, R. A. S. Wood; 1925, William D'Esmond; 1999 renovation, Mason Architects. 649 Wharf St.
  • (Photograph by Augie Salbosa)

The Lahaina courthouse's two-story, plastered stone walls and basement were constructed in part from materials salvaged from the 1831 fort, which preceded it on this site. The Polynesian newspaper characterized the courthouse as “neat externally” and “without pretension.” A remodeling in 1925, under the direction of Maui architect D'Esmond, elevated the building's appearance. The original interior was gutted, a wooden front lanai removed, the two-story, Doric-columned portico added, and the hipped roof replaced the earlier flat roof and parapet. A 1999 renovation, overseen by Mason Architects, rejuvenated the building to better accommodate a visitor center, museum, community meeting hall, and two art galleries. The coral-block “ruins” standing at the corner of the property were constructed in 1964 as a reminder of the earlier fort which was dismantled in 1854.

The courthouse burned during the devastating wildfires of August 2023. Only the exterior walls remain.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Don J. Hibbard
Updated By: 
Catherine Boland Erkkila (2023)
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Data

Timeline

  • 1859

    Built

  • 1925

    Remodeled

  • 1999

    Renovated

  • 2023

    Destroyed by wildfire

What's Nearby

Pioneer Inn
The Wharf Cinema Center
Lahaina Public Library
Dwight Baldwin House
Church of the Holy Innocents

Citation

Don J. Hibbard, "Old Lahaina Courthouse", [Lahaina, Hawaii], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/HI-01-MA27.

Print Source

Cover: Buildings of Hawaii

Buildings of Hawaii, Don J. Hibbard. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2011, 204-205.

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