Ewa · 2019. 11. 15. · Contractor: Ewa Sugar Co Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) 9. Major Bibliographical

Date Signature of commenting or other official

Date re of ce

As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, i hereby certify that this __X_ nomination request for

determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the

procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property __X__ meets does not meet the National Register

Criteria. I recommend that s property be considered significant _X_ nationally statewide locally. ( See continuation sheet for additional

comments.)

State or Federal agency and bureau

In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. (_ See continuation sheet for additional comments.)

State or Federal agency and bureau

NPS Form 10-900

(Rev. 10-90)

United States Department of the Interior National Park Service

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM

OMB No. 10240018

HAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the information

requested. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form

10-900a}. Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items.

1. None of Property

historic name 'Ewa Sugar Plantation Villages

other names/site number 'Ewa Villages. 'MK: 9-1-17:038, 069. 080. 081 and portions of 046 &067

2. Location

street & number Honouliuli Plain not for publication

city or town Ewa vicinity

state Hawaii code HI county Honolulu code 003 zip code 96706

3. State/Federal Agency Certification

4. National Part Service Certification

I, hereby certify that this property is:

entered in the National Register

— See continuation sheet.

determined eligible for the

National Register

See continuation sheet.

determined not eligible for the

National Register removed from the National

Register other (explain):

Signature of Keeper Date of Action

USIVNPS NMI Registration Fomi Ewa Sugar Plantation, Honolulu County, HI

Page 2

5. Classification

Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply)

private public-local public-State public-Federal

Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "NIA" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.)

N/A

Number of Resources within Property Contributing Noncontributing

_285_ _2_ buildings 1 sites

structures

Category of Property (Check only one box)

building(s) _X_ district

site structure object

1_ objects 287 2 Total

Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register _0

6. Function or Use •

Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions)

Cat: DOMESTIC

Sub:

village processing site

AGRICULTURE

Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions)

Cat: DOMESTIC COMMERCE WORK IN PROGRESS

Sub: village

commercial complex

7. Description

Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions)

LATE 19TH & 20T11 C. REVIVALS: Colonial Revival

LATE 19TH & 20TH C. AMERICAN MOVEMENTS: Bungalow/Craftsman

OTHER: Vernacular

Materials (Enter categories from instructions)

foundation concrete blocks roof shingle, composition sheet or

corrugated metal walls wood

other Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) See Continuation Sheets .

USIANPS NRHP Registration Form Ewa Sugar Plantation, Honolulu County, HI

Page 3

8. Statement of Significance

Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for

National Register listing)

X A Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.

B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.

_X_ C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction.

D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield information important in prehistory or history.

Criteria Considerations (Mark "X" in all the boxes that apply.)

Property is: A owned by a religious institution or used for

religious purposes.

B removed from its original location.

C a birthplace or a grave.

D a cemetery.

E a reconstructed building, object,or structure.

F a commemorative property.

G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years.

Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions)

A. SOCIAL HISTORY INDUSTRY AGRICULTURE ETHNIC HERITAGE: Asians European, Pacific Islander C. ARCHITECTURE COMMUNITY PLANNING

Period of Significance

1890 to 1957

Significant Dates

see attached timeline

Significant Person

(Complete if Criterion B is marked above)

Cultural Affiliation

Architect/Builder

Architects: Hart Wood, William Furer, Theodore Vierra Contractor: Ewa Sugar Co

Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.)

9. Major Bibliographical References

Bibliography (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.)

Previous documentation on fie (NPS) preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested. previously listed in the National Register previously determined eligible by the National Register

designated a National Historic Landmark recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey

recorded by Historic American Engineering Record

Primary Location of Additional Data X State Historic Preservation Office

Other State agency Federal agency Local government University Other Name of repository:

liSDUNPS NR.12 Registration Fomi

Ewa Sugar Plantation, Honolulu County, 1 Page 4

10. Geographical Data

Acreage of Property approximately 200 acres

UTM References (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet)

Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing

1 3

2 4

See continuation sheet.

Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.)

Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.)

11. Form Prepared By

name/title Tonia Moy, Architectural Historian

organization DLNR/State Historic Preservation Division date July 1995

street & number 33 S. King St., 6th Floor telephone (808)587-0005

city or town Honolulu state Hawaii zip code 96813

Additional Documentation Submit the following items with the completed form:

Continuation Sheets

Maps A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. A sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources.

Photographs Representative black and white photographs of the property.

Additional items (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items)

Property Owner (Complete this item at the request of the SHPO or FPO.)

name City and County of Honolulu

street & number 650 S. King St. telephone (808)527-5099

city or town Honolulu state HI zip code 96813

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate properties for listing

or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the

National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U_S.C. 470 at seq.).

Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including the time for reviewing instructions,

gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the Chief,

Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork

Reductions Project (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503.

USDITNPS NRHP Registration Form

Fewl. Sugar Plantation, Honolulu County, HI

NPS Fonn 10900-a (8-86)

Page 5

OMB No. 1024-001


NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET

Section 7 Page 1 Ewa Sugar Plantation Villages Honolulu County, Hawaii name of property county and State

Situated on the dry southwestern coast on the island of Oahu, seventeen miles from urban Honolulu on the Honouliuli plain at approximately 45 foot elevation, is the plantation village of 'Ewa. Millions of years ago, the sea level was 95 feet higher than at present. When the sea receded, it left a caprock of ancient reefs, beach rock, fossil soils, clays and gravel beds. Water was trapped beneath the caprock; and as a result of erosion from the upland areas, soil formed over the reef -- an ideal condition for agricultural development. Water could be tapped through the use of an artesian well to irrigate this rich soil.

Once an oasis of human activity surrounded by cane fields (Figure 1), 'Ewa plantation village is rapidly becoming an oasis of rural charm surrounded by suburban development. Entrance to the community continues to be via Renton Road, the organizational spine of the village (Figure 2). Renton Road is divided by a medial stand of majestic banyan trees with a majority of the housing on the North side of the road. The larger, more prominent homes of the managers are sited first along the road next to the plantation office and store and across the street from the area where the supervisors and skilled workers lived.

During its operation, Ewa Sugar Plantation built more than 1200 residences in eight distinct villages (Figure 2a), expressive of different cultures and ethnic groups. Extant are Renton, Tenney, Varona and Fernandez. The homes in Fernandez village were renovated in the 1970s without guidance and have lost a considerable degree of its integrity. Thus, this nomination will not included Fernandez. In the 1890s the plantation built 72 dwellings; in 1910s, 536; in the teens 132; in the 1920s, 285; in the 1930s, 168; and in the 1940s only 35. Today, 275 houses remain.

Each village has its own architectural and landscaping character with physical separation formerly by cane fields, now open fields. Within the villages, a grid pattern with a hierarchy of streets organizes the layout. The streets vary in width from 9 feet to 55 feet (Renton Road) without curbs and sidewalks which contributes to the rural ambiance. Currently, construction of the new County streets are in process.

Most of the workers' houses are rectangular, utilizing single-wall construction techniques and sited to create maximum cross-ventilation. They are small and simple, averaging 510-730 square feet, often with an entry stoop or lanai (porch). Common features include raised flooring on posts standing on concrete blocks, half-panel entry doors, corner trim, simple gable or hip roof and sliding or double hung windows. 'Ewa Plantation Company restricted the color choices to white, off white, rust, red slate, gray and green.

US'DI/NPS NRHP Regisdralion Form

Ewa Sugar Plantation, Honolulu County, HI

?WS Form 10-900•a al-86)

Page 6 Ot No. 1024-001




Contributing Sites:

1. The Mill Buildings (1890s - 1950s) The original mill (Figure 3), was constructed in wood, indicative of the technology of the time. In 1902, the steel mill (Figure 4) was erected. At one time the mill, with its two smoke stacks, marked the skyline for miles around, acting as the landmark for the village. The mill was demolished in 1985, but five maintenance shops and warehouses remain as physical reminders of the industrial quality of the sugar processing plant_ These simple rectangular structures are constructed with corrugated metal siding and roof, steel frame trusses, and steel pivoting windows. Most of the gable roofs feature a ridge vent with clerestory windows and one building still has a small smoke stack (Figure 5).

2. Plantation Management Office (1935) One of the most prominent buildings in 'Ewa, the plantation office (Figure 6) was designed by eminent architect Hart Wood. Displaying what is often called the "Hawaiian style" or "Dickey-style" roof, the hip roof with wide eaves that gently flare dominates the composition of the structure. This board-n-batten structure features shutters and casement windows grouped in sets of three. Originally, two projecting wings at the front elevation covered by the same sloping hip roofs with vented gablets, formed a "U" in plan with a center lanai entry (Figure6-1) between the two wings. Later, a wing was added along the front facade (Figure 6-3) which gives the appearance of a long building. An interior courtyard offers a garden for the interior offices.

3. `Ewa Shopping Basket (1935) Originally the plantation store (Figure 7), a steep double-pitched hip and valley roof tops this prominent building designed by architect William Purer. A U-shaped verandah fronts the store with a shed between two projecting half pyramidal roofs supported by chamfered posts. A large shed dormer supported by decoratively carved diagonal braces extends between the two pyramidal roofs. The large roof disguises the two-story height of the building, which is clearly shown in the rear facade of the building. The back of the building where there is a loading dock has clapboard siding on the first floor and board-and-batten on the second story.

4. Plantation Manager's House (1925) This large Colonial Revival house (Figure 8) is the only two-story residence in the Plantation village. Typical of this style, characteristics include clapboard cladding, a simple hip roof, evenly spaced pairs of six-over-six double hung windows with shutters. Symbolic of the hierarchical structure of the plantation, this property features a board-and-batten guest house

USDENPS NRHP Regstratice Form Ewa Sugar Planation, Honolulu County, HI NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86)

Pagc 7 OMB No. 1024-001




(formerly maid's quarters), an arched canopy supported by coupled Doric columns (one missing) and a semi-circular fan lite over the entrance. A large yard and grand entry drive with an arched porte cochere are further evidence of the resident's standing in the community.

5. Three Managers' Houses (1923) The three middle managers' homes are bungalows similar in form and floor plan. Common elements include a protruding front gable from a hip roof with varying decorative elements at the gable end, an L-shaped offset front lanai with battered square columns, clapboard siding and a combination of sliding windows at the protruding entrance room and double hung windows for the remainder of the house. The frontage is approximately 40 feet by at least 66 feet deep.

Individual features include: The Office Manager's House (Figure 9) features a decorative carved crest at the gable peak's underside and diamond patterned gable window. The Irrigation Supervisor's House (Figure 10) has gable projections with tongue cut beam ends, bracket ends and gable board end, and a six-lite window flanked by horizontal vents at the gable end wall. The Assistant Manager's House (Figure 11) is characterized by clipped gable ends and a gable window with beveled glass flanked by horizontal vents.

6. Single Men's Quarters (1924) Figure 12. This unique U-shaped building once housed the unmarried 'wales (Caucasians) working in the office in eight apartments. Today each apartment has its own kitchen. Originally, the bachelors would eat at the company store and restaurant. A gable roof with shed dormers facing the interior of the U and gable dormers facing the exterior covers the tongue-n-groove vertical siding with a girt encircling the boards. Notched-end beams and gable boards and a flattened arch vent flanked by three over one windows gable windows decorate the two gable ends. An entry stair and lanai note each apartment, although most of the lanais were enclosed in the 1950s to add space.

7. Renton Village (1907-1924) Renton Village is the earliest constructed village and is often referred to as "Haole Camp" since most residents were originally white middle management and skilled laborers. This area includes the managers' housing area. Pepper Row and Park Row are two of the major streets lined with housing that will be included in Renton Village. Large lawns exist in Renton where extensive flower gardens were once displayed because of its position as the supervisors'

USD1JNPS NRHP Registration Ram Ewa Sugar Plantation, Honotulti. Courity,111 NPS Form 10-900-a (13-861

OW No. 1024-001




housing area. There are fewer flower gardens today, but the large expanses of open lawns still define Renton. Building types include:

The Mall type. (Figure 13) Built in 1918, these shiplap or board-n-batten single wall constructed homes were sited along a "mall" (Figure 14) lined on both sides with stately royal palms with large trees shading the center. These residences are 30 feet wide by 50-58 feet deep with a dominant gable roof and a round or triangular arch shaped gable end vent, sometimes featuring a swag in low relief, a projected half hip roof that covers an entrance room and a smaller hip roof over the entry lanai. "As befits a supervisor's dwelling, the bathroom appears to have always been a part of the house. In the other villages, some of the pre-war houses for ordinary employees do not seem to have had integrated bathrooms at the start, but do have them now."

Ala Nui Mauka type. (Figure 15) Built between 1922-24 on the southern side of Ala Nui Mauka St., these houses, basically rectangular in plan, feature a hip roof with a room projecting forward covered by a hip roof and a small front entrance lanai. Approximately 36 feet by 40-56 feet, single wall tongue-n-groove construction with broad exterior gins, these houses are similar to later housing built across the street 1938-39. These later houses differ with sliding windows, no porch and the roof features a vented gablet.

Supervisor houses. (Figure 16, 16a) Three houses at the end of the mall running perpendicular built in 1924 are supervisor level houses. These 32 feet by 62 feet bungalows are similar to the managers' homes, except simpler. They are characterized by features such as the family room projecting past the main part of the house with a gable connected to the hip roof, much like the managers' homes. Characteristics include single-wall construction with a broad exterior girt, an L-shaped front entry porch, deep roof eaves, star burst rafters at gable ends, pine floors and pine ceilings.

Pepper Row and Park Row houses. (1907, 1921-26) Pepper and Park Row once formed a triangular-shaped park. Along side the park are two more housing areas for supervisors. Two of the houses along Pepper Row are the earliest in the plantation dating back to 1907 and are very similar to the mall type of house, except that the extended covered entry with the half-hip roof is located to the side of the house. Later houses along Pepper Row built in 1921-26 are also very similar, the major difference being the

) Fernando Zialcita, An Invcntory of Plantation Houses on Oahu, Honolulu, 1985, page 10.

LISDINPS NRHP Registration Form Ewa Sugar Plantation, Ilcoolulu County, HI NPS Farm 10-900-a 18-961

Page 9 ME No. 1024-001




choice of ceiling material (canec rather than pine). The one remaining house along Park Row is similar to the Ala Nui Mauka type. There is also one unusual concrete masonry unit house with casement windows along Pepper Row (Figure 17 - to be added).

Associated buildings. Detached garages and washrooms are generally board-and-batten walls supporting a gable roof The washrooms have been integrated into the houses.

8. Tenney Village (1923 -26, expanded in late 1930s) This village neighbors Renton village and is the largest camp. Originally shingle roofs, these roofs have been covered with layers of sheet roofing, but will be restored to wood shingle roofs under the current rehabilitation plans. Historically, predominantly Japanese, formerly referred to as "Japanese Camp," Tenney now contains a racially mixed population. A large Japanese Community Center (see separate description under "J" Club) is included in this village.

Organized in a perpendicular grid pattern with back lanes that are more like footpaths, the vegetation of this village is varied with many vegetable gardens (Figure 18). Rock gardens, mondo grass and Japanese lanterns are still placed in some gardens. Evidence of Filipino families in Tenney is seen in the numerous Marunggay trees that is used in Filipino cooking. Some of the oldest homes in Tenney are Renton village types, but there are varying types of houses:

Luluka Type. (Figure 19) These small tongue-n-groove single wall construction houses built between 1923-24 are 22 feet wide by 35 feet deep with a mildly pitched hip roof, front verandah extending from side to side or midway, with cross railings, wide roof eaves and six-over-six double hung windows These originally had detached bathrooms that have since been incorporated into the house. One house in Tenney is an older variation of the this type with basically the same plan, but smaller sliding windows and is the same style that was seen in the old Mill Village that was demolished earlier (Figure 20).

Orrick/Bond Type. (1930, Figure 21) Also tongue-n-groove single-wall constructed, these type houses feature a mildly pitched hip roof and broad exterior girt, one-over-one double hung windows, a small room that projects past the house with a shed continuing from the hip roof and a small porch entry at that room with a canopy supported by diagonal studs. These small houses are 20-31 feet by 36 feet with an extension for added bathrooms.

usoures tamp RegiAration Form Ewa Sugar P1ayeation, tlenalukt County, 7 11

NPS Form 10-900-4

18-86)

Page 10

OMB No. 1024-001




Tenney Type. (1938, Figure 22) The most predominant type is tongue-n-groove single wall construction 28-30 feet wide by 28-58 feet deep with a steep, double-pitched hip roof with wide eaves, also called the "Hawaiian style" roof. The door is centrally located with a lite above such that all top window and door frames are at the same height. Four horizontal lite sliding windows and an inset lanai that has been enclosed are characteristic features.

A variation of this style is the duplexes, which is very similar to the single family home except that there are two doors at the front, and of course the interior differences to accommodate two separate living spaces. The garage for these duplexes are barn-like tongue-n-groove structures with two sets of double doors on large hinges and latches.

9. Varona Village (1933, expanded 1957) Separated by the other villages by the Kaloi Ditch, Varona has been nick-named Brooklyn, as the gulch bridge was called the "Brooklyn Bridge" although it bears no resemblance to the actual bridge. It was also called "Filipino Camp" since the population was generally Filipino. The village had a large board-and-batten community hall built in 1934 for the Filipino Community Association which is no longer standing. Most of the houses in this village established in the 1950s are also simple rectangular structures with corrugated metal roofs. Along with houses constructed between 1937-43 that are similar to Tenney, the house type is most predominantly:

The Varona type. (Figure 23) Small, simple rectangular homes, 20 feet wide by 38 feet deep, with corrugated metal gable roof, small eaves, board-n-batten single wall construction, pine floors and canec ceilings. Those built in 1957 are extremely similar in form, but are constructed of tongue-n-groove and feature a distinctive decorative trellis at the porch entrance.

There is a group of houses that were brought in from Puuloa at Ewa Beach in 1943 (Figure 24). Although they are similar to the regular housing in Renton Village, the distinction is in the use of two narrow exterior gins, rather than a single broad one and sliding windows.

I:SDI/NTS NRHP Re ration Form

Eva War Plantation, Honolulu County, 11

NPS Form 10-900 a

03-86)

Page 11

OMB No. 1024-001




10. Japanese Clubhouse "J" Club (1935, renovations 1991-92) (Figure 25) Originally used as a social hall community center, plays, dances, weddings and at one time used for the weekly showing of Japanese language films, it has been renovated to become Friendship Bible Church. Tongue-n-groove single wall construction and gable roof are the basic characteristics. A smaller gable projects over the front porch entrance. Decorative brackets at posts, tongue cut gable boards, a star burst truss at peak of front gable, four sliding doors at front entrance and diagonal slats at gable vent to match the slope of the roof distinguish the "J" club. It contains a large hall, kitchen and bathroom facilities.

11. 'Ewa Plantation Cemetery Used since the turn of this century, the plantation cemetery (Figure 26) houses the burials of plantation workers. The oldest appearing markers are made of lava stones, incised with Japanese printing. The oldest readable dates are three Koreans, passing away in 1902-1906. Also buried in this cemetery are James Nicholas Orrick, fifth manager of the Ewa Plantation company, and his wife, Louise Graham Orrick.

12. Artesian Well Marker. A marker notes the site of Oahu's first artesian well, discovered in 1879 by James Campbell. It was sealed up by the City & County of Honolulu in 1939. The discovery of this artesian well marks the beginning of the unprecedented production at 'Ewa Sugar Plantation.

13. O.R.&L. Right-of-way (Hawaii State Register site #50-80-12-9714) Built and conceived by B.F. Dillingham, 175 miles of track once connected most of the sugar and pineapple plantations throughout Oahu forming a mutually beneficial relationship. The railway would carry tons of produce to the port of Honolulu to be shipped out and the sugar industry could thus prosper. Currently a small portion of this right-of-way borders 'Ewa Plantation Historic District.

USDI/NPS NRHP Registrakm Farm

Eva' Sugar Plantalion, Honolulu County, HI NPS Form 10-900-a 18-861

Page 12 OMB No. 1024.001




The following sites contribute to the historic district, but are not included at this time because they are not owned by the City and County of Honolulu:

15. 'Ewa Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Parish Hall & Priest's Home (c. 1926) (Figure 27) This large clapboard sided church with gable roof and side apse, features a small rose window and ribbed tracery over the door and a tripartite of now louvered windows at the front gable end. A large square steeple with an octagonal tower topped by a pent roof, reminiscent of New England churches dominates the building composition. Each side of the octagon contains a vented pointed arch. Small pointed arch windows are evenly spaced around the church with a similar tracery pattern.

16. 'Ewa Community Church (1937, addition 1956) (Figure 28) A multiple gable roof with a cusp at the peak of the gable board, circular stained glass gable window and a tripartite of gothic arched stain glass windows front the clapboard church. The large square steeple features a tripartite of vented gothic arches and a steep octagonal spire. A pointed arch at the bottom of the steeple marks the entrance lanai. The door to the church mirrors the pointed arch shape.

17. 'Ewa Sotoshuji Church and Social Hall (1949) (Figure 29) Built by a group known as Senen Kai, the church is a wooden building similar to the surrounding plantation houses. A gently sloped gable roof tops the tongue-n-groove structure and an extended smaller gable notes the entrance stairs that lead to a generous lanai across the entire facade. The social hall is a concrete block building with a stepped false front and a simple gabled building behind. The top of the steps is a semi-circle. Though built in 1949, the style contributes to the plantation village.

13SDINPS NR1IP Registration Form Ewa Sugar Plantation, Honolulu County, I IT NPS Form 10-900•a 18-86)

Page 13 OMB No. 1024-001




Non-Contributing Elements

The Post Office, built in 1958, also does not meet the age criteria. However, both buildings aesthetically contribute to the historic district. Many of the storage houses, freestanding additions and accessory buildings added throughout the years do not contribute to the historic fabric of the 'Ewa Plantation Historic District.

Integrity

Although many of the 1200 houses have been demolished and the mill, recreation center and hospital are noticeably absent, there is a great amount of historic fabric that still exists -- more than any other sugar plantation in the state. The most prominent buildings of the village -- the Plantation manager's house, the plantation office, the plantation store, the supervisor's houses and the bachelor's quarters retain a great amount of integrity and most of the houses, though in poor condition retain much of their original fabric.

USN/14PS NRIIP Registration 'Form

Ewa Sugar Plantation, Honolulu County, HI

NPS Form 10-900•a

18-86)

Page 14 OMB No. 1024-001



Section 8 Page 1 'Ewa Sugar Plantation Villages Honolulu County, Hawaii name of property county and State

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Sugar Plantations played a crucial role in the emergence of modern Hawaii. It altered the landscape, linked the islands to the national and international market economy and was the ruling force behind Hawai' i's economy for nearly a century. By bringing in workers from many other countries, it gave Hawai' i its multi-ethnic physiognomy. 'Ewa Plantation, maintaining sugar production and operation for over 110 years, is significant as the largest and most intact sugar plantation in Hawaii and one of the largest plantations in the United States. (Figure 30 illustrates the vast lands that 'Ewa Plantation held on Oahu up until 1970.) Historically, in marked contrast with the typical plantation development involving slavery in the United States, 'Ewa Plantation represents the best of how life on a plantation can lead to unifying a diversity of races of immigrants living together over time.

It is nationally significant for its association with the plantation way of life, a socio-economic force that formed much of the Hawai'i and Southern States personalities. Like other plantations throughout the world, 'Ewa Plantation was a self-contained community where people worked, ate, slept, worshipped, played and where many of them were buried. Unlike many older Southern United States plantations, it is further significant because of the notable strides `Ewa Plantation made towards fair and just treatment of its workers.

It was considered a model plantation in living conditions and benefits to workers. Laborers and their families were provided with pioneering social service programs such as a well-baby clinic, nutritional education program, medical and dental care, pre-kindergarten, cultural and recreational facilities, unheard of in most plantations and set the tone for many other plantations in Hawai' i. Management also allowed entrepreneurial activities by residents. A cemetery was often kept by plantation companies near the housing areas so that the following generation of plantation employees could easily visit their ancestor's gravesite. This also demonstrates the sense of permanence employees had in their plantation community.

Benevolent paternalism within Congregational missionary values involving the treatment of laborers from a wide range of racial and ethnic backgrounds has contributed to a shared sense of community within a civil framework. The pursuit of life, liberty and happiness was available to the common laborer because of the guidance of the managers and other leading families on this frontier. In its approach to both community facilities and services, 'Ewa Plantation took active, history-making steps to create a livable and supportive work and family environment.

USINNPS NRILP Registration Faun Ewa Sugar natation, Honolulu Courdy, 111 NPS Form 10-900-a

(8-881

Page 15 OW No. 1024-001

United States Department of the interior National Park Service



Absence of slave status from the beginning, cumulative effects of the benefits offered to its employees and widely shared community activities have enabled all employees and their families to become more self-sufficient and to reach their full potential. Many of the residents who were raised at the camps have grown up to become leaders in the community and the state.

The majority of the Southern plantations in the continental U.S. retains only the mansion with but a handful of slave dwellings. Evergreen Plantation in Louisiana claims to have the largest collection of 22 slave houses. Laurel Valley Sugar Plantation counts approximately 80 structures on 500 acres of land. 'Ewa Plantation retains almost 300 intact structures. It is the largest intact example of a sugar plantation in the United States, a major chapter in the agricultural history of America.

Few plantations in the continental United States have so many features or structures such as recreation and social halls, company stores and restaurants remaining. This may be due, in part, to the fact that Hawai' i's sugar industry continued to prosper through a greater part of this century, while many of the Southern plantations shut down during the Depression years. Of the plantation towns that are left in Hawaii, 'Ewa Plantation is the largest and most intact example. Most plantation towns are segregated or intruded on by subdivisions or by large highways.

Site of Oahu's first artesian well, 'Ewa Plantation was a leader in irrigation and agricultural development of the sugar industry. Experimental stations developed at 'Ewa Plantation helped in the discovery of an important new species of sugar cane that revolutionized the sugar industry in Hawai' i.

'Ewa Plantation is also significant architecturally as an historic district (Figure 31), for its vernacular architecture that has influenced the suburbs and housing of Hawai2i. The simple, but efficient floor plan, the lanai (porch) entry and single-wall construction are features that have pervaded the residential building industry from the 1950s to the 1970s. Several of the prominent buildings were designed by master architects, most notably Hart Wood's administration building and William Furer's plantation store, and are fine examples of what is often called the "Hawaiian style" of architecture. Hart Wood has done many notable buildings in Hawaii including the Alexander and Baldwin Building (Hawai'i Register) with C.W. Dickey, the First Chinese Christian Church and the First Christian Science Church.

USIN/NPS NRHP Registration Form Eva Sugar Plantation, lionoluiu County, HI NPS Fern, 10-900-a

(5-861

Page 16 01148 Na. 1024031




In community planning, the 'Ewa Plantation Village, is reflective of the hierarchy of its workers and ethnic groups. Positions of power are clearly defined by the arrangement along Renton Road. The managers and supervisors along with the plantation office and now demolished clinic and doctor's residence are among the first structures grouped along Renton Road. "The four major foci of power and authority thus stand together along the main avenue's southern side, while minor foci -- the houses of the parson, the doctor and supervisors are assigned to the northern side." 2 (Figures 32, 32a and 32b) Additional facilities and residences for supervisory personnel were developed in the section between Renton Village and Tenney Village to the north. The facilities included a clubhouse with tennis courts and a swimming pool for the use of supervisory and managerial staff and their friends.instead of rows of slave quarters, 'Ewa displays a community of homes for its employees, who shared in the profits and felt a part of the company.

Historical Background

Western influence on the 'Ewa plains began about 1880 when Benjamin F. Dillingham was convinced this vast plain could be developed despite a scarcity of water and an absence of transportation. He formed a partnership with James Campbell, a veteran of the sugar business from Maui, who had earlier bought a substantial portion of 'Ewa plain and had the first successful artesian well drilled in 1879. Dillingham also developed a railroad system (the Oahu Railway and Land Co., a.k.a. OR&L, Figure 33) from Honolulu to 'Ewa which would connect the business district with this plain that could now be irrigated to be a rich and productive agricultural field. Dillingham next persuaded W.R. Castle of the potential for the 'Ewa plains to become this rich agricultural field and W.R. Castle in turn convinced his father S.N. Castle and his father's partner, C.M. Cooke to provide the capital to establish this new sugar plantation. The 'Ewa Sugar Company was chartered on January 29, 1890.

W.R. Lowrie was appointed the first manager of 'Ewa Plantation. He struggled through the difficult years of setting up the mill and its operation and suffered through a number of natural, economic and political disasters such as the McKinley Tariff Act which was passed the year 'Ewa Plantation started and removed the preferential treatment the American government gave Hawaiian sugar, thus substantially lowering the price on sugar. Also happening in this era was the death of King Kalakaua in 1891, followed by the overthrow of his heir Queen Liliuokalani in 1893 and the establishment of the Republic of Hawaii in 1894. All this economic and political turmoil led to serious financial problems for the sugar industry on the whole, and was compounded on the fledgling plantation. But Lowrie continued to persevere and the plantation grew.

2Zialcita, pp 6-7.

USDUNPS NRIIP Registration Form Ewa Sugar Flotation, Honohtlu County,111 NPS Form 10900-a 18-851

Page 17 OMB No. 1024-001



Section 8 Page 4 Ewa Sugar Plantation Villages Honolulu County. Hawaii name of property county and State

In the first annual report Lowrie states:

Buildings have cost $33,398.01 which includes the house and cottage my family occupy. The office, stable, blacksmith shop, 8 large houses accommodating 470 Chinese, two Japanese camps of 4 houses each, 2 windmills, 3 tanks and all the water pipe used on the place.

This quote indicates the crowded living conditions the immigrants first faced when arriving at the 'Ewa plantation, which would later change into much more commodious living. By the time Lowrie resigned in 1898, however, he had established a profit-sharing program, with financial rewards going directly to the workers which proved to be a positive factor in stabilizing the work force; housing, mill and support facilities were substantially complete; a record crop in all the Islands had been produced that year; and a kindergarten had been in operation for nearly a year and a half.

The next stage of leadership brought George F. Renton, Sr., who at only 35, had already compiled an impressive twenty years of service in the sugar industry, the last five as manager of the Kohala Plantation. He foresaw the importance of careful experimentation in developing alternative sugar cane varieties, improving cultivation and milling procedures, and in stabilizing all phases of Ewa's operation, including the labor force. 3 Lowrie's pioneering concept of the profit-sharing companies proved to be a great stabilizing force when in 1900, legislation abolished the contract labor system. Renton reports in that year's annual report:

While laborers came and went in the period of unrest following the termination of the contract system on June 14th last, there was practically no change in the personnel of these Profit Sharing 'Companies`; and . . . this branch of [the plantation] was not set back in the slightest degree.

Renton furthered the idea of labor stabilization by encouraging the hiring of married men and providing each with their own cottage so that the laborer will feel an attachment to the plantation and their "home." He also initiated the formation of a plantation hospital to not only give immediate care to the sick, but to insure proper nutrition for the workers as well. In the same annual report, Renton's philosophy is revealed in the following quote:

3Penny Pagliaro, Ewa Plantation: An Historical Survey 1890-1940, 1987, page 16.

USTR/NPS NRHP Registration Form Ewa Sugar Fiantation, Ho lokilti County, HI NPS Form 10-900 a (8-)

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Section 8 Page 5 'Ewa Sugar Plantation Villages Honolulu County. Hawaii name of property county and State

These matters of homes and sanitation show no specified return on the balance sheet. They are mentioned because they work for the better physical condition of the workman, and this, in a place where 2,000 laborers are employed, belongs to fundamental things.

During Renton's term, the plantation built a school-house, a hall for the Salvation Army, a combination Social Hall and Hall for the Ewa Bank, additions to the Japanese Church and School Buildings and to the Ewa Social Hall. In a 1918 Annual Report, Renton's philosophy was again clearly stated:

That in the evolution of things a better housing of our workmen and their families is necessary, and that any reasonable expenditure for their comfort and happiness in any direction will be profitable, is beyond doubt. The main idea being to have the employees look upon the plantations as their homes and not as temporary camps to be left as soon as enough money has been saved to enable them to do so.

Not only did 'Ewa Plantation become a "community of employees" 4 under the wings of Renton, but many technological improvements and experimentation was encouraged. He renovated the mill to be a steel structure to guard against fire, established an experimental station at 'Ewa in conjunction with the Hawaii Sugar Planters Association (HSPA) from which emerged a new variety of cane called "H-109," a disease-resistant, high-sucrose variety of cane which was soon planted throughout the Islands and "prepared the way for a bonanza in sugar production." 5 The plantation developed cane harvesting and cane-washing technology through use of its staff and workers and was able to do major mill repairs without reliance on outside support. By directing the flow of waters with soil from its cane-washing process over to uncultivated coral-covered land, the plantation was able to extend its cultivable acreage.

In 1921, Renton's son, George Renton, Jr., took over the reigns at Ewa Plantation. Having lived there since he was twelve, Renton, Jr. continued to develop Ewa villages as a desirable community. After the senior Renton's sweeping changes in housing, twenty years earlier, it seems as though the villages were in need of upgrading and modernizing. The 1921 Annual Report informed the stockholders of the additional houses, remodeling of many homes and electric lights and sanitary outbuildings being added for the comfort of the employees despite a low sugar prices and serious labor shortages. Like his father, Renton insisted that high expenditures to provide pleasant surroundings for the employees was an important aspect of the plantation.

4Pagliaro, p. 19. 5Pagliaro, p. 21.

USI:11/NPS NRHP Regotration Form Ewa Sugar Plantation, Honolulu County, HI Page 19 NPS Form 10-900-a OtM3 No. 1024-001

(8-861




Aesthetic concerns played a key role in the building program under Renton. Evidence is the administration building designed by Hart Wood, the company store designed by William Furer and the now demolished company hospital (Figure 34) by Ralph Fishbourne, notable architects in the 1920s and 1930s who promulgated a "Hawaiian style" of architecture, also the three mangers' homes and Renton's own two story home Evidence is also in his 1936 Annual Report which indicates a sense of community planning:

The family dwellings are all of three-bedroom construction with the Hawaiian type roof and are varied in color and so placed on their respective lots as to avoid any appearance of formal regimentation. Each he has a comfortable lanai, large living room and convenient kitchen, and is equipped with all modern plumbing and service facilities.

Upon completion, the entire new village will be landscaped as a unit. An assortment of fruit trees will be planted in each yard, while flowering trees and ornamental plants will be located along the streets and lot boundaries..

Another element of Renton's sweeping changes at Ewa Plantation dealt with health care. During his father's administration, the Plantation Hospital had been built near the mill and its presence dramatically decreased the mortality rate among workers. In Lowrie's days, the only emergency care available on the plantation had been the first-aid care of the plantation doctor. Seriously injured or ill workers were hurried onto the OR&L Line and taken to Queen's Hospital in Honolulu. 6

In 1929, infant mortality was at a shocking rate of 160.7 per thousand at Ewa and thus a small experimental Health Center was opened at Ewa Plantation in conjunction with Queen's Hospital. Through a program of nutritious food, quality day care including regular sleep and education for the immigrant mothers, by 1931 the rate had dropped to 68.9 per thousand (Figure 35). The success was so astounding, that HSPA agreed to underwrite a portion of the cost in return for the general dissemination of the results to all plantations. The Ewa Plantation Health Center revolutionized the concept of child health care on Island plantations and gained world-wide attention. In 1933, more than 450 people visited the health center, including Dr. and Mrs. George Bernard Shaw, to observe the incredible work.

6Pagliato, P. 28.

USINNPS NRI IP Regiqualion Ron Ens Supr Plant:diem Honolulu County, III MPS roan 10-900-a 18-86)

Page 20 OIVIB No. 1024-001




By 1928, the population of Ewa Plantation was up to 4,967 people, making the concerns of the plantation not only business dealings but community concerns needed to be addressed as well. Social clubs, and thus clubhouses, recreational facilities, playgrounds, movie houses and churches supplemented the building activities of Ewa plantation and in 1936, in the depths of Depression, the Ewa Plantation Company built Tenney Recreation Center, with a large part of the funding from the widow of Edward Davies Tenney, director and officer of the Ewa Plantation company from its inception and president of the company from 1903 until his death in 1934. Designed by Hart Wood, Tenney Center became the center of recreational activity in the village for many years. Unfortunately, the recreation center completely burned down in 1978. Despite the large sums of money that Renton put into upgrading and maintaining the Ewa community, his tenure still earned the share-holders $17,220,933 through the Depression Era.

J.D. Bond assistant manager and cousin to George Renton, Jr. assumed the manager's position in 1937 when Renton resigned because of poor health. Bond continued the paternal direction of Renton and expanded the appreciation of the workers by addressing them in the Annual Reports and naming those that worked for ten years or more in each annual report. Immigrants continued to be imported until 1946, with building continuing until 1957.

Sugar production in Hawai'i has rapidly disappeared due to inexpensive competition from other countries and the high cost of production and land in Hawai' i. By the end of 1996, there will be only one sugar mill still active. Many of the other plantation camps will have been subdivided without enforcable guidelines to preserve the rural quality of life.

In 1970, the Oahu Sugar Company acquired 'Ewa Sugar Plantation and regular maintenance of buildings ended. They continued to deteriorate until the City & County of Honolulu purchased the land in 1995. The Ewa Plantation village is currently undergoing rehabilitation by the County and, together with the non-profit community group Friends for 'Ewa and 'Ewa Villages Non- Profit Development Corporation, is working towards carefully defined infill housing and design guidelines to insure that the character of this rural plantation town will be maintained. Honolulu County has been rehabilitating the homes for the past few years, and will be offering them as affordable housing to the current residents (the employees or retired workers from Oahu Sugar or Young Brothers Transportation -- the Dillingham company).

1JSDLNPS NR11P Registration Form Ewa Sugar Plantation, Honolulu County, HI Page 21

NPS Form 10-900-a

OMB No. 1024-001 0061




9. Bibliography

Ikeda, Dr. Kiyoshi

Kirchhofer, Damaris, Inventory of Nonresidential Buildings at Ewa Plantation, Research Paper American Studies, 1987.

Pagliaro, Penny, Ewa Plantation: An Historical Survey 1890 to 1940, Honolulu, 1987.

R.M. Towill Corp., Final EIS for Ewa Villages Master Plan, Department of Housing and Community Development, City and County of Honolulu, 1991.

Webb, Dorothy, Ewa Plantation Landscape Survey, Research Paper American Studies, 1987.

Zialcita, Fernando, An Inventory of Plantation Houses on Oahu, Hawai' i Heritage and DLNR, Honolulu, 1985.

tiSDVNPS 1NRHF' Repjfaration Form Ewa Sugar Plantation, Honolulu County. HI Page 22

NPS from 14800 - e OEM No. 1024-00I

18436)




10. Verbal Boundary Description

This nomination includes the property surrounding the three villages located at TMK: 9- 1-17:038, 069,080 & 081 and a portion of TMK: 9-1-17:046 & 067 (see Site Plan) on the island of Oahu. The Boundary includes Renton Road just past Fernandez Village and continues around the three managers' house, plantation manager's house, plantation office and store. It surrounds the old mill site then returns to Renton Road past Varona Village. Varona Village, Tenney Village and Renton Village are included in the nomination. The plantation cementery is included as a discontiguous site, but it is a significant part of the district .

Boundary Justification

This is the boundary historically associated with the villages that remains intact.

UTM Coordinates

Point Easting

Projection: Datum:

Spheroid:

Northing

UTM Zone 4 Old Hawaiian Clarke1866

Point Easting Northing

1 598512 2359590 16 599947 2360586 2 598849 2359760 17 599763 2360353 3 598820 2359846 18 599812 2360276 4 598937 2359860 19 599636 2360056 5 599107 2359728 20 599509 2360147 6 599203 2359846 21 599224 2359764 7 598829 2360363 22 598934 2359570 8 599072 2360558 23 598589 2359449 9 599399 2360673

10 599512 2360577 24 600351 2361495 11 599700 2360797 25 600457 2361513 12 599827 2360697 26 600537 2361441 13 599947 2360850 27 600553 2361364 14 600013 2360806 28 600502 2361356 15 599876 2360648

NPS Form 10 -900-b (Rev. 01/2009) OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2012)


National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form This form is used for documenting property groups relating to one or several historic contexts. See instructions in National Register Bulletin How to Complete the Multiple Property Documentation Form (formerly 16B). Complete each item by entering the requested information. For additional space, use continuation sheets (Form 10-900-a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer to complete all items

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(Name each associated historic context, identifying theme, geographical area, and chronological period for each.)

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name/title

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street & number telephone

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D. Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this documentation form meets the National Register documentation standards and sets forth requirements for the listing of related properties consistent with the National Register criteria. This submission meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR 60 and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. See continuation sheet for additional comments.)

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NPS Form 10 -900-b (Rev. 01/2009) OMB No. 1024-0018

Name of Multiple Property Listing State

Table of Contents for Written Narrative Provide the following information on continuation sheets. Cite the letter and title before each section of the narrative. Assign page numbers according to the instructions for continuation sheets in National Register Bulletin How to Complete the Multiple Property Documentation Form (formerly 16B). Fill in page numbers for each section in the space below.

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Documents

Ewa · 2019. 11. 15. · Contractor: Ewa Sugar Co Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) 9. Major Bibliographical