Iolani Palace will undergo a significant roofing repair and restoration project, according to a news release.
What You Need To Know
- The repair project is expected to take six months to complete
- The project will repair and replace about 9,000 square feet of slate roofing, treat cast iron elements, neutralize rust damage, and repair the glass cupola and skylights
- The work will abate water damage to the Palace, while preserving its historic appearance
- The Iolani Palace roof repair project is being supported in part by a $500,000 Save America’s Treasure grant from the Historic Preservation Fund, which is administered by the National Park Service
The Friends of Iolani Palace and the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks held a traditional Hawaiian blessing on Monday for the project, which will take about six months to complete.
The project will repair and replace about 9,000 square feet of slate roofing, treat cast iron elements, neutralize rust damage, and repair the glass cupola and skylights. The work will abate water damage to the Palace, while preserving its historic appearance.
The Iolani Palace roof repair project is being supported in part by a $500,000 Save America’s Treasure grant from the Historic Preservation Fund, which is administered by the National Park Service. The Department of Land and Natural Resources contributed additional funds.
“The repair and restoration of Iolani Palace’s roof is a critical step in preserving an essential piece of Hawaii’s history and cultural heritage,” said Curt Cottrell, administrator of DLNR’s Division of State Parks, in a statement. “By protecting this historic State Monument, we ensure that the legacy of the Hawaiian Kingdom continues to inspire and educate future generations.”
Iolani Palace went through an extensive restoration in the 1970s, which included reroofing. The roofing tiles for the current project match the existing tiles.
The contractor for the project is MRC Roofing LLC and oversight will be provided by MASON Architects, the state’s leading architecture firm in historic preservation.
Iolani Palace, a National Historical Landmark, was built in 1882 by King Kalakaua, then the reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii. It was the home of the kingdom’s last reigning monarchs, including Kalakaua’s sister, Queen Liliuokalani. The palace is now restored to represent the time period before the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893. It is open for tours to the public.
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.
spectrumlocalnews.com
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/news/2024/03/18/iolani-palace-roof-repair
