LIHU‘E — “This is the best part,” said Sadie Doi, settling into one of the seats in the Kaua‘i County Council Chambers Tuesday. “The air conditioning feels really good.” Kaua‘i County Council Chair Jay Furfaro led a tour of the
LIHU‘E — “This is the best part,” said Sadie Doi, settling into one of the seats in the Kaua‘i County Council Chambers Tuesday. “The air conditioning feels really good.”
Kaua‘i County Council Chair Jay Furfaro led a tour of the historic County Building to members of the Hanapepe Senior Center, explaining the history of the County Building, which recently celebrated renovation work lasting more than a year.
“This is the 100th anniversary of the building,” said Yvette Sahut, council services public affairs officer. “Council Chair Furfaro will be hosting free tours of the historic County Building on the first Friday of each month throughout the centennial celebration of the building.”
The Hanapepe Senior Center, on its monthly excursion, was invited by Furfaro to experience this tour using it as an opportunity to work out kinks in the educational excursion, which lasted just about an hour.
“Each month, the Hanapepe Senior Center has an excursion,” said Tina Sakamoto. “Some of the excursions are fun activities, others are more educational. This one is educational, and we were fortunate to be invited by Mr. Furfaro to learn more about this historic building.”
Starting on Aug. 3 at 10 a.m., Furfaro will host members of the public to a tour of the building, allowing members access to places, which are normally not seen by the public.
“This is the citizens’ building,” Furfaro said. “I just wanted people to realize the rich history of the building.”
Beyond the history of the building, which once served as the county seat, the tour connects the building to key events and places around the island. The Hanapepe seniors eagerly scanned photos of past county councils and identified with those various members.
“I don’t know any of these people,” one senior said while inspecting a 1905 photo of the Kaua‘i Board of Supervisors, which included a photo of Supervisor Walter D. McBryde whom, according to various online sources, contributed 500 eucalyptus trees that formed the basis for the Tunnel of Trees on Maluhia Road, which on Saturday received a general sprucing up for the launch of the 10-day Koloa Plantation Days celebration.
“In those days, the photos contained more than the elected officers,” Furfaro explained. “Other department people, including Sheriff William Hyde Rice in the 1905 photo, were included. Today, it’s just the county council members.”
On a more contemporary note, the tour unveils and clarifies the workings of the county government and the role Kaua‘i County Council members play in the lives of the island’s residents.
As part of the renovation project, historic photographs were dug out, restored and placed on the walls.
Furfaro explained the photos on the first floor being historic buildings around the island, including the former Hanalei Fire Station where then-chief Sproat graces the steps of the building.
The upstairs’ gallery lining various offices identifies the different places on the island, such as Nualolo Kai where the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s Hokule‘a will be visiting with Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. and selected guests later this week.
The public is invited to the free tour at 10 a.m. Aug. 3 and thereafter on the first Friday of each month.
