Ali'iolani Hale - Exterior Alterations and Improvements

Client: Department of Accounting and General Services

Architect: MASON

Completion Year: 2014

Size: Two Stories

Construction Cost: $3.7 Million

Located behind the Kamehameha Statue in downtown Honolulu, restoration of an iconic building was completed in concert with Mason Architects, Inc. The two-story building suffered from deterioration in portions of columns, roof, and four clock faces on each side of the tower. To preserve the original look of the clock and maintain structural integrity of the tower, project architects suggested that the original wood be restored in sections instead of being completely replaced. In order to accomplish this, Constructors Hawaii Inc (CHI) used an epoxy wood hardener at areas where the wood surface was rotted and cracked. CHI was then able to repaint the numbers, add new fiberglass hands, and incorporate repaired gears provided by The Clock Collection to complete this portion of the restoration.

As with any historical project, this preservation project needed to be accomplished with delicacy. Delivery of concrete to the roof of the clock tower was accomplished by a boom pump, which made the process safe for the building. Since some areas requiring renovation were above offices of the Supreme Court judges, work was performed after hours to limit the amount of disturbances for staff working in the building.

Completion of this project included window repairs, new landscaping, and new roof drains with downspouts.

Ali’iolani Hale is just one of many projects that Constructors Hawaii Inc. has completed for the State of Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS). Past public projects for DAGS include historical repairs to ‘Iolani Palace and the Performing Arts Center at Moanalua High School.