Mother Waldron Playground is an urban playground that is bounded by Halekauwila, Cooke, Pohukaina, and Coral streets. It was constructed in 1937 on a 1.76 acre (77,000 square feet) site in the Kakaako district of Honolulu, Hawaii. Built elements within… read more
“The lava rock walls that lined Nu’uanu Stream were part of a WPA funded flood control project (1937). Flood control assumed a high priority in Honolulu after a February 27, 1935 storm dumped 14.23 inches of rain in Nu’uanu Dowsett… read more
In 1935, a contract was awarded for the construction of additional facilities at the Oahu Prison. “A unit for incorrigibles, and additions to the mess building at Oahu Prison for the sum of $104,389, of which $28,500 was Federal grant.” Today the… read more
The Federal Emergency Relief Administration completed improvements to the Pacific Heights Road, including the “widening, realignment, retaining-wall construction, and drains which now provide one of the most easily accessible and beautiful scenic highways on Oahu.”
The National Industrial Recovery Administration awarded the “United States Public Works project no. NRH-17-A, Paia Spur, for the sum of $177,717.69.”
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a side camp at Pana’ewa Forest on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Pana’ewa Forest has been heavily developed with the growth of Hilo, the main city on the island, but some small pieces… read more
The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded new construction or improvement work for the Extension of Piikoi Street in Honolulu. The PWA grant amounted to $38,700. The work was carried out in 1938. The project, listed as Docket No. TH-1050-F, was… read more
Between 1935 and 1941, the WPA contributed $127,000 towards work at Port Allen Airport, mostly runway expansion and improvement (“clearing, grading, and paving,” Port Allen Airport History). At its peak, in 1947, the airport served 37,000 passengers and provided a… read more
The Army Corps of Engineers, the Public Works Administration, and the National Industrial Recovery Administration funded and conducted improvement operations in the Port Allen Harbor between 1934 and 1935. The work consisted of creating a 1,200 foot “rubble-mound breakwater,” and dredging the “harbor… read more
The Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) sponsored a large harbor improvement project at Port Allen in Eleele, Hawaii. The P.W.A. supplied a $401,904 grant for the project, whose total cost was $818,446. Construction occurred between Jan. 1938 and Oct. 1939.
The historic post office building in Lihue, Hawai’i was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The Mission Revival-style building, which was completed in 1939, is still in use today. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The historic post office at Hawaii’s Schofield Barracks. The building, which was completed in 1940, houses an example of New Deal artwork and is still in use today.
Honolulu’s historic Schofield Barracks branch post office contains a 1943 Section of Fine Arts wood carving by Roy King entitled “Primitive Communication.”
In 1936, the WPA conducted wind studies at the prospective airport. Between 1938 and 1941, the WPA contributed $380,000 to the airport’s construction and improvements. The airport is no longer operational, but remnants of it are now part of Maui… read more
“Among the major projects on which work still was in progress at the end of the fiscal year is the Punchbowl-Makiki-Nuuanu shortcut now nearing completion, which provides another cross-town main artery for residents of Honolulu and will greatly relieve traffic… read more
Puueo Bridge, crossing the Wailuku River and connecting Puueo and Keawe Streets in Hilo, Hawaii, was constructed with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds in 1938. The PWA contributed a grant of $45,000 to the project, which… read more
What is now Sand Island consists of mostly reclaimed land. During the early 20th century it was known as Quarantine Island. Substantially enlarged during the F.D.R. era prior to World Was II, on it was the federally managed U.S. Quarantine Station, which was likewise expanded… read more
Honolulu’s Roosevelt High School was constructed in 1935 with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. P.W.A. Docket No. 2633 T. H.
The Federal Emergency Relief Administration funded the construction of the Roosevelt High School athletic facilities: “Another major operation concluded during the year consisted of the completion of a concrete stadium and the Roosevelt High School athletic field with facilities for… read more
Schofield Barracks is a U.S. Army installation. According to a National Park Service report, circa 1940-1941, “Using WPA funds, military engineers and architects continued expanding Schofield Barracks and created a new Hickam Field on the edge of Pearl Harbor.” … read more
The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded new construction or improvement work for a school in Halaula, on the Big Island. The PWA grant amounted to $13,500. The work was carried out in 1938. Listed as Docket No. TH-1068-F, the project… read more
The federal Public Works Administration (PWA) contributed funding for the construction of a sea wall in Lahaina, Maui, during the 1930s (PWA Docket No. HI 1052). The PWA gave a grant of $8,184; the total cost of the completed project… read more
“The Works Progress Administration (WPA)–financed Senior Core Building, constructed in 1939, sits off the corner of the quadrangle. Designed by [Vladimir] Ossipoff, it presents a more modern and Island-oriented interpretation of Spanish forms, which complements the original school core. Its… read more
The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded new construction or improvement work on sewer lines in Wahiawa on Oahu. The PWA grant amounted to $59,850, and the work was carried out in 1938. The project, listed as Docket No. TH-1076-F, was… read more
A large sewer construction project in Wailuku, Hawaii was undertaken with federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds in 1934-5. The P.W.A. supplied a $158,000 loan and $52,757 grant for the project, whose total cost was $192,986. P.W.A. Docket No. T…. read more
A Public Works Administration grant of $97,795 funded new construction work on the Tax Office building in Honolulu. The work was underway in 1938. Listed as Docket No. TH-1035-DS, the project was part of the PWA’s non-federal projects expenditure for… read more
“Graceful and handsomely proportioned, the Territorial Circuit Court Building (1938) in Lihu’e was designed by Harry K. Stewart. This PWA project beautifully integrates the Hawaiian and Spanish Mission revival styles.”
The PWA built several facilities for the Territorial Hospital complex. Initially, the hospital accommodated patients from the Oahu Insane Asylum, founded by King Kamehameha IV in 1866 on the Iolani Palace grounds in Honolulu.1 The Territorial Hospital expanded and later became the Hawaii State… read more
Designed by Henry O. Whitfield in 1915, the U.S. Post Office and Office Building underwent a large expansion during the New Deal. “In 1936 the Treasury Department designed two 3-story wing additions for the main (south) side of the building…. read more
“The lava rock Andrews Amphitheatre at the University of Hawai’I (1935) was designed by architect Ralph Fishbourne with Professor Arthur R. Keller serving as the consulting engineer. The University covered the $5,213 cost for materials while the FERA paid for… read more
Crawford Hall, also known as the social sciences building, was constructed with Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds in 1938.
“The original Gilmore Hall was constructed in 1935 and was funded, in part, by the federal Public Works Administration. Gilmore, the agricultural building, was built on the edge of campus, at an angle to face both Hawaiʻi Hall and Farrington… read more
“Miller Hall, originally known as the Home Economics Building, was built in 1939 and formally opened with a ceremony on March 15, 1940. The architect of the building was John Mason Young, a professor of engineering at the University. The… read more
Between 1935 and 1939 the WPA maintained, expanded, and improved Suiter Field (now Upolu Airport). Upolu still operates today as a small regional airport.
USS Lamson (DD-367), Destroyer, was built with federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The vessel served during World War II, and sank during the atomic tests on Bikini Atoll in 1946. Today, it is popular diving location.
U.S.S. Tucker (DD 374), Destroyer, was built with federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The vessel served during World War II and was lost in the waters of the Republic of Vanuatu, 1944. The shipwreck is currently turning to reef.
USS Vincennes (CA-44), was built with federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The vessel served during World War II and sunk at the Battle of Savo, 1942. It was re-discovered by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
The USS Yorktown (CV 5) Aircraft Carrier, commissioned by the U.S. Navy, was built with federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The vessel served during World War II and was lost in the Battle of Midway, 1942. Her wreckage was… read more
The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded additions and improvement work for the Boys’ School (also known as the Waiale’e Home for Wayward Boys or the Waiale’e Industrial School for Boys) on the North Shore of Oahu. The PWA grant amounted to $61,364…. read more
The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded new construction or improvement work on a school in the Waikele neighborhood in the City and County of Honolulu. The PWA grant amounted to $74,700, and the work was carried out in 1938. The… read more