Hawaii Architecture - 3 in Chinatown

I had time for a short architecture photo session before heading to a movie screening near Chinatown in Honolulu. I call these half hour photo shoots “architecture snacks”.

Below, three buildings that caught my eye. If you have more time, there are many more to be found.

99 N. King Street

I’d been meaning to stop by King Liberty for a while now and by chance @lisa4realestate and I managed to make it happen end of day on a Friday. See exterior photos above and interior ones below.

I love the historical photo wallpaper which shows the space when it was Liberty Bank. Such a great restoration and re-use of the building!

From @sakamotoarch website:

Liberty Bank, designed by Hawaii’s top architect of the 20th century Vladamir Ossipoff, is a masterful blend of modernity and tradition at the corner of North King and Maunakea. Today, 99 N. King Street is the Honolulu headquarters of King Liberty LLC and the offices of Dean Sakamoto Architects/SHADE and received the Docomomo US 2024 Modernism in America Award for Citation of Merit.

United Chinese Society and Chinese Chamber of Commerce,
42 N. King St.
Architect: Clifford F. Young
Year: 1954

This was a fun find. I only noticed it as we walked east, looking north across King St.

From SAH Archipedia:

A strongly articulated cast-concrete-framed second story centers on aluminum sunscreened windows and cast-concrete panels. These, in turn, contrast with the red Roman brick veneer to make a powerful modern statement, with Chinese overtones introduced by cast-concrete calligraphy panels and a thin, subtly flared, cantilevered concrete canopy.

Hawaii National Bank

Across King St. from the United Chinese Society and Chinese Chamber of Commerce (above), stands the brutalist Hawaii National Bank.

I need to do a little research on the info for the history of this building. The two stone lions guarding the entrance are a nice touch.