AASHTO Journal - Hawaii DOT Helps Celebrate Aloha Tower’s 100th Year

The Hawaii Department of Transportation recently celebrated a century of state maritime history as part of the Aloha Tower Centennial ceremony October 15-16.

[Above photo by the Hawaii DOT]

Opened on September 11, 1926, at Pier 9 of Honolulu Harbor, the Aloha Tower is an iconic maritime landmark standing 184 feet tall across 10 stories; a building that reigned as the tallest structure in Hawaii for four decades.

The tower gets its name from the word “ALOHA” etched on its exterior to greet arriving passenger ships during the historic “Boat Days” era of the 1920s through the 1960s, when passenger steamships arrived in Honolulu Harbor and locals gathered at the docks to greet travelers with leis made from fresh flowers and music. During World War II, the tower was painted in camouflage and served as a crucial military control center for Pacific convoys before returning to civilian life.

In anticipation of the centennial, Aloha Tower underwent an $8.5 million rehabilitation that included replacing the tower’s elevator and fire suppression system, repairing its heating ventilation and air conditioning or HVAC system, repainting the tower’s exterior, and upgrading the observation deck.

After the centennial celebrations, additional work will include replacing the tower’s 84 windows, which will improve the weatherproofing of the tower, as well as replacing the mast at the top of the tower.

Hawaii DOT noted that Harbor Special Revenue Funds were used for the majority of the improvements. In addition, approximately $1 million from the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit’s historic preservation fund was used for exterior repairs and painting. The agency added that a $2 million in Congressionally-directed funding will be used for the next phase of improvements including renovations to the third to eighth floors.

“Nearly 90 percent of all goods that Hawai‘i residents and visitors consume pass through Honolulu Harbor, all under the watchful gaze of Aloha Tower,” said Ed Sniffen, Hawaii DOT director, in a statement. “Preserving and maintaining the historic Aloha Tower is an important part of ensuring the vitality of Honolulu’s waterfront, which serves as the main supply chain for our entire state.”