HHF Historic Preservation Grants in Hawaii

The Historic Hawai‘i Foundation Historic Preservation Grants program is administered through a collaboration between the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation (HHF) and several preservation-focused funders. HHF is a nonprofit organization committed to preserving Hawaii's historic places and fostering cultural understanding and community pride through the conservation of the state’s unique built heritage. This grant initiative is a key part of HHF’s broader mission to preserve, protect, and advocate for significant historical sites across the Hawaiian Islands. The purpose of the preservation grants is to support efforts that rehabilitate or restore historic buildings and sites. These grants are intended to reinforce the role of historic preservation in community development and societal improvement, highlighting Hawaii's distinct sense of place. In doing so, the program ensures that these sites continue to serve the public, either through active community use or educational and cultural engagement. Funding is strictly reserved for projects that adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and that provide long-term preservation commitments lasting at least a decade following grant completion. Eligible applicants include public agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and other nonprofit organizations that have not previously received HHF preservation grant funds. Recipients must demonstrate community support and co-investment, as HHF funds are not designed to be the sole source of financing. Projects should be sufficiently advanced in their planning stages and have multiple sources of financial and in-kind support already secured before applying. Although membership in HHF is not required, applicants are encouraged to be current members at the time of submission. The eligible project scope includes physical rehabilitation or restoration work that focuses on the character-defining elements of the property. Each proposed project must result in the public benefit, ensuring that the historic site or building will be actively used for a community-facing purpose after completion. The available grant amounts range between $10,000 and $100,000, depending on project needs, and grants are awarded 2 to 3 times annually, with the next deadlines scheduled for March 14, June 13, and September 19 of 2025. Proposals are evaluated based on three major criteria. First, the applicant must be a community-centered organization serving a tangible local need. Second, the project must involve the preservation of a significant historic property and demonstrate adherence to appropriate preservation standards. Finally, the project must be part of a larger, well-documented financial plan, with substantial funding or in-kind contributions already committed from individuals, the community, or other funders. Applications must be submitted online using HHF’s official application form. Supplementary materials such as a photo list, budget spreadsheet, and property owner permission form are required for full consideration. Questions about the grant process can be directed to the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation office located at 680 Iwilei Road, Suite 690, Honolulu, HI 96817. The foundation can be contacted by phone at (808) 523-2900 or via fax at (808) 523-0800. No specific contact person or email was listed in the source material.