Kupulau
in the Courtyard at the Waialua Courthouse
A spring open-air market featuring local vendors, food, and music. E hele mai kākou!
The Historic Waialua Courthouse
Ola Kamananui is the current kiaʻi (stewards) of this facility and works in collaboration with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to preserve, restore, interpret, share, and celebrate the unique cultural and historical qualities of the Waialua Courthouse, its grounds, artifacts and the Waialua community for the benefit of Native Hawaiians, the people of Hawaiʻi and the broader community of learners.
The one-acre property is leased by OHA from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), providing a unique opportunity to perpetuate Hawaiian culture and ensure this historic space remains a place for education and engagement. Since 1979, the Waialua Courthouse has been listed on the State of Hawaiʻi Historic Register.
Built in 1913, the Waialua Courthouse is a Neo-Classical Revival structure with Greek-inspired architectural elements. The building features extended eaves, an adaptation to Hawai‘i’s tropical climate, and is framed in wood with double-wall construction. Its symmetrical T-shape rests on stone footings in the front and concrete in the rear wing.
Historically, the Waialua Courthouse was more than just a courthouse—it was the civic center of the Waialua District, once housing:
🏛 A public health center
📬 A post office
⚖️ A courtroom
🚔 A cell block