Hawaii Architecture - 4 Cemeteries

Here is a roundup of the latest visits to cemeteries on O’ahu - mid-century and modernist goodness! You might ask what was I doing visiting cemeteries? Mainly to pay respects to relatives that had passed. While one or both of my parents stayed in the car, I would try to follow their vague guidance on how to find burial or columbarium spots: “It’s by a trash can” or “it’s near the top” or “it’s under a tree” or “it’s way in and there’s a maintenance building to the right.” Amazingly, all were found!

Valley of the Temples Architect: George “Pete” Wimberly 1965, renovation 2018 by Fung Associates Inc.

What a crazy day my dad and I had visiting 3 cemeteries when I thought we were only going to one. Anyway, at least the architecture was a sight to see.

These images are at Valley of the Temples of the Service and Admin Building where we did some pre-planning for mom’s service.

An excerpt from modtraveler.net: Kaneohe, the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park – best known for its 1968 replica of the 11th Century Japanese Byodo-In Buddhist Temple – was founded in 1963 by prolific real estate magnate Paul Trousdale (Palm Springs’ Racquet Club Cottages West and Trousdale Estates in Beverly Hills).

It is the final resting place for thousands of island residents.

The Memorial Park’s arresting Family Services & Administration building, designed by resort architect George “Pete” Wimberly in 1965, is what we’re singling out here.

Designed to resemble a Hawaiian temple (heiau) this evocative concrete, lava rock & wood structure with its graceful squared-off arches reaching for the heavens, effortlessly displays how mid-century modern architecture can transcend itself and become more… much more.

The Funeral Chapel too, with its modernist take on the popular church A-Frame, is exquisite and – not to overstate it too much – a revelation, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Ko’olau mountains.

Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery 45-425 Kamehameha Highway Architect: Wimberly and Cook, 1958

Who’s up for some pleated roofs? This is another cemetery building by Pete Wimberly just a hop and skip from Valley of the Temples.

Since we needed some help finding the Veterans Cemetery, my dad suggested I ask for information at the office. After getting directions and a map, I took a peek into the courtyard and quickly took a couple of pics.

The mountain views are quite stunning here.

Resource modtraveler.net:

The modernist structures at the Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery were designed by George ‘Pete’ Wimberly (along with then partner Howard Cook).

Opened in 1958, you’ll discover sublime folded plate roof lines supported by strong yet graceful pillars, tropical island-style breezeblocks and floor to ceiling glass revealing breathtaking views of the Ko’olau mountains at this peaceful and contemplative one-of-a-kind location.

Makai Chapel, Mililani Memorial Park Architect: Vladimir Ossipoff and Associates, design architect Sid Snyder, 1963

I may not have visited Le Corbusier’s chapel at Ronchamp but this comes close. Plus much easier for me to visit here in Mililani 😀

I wish the security truck hadn’t just parked when I took the east side picture of the chapel. Still, it was nice to see some of the ever present chickens captured in that image.

Diamond Head Memorial Cemetery. Architect: Bernard Joseph Stanislaus Cahill

There was a Christmas Day visit here to place flowers and visit family member gravesites. My aunt and uncle’s resting place is at the top-level of the columbarium. To reach up high, I had to climb this rolling ladder - quite a precarious undertaking.