The Hawaii State Capitol, a building reflecting Hawaii’s Culture

The Hawaii State Capitol building is nothing if not different. At first I did not quiet understand the design. After reading a description from the International Committee for the Documentation and Conservation of Buildings (http://www.docomomo-us.org) it all makes sense.

“The Hawaii State Capitol was designed to reflect the historical and cultural significance, as well as the natural beauty, of the Hawaiian Islands. The number eight has been incorporated into the building as a metaphor of the eight major Hawaiian Islands. There are eight columns in the front and back of the building, groups of eight columns on the balcony surrounding the fourth floor, and eight panels on the doors leading to the Governor’s and Lieutenant Governor’s chambers. The Capitol is also surrounded by water as a symbol of the Pacific Ocean, and the columns that rise from the reflecting pools are representative of palm trees. The curved, sloping walls of the House and Senate chambers were inspired by the volcanoes from which the islands were created. The building was also constructed in an open-air design, with open entryways and an open courtyard containing a glass mosaic floor mural called “Aquarius,” designed by Tadashi Sato and representing the movement of dappled light and underwater formations in shades of blue and green. Replicas of the State Seal hang from the Capitol’s entrances.”

Part of the beauty of this building is the area surrounding complex, with the royal palace and statues downtown Honolulu is quite lovely.