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Cultural Resources Commission approves reconstruction of Pioneer Mill bookkeeper’s house at 281 Front St.; SHPD concurrence noted
Summary
After a contested‑case hearing, the CRC approved reconstruction of the 1925 Pioneer Mill Company Bookkeeper's House at 281 Front Street in its original location to restore the historic paired relationship with 271 Front Street; State Historic Preservation Division had written that the project met Secretary of Interior standards.
In a contested‑case agenda item the Cultural Resources Commission voted unanimously to approve reconstruction of the destroyed 1925 Pioneer Mill Company Bookkeeper’s House at 281 Front Street and restore the historic pairing with the dwelling at 271 Front Street.
Brandis Sarich, a Secretary of Interior‑qualified architect, argued the project would restore the historic spatial relationship between the twin houses and that the full reconstruction met the Secretary of the Interior standards. The State Historic Preservation Division provided written concurrence that the reconstruction "will have no adverse effect on historic properties," which the Department of Planning cited in recommending approval.
Commissioner Jen Mather moved approval with the addition that archaeological monitoring be in place during any ground‑disturbing work; Andree‑Michelle Conley‑Kapoi seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Hinano Rodrigues summarized the commission’s view that approval should proceed while recognizing State review and statutory protections under HRS Chapter 6E: "If an applicant volunteers to do an AIS, SHPD is not going to say 'Oh no, no' — they typically welcome additional investigation," she said, describing how monitoring and burial‑council protections would apply if remains or other cultural resources are encountered.
The commission's approval was conditioned by a recommendation that the applicant coordinate archaeological monitoring and that any significant changes driven by archaeological discoveries be returned to the CRC for review.
