Picture the scene. You stand before Building 9 in Honolulu a humble structure. Its unassuming facade belies a rich history. This wasn’t just any building. It was once Engine Company Number 9’s hook and ladder building. Opened in 1930 it served the Kaka’ako Fire Station.
For twenty years Building 9 housed the equipment essential for battling downtown fires. Its size and shape are a testament to Honolulu’s past. Back then most buildings were 2 or 3 stories tall. The ladders on the trucks parked in Building 9 were long enough. Taller ladders were unnecessary. The city’s skyline was a far cry from today’s high-rises.
Building 9’s story became intertwined with the evolution of Honolulu itself. It provided crucial firefighting support. It was a silent witness to the city’s growth. As Honolulu’s buildings grew taller the need for Building 9 lessened. Other similar buildings at other fire stations were removed. This left Building 9 as the last of its kind a unique piece of Honolulu’s firefighting heritage.
This is where the story takes a poignant turn. The Fire Department wanted to demolish Building 9. They saw it as an eyesore. They didn’t understand its historical value. But a battle ensued. The State Historic Preservation Officer intervened. A compromise was reached. The facades were to be saved. However the facades were ultimately lost during construction. The only remaining reminder of Building 9 is its tiled outline in the connecting walkway.
Today you see only a faint echo of what once stood. Yet that faint echo speaks volumes. Building 9’s story reminds us of a bygone era in Honolulu. A time when firefighting was a different affair. A time when the city’s skyline was defined by low-rise structures. A time captured by this small building that’s now just a memory. A memory preserved in tile.