KAPAA — Kapaa residents are trying to repair a historic Japanese stone lantern damaged by strong winds.
The lantern was built in 1915 by first-generation Japanese immigrants, in honor of their roots and Japanese Emperor Taisho’s coronation in 1912. It stood in Kapaa until 1943, when it was toppled and buried to show American loyalty during World War II.
It remained buried until 1972, but no organization would take responsibility for it, so it was re-buried 24 hours later. It was unearthed again in 1987, when Mayor Tony Kunimura, the Kauai Historical Society and others worked with the community to re-erect the structure, securing it was braces and a large concrete base. It underwent a restoration effort in 2008 when students from the Leadership Kauai program and the Kauai Business Association repaired the landmark.
Kapaa residents are looking to replace the glass orb that fell off the lantern and shattered in February, The Garden Island newspaper in Lihue reported Wednesday. The glass ball sat on top of the structure and measured 15 to 20 inches in diameter.
“Historical preservation is so important and the stone lantern, I think, it’s one of our community treasures,” said Wailua Kapaa Neighborhood Association Chairwoman Rayne Regush. “This is the 100-year anniversary for when the lantern was built.”