Honolulu Tabernacle Hawaii

The Honolulu Hawaii Stake Tabernacle was dedicated by President David O. McKay about four months before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. The Honolulu Tabernacle has been called the last tabernacle as it was the last tabernacle to be constructed. Most of the members lived on Oahu. On June 30, 1935, the church organized the 113th stake of the Church, which was also the first stake outside the continental United States. When the stake was formed, Hawaii had 18 chapels on the islands but none large enough for stake gatherings. The architect hired to design the building even flew to Hawaii and lived in a small shack on the proposed site to seek inspiration. He became determined to preserve three very large trees and made a building design quite a bit different from the previous church architectural styles. The main building holds 1,000 people, with a connecting cultural hall for larger events. It can be opened on three sides for winds to cool it off. Other buildings are classrooms, offices and another large chapel for ward services. The tower is 141 feet tall and at one time, a Boy Scout troop had its meetings inside it. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, the size and height of the tower made the complex a possible target as the second tallest structure on the island at construction. During the war years the tabernacle was visited by thousands of servicemen who could visit the grounds, get a hot meal, rest, worship and recreate. Changes, additions and renovations were done in 1974, 1987 and 1997. For more info, google: The Last Tabernacle: A Refuge on Oahu by Matthew O. Richardson