Betty and Howard Liljestrand married in 1937 and moved to Hawaii that year. Betty was from Iowa and Howard grew up in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, where his parents were medical missionaries. The couple initially intended to return to China after their studies, but political unrest made it impossible. Howard completed his medical internship at Queen’s Hospital in Honolulu while Betty worked as a secretary. The Liljestrands ultimately chose to settle in Hawaii and began planning their family home.

Unlike most residents who built near the beach, the Liljestrands wanted an elevated site with cooler temperatures, inspired by Howard’s childhood summers in the Tibetan mountains. They purchased 2.5 acres on Mount Tantalus in 1946 after a decade-long search. Two years later, they traded this land with the Territory of Hawaii for a half-acre parcel on the other side of the ridgeline. Their next challenge was finding an architect to realize their vision.

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I recently went to Hawaii for the first time and discovered an incredible world of art and design. It’s no surprise I was drawn to Mid-century and earlier styles in Honolulu, yet the city is filled with art and architecture from every era.

This guide focuses on public installations, architecture, historic landmarks, and several must-see museums. Most of these sites are free and within walking distance, following a route from Kalihi-Palama through Downtown Honolulu to Waikiki Beach...

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Dear Readers,

Today, we are visiting 80 Broad Street in the Financial District of Manhattan, New York City. This is the Maritime Exchange, completed in 1931. It was designed by the architectural firm Sloan & Robertson and built for the Maritime Association for the Port of New York.

Inside, a mural by Lillian Gaertner decorates the lobby's ceiling, depicting ships throughout history. I recently discovered this mural, and I have much to share—from the artwork to the story of Gaertner herself.

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