Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co.
Opus 1429, 1963

From the Aeolian-Skinner Archives: Established in 1820, Kawaiaha'o Church represents the beginning of modern Hawaii. The first thatched-roof church was dedicated in 1821, followed by a second and a third. Construction of the present large New England-style church was ordered by King Kamehameha III on land immediately next to the Royal Palace grounds. It was finished after seven years of labor, resulting in a large stone structure using coral reef rock hauled from Waikiki. Over 5,000 people attended the dedication service. The church reportedly boasts nearly 9 seconds of reverberation.

Known as the Church of the Royalty during the days of the monarchy, it is now commonly referred to as The State Church of Hawaii. The first constitutional convention was held in the church. Queen Liliuokalani, the last reigning monarch of the church, served as one of the church's organists.

The first organ was an 1867 Simmons and Co. instrument from Boston. It was replaced in 1937 by a Hillgreen, Lane & Co. organ, which, in turn, was replaced in 1961 by the Aeolian-Skinner. The organ was cleaned and restored by Meloni & Farrier 1999-2001 and the console upgraded at a later date by Richard Houghton.

Updated through online information from Richard Harger.

Updated through online information from Mark Schmalz.

Updated through online information from Anthony Meloni. -- Organ cleaned and completely restored by Meloni & Farrier Organbuilders in 2002-2004. Unaltered.

Identified through online information from James R. Stettner. -- The organ has two Swell divisions. The Antiphonal division is made from parts of the previous 1927 Hillgreen-Lane organ. Electronic 32's were added later by Rodgers.