A downtown Honolulu landmark honoring Portuguese immigrants has been left covered in permanent-marker scribbles and surrounded by trash, sparking frustration and anger among community advocates. The Padrao, tucked beside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace on Fort Street Mall, has long stood as a highly visible tribute to the Portuguese community’s role in shaping Hawaii. Locals say the recent damage is not just ugly to look at; to many, it feels like a sign that a historic public monument has been allowed to slip through the cracks.
John Fielding, a longtime advocate for the site, told Hawaii News Now he was shocked by the Padrao’s current state and deeply disappointed that it had deteriorated so badly. Fielding said he and an Eagle Scout troop offered to help with a restoration roughly three years ago but the proposal was declined. He described the stone marker and its mosaic base as scarred with permanent-marker scrawl, with debris scattered around the small plaza.
Built For The Centennial
The Padrao was installed in 1985 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Portuguese immigration, according to a historical account in the Honolulu Advertiser. Its mosaic base was hand-set by Portuguese stone masons using materials donated from Portugal. The memorial features bronze plaques and a compass-style design that nods to Portugal’s long seafaring history, and past volunteer efforts have helped patch damaged areas while replacement materials were sourced.
City: Repairs Require Specialized Masonry
The Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts said the monument’s stone-mosaic flooring needs specialized care, and that regular maintenance at the site has included washing, graffiti removal, and re-waxing the bronze plaques, according to a statement reported by Hawaii News Now. The office noted that the most recent maintenance cycle wrapped up in May 2025, but additional planned repairs were pushed back after the city’s original mason retired. Officials say they are now coordinating with Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam to find qualified volunteers and expect restoration work to begin within the coming months.
Advocates hope the Padrao will be restored in time for the 150th anniversary of Portuguese immigration, roughly three years from now. Officials say specialized maintenance is needed for the monument.
