BECKLEY, W.Va. — Architect Richard “Dick” Kanakanui left his imprint in Raleigh County in the form of eye-catching structures.

Among these are the Raleigh County Memorial Airport, the Beckley branch of the Raleigh County Public Library, and what was once the family home at 300 Northwestern Ave. Compared to other buildings in the area, the buildings have lots of wood and unusual shapes. It’s enough to draw the interest of the inquisitive about the designer.

Kanakanui, a native of Hawaii, died in 2009 at the age of 80.

“He was certainly drawn to architecture because of the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and studied with him at a workshop at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona,” said his daughter, Karen Kanakanui, of Raleigh, North Carolina. “He was a big believer in a building or a home fitting into the natural landscape as if it had always been there.”

He earned a degree in architecture from the University of Virginia, and worked in Honolulu for several years before moving to Beckley in 1964 to be a consulting architect on a new Woodrow Wilson High School. What was initially to be a nine-month contract was extended.

He worked for Gates Engineering for 12 years and in 1976 formed his own firm, Kanakanui Associates.

“I worked with him for a while,” architect Robert Krause said. “He was influenced very much by his native Hawaii. I loved his work. He had his own style, fairly unique, especially for the area. His designs were interesting and functional.”

Krause worked with Kanakanui on the airport terminal as well as projects on the Morgantown Energy Technology campus, including a large office building and research laboratories.

“He was a minority contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy,” he said.

Krause described Kanakanui as outgoing and fun. Aside from his gift for architectural design, he also had excellent culinary skills. He would create a spread of various cuisines and encourage co-workers to try them. Kanakanui had family in the catering business and he loved to cook.

“He had a good sense of humor,” Krause said. “He was a pleasant person to work with. He liked to avoid confrontation if at all possible.”

The Raleigh County Library, dedicated in July 1976, shows the influence of Kanakanui with wood beam ceilings and an open, airy flair. The library was built by architectural firm Leslie C. Gates & Associates with Richard Kanakanui as the design chief.

A few miles away is the Raleigh County Memorial Airport, where those flying in and out frequently ask questions about the design, said Tom Cochran, airport manager.

“The roof is similar to the design of the Dulles Airport” in northern Virginia, Cochran said. “This one was designed in the mid-1970s and was here before Dulles. It was completed in 1978. I think, at that time, the design was certainly an architectural treat for this area as well as anywhere in the country. We still have people who are amazed by the design and the condition of the building. The building has maintained its structural value and its pristine beauty.”

He pointed out the open ceiling and the workmanship of the wooden beams.

“The roof is an airfoil design similar to the wing on an airplane,” Cochran said.

Cochran, who has worked there 18 years, said visitors have always been enamored by the design of the building and picturesque landscape.

The house on Northwestern Avenue was the Kanakanui family home for several years. It was where family gatherings and parties were held with live music and great food.

It is now abuzz with workers in the process of renovation. The current owner did not return calls to discuss the project.

Karen Kanakanui said her father also designed “another private house at Flat Top Lake and Welch Community Hospital.”

Aside from his interesting architectural designs, other facts about him stand out.

He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1952. He flew F-86D fighter jets for the U.S. Air Force while stationed in Chicago and Yakota AFB in Japan.

He co-founded Children’s House Montessori School in 1969 and his family likes to think of the countless youngsters of Southern West Virginia who have benefited.

His surviving family members also include another daughter, Julia, and sons, David and Sam, as well as several grandchildren.

In 2009, Kanakanui’s ashes were spread off the coast of Myrtle Beach. The ashes of his wife, Julia Ann “Judy,” were spread near the same site in 1998.

In honor of his Hawaiian heritage, orchid leis were flown in from Hawaii and dispersed with the ashes.

And architectural designs sprinkled throughout the Mountain State are reminders of the talent of Richard “Dick” Kanakanui.

Reach Charlotte Ferrell Smith at [email protected] or 304-348-1246.

Article published in the Charleston Gazette Mail, Sunday, 2 August 2015, Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia.

Found online: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/article/20150802/GZ05/150809998/1156

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Obituary published in the The Register Herald, Sunday, 27 September 2009 in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia.

Richard Dwight ‘Dick’ Kanakanui

Richard Dwight “Dick” Kanakanui, 80, of Beckley, died Friday, August 28, 2009, in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, he was preceded in death by his wife, Julia Ann “Judy” Kanakanui; his parents, William A. and Harriett E. Kanakanui; and an older brother, William A. Kanakanui Jr.

Dick graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in 1952. Following graduation, he flew F-86D fighter jets for the U.S. Air Force while stationed in Chicago and Yakota AFB in Japan. After resigning his commission, he continued his education at the University of Virginia, where he graduated with a degree in architecture. After working in Honolulu as an architect for several years, Dick was invited to Beckley in 1964 by Leslie C. Gates to be a consulting architect for nine months on the new Woodrow Wilson High School.

One project led to another, and Dick continued with Gates Engineering for 12 years, leaving to form his own firm, Kanakanui Associates, in 1976. Dick worked primarily in commercial design, and completed several notable projects in southern West Virginia, including the Beckley-Raleigh County Memorial Airport terminal and the Raleigh County Public Library. Two residential projects completed locally were the Flat Top residence of Leslie C. Gates and a house at 300 Northwestern Avenue which was the Kanakanui family home for nearly 10 years. Many fun parties with live music, good friends, and great food were hosted at the Northwestern house.

He co-founded Children’s House Montessori School in 1969 to enhance the education of young children in the community. The original Children’s House program was designed to include both children whose families could afford tuition as well as those who received assistance from state funding and grants. Dick’s family is happy to think that the Montessori school benefited hundreds of young minds in southern West Virginia.

Surviving family members include two daughters, Karen A. Kanakanui, and her two daughters, Rachel and Katie, of Beckley, W.Va.; Julia L. Kanakanui and her son, Andy Kanakanui Bouchard of Greensboro, N.C.; and two sons, David G. Kanakanui, of Mt. Nebo, W.Va., and his daughter, Beth, of Fayetteville, W.Va.; and Samuel S. Kanakanui, his wife, Virginia, and their two children, Daniel and Kendall, of Greensboro, N.C.

Dick’s ashes were spread off the coast of Myrtle Beach near where Judy’s ashes were scattered in 1998. In honor of Dick’s Hawaiian heritage, orchid leis were flown in from Hawaii and dispersed with the ashes.

A memorial service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, October 3, at Beckley Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Janice M. Tiedeck officiating.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dick married Julia Ann "Judy" Graham 10 July 1954 in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia. Link to their marriage record at the West Virginia Archives.