It’s a picture of the Old Federal Building. Construction began in 1917 and completed after World War I in 1922. The building was designed by architects York & Sawyer of New York. Currently, it houses state government offices and the Downtown Station Post Office.

The post card was printed by the Curt Teich Co., Inc. of Chicago.

It faces the ‘Iolani Palace whose architecture stands in stark contrast to the style in vogue in Hawaii at the turn of the century.

Click on the image for a larger view.

When I read the other side of the card I just knew I needed to own it.

Here’s what it said:

Hawaii is an integral part of the United States. The Federal Building and Post Office stands at one corner of Honolulu’s “Palace Square.” Hawaii, at her own request, was annexed by the United States in 1898, and has been a full fledged Territory ever since 1900.

What a remarkable perspective, I thought. And it occurred to me that the Akaka Bill will never pass in any form in our time.