KS garners planning award for Hale ªiwa Store Lots

Oct. 30, 2015

Contributed by Aron Dote

The Hawaii Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) recently presented Kamehameha Schools with its Environment/Preservation award for the redevelopment of Haleʻiwa Store Lots, a 27,000-square-foot commercial center on Oʻahu’s North Shore.

Group 70 International, the architectural firm for the center, shared the honor. The awards ceremony took place at the recent Hawaii Congress of Planning Officials Conference.

This is the third time KS has garnered an APA award in recent years. In 2013 the APA recognized KS for the development of its Cultural Resource Management Plan, and in 2011 KS received an APA National Planning Excellence Award for Innovation in Sustaining Places for its North Shore Plan, developed with an extensive community planning process. Hale‘iwa Store Lots is part of that plan.

The APA Hawaii Chapter annual awards recognize individuals, communities, private organizations, public agencies, and professional planning and design firms whose work exemplifies the planning profession’s highest goals and ideals.

The Hale‘iwa Store Lots redevelopment included the restoration of five historic buildings, preserving and enhancing the area’s historic plantation character, unique Hawai‘i culture and natural environment.

According to the APA judging panel, KS and Group 70 set a new standard for local historic preservation projects, and that the preservation of plantation-era rural character combined with the focus on Hawai‘i business and local clientele create a novel approach to perpetuate Hawai‘i culture.

“While KS was honored to receive the APA Hawaii Chapter Environment/Preservation award, it really should go to the community,” says Kalani Fronda, KS Community Engagement and Resources senior land asset manager.

“There were numerous hands that contributed to making Hale‘iwa Store Lots a successful community gathering place. It is a true testament of balancing economics, culture, education, and environment to create a healthy and thriving community on the North Shore.”

Along with the award ceremony, the three-day conference hosted a series of presentations, workshops and breakout sessions. KS’ contributions to the event included:

Placemaking for the “Innovation Commons” – Breakout Session
Bob Oda, KS Commercial Real Estate senior planning and development manager, served on the panel which used Our Kaka‘ako as a model to illustrate the roles of a land owner, public planner, and entrepreneur in supporting startup communities, entrepreneurship and the “innovation commons.”

Making TOD Happen – Breakout Session
Bob Oda, KS Commercial Real Estate senior planning and development manager, served on a panel which discussed how to make Transit-Oriented Development happen as part of Honolulu’s rail transit project. The discussion focused on how landowners, developers, and government entities can work together to create vibrant communities surrounding transit stations.

Kahaluʻu Ma Kai Educational Complex - Showcase Display
Representatives from KS’ Communications, and Community Engagement and Resources groups shared information about KS’ Kahlaluʻu Ma Kai educational complex planned for West Hawaiʻi. The complex will serve as a piko (center) of learning, teaching, and knowledge creation rooted in the Hawaiian culture.

WebGIS Application – Showcase Display
KS Land Information System Analyst Shawn Gahler, and Database Analyst Chyn Lim Yu demonstrated KS Geographic Information System and how it was used in educational curriculum to build a virtual lo‘i in the popular video game “Minecraft.”

There were numerous hands that contributed to making Hale‘iwa Store Lots a successful community gathering place. It is a true testament of balancing economics, culture, education, and environment to create a healthy and thriving community on the North Shore.
Kalani Fronda, KS Senior Land Asset Manager

Group 70 Senior Planner Vi Verawudth, KS Sr. Planning and Asset Manager Hilarie Alomar, former KS Development Director Susan Todani, Sr. Land Asset Manager Kalani Fronda, and Group 70 Principal Jim Stone accept the 2015 American Planning Association Hawaii Chapter Environment/Preservation award.

KS Sr. Land Asset Manager Kalani Fronda thanks all the groups who helped make Hale‘iwa Store Lots a special gathering place.

The award was presented at the HI Congress of Planning Officials Conference where KS staffers led breakout sessions. These images are from a session on Transit Oriented Design by Sr. Planning and Development Manager Bob Oda.

KS staffers also shared info at displays including one on Kahlaluʻu Ma Kai, KS' educational complex planned for West Hawaiʻi designed to compliment existing KS educational programs in the region.