The State of Hawai’i Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) partnered with the University of Hawai’i Community Design Center (UHCDC) to envision a new civic center to serve the Wahiawā community. A framework for community engagement was developed to reach out to the project stakeholders and Wahiawa community members despite the pandemic. The team conducted one-on-one talk stories, launched an engagement website, developed a community survey, and provided in-person opportunities for engagement through pop-up stations at the Shopping Mall and an Open House Walk Thru. The team also developed preliminary programming, site and building design explorations, that provided a baseline of information for the professional team that followed.

Client: Department of Accounting and General Services
Principal Investigator: Cathi Ho Schar FAIA
Co-investigator: Dan Milz PhD
Project Staff: Nicole Biewenga, Mark Lombawa, Rebecca Ogi Denzer
Student Team: Angel Hiu Ki Au, Sharla Batocal, Kaylen Daquioag, Hana Fulghum, Moises Lio Can, Shane Matsunaga, Ivy Tejada, Kristyn Yamamotoya
Consultants: Kuʻiwalu Consulting, SSFM International, Tree Solutions & Environmental Consulting Services, Inc.