How to Build a High End High Rise
So, you want to build a high rise. Maybe you’ve got a couple hundred million dollars burning a hole in your pocket and an acre or two of vacant land in Kakaako, and you’re wondering: How can I get in…
Real Estate
Hawaii Architects Make Order Out of Chaos
Three award-winning local architects talk about their roles in society, preserving historical buildings, and the ugliest and best-looking buildings in town. Glenn Mason and Bettina Mehnert were selected in April as fellows in the American Institute of Architecture, one of…
Storm Warning
Hawaii's current building code does not require construction that could withstand a storm as powerful as Hurricane Iniki. In fact, some new local homes are built under the assumption that wind gusts won't exceed 100 mph - much less than…
Learning by Building
A young girl on a pink bike zooms past the newest custom-built home in her close-knit Hawaiian community in Hilo. The single-story, three-bedroom and two-bath home with a beige exterior and metal roof has taken dozens of workers more than…
Worth Considering: Building with Shipping Containers
Last November, the Hale Mauliola Housing Navigation Service Center opened on Sand Island. It made national news for creating homeless shelters from retrofitted shipping containers. Some people were appalled, others applauded the frugality and portability of the design. In Nevada,…
Yes, We Can Solve Hawaii's Housing Crisis
To solve homelessness, we need to build lots more affordable housing, but Hawaii has failed to do that for decades. Three men with very different visions are trying to fix that. It’s an improbable place to build affordable housing:…
Privatizing Building Permits
It’s no secret that Hawaii is a bit, shall we say, constipated when it comes to building permits. Permits can take six months or more. A 2013 study conducted by the National Association of Home Builders found the median time…
Parting Shot: Senior Living Facility Takes Shape
Tuesday, 9:49 AM 1723 Kalakaua Ave. Photo by Aaron Yoshino Carpenter Helaman Miyamoto attaches the male side of a form saver during construction of a 17-story senior living facility kitty-corner from the Hawaii…
WATG Dazzles the World for 70 Years
A lot of collaboration takes place around the main work table at WATG’s Honolulu office. From left are Craig Takahata, VP and managing director for Honolulu; Tiffany Lee, associate operations manager; and Brittany Meyers, administrative assistant. Photo:…
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