AIA Honolulu reposted this
2024 AIA President. HOK Architect. Cornell Trustee. Detroit Daughter. Ingenuity Chicago Board Chair.
This week marks the one year anniversary of the devastating wildfires in Lahaina that shook the Maui community to its core. Local AIA members launched into action right away to perform building assessments and help provide alternative housing options for the Lahaina residents who were displaced due to fire damage. I would like to thank our AIA members who led those efforts last year, as well as those who continue to support the Lahaina community today. Although much progress has been made, the displaced residents are still in need of resources. To support ongoing recovery efforts, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gNXBcZhq Myself and several other AIA leaders visited Maui and Honolulu last month to support our AIA Hawaii members and advocate for architects to be appointed to high level positions within government. Specifically, the Chief Architect Initiative was promoted as a key role that would have the potential to guide mayors on a wide variety of built environment related decisions. It was an honor to meet with Richard Bissen the Mayor of Maui, who actually heard my remarks about the Chief Architect Initiative at the U.S. Conference of Mayors just a few weeks prior. Mayor Bissen shared with me that he had recently hired an architect to serve in a senior level position on his staff, which was great to hear. Our AIA Maui members have already organized an introductory meeting later this month. It was wonderful to connect with the passionate members of AIA Hawaii. I’m inspired by the work they are doing to push the envelope on sustainable and resilient design, as well as to expedite the development of affordable housing. We were met with incredible hospitality from AIA Hawaii, AIA Honolulu, and AIA Maui. With this being my first visit to the Hawaiian Islands, I must say that it is the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited without having to bring a passport. I’m grateful to our members in Hawaii for the invitation to visit, for sharing what they are working on and for asking us to share what is happening with AIA across the network. Mahalo, AIA Hawaii! #MoreIn24Monday #KND4AIA #100Week34