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Home My WebLink AboutAPA Hawaii Chapter Awards ProgramHCPO 2024 APA HAWAI‘I CHAPTER AWARDS PROGRAM 2024 APA AWARDS PROGRAM HAWAI‘I CHAPTER MALAMA CULTURAL PARK SPECIAL AREA PLAN The Malama Cultural Park Special Area Plan (SAP), created by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), is a comprehensive initiative aimed at preserving and enhancing the natural and cultural resources of a 4.56-acre park in Kaunakakai, Moloka‘i. Acquired in 2011 as part of a settlement with the State of Hawai‘i, the park holds immense cultural, historical, and recreational value. The SAP was developed in response to community calls for enhanced stewardship, emphasizing the reciprocal relationship between people and the land, as highlighted in the Hawaiian proverb, “I ola ʻoe, I ola mākou nei” (If the land is healthy and thriving, so are we). The SAP introduces a community-based stewardship model where local organizations manage specific zones within the park. This ensures that the unique needs of each area are met through local expertise and fostering a sense of community ownership. The plan’s goals include maintaining the park as a cherished space for future generations, protecting native habitats, preserving cultural knowledge, promoting community economic development, and offering place-based educational programs. The SAP integrates traditional Hawaiian land management principles, particularly the ahupua‘a system, which views land as interconnected from the mountains to the sea. Strategies include restoring native coastal plant communities, wetland management, and addressing environmental threats such as invasive species. The plan also emphasizes minimal new development, instead focusing on the adaptive reuse of existing structures like the historic weigh station for educational and cultural purposes. The SAP serves as a model for other DHHL communities, blending innovative planning with deep respect for cultural heritage and environmental sustainability to protect Malama Cultural Park for future generations. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) Group 70 ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AWARDPLANNING AWARDENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AWARDPLANNING AWARDMALAMA CULTURAL PARK SPECIAL AREA PLAN 2024 APA AWARDS PROGRAMHAWAI‘I CHAPTER Maintain the Park to serve as a special place for the community across generations. Protect and perpetuate cultural knowledge, resources, and practices. Protect, restore, and maintain habitat for native plants and animals. Provide opportunities for place-based educational programs. Generate opportunities for community economic development. MANAGEMENT GOALS TO ENSURE A HEALTHY WAHI PANA ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AWARDPLANNING AWARDMALAMA CULTURAL PARK SPECIAL AREA PLAN 2024 APA AWARDS PROGRAM HAWAI‘I CHAPTER Maintain the Park to serve as a special place for the community across generations. Protect and perpetuate cultural knowledge, resources, and practices. Protect, restore, and maintain habitat for native plants and animals. Provide opportunities for place- based educational programs. Generate opportunities for community economic development. MANAGEMENT GOALS TO ENSURE A HEALTHY WAHI PANA ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AWARDPLANNING AWARDMALAMA CULTURAL PARK SPECIAL AREA PLAN 2024 APA AWARDS PROGRAM HAWAI‘I CHAPTER Maintain the Park to serve as a special place for the community across generations.Protect and perpetuate cultural knowledge, resources, and practices. Protect, restore, and maintain habitat for native plants and animals. Provide opportunities for place- based educational programs. Generate opportunities for community economic development. MANAGEMENT GOALS TO ENSURE A HEALTHY WAHI PANA DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS –PLANNING OFFICE Malama Cultural Park 2024 APA Award Environmental Planning Planning Consultant Special Area Plan Special Area Plans focus on wahi pana that are important to DHHL and its beneficiaries because of the unique cultural and natural resources present within the area. At minimum, the Malama Cultural Park Special Area Plan: Guides issuance of land dispositions for non- homesteading uses Identifies opportunities to leverage resources and long-term collaborators Develops goals and strategies based upon beneficiary consultation Aligns with DHHL Moloka‘i Island Plan and Regional Plan and other applicable plans (i.e., South Shore Molokaʻi Erosion Management Plan) & applicable Federal and State regulatory controls DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS – PLANNING OFFICE Planning Process DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS – PLANNING OFFICE Hawaiian Management Models DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS – PLANNING OFFICE Management Goals DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS – PLANNING OFFICE 2024 APA AWARDS PROGRAM HAWAI‘I CHAPTER HAWAI‘I SENTINEL LANDSCAPE DESIGNATION Trust for Public Land The Hawai‘i Sentinel Landscape spans over two million acres, featuring priority conservation, agricultural, and Department of Defense (DOD) mission lands on the islands of Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, and Hawai‘i Island. Given Hawai‘i’s scarcity of land, these areas offer a chance to promote the conservation of natural and cultural resources, mitigate threats from encroachment, and promote land use that complements military activities. Key military installations within this landscape include: Pōhakuloa Training Area on Hawai‘i Island; Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kaua‘i; and Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and U.S. Army Garrison Hawai‘i on O‘ahu. These sites support the Military Services in maintaining regional power balances in the Indo-Pacific, enabling forces to coordinate on training that fosters a resilient and rapidly innovating Joint Force to deter aggression. In Hawai‘i, rapid urban and residential development threatens agricultural lands, native forests, and critical habitat while also obstructing low elevation flight and drone training, radar, and communication antennas. Climate induced threats further challenge military readiness, community resilience, and cultural resources. For example, sea level rise and extreme weather anomalies erode shorelines, increase flooding, and impact underground aquifers. Extended drought periods impact freshwater resources and lead to more frequent wildfires. The Hawai‘i Sentinel Landscape enables more than 20 federal, state, local, and non-governmental partners to collaborate on landscape-scale solutions to address these shared challenges.HONORABLE MENTIONHONORABLE MENTIONENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AWARDPLANNING AWARD Key Partners •USFS, USFWS, REPI, NRCS •Hawaiʻi Dept of Agriculture •Hawaiʻi Dept of Land and Natural Resources •Hawaiʻi Association of Conservation Districts •Hawaiʻi Cattleman's Council •Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance •Trust for Public Land Installation and Community Collaboration •The Hawaiʻi Sentinel Landscape (HSL) enables partners to collaborate on shared priorities while enabling DoD to identify projects that align with installation missions. •Provides a forum for collaboration between community- based organizations and their neighboring installations. •Promotes land stewardship, conservation, and island-wide resiliency. Implementation Plan •Address incompatible development threatening ecosystems and operational readiness. •Bolster resilience to climate threats including sea level rise, wildland fire, and extreme weather anomalies, flooding, drought. •Provide landowners with management tools and protection measures to support threatened and endangered species populations. Shared Priorities 4 Examples of Enhanced Funding Opportunities •The Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is a steering committee member of the Hawaiʻi Sentinel Landscape. •In FY23 and FY24,DLNR leveraged $18.3 million in REPI funds through an Army/DLNR partnership to manage native habitat, control statewide invasive species threats, restore critical watersheds, and prevent wildfire. TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AWARDPLANNING AWARDKEʻEAUMOKU COMPLETE STREET Keʻeaumoku Street is a critical mauka-makai corridor in urban Honolulu that connects the Makiki and Ala Moana neighborhoods and supports a diverse community, including residential areas, parks, commercial districts, and a major transit hub. The Keʻeaumoku Complete Streets Project presented an opportunity to reimagine the corridor to prioritize safety and accessibility for people of all ages and abilities—whether they walk, bike, use a wheelchair, ride transit, or drive. The project team conducted extensive community outreach to businesses and stakeholders along the corridor, including planning charrettes, business canvassing, walk audits, and an online questionnaire and community map which generated over 500 responses. This community input, along with detailed traffic studies and multimodal transportation analyses, shaped the development of various complete street design concepts. The concepts were presented to the public and refined through a series of interactive public meetings to identify a proposed street design that will transform Keʻeaumoku Street into a complete street that is safe, accessible, and welcoming for all users, regardless of their mode of travel. City and County of Honolulu HHF Planners 2024 APA AWARDS PROGRAM HAWAI‘I CHAPTER SAFETY REVIEW Data sources EMS / DOH (2010 – 2019) •299 crashes FARS (2010 – 2019) •1 fatal crash HPD (2015 – 2020) •38 pedestrian-involved crashes •19 bicycle-involved crashes Ke‘eaumoku is a high crash corridor. CHARACTER ZONES Mauka Zone Kīnaʻu to Wilder Middle Zone King to KīnaʻuMakai Zone Kapiʻolani to King Jan 21 Feb 21 Feb 21 Mar 21 Apr 21 Oct 21 Nov 21 Business Canvassing 65 Businessesalong Keʻeaumoku Corridor Virtual Walk Audit Survey 365 Respondents Online Wiki Map 168 Comments In-Person Walk Audit 19 Community Stakeholders Design Charrette 3 Charrettes Stakeholders and City Staff Stakeholder Preview 15Community Stakeholders Community Meeting #1 42 Community Participants KAPIʻOLANI TO KANUNU Typical Improvements Improved pedestrian crossings (median islands, RRFBs, bulbouts) New transit islands (The Bus and The Handi-van) Protected bike lanes Streetscape improvements (lighting, street trees, sidewalk improvements on private property) COMMUNITY COMMUNITY BASED AWARDBASED AWARDʻAʻALA PARK IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMUNITY’S VISION ‘A‘ala Park is a 6.7-acre city-owned park and underutilized public space located at the junction of Downtown-Chinatown, Kalihi-Palama, and ‘Iwilei, an area with a strong legacy of community pride and a rich cultural history. Over 18,000 people live within a ten-minute walk of ‘A‘ala Park. The area has suffered from disinvestment, resulting in social, economic, health, and environmental inequities. To support the city in addressing these issues, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) brought its Parks for People Program to Hawai‘i with a pilot project at ‘A‘ala Park. The park presented an opportunity for community-driven redesign. University of Hawai‘i Community Design Center (UHCDC) is a non-profit teaching practice with a service-learning approach aimed at benefiting the community through public-interest design. Based on previous engagement and survey data, historical research, and site analysis—as a first step in the iterative co-design process—the project team developed three initial concept sketches and educational display materials to be used in interactive events. Subsequently, two revised concepts were taken back to the community for further hands-on feedback. During one final round of engagement, the project team narrowed down the previous design sketches to one proof-of-concept design plan, illustrated with eye-level renderings. Following the participatory design process, which included twelve community meetings between December 2022 and April 2023 that actively involved over 350 individual participants, a rough order of magnitude cost estimate was produced for subsequent design development purposes. In an approach novel to Hawai‘i, TPL will use this work to implement the community’s vision with the City. Trust for Public Land University of Hawai‘i Community Design Center 2024 APA AWARDS PROGRAM HAWAI‘I CHAPTER 01 Phase 0102 Phase 0203 Community Meetings04 Next StepsPhase 01 Updates01 Phase 01• Task 1.1 Review of Community Engagement Data • Task 1.2 Review of Site Conditions on the GroundʻAʻala Park - Implementation of the Community’s Vision Participatory Proof-of-Concept Design Community Feedback (4 meetings) 99 Participants Community Feedback (3 meetings) 56 Participants Final Proof-of-Concept Design Plan RefinementPlan RevisionsPlan Revisions Community Feedback (5 meetings) 154 Participants Co-Design Phase 1 Co-Design Phase 2 Co-Design Phase 3 POC Design Plan Community Design Process 300+ Participants 11 Interactive Meetings ʻAʻala Park | Concept Design Zones Community Participatory Proof-of-Concept Design Community ZoneThe proposed two-story community center with secured bathrooms, covered lanais, an expansive multi-purpose plaza lined with seat wall benches, and parking with plumeria and hala shade trees activates and anchors a re-imagined ‘A‘ala Park for community events and gatherings. Community garden plots provide nearby residents the opportunity to grow their own food. Recreation ZoneNew pickleball courts, an exercise loop with fitness sta- tions, and a pump track for all ages supplement the park’s existing recreational opportunities. Elevated grass-covered landforms define space and accommo-date informal seating and community performances, while shaded picnic structures provide nearby residents and visitors with comfortable places to gather. Chinatown Gateway ZoneEnhancing the connection between ‘A‘ala Park and Chinatown, a shaded plaza space, a new cafe with en- closed restrooms, outdoor seating, and a splash pad fountain activate the Nu‘uanu stream edge by support-ing gathering and play. A remnant historic pergola is re-purposed as a focal point and functions as a space for additional seating and rotating art installations. Waterfront ZoneAn enhanced waterfront promenade along the south edge of the site promotes connectivity and stream ac- cess. It demonstrates the ecological potential of ‘A‘ala Park through a constructed wetland system to filter stormwater runoff, educational lo‘i kalo terraces for viewing, and floating biofiltration planters in Nu‘uanu Stream to support native habitat.June 2023Source: Uncle John Kaohelaulii at https://hawaiiancheckers.com/ ʻAʻala Park | Pre-Contact Community Participatory Proof-of-Concept Design An in-depth study of Hawaiian moʻolelo (story), various nūpepa Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language newspapers), along with a close review of historical and archival maps revealed ʻAʻala Park was not just limited to the current day physical road and park boundaries, ʻAʻala was originally an `ili (subdivision) in the ahupuaʻa (land division) of Honolulu. As a productive land area of the greater Honolulu ahupuaʻa, ʻAʻala’s pre-contact history is highlighted by its productive agricultural wetlands including loʻi kalo, or wetland taro terraces, and fishponds. Studies of Hawaiian place names associated with the area also distinguish ʻAʻala once as a place for food and gathering by ancient aliʻi (chiefs) to play Konāne (similar to Chess). These rich cultural themes of productive agriculture and gathering for play are an inspiration to reimagine ʻAʻala Park for the future. Map | 1887“A Productive Place” Early view of what was ultimately dedicated as ‘Aʻala Park, in use as pasture land with Native Hawaiian women and children. Explorer Otto von Kotzebueʻs 1817 map notes the ʻili of ʻAʻala as a site where extensive loʻi kalo fields were planted in the area to the left of Nuʻuanu Stream, with the approximate location of the park next to an ancient inland fishpond known as Kūwili (which has several meanings, including swirling - as to spin in a dance; to move restlessly; embrace; caress).1 Historic maps of the area show evidence that the ‘Aʻala ʻIli were part of the “productive food basket” that sustained the aliʻi (chiefs) and makaʻāinana (non-chiefly people) before and after contact with the West.1 1) The Trust for Public Land – Grass Roots Community Engagement Report, Nā Pāka no Ka Lāhui – Parks for People Program Hawai‘i (2021) ʻAʻala means fragrant because Hala (Pandanus tectorius) trees,flowers, and fruit once dominated the banks of Nuʻuanu Stream with later inter-pretations linking the nearby laundries. Image Source: Forest and Kim Starr Konāne is a game of strategy, similar to chess and checkers. Players gather around a large stone board with shallow holes carved out in the formation of a “grid” and rearrange smaller ‘ili‘ili (pebbles or small stones) in the holes to beat their oppo-nent. Lo‘i Kalo (wetland taro)Image Source: Hakipu‘u Lo‘i Kalo from the Hawaii Land Trust Image Source: Hawaii State Archives Map Source: Hawaii State Archives Pre-Contact Early Park History Urban Renewal ʻAʻala Park Today Source: Uncle John Kaohelaulii at https://hawaiiancheckers.com/ ʻAʻala Park | Pre-Contact Community Participatory Proof-of-Concept Design An in-depth study of Hawaiian moʻolelo (story), various nūpepa Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language newspapers), along with a close review of historical and archival maps revealed ʻAʻala Park was not just limited to the current day physical road and park boundaries, ʻAʻala was originally an `ili (subdivision) in the ahupuaʻa (land division) of Honolulu. As a productive land area of the greater Honolulu ahupuaʻa, ʻAʻala’s pre-contact history is highlighted by its productive agricultural wetlands including loʻi kalo, or wetland taro terraces, and fishponds. Studies of Hawaiian place names associated with the area also distinguish ʻAʻala once as a place for food and gathering by ancient aliʻi (chiefs) to play Konāne (similar to Chess). These rich cultural themes of productive agriculture and gathering for play are an inspiration to reimagine ʻAʻala Park for the future. Map | 1887“A Productive Place” Early view of what was ultimately dedicated as ‘Aʻala Park, in use as pasture land with Native Hawaiian women and children. Explorer Otto von Kotzebueʻs 1817 map notes the ʻili of ʻAʻala as a site where extensive loʻi kalo fields were planted in the area to the left of Nuʻuanu Stream, with the approximate location of the park next to an ancient inland fishpond known as Kūwili (which has several meanings, including swirling - as to spin in a dance; to move restlessly; embrace; caress).1 Historic maps of the area show evidence that the ‘Aʻala ʻIli were part of the “productive food basket” that sustained the aliʻi (chiefs) and makaʻāinana (non-chiefly people) before and after contact with the West.1 1) The Trust for Public Land – Grass Roots Community Engagement Report, Nā Pāka no Ka Lāhui – Parks for People Program Hawai‘i (2021) ʻAʻala means fragrant because Hala (Pandanus tectorius) trees,flowers, and fruit once dominated the banks of Nuʻuanu Stream with later inter-pretations linking the nearby laundries. Image Source: Forest and Kim Starr Konāne is a game of strategy, similar to chess and checkers. Players gather around a large stone board with shallow holes carved out in the formation of a “grid” and rearrange smaller ‘ili‘ili (pebbles or small stones) in the holes to beat their oppo-nent. Lo‘i Kalo (wetland taro)Image Source: Hakipu‘u Lo‘i Kalo from the Hawaii Land Trust Image Source: Hawaii State Archives Map Source: Hawaii State Archives Pre-Contact Early Park History Urban Renewal ʻAʻala Park Today Birdʻs Eye Rendering Recreation Chinatown Gateway Community Waterfront Recreation BEST PRACTICE AWARDBEST PRACTICE AWARDCITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULULONG-TERM DISASTER RECOVERY PLAN With the impacts of climate change accelerating the frequency and severity of catastrophic natural disasters, preparing for long-term disaster recovery has become increasingly important for local governments and the work of planners. Recognizing this, the City and County of Honolulu (CCH) has developed the Long-Term Disaster Recovery (LTDR) Plan that provides a roadmap for long-term disaster recovery before a disaster strikes, making CCH among the first in the nation and state to do so. The LTDR Plan integrates national best practices of long-term recovery with the socioeconomic, cultural, and governmental structures unique to Oʻahu. The Framework presented in the Plan identifies a governance structure, roles and responsibilities, and potential partnerships to leverage and organize disaster recovery resources in the months and years after a disaster event. It is flexible and scalable, allowing adaptability to each unique disaster event and specific needs of impacted households and communities. The Plan also includes engagement strategies and approaches CCH can use for an inclusive, community-informed, and transparent recovery process. By preparing before a disaster strikes, the LTDR Plan represents a proactive approach to disaster planning and community resilience. This will enable CCH, other agencies, organizations, and community members to reach an efficient, culturally appropriate, and collaborative recovery to ensure the whole community’s needs are met and no one is left behind. Through a Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program award the LTDR Plan was developed by CCH in collaboration with Civix, HHF Planners, Pilina First, and Martin, Chock & Carden. City and County of HonoluluOffice of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency 2024 APA AWARDS PROGRAM HAWAI‘I CHAPTER Community identified development of a LTDR Plan as an essential action for improving island wide resilience Proactive planning before a disaster strikes Why Develop a LTDR Plan? What is the LTDR Plan? Proposes an operational governance framework Provides a toolkit of federal and state recovery resources Offers recommendations for updating City policies, procedures and development standards Planning Process & Involvement Community Advisory Group Core Planning Team Communitywide Survey Mahalo