Salutes • Achievements
Ranch house design nets award for architecture firm

Advertiser Staff

Philip K. White & Associates Ltd., a Hawai'i-based architecture and planning firm, has received the 2001 Grand Award in the Building Industry Association's Renaissance Competition.

The award was given in the new commercial category — entries larger than 15,200 square feet — for the firm's design of the Molokai Ranch Lodge in historic Maunaloa Town on Moloka'i.

Hawai'i's older, more intimate hotels and Maunaloa Town's plantation and ranch heritage inspired the Lodge's design concept. Taking a "Hawaiian Adirondack" approach, the goal was to design a rustic, yet comfortable, lodging facility reminiscent of a large ranch house.

The design team considered environmental and functional elements in creating a balance among the project's objectives, its natural surroundings and the spirit of its community. The result is a two-story main house with six guest rooms.

Wood and rock are the primary building materials.

Each of the 22 guest rooms is distinctively furnished. Old-fashioned claw-foot tubs, and elegantly rugged furnishings and hardware reflect the property's ranching history.

The rooms all have large glass doors opening onto private decks with ocean views.

• The Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawai'i board of directors has announced the results of its election of officers for the 2001-02 term.

They are:

Chairman Wesley Segawa, Hawai'i County representative; vice chairwoman, Nadine Nakamura, Kaua'i County representative; secretary Kurt Mitchell, Honolulu representative; and treasurer, Sharyn Miyashiro, executive director of the corporation.

A nine-member board of directors governs the corporation. Six public members are appointed by the governor and three are ex-officio members. Other board members are Don Fujimoto, Maui County; Aipopo Aipopo Jr., resident representative; Patrick Yamada, Rental Housing Trust Fund advisory commission chairman; Seiji Naya, director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism; Susan Chandler, director of the state Department of Human Services; and Ronald Lim, the governor's special assistant for housing.

The stated goal of the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawai'i is to serve as a catalyst to provide affordable housing without discrimination.

"I look forward to an exciting year ahead for HCDCH with the planned renovation and redevelopment of entire communities," Segawa said.

"Look for HCDCH to work with residents toward changing how public and affordable rentals and housing are perceived and accepted throughout the state.

"I am especially pleased to have Aipopo Aipopo Jr., the first resident representative on our board. As a leader in the Kalihi Valley Homes Association and the Interim Resident Advisory Board,

he brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the table and provides another welcome perspective to the policies and decisions facing HCDCH."