Honolulu's Chinatown Is the Creative Heart of Urban Hawaii

Paul Strouse

Honolulu's Chinatown Is the Creative Heart of Urban Hawaii

For travelers seeking a window onto everyday life on these islands, this is the place to start.

By John Wogan

Check out this article from Conde Nast Traveler highlighting our special Honolulu’s Chinatown. From its one of a kind shops, creative art scene, amazing Asian restaurants, bars, and wet markets to being home to our King Liberty Center. The office of SHADE Institute and DSA located in the heart of Chinatown on N. King Street and Maunakea Street.

Waipahu Aloha Clubhouse Grand Reopening

Congratulations to Waipahu Aloha Clubhouse on their Grand Reopening! Such a great program with a welcoming space and inviting members. Hearing the testimonial of members on how the clubhouse has helped and welcomed them was wonderful. The food and music created a great atmosphere to mingle and enjoy the space. Mahalo for inviting SHADE Institute to celebrate with you!

SHADE Institute has been collaborating with Waipahu Aloha Clubhouse on the Waipi'o Point Access Road Multimodal + Safety Improvement Project (WPARMSI) since 2021. Phase 1 of the project will start construction in 2025 to help address the dangerous main road. You can read more about the project under our “Public Interest Design” tab.

Hawai'i Public Radio's conversation with Dean Sakamoto, the executive director of the SHADE Institute, about master architect Sid Synder's contributions

This month the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is featuring several events to highlight architecture history in Hawaiʻi.

HPR features a talk from 2018 with Sid Snyder and talked with Dean Sakamoto, the executive director of the SHADE Institute, about how Sakamoto met Synder and Synder’s contributions, as we see more high-rises materialize in Kaka’ako.

A talk story with master architect Sid Snyder will be held at the SHADE Institute, King Libery Center, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. this Friday. You can also check out our events page for more information.

REGISTRATION/TICKETS

General Admission: $20

Student: $10

EAH Kukui Garden's Community Resource and Health Fair

SHADE Institute participated in EAH Kukui Gardens Housing Community Resource and Health Fair. It was well attended by residents and many other service organizations including Queens Medical Center, Palama Settlement, State Department of Health, and Honolulu Community Action. It was a great opportunity to share SHADE’s Riverwalk Revitalization project which is adjacent to Kukui Gardens. Mahalo to Helen Lee of EAH for organizing the program and inviting us to attend!

Recipient of the Docomomo US 2024 Modernism in America Awards

SHADE Institute is proud to announce that we are one of the recipients of the Docomomo US 2024 Modernism in America Awards for a Commercial Design Citation of Merit, for our adaptive and modern restoration of King Liberty Center.

Originally designed by Vladimir Ossipoff in 1952 and the headquarters of Liberty Bank, to Architect Dean Sakamoto revitalizing the historic structure and honoring its cultural significance to become our current SHADE Institute building.

“It highlights the role of Modernism in communities of color and how these buildings were important to show economic success. The fact that it is still standing is a wonderful tribute to that community.”

- Gail Kennard, 2024 Jury Chair

“It is a successful adaptive reuse which honors the renowned architect’s original design intent and brings back some of the features which had been lost or obscured. It is equally important because of the cultural association with the Chinese American community of Hawaii.”

- Steven Keylon, 2024 Jury Member

 

To learn more about King Liberty Center

To learn more about other recipients of the Awards:

 

Don Hibbard Ph.D. – Historic Preservation Consultant

Andrea Brizzi – Photographer