Who We Are
OUR MISSION
AIA is Architects — the community of architects, joining together to accomplish things individual architects cannot do alone.
AIA Honolulu strives to meet the needs of our members and in doing so to shape our communities through good design. We view thoughtful planning and collaborative leadership as critical to our shared successes.
THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
The AIA is the voice of the architectural profession and the resource for its members in service to society.
Based in Washington, D.C., the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has been the leading professional membership association for licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners since 1857.
AIA Honolulu is a Chapter of the AIA representing and serving members on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, and Kauai. Within these islands, AIA Honolulu represents and serves over 700 individual member architects, associates, and allied design professionals. Organizationally, we are a local membership organization incorporated as a 501(c) 6 non-profit corporation and guided by the laws of the State of Hawaii.
AIA Honolulu and AIA Maui are the local components overseen by the AIA Hawaii State Council.
OUR PURPOSE
To help each other put our talents to work to create better places for people to live, work and play through:
COMMUNITY
Building a healthy & welcoming profession
KNOWLEDGE
Sharing experience & wisdom
ADVOCACY
Extending the influence of our profession’s values.
2022 – 2025 STRATEGIC PLAN SUMMARY
AIA National has identified two goals in its 2021 – 2025 Strategic Plan (Web), which are also uniquely important for our island setting and diverse membership:
- Climate action for human and ecological health
- Advance racial, ethnic, and gender equity
AIA Honolulu’s strategic priorities for 2022 – 2025 are aligned with AIA National’s goals. Our three Strategic Priorities are:
1. BELONG: Better Together
We gain value, support, and camaraderie through active chapter participation and an inclusive atmosphere.
- Create a welcoming organization where members and potential members of AIA feel they belong and are uplifted by our diversity.
- Promote AIA’s value to members and key stakeholders to increase membership and support.
- Empower the AIA Honolulu community of architects as reputable influencers.
2. LEARN: Better Professionals
We create opportunities to grow as architects, mentors, and leaders, while demonstrating the importance of the architectural profession to the public and younger generations.
- Provide a range of technical learning opportunities to support career–long learning and promote innovation in the profession.
- Exemplify equity in the profession and the leadership development opportunities we provide.
- Support outreach programs to the general public on why architects matter and to school and college communities to consider careers in architecture.
3. COMMIT: Better Communities
We are committed to harnessing the power of architecture and good design to help solve society's and our island community's most pressing challenges.
- Provide clear communication on how chapter resources are employed.
- Demonstrate leadership in sustainable design and coastal resiliency.
- Promote the power of architects to contribute to solutions to local and societal problems through good design.
HISTORY OF AIA IN HAWAII
In 1926 the classified telephone directory of Honolulu listed 11 architectural offices and the Territorial Board of Registration named 29 architectural registrants.
There existed several local groups, .i.e. the Engineering Association, the Artists Association, and the Architects Society of Hawaii, but none of these fulfilled the role of an architecturally oriented organization devoted to the improvement of the profession.
Six pioneering architects, Hart Wood, Charles W. Dickey, Walter L. Emory, Marshal H. Webb, Ralph Fishbourne, and Edwin Pettit wrote to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) requesting a charter to form a local Chapter.
On October 13, 1926, a charter was granted from the AIA to form the Hawaii Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. In 1975, at the direction of the AIA national organization (also known as the Institute), the name of the Hawaii Chapter was changed to the Hawaii Society, The American Institute of Architects, continuing to represent the interests of AIA members in Hawaii.