Statement of Philosophy:  Being able to serve one’s professional organization such as the AIA, provides a great opportunity to share knowledge, experience and challenges for the future.  I recognize the rapid change in the way the service of architecture is transforming and also the need for preparing ourselves for the evolving practice.  There are more governmental requirements with the ADA, LEED, and environmental issues that influence our delivery of architectural services.  Electronic files, CAD and Building Information Modeling will continue to change the way we input, manage and store information. 

As professional architects we need to look at the impacts to our staffing, our businesses and the quality of life.  Through leadership and creative participation from committees and members within our organization, we can help define how our profession can influence the construction industry and the community that we live and work in.

Firm: WATG

Statement of Philosophy: I see the AIA as a window into the profession of architecture and the organization from which the members of this profession can gain strength and advantage when acting as a group. I believe the AIA should showcase the practice of architecture to the public to educate the public on the need for architects and the services the architect provides. I further believe that the members should receive benefits of membership including group policies on purchases, insurance, professional education and other advantages created by a large group. I will champion the needs of the small practitioner who are the majority of the membership and the heart of the profession.

Firm: Jeffrey Nishi & Associates Architects

Statement of Philosophy:  The AIA website’s section entitled “Why Architects Need to Get Involved” really rings true for me.  This inspiring page quickly gets to the point about the AIA’s bold new agenda reflecting the current values and needs of its members.  Items at the top of that list include the promotion of healthy, livable communities, new incentives for affordable housing, green buildings and historic preservation.  As an architect who spends most of her time working on historic preservation-related projects, this agenda is very exciting, as these are the issues that I am most passionate about.  I realize it is my time to get involved. As a board member, I will channel my passion for these issues into energy to help promote educational opportunities, create informational resources and assist with public policies that reflect our shared values. I will work with the committees and other related organizations to create programs that interact with the community to raise awareness and explore solutions to these important local issues.

When the AIA queries, “It’s time to act… after all, if we don’t – who will?” – My answer is, “I will.”

Firm: Mason Architects, Inc.

Joy Davidson replaces William Brizee, AIA as the Secretary for the rest of the 2008 term.

Statement of Philosophy:  I’m honored for the opportunity to serve my peers within the AIA.  I previously served on the AIA Professional Development Committee and the Education Committee of the annual Pacific Building Trade Expo. This experience has exposed me to some of the financial issues the AIA faces annually. Coupled with my past experience with the AIA and managing my firm’s development over the past 9 years, I feel that I can assist the AIA in developing various means of generating non-dues revenue. I also feel strongly in developing membership growth in order to shore up a strong foundation of revenue.

Firm: Next Design LLC

Statement of Philosophy:  As a young architect recently returning to Hawaii, I am deeply aware of my responsibility to develop further as a professional and to participate in our community.  It would therefore be my goal to broaden these personal commitments toward the service of AIA Honolulu, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with other members in these areas for the benefit of our chapter.  I believe that our professional development and community involvement have the further potential to be mutually beneficial and meaningful.  By improving ourselves, we are better able to serve the public and the numerous members of our industry.  In a similar way, in giving back to others by pursuing active community roles, we are granted opportunities to more clearly demonstrate our value as architects.

Firm: Ferraro Choi And Associates, Ltd.

Statement of Philosophy:  In the course of building the company during the past 10 years, I feel an increase of responsibility not only to our good people with the company, but also a need sustain the culture and passion of our very unique profession. To achieve this goal, I believe that AIA could play a key role in the nurture of our emerging successors. This nomination has humbled me deeply and I feel that I have just been given a chance to fulfill a grander goal in life in serving our professional organization and community.  As an architect, we need to advocate better design for our community as well as promoting value of our services to our clients. As a board director, I wish to promote liaison between our local AIA Chapter and other local related professional organizations.  Through these efforts of education and outreach programs, I wish to improve and sustain our culture and passion as architects.

Firm: Fung Associates, Inc.

Louis K. Fung replaces Joy Davidson for the reminder of the 2008 term.

Statement of Philosophy:  As a member of the AIA Honolulu Chapter since 1993, I have slowly developed an appreciation of the value the AIA offers to its membership, the profession, and the community.  As a Director, it is my intention help increase the awareness of AIA’s value to present and potential members, as well as improve the community’s understanding of the role of the Architect and the American Institute of Architects.

Firm: Ferraro Choi And Associates, Ltd.

Statement of Philosophy:  In this current busy building industry it is difficult to think you’ll have one more hour to serve another cause.  However when asked to run for AIA Board Member at-large I felt this cause is very important for the future face of Hawaii.  I hope to work on programs to promote exposure of the Architectural profession to the general community and to inspire our younger generation to develop a pride and understanding of design excellence in Hawaii.  I look forward to collaborating with other members to also work with other organizations to create an alliance in this effort.

Firm: Next Design LLC

Statement of Philosophy: One of the areas that I would like to focus my efforts as an AIA Board Member is to educate the general public on the positive role architect's can play on the community’s well being. I would like to stress the positives, which comes from having a well conceived built environment. Similarly, I also would like help educate the next generation of architects on the important role that architects play in society. I feel as architects, we have a moral obligation to our communities to enhance the built environment with every project. Also, through our abilities as architects to problem solve and communicate, we can help resolve various community issues.

Firm: Design Partners, Inc.

Statement of Philosophy: I have been a licensed architect for over 30 years, a member of the AIA for most of that time and yet I have never taken on an active role assisting the AIA in servicing its members. Being on the Board of Directors will allow me an opportunity to “give back”, assisting our members and hopefully moving the AIA into the future. Over these years I have developed a comprehensive perspective of our profession and will utilize this experience to provide support in whatever directions requested of me. My passion has always been to provide creative design, solving complex problems and providing easy to understand solutions. I will bring this philosophy with me and thank you for considering me as a member of your team.

Firm: Architects Hawaii Ltd.

Statement of Philosophy: Community service and keeping a social life has made me more aware of the need for efficiency and time-saving resources. With the advance of computer technology and the never-ending development of building materials and sustainable design advances, I would like to focus my efforts as a director in creating and implementing web-based resources for Architects...I believe good communication, creativity, and commitment are essential to a project’s success. I enjoy working in a team and believe synergy in a group creates the best outcome. I would be honored if elected to serve the AIA members.  Click here for the entire statement.

Firm: Group 70 International, Inc.

Statement of Philosophy: As a recent member of the State of Hawaii Engineers Architects Surveyors and Landscape Architects Licensing Board (EASLA) I had the privilege to meet and work with two distinct colleagues of ours, Carol Sakata, FAIA and Ted Garduque, FAIA. Being the new comer I needed to catch up with the future visions that both worked so hard and gave whole heartedly towards our profession. One such endeavor was continuing education. In the beginning of my term, to be honest, I was against CE, however through time I got to know the rationale of why CE was important to our profession. It not only brought accountability to Architecture, but it opened my eyes to how our profession is changing and the requirements that a professional architect needs to keep up with the pace of the future.  Click here for the entire statement.

Firm: Ushijima Architects, Inc.

Statement of Philosophy: I want to keep communication open to Big Island Section members and provide an outer island input in Honolulu. Hawaii County is moving ahead on adoption of the 2006 ICC and we already have our first code seminar scheduled. Our membership has played a strong part in supporting the County in updating their codes.

Firm: Dinmore & Cisco Architects, Inc.