Emerging Professional
Mentorship Program – Lineage
Things I Wish I Knew Earlier in My Career
Featuring Dean Sakamoto, FAIA
Join AIA Honolulu’s Emerging Professionals Committee for the next installment of Lineage, a mentorship series connecting emerging professionals with Fellows and seasoned leaders in Hawaiʻi’s architecture community.
This session features Dean Sakamoto, FAIA, architect, educator, and founder of Dean Sakamoto Architects (DSA) and SHADE, for an intimate and informal conversation about his career, lessons learned along the way, and his perspective on the architect’s role in shaping communities.
About Dean:
Dean’s career has crossed the boundaries of traditional architectural practice—from environmentally sensitive and culturally specific design to education, historic preservation, urban planning, coastal resilience, and public-interest design. His work includes the passively ventilated World Language Center at Niu Valley Middle School, adaptive reuse and preservation projects in Hawaiʻi and Connecticut, and decades of research and advocacy surrounding Hawaiʻi’s
significant modern architecture. Through the nonprofit SHADE Institute, Dean has also worked with students and communities to explore how design can address larger social and urban challenges, including ongoing efforts in Honolulu’s Chinatown.
Centered around the recurring Lineage theme, “Things I Wish I Knew Earlier in My Career,” the conversation will explore Dean’s journey through the profession while giving attendees an opportunity to ask their own questions about career growth, design advocacy, mentorship, sustainability, and creating meaningful work in Hawaii.
Space is intentionally limited to encourage an open, engaging conversation between Dean and attendees.
Come ready to listen, ask questions, and talk story.
When: Wednesday, September 30, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: SHADE / Dean Sakamoto Architects, 99 N King Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
Cost: Free
Maximum Participants: 10
CEU: Qualifies for 1 AIA/CES LU
Parking:
Street parking is available along Maunakea and Smith Street. Paid parking is also available nearby at:
- Marin Tower Municipal Parking Garage - 918 Smith Street
- 888 Nuuanu Ave Parking - 888 Nuuanu Avenue
