Presenting Organizations

AIA Hawaii and the Hawaii Architectural Foundation partner to bestow the Medal of Honor because their combined strengths – advocacy for the profession and public engagement around the value of design – ensure that this highest distinction not only honors professional excellence and leadership, but also highlights the vital role architects play in shaping communities across the islands. Learn more about each organization here.

Foundation

The Hawaii Architectural Foundation (HAF) is a non-profit organization that gained 501c3 status in 2003. HAF provides a tax-deductible way to fund appropriate activities that the architectural community has never before had available. Hawaii is one of 24 other states, the District of Columbia and four national foundations with similar efforts.

Through education, scholarships, and community programs, HAF fosters a deeper understanding of how thoughtful design shapes our daily lives and strengthens our communities.

The Hawaii Architectural Foundation connects people to the profound influence of design and stimulates education and public engagement in shaping our island communities.

The Hawaii Architectural Foundation believes in supporting students and helping them to achieve their goals of graduating with an Architectural Degree. For more information, visit our Scholarship Programs page.

Over the years, the Hawaii Architectural Foundation has proudly supported the development of several books and films related to and/or in support of architecture and the built environment in Hawaii.

The Hawaii Architectural Foundation supports outreach and public engagement efforts that help connect people across Hawai‘i to the value of architecture and the built environment. Through educational initiatives, public programs, and community-focused activities, HAF works to increase awareness of how thoughtful design shapes everyday life and strengthens communities, in alignment with the professional leadership of AIA Hawaii.

Association

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.

Why We Exist

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 and welcoming profession.
  • Knowledge – sharing experience and wisdom.
  • Advocacy – extending the influence of our profession’s values.

Three Hawaii-Based AIA Organizations

The AIA has three organizations in Hawaii representing the interests of members and the public on state and local/county issues. All three organizations are separately incorporated under the laws of the State of Hawaii as a not-for-profit corporation.

The American Institute of Architects was formed on December 26, 1989 to represent AIA members on matters of state-wide interest with a primary function to provide assistance and advice to state, governmental and regulatory bodies where matters of state-wide interest to the architecture profession and the built environment are concerned.

For more information about the AIA Hawaii State Council, please visit our AIA Hawaii State Council (HSC) page.

In 1989, the Hawaii Society became the Honolulu Chapter, the American Institute of Architects, representing the local interests of AIA members on Oahu, the Island of Hawaii and Kauai and Lanai.  In 2004 the Honolulu Chapter changed their official name to AIA Honolulu, by which they are known today.

A Chapter of the American Institute of Architects formed on January 26, 1990 to present and serve the local needs and interests of AIA members residing on the island of Maui.

The AIA Hawaii State Council

The AIA Hawaii State Council represents AIA members on matters of state-wide interest, and provides assistance and advice to state, governmental and regulatory bodies regarding issues affecting the profession and practice of architecture in Hawaii.

The AIA Hawaii State Council has organized three committees to work on legislative and regulatory subjects on behalf of all Hawaii’s architects.  Each committee has an agenda that matches current state legislative and regulatory issues monitored by AIA as government advocacy service to members.

For more information about the AIA Hawaii State Council, please visit our AIA Hawaii State Council (HSC) page.