About

The State of Hawai’i Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) partnered with the University of Hawai’i Community Design Center (UHCDC) to envision a redeveloped civic center to serve the Wahiawā community. This is a proof of concept* project that explores a facility to house current civic center services (Department of Health, Department of Human Services, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources) and additional civic and judiciary functions.

One-stop Civic Center

This project aims to make more services more convenient for people in Wahiawā. This means less driving, more jobs, and a more active town center for everyone.

*Proof of concept?

Proof of Concept is a preliminary scope of work that that includes gathering stakeholders, listening to the community, researching best practices, and visualizing the potential for a project ahead of a professional planning and design team. To see other Proof of Concept projects by UHCDC, please go to our website www.uhcdc.manoa.hawaii.edu. To view other Wahiawā projects please visit our links to Lake Wilson: Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area Study and Proof of Concept Design and Wahiawā Center for Workforce Excellence.

Why is engagement important?

We value your input as community experts. Your input will inform our proof of concept designs, which will provide a foundation of information for the professional planning and design teams that will follow. Our tools were developed to allow you to contribute your ideas, stories, and wisdom. Registration is required to use these online tools, but is free, and allows you to participate anonymously. While this online interface may be unfamiliar to some, it allows us to reach out during this time of social distancing.

Who is hosting this outreach?

University of Hawai’i Community Design Center (UHCDC) is a service-learning program and teaching practice established and led by the UH School of Architecture, that provides a platform for applied research, planning, placemaking, and design involving UH faculty, staff, students, and partnered professionals across UH campuses, departments, and professional disciplines. UHCDC has been contracted by DAGS to conduct this community outreach as part of a proof of concept process.

Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) is responsible for managing and supervising a wide range of State programs and activities, including land acquisition, planning, designing, inspecting and managing construction projects, facilitating quality control, contracting, construction management, and equipping facilities and other improvements for State agencies.

Wahiawā Community Business Association (WCBA) is supporting this outreach process. Since 1935, the WCBA has been a strong advocate for the success of Wahiawā businesses within this special community. For more information please visit the newly rebranded website at ourwahiawa.com. Mailing address Wahiawā CBA P.O. Box 861408 Wahiawa, HI 96786

Project Geneaology

1990s-Wahiawā Town Master Plan calls for the improvement of the Wahiawā Civic Center

1996-Wahiawā Civic Center Conceptual Design Report

2011-$2,000,000 appropriated for a permanent court facility in Wahiawā (Representative Oshiro)

2019-$250,000 appropriated for Wahiawā Civic Center Proof of Concept Study and Community Engagement (Senator Dela Cruz)

2020-$76 million appropriated for Wahiawā Civic Center Judiciary Complex (Senator Dela Cruz)