Author: IIDA HPC President

POV Session 3 closed out the series with an evening of insight and industry connection. Held at Cosentino City Center, our final roundtable brought together professionals from estimating, project supervision, and facilities planning for a candid discussion on the realities behind cost, coordination, and construction.

Hosted at the Cosentino City Center showroom, the event highlighted the behind-the-scenes voices that shape the project lifecycle—from estimating and budgeting to field coordination and facilities planning.

Our attendees rotated through small-group discussions in the beautiful Cosentino showroom while enjoying light refreshments and drinks. The open format sparked thoughtful questions, shared experiences, and deeper appreciation for the roles that keep our industry moving forward.

We were honored to feature three professionals whose work impacts every phase of the design and construction process.

Their insights helped demystify common assumptions around costs, timelines, and coordination—and reminded us how essential early collaboration is to project success.

As with each session in the POV series, Session 3 centered on real talk and connection—breaking down silos between disciplines and building understanding across roles.

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us to close out the roundtable series!

POV Session 2 continued the momentum of the series with real-world insight and engaging dialogue. Held on May 15 at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, the evening brought together design and development professionals to explore what it really takes to move a project forward—from early planning to execution and everything in between.

Set inside Ferguson’s expansive showroom, attendees enjoyed thoughtful small-group discussions with each speaker, paired with pupus and drinks. The casual format created space for honest questions, shared frustrations, and collaborative thinking around how we can work better together across disciplines.

Session 2 featured three professionals representing branding, project management, and architectural history:

Each speaker offered their unique point of view on communication gaps, process hurdles, and the impact of clear coordination in the field. The roundtable format encouraged attendees to share their own experiences and build stronger connections across the industry.

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us for Session 2 and helped keep the conversations thoughtful, relevant, and forward-looking.

POV Session 1 kicked off the series with energy, insight, and cross-industry connection. Held on April 17 at Systemcenter, the first roundtable in the 2025 POV (Point of View) series brought together creative professionals from across the design field for an evening of honest conversation and shared perspective.

This year’s POV series is designed to spotlight a range of perspectives within the design field—from branding and lighting to hospitality, graphics, and more. Session 1 set the tone for the series with a powerful mix of voices:

The session encouraged thoughtful discussion among attendees and panelists alike, emphasizing that design is not a single voice—but a layered, ongoing dialogue.

Photo Credit

All photos from the event were generously provided by Systemcenter, our wonderful host for the evening. Mahalo for supporting this series and helping us capture the energy of the night!

On April 3, IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter, in partnership with ASID Hawaii and ID Pro, hosted Connections for Success—the second event in our Student Professional Development Series.

Held at Cosentino City Center, the evening brought students and industry professionals together for portfolio reviews, resume tips, and professional headshots in a relaxed, supportive setting. Conversations flowed over light pupus, creating space for honest dialogue and meaningful mentorship.

Mahalo to our participating professionals for sharing their time and expertise—we couldn’t have done it without you.

On March 13, 2025, we came together to celebrate a decade of IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter! From reconnecting with friends to honoring our chapter’s journey, the night was filled with laughter, gratitude, and unforgettable moments.

✨ Speeches that honored our past and future
🎉 Recognitions for our founders and leaders
📚 A little friendly competition with trivia
🎁 Exciting raffle prizes
📸 And, of course, so many memories captured!

Relive the celebration by browsing our full gallery below!

A huge mahalo to our sponsors, members, and everyone who joined us. Here’s to the next 10 years of design, innovation, and community!

This February, IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter, in collaboration with ASID Hawaii and ID Pro, hosted Skills for Success—a professional development workshop designed to help student designers prepare for life after graduation.

Held at Chaminade University, the event brought together students and industry professionals for an afternoon of interactive learning. From elevator pitch coaching and mock interviews to resume reviews and soft skills guidance, students gained practical tools and insight to support their transition into the design field.

The atmosphere was energetic and collaborative, with students encouraged to ask questions and participate in real-time feedback sessions. Complimentary refreshments helped keep the conversations flowing between activities, creating space for connection and mentorship.

Skills for Success set the tone for the Student Professional Development Series, empowering students to take the next steps with confidence and clarity.

We were thrilled to bring back Rock n Bowl this year, reuniting the Architectural and Design Community for a night of fun and friendly competition! The event featured lively bowling matches, a twisted costume contest, and plenty of chances to connect and mingle.

Mahalo for joining us! Check out the photos below, and we can’t wait to see you next year!

Congratulations to our raffle winners and a shoutout to the groups who took home top honors in the costume contest—your creativity truly stole the show! We’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, whose generous prize donations made the evening even more special.

A big mahalo to our amazing committee for their hard work in planning and organizing this fantastic event. Your efforts made the return of Rock n Bowl a huge success!

Mahalo for joining us at The Lei Stand for our Membership Appreciation & Drive event! The evening was filled with great food, refreshing drinks, and lively conversations at a truly cool venue. Everyone enjoyed networking opportunities, exciting raffle prizes, and the chance to connect with our amazing design community.

Congratulations to the winner of the Member Trip Drawing, and mahalo to everyone who brought a friend to join in the fun making the event even more special.

Check out the photos from the event below and stay tuned for more ways to get involved with IIDA HPC!

As part of this event’s cherished tradition, we proudly introduced and held the swearing-in ceremony for our new 2024 IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter Board. Their dedication and passion will guide us through an inspiring year ahead.

This August, the IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter hosted our HiConnect 2024, bringing together designers and vendors to celebrate the vibrant Hawaiian Islands! The event featured innovative products, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to connect and have fun within our design community.

From stunning vendor displays to exciting prizes, attendees explored new design trends while enjoying the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Enjoy the photos below from the event, and mahalo again to everyone who joined us!

A huge mahalo to our HiConnect Committee for your hard work and dedication. Your efforts made this event a success!

On September 14, 2023, members, students, and industry partners joined us at The Modern Honolulu – Passageway for our annual IIDA Wants You event. Guests enjoyed an evening filled with delicious food, live music, fantastic door prizes, and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with fellow design professionals.

The night also marked the introduction of our 2023–2024 Board of Directors, a chance to learn more about member benefits, and a sneak peek at a special event planned for 2024. The energy and excitement were contagious, as our community came together to celebrate the strength of design in Hawai‘i.

Mahalo to everyone who attended and made this celebration such a success. We can’t wait to continue building connections and creating memorable experiences with you in the year ahead!