Category: Past Events

  • Game On! 2025 Membership Drive & Appreciation – Game Night 

    Game On! 2025 Membership Drive & Appreciation – Game Night 

    Our IIDA Hawai‘i Pacific Chapter members and friends gathered for a night of fun, laughter, and connection at this year’s Membership Drive & Appreciation – Game Night, held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Bside in Ward Centre.

    The evening brought together design professionals, students, and industry partners for friendly competition across multiple game stations, pupus, drinks, and plenty of prizes. More than just a social gathering, the event celebrated the strong sense of community that continues to grow within Hawai‘i’s design industry.

    This year’s event also marked an exciting transition as we introduced and swore in the 2025–2026 IIDA Hawai‘i Pacific Chapter Board of Directors. Their leadership and passion will continue to drive our chapter forward in the year ahead.

    A special congratulations goes out to our prize winners:

    • Kera Yong (Systemcenter) – Winner of a free IIDA membership for the year, selected from our all-attendee name draw.
    • Jenny Manansala (Stantec) – Winner of a free trip to an industry event, chosen from a special name draw for IIDA members only.

    Mahalo to everyone who joined us, and to our sponsors and vendors who helped make the night such a success. Events like this remind us that IIDA is more than an organization — it’s an ‘ohana built on creativity, collaboration, and connection.

    Event Photos
    Here’s a peek at a few moments from the evening:

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  • POV Session 3: Conversations Around Cost, Construction & Collaboration

    POV Session 3: Conversations Around Cost, Construction & Collaboration

    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: Building Better Communication Across Design & Development

    POV Session 2: Building Better Communication Across Design & Development


    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: Kicking Off the Series with Perspectives on Design, Light & Storytelling

    POV Session 1: Kicking Off the Series with Perspectives on Design, Light & Storytelling

    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!

  • Connections for Success – Mentorship in Action

    Connections for Success – Mentorship in Action

    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.

  • A Decade of Design: IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

    A Decade of Design: IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

    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!

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

  • Skills for Success – A Strong Start for Student Designers

    Skills for Success – A Strong Start for Student Designers

    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.

  • ROCK N BOWL 2024

    ROCK N BOWL 2024

    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!

    From left to right starting from the top: Greg, Malia, Alana, Sandy, Bill, Laverne, Trixie, Jax, Jenny and Monique

  • Membership Appreciation and Drive

    Membership Appreciation and Drive

    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!

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    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.

    Left to right: Jancy, Josiah, Holly, Deanna, Monique, Nicolle, Alana, Nathan and Luke
  • HiConnect 2024: Aloha Where?

    HiConnect 2024: Aloha Where?

    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!

    Left to right: Alana, Malia, Laverne, Monique, Nicolle, Alissa, Deanna and Greg (missing Trixie and Michel)
  • 2023 Membership Appreciation and Drive

    2023 Membership Appreciation and Drive

    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!

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  • Paradise Design Expo: Unveiling a Fresh Wave in Commercial Interiors

    Paradise Design Expo: Unveiling a Fresh Wave in Commercial Interiors

    A heartfelt mahalo to everyone who joined us, and a special thank you to our event sponsor, Rodenbeck Associates.

  • Board Retreat 23-24

    Board Retreat 23-24

    IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter’s Annual Summer Retreat & Onboarding: A Day of Productivity, Empowerment and Camaraderie!

    The 2023-24 board members came together for an inspiring day of strategic planning and building connections. Following a day of growth and inspiration, we capped it off with a delightful dinner. Get ready for an amazing year ahead!

  • Lei Po’o Workshop Student + Professional Mixer

    Lei Po’o Workshop Student + Professional Mixer

    IIDA HPC hosted a Lei Po’o Workshop Student + Professional Mixer on Saturday, April 1, 2023. This creative event taught our members the significance of making a lei po’o and learned how to create their own. A big Mahalo to our instructor, Kaululani, to our IIDA sponsors (3Form, Pacifica Sourcing and Systemcenter) who participated, and to all our student and professional members for attending!

  • Mahalo to our 2023 sponsors for your continued support for our chapter!

    Our sponsors are not just financial contributors, but also valuable partners who play an essential role in helping us achieve our vision and mission.


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  • HiConnect 2022

    HiConnect 2022

    On October 27, 2022, we invited the design community to “come fly with us” at the Honolulu Design Center’s Cupola Gallery for HiConnect—our signature commercial design showcase.

    Guests received their boarding passes and embarked on a global-inspired evening of connection, exploring dozens of vendor and manufacturer displays, enjoying great food and drinks, and mingling with fellow designers, architects, and specifiers. With vibrant energy throughout the evening, HiConnect once again highlighted the strength and creativity of our community.

    We are grateful to our vendors, manufacturers, and chapter sponsors for making this event possible, and to everyone who joined us for a night of design inspiration and networking.

    Mahalo for flying with us—we look forward to welcoming you on board again next year!

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  • 2022 Membership Appreciation & Drive

    2022 Membership Appreciation & Drive

    On October 13, 2022, we gathered at The Modern Honolulu to celebrate our incredible IIDA Hawai‘i Pacific Chapter community. Members and guests enjoyed an evening of reconnection, refreshments, pūpūs, and prizes—all in appreciation of the designers, partners, and supporters who make our chapter thrive.

    The night was filled with energy and networking as colleagues and friends came together to strengthen our design community. One lucky member even walked away with a grand prize: a trip to NeoCon, HD, or BDNY in 2023!

    Mahalo to everyone who joined us and helped make this celebration so memorable. We look forward to building an even stronger chapter with you in the years to come.

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  • Mahalo To Our 2020-2021 Sponsors!

    Mahalo To Our 2020-2021 Sponsors!

    IIDA HPC would like to extend a big Mahalo to our sponsors for all your support in 2021. Without you, we would not be the established chapter we are today. Year 2 of navigating through COVID, the chapter was able to continue to provide resources and CEUs to all our members virtually and we were able to have our Biennial Ho’ohuli Awards virtually. We are grateful for the tremendous support from all of you! We hope to be able to see you all (in person) soon and we continue to work hard to bring more to our members and community!

  • IIDA HPC Fall 2021 Talk Story Panel Discussion- Recording Available!

    IIDA HPC Fall 2021 Talk Story Panel Discussion- Recording Available!

    Thank you to everyone who has joined us this past Tuesday for a talk story event panel discussion featuring three of our industry’s strong leaders. Alana Yasui, Michelle Jaime, and Lisa-Maria Priester gave us really great insight into the the current and future outlook of the design industry locally and collectively. Thank you again to IIDA HPC’s VP of Advocacy, Kellye Greco, for organizing and hosting this event for the chapter!

    Missed the talk story event, or want to revisit topics discussed?

    You can now view the zoom recording of the event!

    Please see below for the log-in information:

    Talk Story Recording Link:
    https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/lvAufOF7u_aLQZ57dit_Pg2ylm_FTUeLjjWzypqYJhY42m40oKyiOQDVNwqY8GQ-.grMRxci_IE-vEECM

    Passcode: Un*U*7D=

    Stay tuned to future events!

    Follow us on IG @iidahawaiipacific and get on our emailing list to stay up to date!

    Please email communication@iida-hi.org to get you subscribed and feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. We want to hear from YOU!

  • Your IIDA HPC Board of Directors 2021-2022

    Your IIDA HPC Board of Directors 2021-2022

     

    Hello Everyone! Taking a moment to reintroduce our IIDA HPC 2021-2022 maintenance Board of Directors! We have had some minor updates to our board and would also like to welcome back Keri Powlison as our chapter admin. The board continues to meet monthly and in the process of planning for engaging events to stay connected with everyone. As we continue to navigate the world of COVID, we are trying our best to stay connected with everyone while bringing valuable resources to our members. Hope all is well and that everyone is taking care! We look forward to continue serving our design community!

  • 2019 Student Scholastic Awardee

    2019 Student Scholastic Awardee

     

    As we prepare for our next awards, IIDA HPC would like to recognize, Jacqueline Harbin, our Inaugural Ho’ohuli 2019 Student Scholastic Awardee! The student scholastic award recognizes a design student who exhibits a strong work ethic, team leadership and is an advocate for IIDA. Jacqueline has graduated from  Chaminade University of Honolulu in December 2020 as the outstanding graduate of the E+ID  (Environmental and Interior Design) program.

    Currently, Jacqueline and one of her fellow classmates, Aurelia Vining, have teamed up to launch their own design firm, Red Designed Interiors. Both Jacqueline and Aurelia were prior service Army (Blackhawk/RC-12 pilot and Aurelia a logistician). Both their spouses are still in the Army and will be moving back to the mainland (Fayetteville, NC- Ft Bragg and Aurelia in San Antonio, TX). The two have worked on both studio/ extracurricular projects together and decided to continue the partnership with the launching of their new firm and intend to continue to flourish and accept projects in both areas they will be residing in. During Jacqueline’s free time, she enjoys trail runs with her mini Aussie, Rio. Jacqueline had just completed her first ultramarathon and is currently in training for the Cloudland Canyon 50 mile race in December! Best of luck and we can’t wait to see what is in store for you and your design endeavor!

  • Congratulations, Karen Muraoka! IIDA College of Fellows Inductee

    Congratulations, Karen Muraoka! IIDA College of Fellows Inductee

    IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter would like to acknowledge and congratulate our CO-VP of Sponsorship, Karen Muraoka, for being one of the newest inductees to the IIDA College of Fellows in 2021. Induction into the College of Fellows is the highest and most prestigious honor IIDA bestows. Cheers to Karen and all inductees for their continued success, for your outstanding professional achievements and leadership in the interior design community. Thank you for your dedication, contributions and impact you have made for our community!

    Karen Muraoka, FIIDA, principal and senior interior designer at Karen Muraoka Interior Design, LLC, was inducted into the IIDA College of Fellows in 2021—the highest honor the International Interior Design Association awards for exceptional contributions to the profession. As CO-VP of Sponsorship for the IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter, her leadership and achievements inspire our community.

    A Distinguished Career in Healthcare Design

    Karen launched her design career in 1982 at Architects Hawaii Ltd. in Honolulu, building expertise over decades before founding Karen Muraoka Interior Design, LLC, in 2011, with a specialization in healthcare environments. She collaborates closely with Hawaii Pacific Health on projects like primary care clinics integrated into community settings, such as the upscale Straub Hospital Primary Care in Ward Village—a 5,000-square-foot space featuring resilient flooring for cleanability, infection control, and longevity.

    Her international experience includes work on a 400-bed acute care project at Kameda Medical Center in Japan, a family-centered facility on a 50-acre campus with supportive amenities like dining areas, staff housing, and 24/7 visitor access to enhance patient morale.

    Now based in Hawaii, Karen remains active as a frequent juror at NeoCon and healthcare design conferences, sharing her insights with the industry.

    Awards and Professional Recognition

    Karen’s impact is evident in accolades like the 2019 Legacy Award from the IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter, which recognized her leadership and opened pathways for mentoring emerging designers[3][6]. She is also listed among the founders and historic figures of the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers (AAHID), underscoring her foundational role in the field.

    The IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter congratulates Karen on her College of Fellows induction, celebrating her outstanding professional achievements, dedication, and lasting contributions to interior design and our community

  • 2021 IIDA HPC Member Survey

    2021 IIDA HPC Member Survey

    Aloha!
    We are all still feeling the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and would like to engage our members to participate in a series of surveys (4 total) to determine how deeply it has affected our local architecture and interior design community. Each survey will be issued weekly with the last survey around May 28th. Please see below for links to the respective surveys that have been previously sent.

    The intent of these surveys is to also gauge member satisfaction and be attentive of your needs, issues and concerns during this time so that we may curate upcoming member events and continuing education sessions. Our goal is to retain our current membership while increasing new membership by adding beneficial and relevant resources and opportunities for you, your fellows and our local community.

    The identities of persons taking part in this survey will be kept anonymous. IIDA, IIDA HPC, and persons receiving and analyzing this survey will not have access to any identifying information for those participating.

    Our members are very important to us and we would love to hear from you. Our hope in the end is that the information gathered will provide valuable resources for our local architecture and interior design community.

    All the best,
    IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter

    Survey #1- Let’s Learn More About You!

    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YZL2DVY

    Survey #2- COVID-19 Impacts

    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7ZLWKJF

    Survey #3- Membership

    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YPC3MFH

  • Congratulations, Joan Riggs!- 2021 IDEC Community Service Award Recipient

    Congratulations, Joan Riggs!- 2021 IDEC Community Service Award Recipient

    IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter would like to acknowledge and congratulate Joan Riggs on receiving the 2021 Community Service Award from IDEC, the Interior Design Educators Council.

    The IDEC awards committee had reflected praise on the impact of Joan’s service to the design community at large mentioning that “this applicant has an outstanding number of community services where interior design played a very important role”.  Over the last 12 years as Chaminade University’s Environmental + Interior Design program director, Joan has challenged students to incorporate interior design skills in projects that benefited the community. Community service projects ranged from women and youth correctional (rehabilitative) facilities, nursing homes and assisted living for the elderly, safe houses for victims of human trafficking to healthcare facilities just to name a few.  Joan mentions that “ when integrated with service-learning and community service, students exponentially gain awareness and compassion.” For the students, Joan believes that “ in partnerships, they deepen their ability to adapt- their thinking, their perspective and their understanding- with respect to how diversity is a strength and problem-solving is a gift to be shared.” This type of community integrated design education really gives students an awareness and first hand experience as to how design work can positively impact lives and serve the public. For Joan, “as an educator, what greater award than to see students emerge as skilled, compassionate and successful designers.” It truly is a blessing for the design community to have a mentor like Joan who is a part of this process and having the recognition from IDEC for her many years of service to the University is, as Joan says, “ icing on a marvelous multi-layered cake”.

  • Mahalo to our 2020 sponsors!

    Our sponsors are not just financial contributors, but also valuable partners who play an essential role in helping us achieve our vision and mission.


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