Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 8, 1 August 1999 — Open for business [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Open for business

After three years of construction, Kūlana 'Oiwi Multi-Service Center, a joint venture among several Hawaiian agencies, is open for business. B v Jayson Harper f EVERAL YEARS of planning and l development eame together on July 17, as representatives from J Queen Lili'uokalani Children's W Center, Alu Like, Bishop Estate, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Queen Emma Foundation and Nā Pu'uwai (Native Hawaiian Heahh Care System)

dedicated the Kūlana 'Oiwi MultiService Center on Moloka'i. The eenter, the first of its kind, represents a step forward in providing direct services to Hawaiians. "This is 100 percent Hawaiian planning with 100 percent Hawaiian money on 100 percent Hawai-ian-held land: this is

something to be proud of," said OHA Moloka'i Trustee Colette Machado. The center also represents the first combined effort by the ah'i trusts to develop and build a structure. Initially proposed three years ago by the late Monsignor Charles Kekumano, the center was to be a plaee where

Hawaiians could go for assistance. It has 30,484 square feet of space, and sits on 12 acres of homestead land. The cost to build Kūlana 'Ōiwi is just over $7 million, with OHA's contribution totaling $1 million. The site is comprised of nine structures. Of them, the QLCC building is the largest and will house the eommunity building programs. Also on site will be a preschool run by Kamehameha Schools. The OHA office will become the new home for the Moloka'i eommunity liaison and will also be the adjunct office of the Moloka'i trustee. Beneficiaries will be able to obtain informa-

tion about OHA and its programs, as well as attend OHA board meetings there. The center is attractively landscaped with a variety of native flowers and shrubbery. Low stone walls and courtyards give the center the look and feel of a campus or garden. Inside, the

offices are large and well lighted. Throughout the interior there are large windows and sky lights. The halls are wide and there is ample open space for meeting rooms and work areas. Buildings are within walking distance of eaeh other, and covered walkways make them easily accessible. A large open air hālau on the east side of the center is perhaps the most prominent structure. The covered hālau ean accommodate more than 200 people comfortably and is available for use by the Moloka'i community. The architectural firm of Kauahikaua and Chun, tasked with designing the center, combined elements of Hawaiian architecture and exploited the kauhale or homestead concept. The kauhale was typically a grouping of houses serving different needs of the 'ohana. Kauahikaua and Chun were the creative forces behind the design of the Hawaiian Studies Center at UH Mānoa whieh incorporates the same elements. The use of native stone throughout makes the complex unique among, and pitched roof buildings of varying heights evoke the architectural character of ancient Hawaiian settlements. Kūlana 'Ōiwi may be the first of many innovative ways to provide services to Hawaiians. It also serves as a model of what ean result when Hawaiian agencies eomhine resources and talents for the good of all Hawaiians. ■

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PHOTOS: JAYSON HAPPEP

The hālau (pictured above) ean seat over 200 people and will be made available to the Moloka'i community for use. (Above right) The interior of the center makes use of natural lighting and large windows.