Aloha Tower, Honolulu, HI

This project involved the preparation of a development plan, design guidelines, and bidding and leasing documents for an important thirteen-acre waterfront site at the foot of downtown Honolulu. It merits recognition as a project which successfully combines cruise ship activities and urban uses in an innovative plan made possible through a partnership of public and private interests.

The Aloha Tower is one of the major landmarks in the Hawaiian Islands and served its principal gateway before the advent of the airplane. As passenger travel by ship declined and the needs of the cruise ship industry changed, the challenge was to add new uses which would enhance cruise ship operations and redevelop the site in a way that would create an active, lively and attractive place reflecting its important role in the community. The plan called for the creation of a major public gathering place at the water’s edge, a strong physical and visual link between the project and downtown Honolulu, the preservation of the historic Aloha Tower, the enhancement of passenger ship operations, provision of three cruise ship berths, and the development of office and hotel uses in buildings appropriately scaled to the waterfront location and the Tower.