Hawaiʻi Modernism

Over a span of more than 60 years and 1,000 projects, architect Vladimir Ossipoff (1907-1998) left an enduring imprint on Hawaiʻi. He has been called the “master of Hawai‘i modernism,” owing to his unique design style, which was sensitive to the islands’ climate and natural landscapes and inspired by Native Hawaiian and Japanese architecture.

Pioneers in Engineering

In 1881, King David Kalakaua, "a monarch with a technical and scientific bent and an insatiable curiosity for modern devices," met with Thomas Edison in New York to learn about incandescent light bulbs. Six years later, electric lights illuminated the interior of ʻIolani Palace, four years before the White House had electric lighting. 

Engineering a Sustainable Future for Hawaiʻi

According to the Hawaiʻi 2050 Sustainability Plan, Hawaiʻi's infrastructure (including airports, bridges, dams, energy systems, ports, roads, solid waste, stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water) is aging. A lack of sufficient funding for infrastructure, along with population, economic, and development growth, has made it challenging to effectively maintain and improve infrastructure. In light of climate-influenced changes that are further stressing these assets, Hawaiʻi has an opportunity to incorporate green infrastructure as an adaptation strategy.

UH Maui College

UH Mānoa

UH Hilo