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Honolulu
WATG was founded in 1945 in Honolulu, Hawaii. After outgrowing its space in Waikiki, WATG relocated to downtown Honolulu in 1997, where it now occupies a floor and a half in the Topa Financial Center on Bishop Street. Windows all around offer uplifting views to the waterfront and/or the mountains. The staff is organized into "project families," and the work spans the Hawaiian Islands and the entire Asia Pacific region. During each Chinese New Year, the office welcomes Lion Dancers in search of lucky dollar bills. With aloha attire as the norm, who knows what casual dress days would look like?
WATG Honolulu's Green Business Manual
Operations Director
Harvey Maruya
Contact Info
700 Bishop Street, #1800
Honolulu, HI 96813 USA
Tel +1 (808) 521-8888
Fax +1 (808) 521-3888
How To Get Here
FROM HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Exit airport onto the H1 Eastbound
Freeway entrance (right fork). We are 4 miles from the airport.
Stay in the right lane which goes to NIMITZ HIGHWAY (92).
Follow NIMITZ HIGHWAY and make a U-turn at traffic light on the corner of ALAKEA STREET and NIMITZ HIGHWAY.
This will take you westbound on NIMITZ HIGHWAY.
Go past BISHOP STREET, and turn right into the TOPA FINANCIAL CENTER parking garage.
Our office is located on the 18th floor of the BISHOP STREET TOWER.
FROM WAIKIKI
Take ALA MOANA BOULEVARD westbound to Downtown Honolulu. ALA MOANA BOULEVARD turns into NIMITZ HIGHWAY.
Go past MILILANI, RICHARDS, ALAKEA and BISHOP STREETS. Our office is located on the corner of BISHOP STREET and NIMITZ HIGHWAY.
Turn right into the TOPA FINANCIAL CENTER parking garage.
Our office is located on the 18th floor of the BISHOP STREET TOWER.
VIA TAXI
$12.00 to $15.00 (US$) from the airport to WATG.
$23.00 to $26.00 (US$) from the airport to WAIKIKI. Operated by SIDA Taxis which has the contract concession at the Honolulu International Airport.
$12.00 to $15.00 (US$) from WAIKIKI to WATG, depending on which taxicab you use.
The Topa Financial Center, which has a white vertical facade, consists of two towers (Bishop Street and Fort Street), and is serviced by three different elevator banks (one for each tower, and another for the parking garage).
Contact This Office
Blogs From Our Honolulu People
12.05.11 / Reflections on a staff swap
Kevin Ho, Planner
If you go to another WATG office halfway around the world, what would be different? This was the context of my trip as I embarked to London on a four month exchange this summer. Earlier this year, WATG wanted to initiate a staff swap program to foster greater interaction between offices. I think it took me less than a minute to write my request after it was announced. The exchange was discussed and agreed between the Managing Directors and senior leaders of each office. Afterwards, Kirsty Rutherford, my partner in the swap, and I agreed on our exchange date and off we went.
09.26.11 / WATG-U
Dori Gusman, Project Manager,Associate
The Honolulu office presents a bi-monthly lunch-and-learn program we call WATG-U. Each session builds upon previous presentations and keeps our designers, managers and technical staff engaged in lively conversations about contemporary design techniques and processes. It's a great opportunity to learn ? without exams or papers! In this session, the legendary George Berean shares his experiences in working with Pete Wimberly and inspires all of us to think about how we approach design in this day and age.
07.25.11 / Branding by Design
Howard J. Wolff, Senior Vice President
Design is a critical aspect of any brand's positioning.
I recently had the honor of presenting some insights on the subject at the Cornell Brand Management Roundtable, hosted by Professor Chekitan Dev, PH.D. and The Center for Hospitality Research.
When it comes to branding hotels and resorts, both art and science are involved. Under the category of art comes stunning photography, which is one way to showcase a property and communicate its "wow" factor.
07.11.11 / Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives Wins Big
Janice Li, Architect
Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa, MaldivesCongratulations to the entire Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives team for winning the Award of Excellence at the 2011 AIA Honolulu Design Awards. Shangri-La Maldives took the top honor out of a field of nearly 40 entries.
04.22.11 / Happy Earth Day!
Ruoyun Sun, Associate
It's Earth Day and I'm excited because the Honolulu office was just recognized by the Hawaii State Senate and the Governor at the Green Business Recognition Ceremony. WATG was one of only eight firms recognized for its green business initiatives. We received a commendation from the Governor, one from the Senate, a Green Award Certificate from the Department of Business and Economic Development & Tourism, and a recycled glass poi pounder.
03.14.11 / Te Taki Tokelau Community Center and Language School
Michael Hodge, Designer
WATG's Honolulu office is in the midst of a very special partnership with a non-profit community organization, Te Taki Tokelau Inc. Our role has been to take the first steps toward helping the group build or acquire a permanent community center and language school.
03.09.11 / China in January
Trey Frank, Director of Planning,Senior Associate
Traveling in January has its perks, as I was able to dust off my beaver fur hat on a recent trip to China.
02.03.11 / Can You Name the Top 10 Destinations in the U.S.?
Howard J. Wolff, Senior Vice President
Based on booking data collected by Orbitz, the most popular U.S. destinations, in order, are:
1. Las Vegas
2. New York City
3. Chicago
4. San Francisco
5. San Diego
6. Orlando
7. Honolulu
8. New Orleans
9. Washington, DC
10. Miami
01.17.11 / Life: Designing Experiences and Running Marathons
Lisa Doyle, Interiors,Designer
"Life -- it is not just a series of calculations and a sum total of statistics, it's about experience, it's about participation, it is something more complex and more interesting than what is obvious." - Daniel Libeskind, Architect
12.21.10 / The World's Most Expensive Christmas Tree: In Good Taste or Bad?
Howard J. Wolff, Senior Vice President
The Wall Street Journal recently ran a story about a tree that adorns the lobby of the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Designed by WATG (the hotel not the tree), the property won top honors at a ceremony in London last month, winning nine individual World Travel Awards - more than any other property in the world.
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