In memoriam: Donald W.Y Goo

Vale, Donald W.Y. Goo
1934–2022

The ‘G’ in WATG, and a long-time partner of our firm, ‘Don’ served as president, CEO and chairman over his five-decade-long career, leaving an indelible mark on design and community throughout the course of his 88-year life.

An award-winning and pioneering architect, Don was recipient of a host of honors and accolades, including the prestigious Medal of Honor from the American Institute of Architects Hawai‘i State Council in 2015. Integrating environment, art and culture in each of his projects, Don’s works have been widely recognized for their timelessness and innate sense of place – long before sensitive and authentic design was recognized as essential. Among them are the Sheraton Waikiki (1972), Hilton Hawaiian Village Master Plan (1988), and the Hawai‘i Convention Center (1998).

As a friend and mentor, Don taught us what it was to be a collaborative leader and instilled passion in designers of all fields. Together with his wife Laura, he established the School of Architecture Practicum Fund at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and shared his expertise as a trustee for the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai.

Above all else, Don was a brilliant man who challenged us to do better and be better. He stood out for his succinct clarity of thought with big ideas for complex problems and was noble, kind, generous, humble and always respectful of others.

Here’s to a celebration of life. Thank you, Donald W.Y Goo, for leaving an everlasting legacy not only on our firm, but the world more broadly.