EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Program
complaints and concerns from the community
The University of Hawai’i Community Design Center
regarding public defecation on the open lawn
(UHCDC) was contracted by the State of Hawai’i
and within property setbacks. In addition, in March
Department of Education (DOE) to update the 2018
2020, the neighboring building which housed the
Center for Workforce Excellence Proof of Concept
Wahiawā Women, Infants, and Children program
Study. To do this, UHCDC reengaged the Hawai’i
was arsoned. With growing public health and safety
State Public Library System (HSPLS), University of
concerns regarding the existing neighboring sites,
Hawai’i Community Colleges (UHCC) and DOE, to
the yard setbacks in the proof of concept update
update the program, revise the proof of concept
have been reduced to the requirements for dwelling
design, cost estimate, and to gather agency
use: 10’ front yard and 5’ side and rear yard.
feedback on site, parking, and other development The project team held a meeting with the
issues for the project.
Department of Accounting and General Services workshops
(DAGS) to receive an update on the neighboring
resulted in the program matrix and program
Wahiawā Civic Center project. The proposed
adjacency diagrams included in this report. A
civic center design locates the Judiciary building
summary of the requested program includes:
nearest to the project site with the assumption that
HSPLS:
Library,
12,460 SF
the existing Wahiawā Public Library building would
DOE:
Offices,
7,635 SF
remain a one-story building. The Judiciary expressed
UHCC:
Sensory Lab,
2,950 SF
concerns regarding the ability to ensure judges’
Cyber Technology,
4,650 SF
safety especially from overhead vantage points. The
Validation Lab
940 SF
proof of concept design has not been fully vetted
Nursing,
3,000 SF
with DAGS or Judiciary and will require continued
Support Spaces:
1,800 SF
collaboration
33,435 SF
Multiple
stakeholder
programming
Total:
as
the
design
moves
forward.
10% Circulation:
3,715 SF
During working group meetings, DOE and UHCC
37,150 SF
expressed concerns over the ability to maintain
Total Estimated:
security to upper floors. The public library welcomes
Site Concerns
the general public. However, offices and facilities
The project site is located in Wahiawā town, on
located within DOE and UHCC floors are typically
the parcel that is currently home to the Wahiawā
restricted to employees, students, and invited guests.
Public Library. The parcel sits between California
Wayfinding signage will be an important feature of
Avenue, Center Street, and Lehua Street. The parcel
the building interior. Other security measures that
is a commercial property and is zoned R-5. The yard
were brought up during working group meetings
setbacks are 30’ for front yards and 15’ for side and
included security guards and cardkey access.
rear yards. Working group members from HSPLS have expressed concerns regarding the large setback
There
were
no
infrastructure
related
studies
requirements for the property. The current Wahiawā
conducted as part of this work. An informal inquiry
Library and Civic Center property has received
to DAGS about the Wahiawā Civic Center project
Wahiawā Center for Workforce Excellence
05
