Mahalo to everyone who joined the Hawaiʻi Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) and Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation at the June 29th reception to recognize Kiersten Faulkner for being named to the prestigious American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) College of Fellows, the planning profession’s highest honor.
It was wonderful seeing many of our friends, past and present trustees, and longtime members.
Thank you all for your dedication and support of HHF!
– Photos from the Event –
Faulkner has served as the executive director of Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation for 16 years, leading the statewide nonprofit organization in its mission to preserve and encourage the preservation of historic sites, buildings and communities in Hawaiʻi. Prior to joining the Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation in 2006, Faulkner was a Senior City Planner with the City & County of Denver for six years. She holds a Master of Arts in Urban and Environmental Policy from Tufts University and has been a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners since 2005.
“Kiersten Faulkner is an outstanding planner who has most visibly contributed through her stellar work in the discipline of historic preservation,” said Tessa Munekiyo Ng, AICP, past president of the APA Hawaiʻi Chapter. “Kiersten’s energy, expertise and passion explain why she has such a sterling list of substantial and unique accomplishments and contributions. She is a credit to the profession of planning and to the communities in which she works.”
As a result of Faulkner’s persistence and perseverance, communities across the Hawaiian Islands are able to connect, enjoy, learn from and be inspired by historic and cultural properties. Faulkner’s actions helped save properties as diverse as traditional cultural landscapes; royal Palaces; World War II battlefields; the largest intact Chinatown in the United States; government and educational campuses; neighborhoods and commercial districts on all islands, and additional significant places that are touchstones of culture, identity and place.
Fellowship is granted to planners who have achieved certification through the American Planning Association’s professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, and have achieved excellence in professional practice, teaching and mentoring, research, public and community service, and leadership. Invitations to join the College of Fellows come after a thorough nomination and review process, ensuring the candidate has had a positive, long-lasting impact on the planning profession.
Faulkner is one of 53 inductees into this year’s College of Fellows. Inductions are done biennially. This year’s formal induction took place during APA’s National Planning Conference in San Diego, on May 1, 2022.
On June 29, 2022, Faulkner also received a special certificate from Governor David Ige and First Lady Dawn Ige in recognition of her appointment.