The Hawai‘i Architectural Foundation (HAF) has recognized Kiersten Faulkner, executive director of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation, with the Paepae I Ka Pōhaku Award, in appreciation of her sustained efforts to raise community awareness of architectural design and the importance of the built environment over the past 15 years. The award, given only to non-architects, was presented to Kiersten by HAF President Chris Hong at the 47th Annual Preservation Honor Awards Virtual Ceremony on Friday, May 21, 2021.
“Kiersten’s impact as an advocate for the preservation of our culture and historic buildings is immeasurable,” remarked Hong. “Since assuming leadership of HHF in 2006, Kiersten has focused on reaching positive outcomes, even in the face of adverse circumstances. Her commitment to thoughtful and sensitive design is critical to preserving the sense of place unique to the Hawaiian Islands.”
A video commemorating Kiersten’s leadership was shared during the ceremony. Produced by filmmaker Robin Lung, the video features architect Glenn Mason, consultant Mahealani Cypher, past president of HHF Peter Apo, current HHF president Ricky Ching, and trustee Maenette Benham speaking about the positive outcomes of Kiersten’s efforts.
Upon receiving the award, Kiersten expressed her gratitude by reflecting on some of her experiences.
“When I was privileged to be accepted as the new executive director at Historic Hawai‘ii Foundation 15 years ago, I was again the beneficiary of so much support. In the earliest years, I would follow people around and ask them to tell me their stories. They took me on field trips and shared not just genealogy of people, but genealogy of places.
One of the images in the video was of a trip to Lāna‘i with Alberta DeJetly, Rick Towill and Uncle Squeaky. We walked around Dole Park and stopped at every building in the historic town core, where Uncle would tell me who was there now, and ones before that and ones before that. The coffee shop had been the Hawaiian Airlines ticket counter had been the forestry field office and so forth. These stories tell the life history not only of the buildings but of the town.
That experience was repeated over and over, in every community, on every island…I’m grateful that I have had some part in helping to amplify those stories, those places, those people.”
About Hawai‘i Architectural Foundation
The Hawai‘i Architectural Foundation (HAF) is a non-profit organization formed in 2003 to inspire people to discover why design matters and to engage the public in shaping our island communities.
THE PAEPAE I KA PŌHAKU AWARD
The AIA/HAF Paepae I Ka Pōhaku Award recognizes an individual or organization from the community that has contributed to, and promoted, the public’s appreciation of architectural design and responsible approaches to the built environment. Generally, the award shall be given for sustained effort and not for a single act. The award is not intended to recognize architects and shall not be given to an architect. Kiersten Faulkner is the third recipient of this esteemed award.
