After nearly 2 years of debating
and searching, Malama o Manoa now has a rented space in "Manoa town"
where members can meet to discuss, plan and implement
community-oriented projects that benefit our valley.
The Visualization committee, which deals with public education and
appreciation of Manoa's unique past, present and potential (future),
has procured a renewable grant from the Fidelity Charitable Foundation
to pay for rent and utility expenses, so that no funds will be needed
from Malama o Manoa's general budget. The approx. 500 sq. ft. space,
located at 2909 Lowrey Avenue, Suite E (near the corner of Lowrey and
E. Manoa Road), is shared with Eldercare Hawaii/Deborah Jackson, who
works with families with senior members that need assistance with daily
activities. At present, the workshop has no definite "open" hours and
is only used for meetings and committee work as the need arises.
The space, which has several
large bulletin board walls, will be used to create ongoing displays of
old Manoa, present-day Manoa neighborhoods, and photomontage images of
potential physical improvements to the valley, its streets and
neighborhoods. As the bulletin boards fill up, the Committee hopes to
have "Open House" when Malama members as well as the general public can
visit and discuss the ideas and projects being proposed. The committee
is also looking into the idea of adding images to the Malama website so
that anyone can view the efforts of the Committee from the comfort of
their home. (For a good example of the power of photomontage in a
community project, see the website www.savekaimanabeach.org.
) The "Viz" Committee has many plans for its new space and is always
looking for new members to help work on its projects. If you are
interested, please contact one of the co-chairs (Scott Wilson, Duane Preble or Chuck Pearson) or leave word with our webmaster!
The Visualization Committee has been working with a
photo simulation specialist (Steve Price of Urban Advantage) to
create a series of images to help the public better "visualize"
proposed physical improvements in the valley.
Specifically, we have been working on 3 series of images:
1. Improvement of the Manoa Town/Neighborhood center in the
area of Starbucks block and Manoa Shopping center along E. Manoa Road
(the commercial component of a proposed Lower Manoa Special District)
2. Proposed regulations for residential streetfront walls
(the residential componenet of a proposed Lower Manoa Special District.)
3. Possible improvements to Lowrey Ave between East
Manoa Rd. and Manoa Rd. (A separate "Vision Team"- type project
intended to improve the Lowrey Ave. driving corridor as well as to
improve pedestrial access/ walkways to and around Manoa District Park)
