Students Help With Harbor Planning in Hawaii

University of Hawaii graduate students explored the potential for improvements to the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, an important coastal public space in Honolulu.

2 minute read

January 17, 2021, 9:00 AM PST

By Clement Lau


Honolulu, Hawaii

Ala Wai Harbor in Honolulu. | LuvAlisa / Shutterstock

Coastal planning is complicated and challenging even for seasoned planners due in part to the variety of issues and stakeholders involved. But that has not discouraged planning and landscape architecture students from the University of Hawaii at Manoa from studying Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor and offering recommendations for its improvement. Specifically, students in two graduate classes recently explored the potential for short- and long-term improvements to the harbor which is an important coastal public space that serves as a link between Ala Moana and Waikīkī.

The students in a planning practicum and a landscape architecture studio also examined how projected sea-level rise would impact the harbor. They conducted research, gathered input from stakeholders, studied precedents, and explored design strategies to tackle the issue. The findings informed their conceptual plan and recommendations for climate risk adaptation as well as for site improvements to enhance this public amenity. The students appreciated the opportunity to work on a real-world assignment to assist the state’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation and gain valuable experience and skills to prepare them for the transition to becoming professionals. 

Ala Wai Harbor is the largest small boat and yacht harbor in Hawaii. The harbor is situated in Honolulu at the mouth of the Ala Wai Canal, between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. To the east are Waikiki and Diamond Head; to the west are Magic Island and the Honolulu waterfront. Ala Wai Harbor has a rich cultural history and land uses that support recreational activities. Research shows that the harbor will be impacted by sea-level rise in the coming years. Thus, it is critical for any future plans to address this issue while taking into consideration the public’s vision for the harbor. 

Tuesday, December 22, 2020 in University of Hawai'i News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

View of rotating restaurant tower in downtown San Antonio, Texas through older brick high-rise buildings.

San Antonio Remains Affordable as City Grows

The city’s active efforts to keep housing costs down through housing reforms and coordinated efforts among city agencies and developers have kept it one of the most affordable in the nation despite its rapid population growth.

15 minutes ago - Governing

Close-up on U.S. Forest Service plaque.

What Forest Service Cuts Mean for Cities

U.S. Forest Service employees work on projects that have impacts far beyond remote, rural wilderness areas.

1 hour ago - Greater Greater Washington

Two yellow and white Dallas Area Rapid Transit light rail streetcars at station in Dallas, Texas.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region

At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

2 hours ago - KERA News