Editor’s Notes: August 2024

Making it count.

One of my favorite recent purchases was a $10 orange throw pillow. People often say they’ve selected pieces of furniture or home accessories that “spoke” to them, and this pillow couldn’t have said “Darlene” better. In white, embroidered capital letters, the pillow bore this message: “I CAN AND I WILL. WATCH ME.”

I constantly try to embrace what’s possible by working smarter not harder and by seeing the best in every situation, with faith and ingenuity. Making the most out of what I have is what I live by. With that in mind, on the home front a couple of recent projects have made me proud. In one, I was able to configure a viable exercise space within the few available square feet next to my desk; in the other, I figured out how to re-create trending aesthetics in my bedroom with minimal resources.

This August edition is our “Condo Issue,” but its secondary theme could be about making the most out of what you have. Apartments, small spaces and budget-friendly projects can have plenty of style and value, as you’ll see in our stories ahead. The architects behind Hale Makana O Moiliili, for example, designed an affordable condominium complex for kupuna with maximum community impact. In our piece about the Nohona Hale Apartments, you’ll learn how the project team thoughtfully embarked on an ambitious exterior design that pushes artistic boundaries.

Thinking outside the box may spur innovation, but having the fortitude to elevate the “box” you are given is what makes a person truly visionary. Our cover story on INspiration Interiors highlights the company’s evolution, from its founding by Thomas Sorensen to today, under the leadership of his daughter, Julia Sorensen Shaw. I had a great conversation with her for the feature and learned that she has a progressive eye for home design. My takeaway: The future looks bright for the longstanding furniture and accessories retailer.

August 2024 also marks the second anniversary of the death of Philip “Pip” White, the visionary behind WhiteSpace Architects. And it’s been one year since the devastating wildfires in Lahaina, Maui. Our issue pays homage to Pip, and to the many community members who are helping Maui residents rebuild after the disaster.

I hope you are inspired by this edition of Hawaii Home + Remodeling. Our small but mighty team knows a thing or two about making the most out of what we have. With a talented group of creatives, we look forward to bringing you more stories about the people and places that make our Island home so special.

Aloha,

Darlene Dela Cruz, Editor