Hawaiʻi officials submitted a written proposal to host the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Honolulu on December 11, 2014. The development of Hawaiʻi’s response to the Barack Obama Foundation’s request for proposal (RFP) was coordinated by the University of Hawaiʻi with the full backing of the State of Hawaiʻi, the City and Council of Honolulu and numerous community partners, including the nonprofit group, Hawaiʻi Presidential Center.
“President Obama is part of our Island family,” said Hawaiʻi Governor David Ige. “We humbly suggest that Hawaiʻi is the best place to build his presidential center. With our rich cultural heritage, mature visitor industry, and Asia-Pacific ties, we believe we can help President Obama create an institution that will carry forward his important work on a global stage.”
“Hawaiʻi has really come together to develop an exciting proposal,” said Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui, whose office has been leading this effort on behalf of state government. “We look forward to partnering with the foundation to develop this dynamic institution as well as welcoming the president and his family home to the Islands.”
Hawaiʻi envisions a future-learning presidential center that cultivates young leaders and brings people together to solve global problems. Building on concepts included in Hawaiʻi’s initial proposal submitted in June, this RFP response includes four principal program components—a K–12 Global Youth Leadership Academy; an action-oriented convening institute; a UH center for community organizing and an interactive, issues-based visitor center.
“We are proposing a presidential center that not only commemorates Barack Obama’s legacy, but also advances innovation, research and education,” stated UH President David Lassner. “The president will continue to build upon his legacy once he leaves the White House, and this institution will help him continue to make a difference, not just in Hawaiʻi but throughout the United States and around the world.”
In preparing this submission, Hawaiʻi’s bid team sponsored independent research and reached a number of important conclusions:
- A presidential center in Honolulu will have a pronounced economic impact, creating 1,000–2,000 jobs in the construction period alone, depending on scale, and generating $25–$40 million in additional state and city tax revenue. After its first 10 years of operations, the institution will have catalyzed more than $2 billion in new economic activity.
- Because of the Hawaiian Islands’ robust visitor market, Honolulu’s favorable demographics, and the proposed site, which is centrally located between Waikīkī and downtown, experts predict Hawaiʻi will host one of the most visited presidential institutions in the United States.
- Hawaiʻi’s proposed programs will have independent revenue streams, which will enable them to operate on a self-sustaining basis once the facility is built.
- Forward-leaning design and engineering will allow the Obama center to achieve Living Building Challenge certification—beyond LEED Platinum—and serve as a model of resiliency and sustainability in coastal environments.
- Hawaiʻi is well positioned to assist a capital campaign led by the Obama foundation by activating donors on the West Coast and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
In September, the University of Hawaiʻi was selected as one of four finalists to host the Obama Center, along with Columbia University, University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. The president and first lady are expected to make a decision on a location or locations in early to mid 2015. The Barack Obama Foundation will then lead a capital campaign and supervise design, construction, and program operations.
- UH New story: “Hawaiʻi selected as one of four finalists to host the Obama Presidential Library”
- UH New story: “Gala raises funds for Hawaii Presidential Center”
Hawaiʻi’s bid to host the Obama Presidential Center is the product of a broad-based effort. The proposal is being formally submitted by Governor David Ige, Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, UH President David Lassner, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono, U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Representative-elect Mark Takai, and Hawaiʻi’s steering committee. This statewide effort is also supported by a local advisory council and core institutional partners, including the East-West Center, Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority (HCDA), Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Kamehameha Schools and Punahou School.
U.S. Senator Schatz, who has been involved in Hawaiʻi’s bid since 2009, says, “Hawaiʻi is putting forward a truly compelling proposal. We believe this institution looks forward to the future, embodies Hawaiʻi’s values, and has a global outlook.”
U.S. Senator Hirono echoes her congressional colleague’s sentiment, stating, “President Barack Obama is keiki o ka ʻāina; born, raised and molded in the melting pot of Hawaiʻi. It is only natural that Hawaiʻi serve as the home of the future Barack Obama Presidential Library. As America’s ‘Gateway to the Pacific,’ Hawaiʻi is a vital bridge to our partners in the Asia-Pacific. Establishing a presidential institution of dialogue, diplomacy and learning would play a lasting role in the Obama legacy.”
To host the presidential center, the State of Hawaiʻi, through HCDA, has set aside approximately eight acres of a near-shore property in Kakaʻako Makai that features sweeping views, proximity to UH and other educational facilities, abundant green space, and accessibility by bike, car, bus and soon, rail.
“The Obama center in Kakaʻako will be the centerpiece of a more connected walkable community,” said Honolulu Mayor Caldwell. “It will energize our waterfront from Ala Moana Beach Park through Kakaʻako Waterfront Park, becoming a source of civic pride for all of Honolulu.”
To explore the full potential of the site, Hawaiʻi’s steering committee commissioned three conceptual designs by renowned architectural firms working in local-national partnerships: Snohetta and WCIT Architecture; MOS and Workshop-HI and Allied Works. Ferraro Choi detailed the structure’s Living Building Challenge potential.
These conceptual designs are not meant to be prescriptive, as the architects who will ultimately design the Obama presidential center will be selected in a separate process supervised by the Obama foundation. Rather, these conceptual designs are distinct expressions of what is possible on an urban site with spectacular mauka-to-makai views. Select renderings of these concept designs are available on the Hawaiʻi presidential center website.
For more information on Hawaiʻi’s efforts to host the Barack Obama Presidential Center, please visit www.HawaiiPresidentialCenter.com.
