By Nancy Cassandro
 
In a little grass shack on the shores of Waikīkī, members of the first organized ASLA Hawai‘i Chapter would frequently meet at the beach front Queen’s Surf Restaurant. In 1955, the small group of seven included Claire Avis, Mansfield Page Clafin, Harold T. Kurisu, Delos Adams Seeley, Donald Wolbrink, and Catherine Jones (Richards) Thompson, led by their first Board of Trustee Robert O. Thompson.

  Hawai‘i Chapter First Annual Report submitted in 1956, provided by ASLA National Archives.

ASLA Hawai‘i Chapter may have been formed in 1955, but landscape architects had been active here in the islands well before then. The landscape architecture firm Thompson and Thompson was first established by Catherine Jones Richards. Born on O‘ahu of a missionary family, Catherine studied at the Cambridge School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture in Massachusetts, then went abroad studying and traveling Europe. She returned to the islands in 1926.

In 1928, she opened her own firm with partner Robert O. Thompson. Later in 1934, she and her now husband, Robert, re-established the firm as Thompson and Thompson. Noteworthy projects include some of Hawai‘i’s landmarks such as the YWCA Laniākea Building, the National Cemetery of the Pacific, Doris Duke’s “Shangri-La”, and Ala Moana Beach Park.

Photo provided by Kiersten Faulkner and Dana Anne Yee, FASLA

Prominent key members who transitioned ASLA leadership from the founding members to the next generation included Richard Tongg and George Walters. Locally known as Hawai‘i’s “grandfather of landscape architecture”, Richard C. Tongg, was a well-respected designer and author. He was born of a Chinese immigrant family on the island of Hawai‘i. Richard grew up working his way through High School and the University of Hawai‘i, Hilo. He then studied landscape architecture in Santa Barbara California, returning to the islands in 1929 and opening his practice in downtown Honolulu.

Some of his well-known projects are the Alexander and Baldwin Building in Honolulu, and the Honolulu International Airport, where he created three distinct cultural gardens: the Chinese, Japanese and Hawaiian Garden, which still greet visitors today. Many people regard Richard as the first Chinese American Landscape Architect.

The Modern Tropical Garden, It’s Design, Plant Materials, and Horticulture, by Lorraine E. Kuck and Richard Tongg. Tongg Publishing Co., Honolulu, Hawaii, 1955, 4th ed 1970.

George S. Walters established his firm in 1954 after graduating from the University of California, Berkeley. He was raised by his father, a lighthouse keeper, on some of the most remote yet beautiful coastlines of Hawai‘i. George generously shared his knowledge and passion for the profession, often volunteering as a guest lecturer for local organizations, high schools and at the University of Hawai‘i. He was very active in the Chapter throughout his career, serving as President and Board of Trustee. ASLA honored him with a Fellowship posthumously in 1976. His noteworthy projects span the Pacific from Hawai‘i to Taipei, Fiji, Samoa, Guam, Marianna, the Philippines and many more.

It seems only natural that the Hawai‘i Chapter would be formed in 1955. The post-WWII boom in hotel and resort development recognized Hawai‘i’s true gem, the landscape. One delightful anecdote remembered by Frank Brandt, FASLA, was that “meetings were held at the Waikikian Hotel Bar”! (1969) This was once a Waikīkī Landmark known for its Polynesian architecture and décor. A theme that has influenced establishments across the globe for decades. What a way to share the Aloha spirit!

Hawaii Chapter timeline

Resources:

ASLA LAND

A Moment in Our History: Laniakea's Other Architect - Catherine Jones Richards — YWCA O‘ahu

“The Modern Tropical Garden, It’s Design, Plant Materials, and Horticulture”, Lorraine E. Kuck and Richard C. Tongg, Tongg Publishing Company, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1955, 4th ed. 1970.

Our Stories of the History of Landscape Architecture in Hawai’i, LICH, Landscape Hawai’i Magazine, MAR/APR 2018, Dana Anne Yee, FASLA.

Nancy Cassandro is the ASLA Hawaii Chapter President (2023-24)