Two smiling people participate in a Hawaiian-themed celebration, wearing flower leis and holding a decorated coconut. They stand behind a black window frame in an indoor setting with festive decorations and food tables in the background.

Hamajang Studio Opens New Office at the Kings’ Shops in Waikoloa Beach Resort

Waikoloa, HI - October 22, 2024

October 16th, 2024 – Big Island architecture firm Hamajang Studio celebrated the grand opening of their new office space this month, with family, friends, and a traditional Hawaiian blessing by Waikoloa resident Pastor Lani Larrua.

The firm, founded in 2021 by architects and co-owners AJ Taaca and Aki Yoshida, is now located on the second floor of the King’s Shops (above Tiffany & Co.).

During the ceremony, the Hamajang Studio team and attendees participated in a traditional Hawaiian blessing, offered leis, and shared personal reflections on the significance of the moment. As the blessing concluded, guests were invited to tour the new office space, which reflects the studio’s modern and site-specific design principles and thoughtfully integrated natural elements. The occasion marked an important milestone not only for the firm but also for the community, as Hamajang Studio became the first architecture firm based at the Waikoloa Beach Resort.

About Hamajang Studio

Taaca and Yoshida founded Hamajang Studio while thinking about the future of their home on the Big Island. “We believe that architecture should serve the community, embrace and respect Hawai‘i’s natural environment, and always prioritize site-specific design,” says Yoshida. After a long discussion on a Waimea Park bench, the pair decided to take the leap in February 2021, working on laptops from their home offices during the lockdown phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When deciding on their firm's name, the duo chose “Hamajang Studio.” Hamajang is a Hawaiian Pidgin word meaning “messy” or “all messed up.” The word serves as a fun and lighthearted icebreaker when meeting potential clients, but for the two architects, it also carries a deeper meaning. “Hawai’i is a melting pot of cultures. We want to honor Hawaiian Pidgin and its role in connecting people. For a long time, it was the heartbeat of the islands,” says Taaca, who was born and raised on Oahu and educated in Seattle, Washington. “Pidgin is how people from different backgrounds learned to communicate to get the job done, which mirrors our approach to the design and construction process. The name just seemed to fit.”

Since their founding, Hamajang Studio has built a client base that stretches from San Francisco to Tokyo. Their projects include high-end residential resorts, non-profit commercial tenant improvements, and restaurants. “Our clients seem to appreciate our concept-driven design approach,” says Taaca.

“We also communicate through diagrams, drawings, and models to connect people with this place,” adds Yoshida, who was born in Japan and educated in Boston, Massachusetts. She moved to Hawai'i and practiced architecture on Oahu before settling on the Big Island. “The architectural design and construction process can be complicated, but we thrive on it. Our goal is to simplify the design process while making it personal, collaborative, and fun.”

Hamajang Studio produces work defined by clean lines, precision, and enduring design concepts. “Aki and AJ were so amazing in helping us to redesign our non-profit space to be more welcoming and professional facing for our clients,” says Peter Tui Silva, Executive Director of Kumukahi Health + Wellness. “They came to look at the space and really listened to our team. The design they came up with was incredibly thoughtful, cutting edge, artistic and functional.”

As part of their commitment to giving back to the community, Taaca and Yoshida are active volunteers with West Hawaii Explorations Academy Public Charter School (WHEA), ClimbHI, and Kealakehe High School’s STEM Program. In addition, Yoshida serves on the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honolulu Chapter’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.

Two people wearing leis stand outside a building with a red sign that reads "Hamajang Studio." The man on the left is smiling, wearing a blue patterned shirt, and has a flower lei around his neck. The woman on the right is smiling, wearing a plaid dress, and has a similar flower lei.

Front view of an office building with large glass windows showing a reception area with plants, a desk, and chairs, and an upper green metal roof.

A group of seven people standing in line outside a studio named HamaJang Studio, with the sign visible above them, some wearing Hawaiian shirts, leis, and smiling, while a woman in front is wearing a blue patterned dress and looks pleased.

View of a shopping area with a Tiffany & Co. store on the left, featuring glass doors and string lights above the entrance. To the right, there is a white signboard supporting local businesses, including Hawaii Island Made and other vendors. Above, signs for a Majaang Studio and Hawaii Vacation Condos are visible. The building has a balcony with black railings, and the sky is partly cloudy.

A couple wearing floral leis stands in a room decorated for a celebration, with a woman and a man in the center of the image. The man has short hair, tattoos, and is wearing a blue patterned shirt, while the woman has long dark hair and is wearing a gray plaid dress. A woman with gray hair and glasses, dressed in a colorful floral shirt, stands to the left. The background includes bookshelves, chairs, and a red wall.