Imagineering with Disney To Celebrate Hawaiian Culture

 By Lisa Y.T. Rapp, AIA, LEED®-AP, Principal

Disney has brought its magic to O‘ahu. This new oceanfront destination called Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa is designed to deliver a deeply Hawaiian feel, achieved through Hawaiian arts, architecture, patterns, colors, and material. Architects Hawaii was the project Architect of Record. 

Aulani means “the place that speaks for the great ones.” To that end, the two key planning principles were  to provide an immersive Hawaiian experience by weaving storytelling and lore of the islands into the design and operations of the project — embracing local culture, landscape, and heritage. And, to integrate that into the Disney experience uniquely designed for family fun.

The AHL team worked with Walt Disney Imagineers to develop Aulani’s 21 acres in Ko ‘Olina. The property includes: 359 hotel rooms and 481 timeshare units in two 16-story towers, an 18,000-SF spa and fitness center, convention center, children’s club, restaurants, a variety of pools, and retail spaces. Entering the property conveys the concept of the ahupua‘a and tells that story as you move mauka through the more lush and wetter environment flowing into taro fields and eventually going makai towards the sandier and drier areas to the ocean.

The main lobby, reminiscent of a canoe house, plays an important role in the guest arrival experience. The Hawaiian concept of a masculine and feminine duality is expressed in the lobby water feature and continues to the two guest towers. This is symbolic of the balance and harmony of two distinct elements, two streams — the active, rushing masculine and calm lily-filled feminine.

The rooms deliver Hawaiian designs and images such as kapa (Hawaiian bark cloth) and lauhala patterns as a part of the interiors. A touch of whimsy in the décor can also be found such as small menehune sculptures.

The works of many Hawai‘i artists are featured throughout the resort. Artist Martin Charlot was commissioned to create the lobby mural depicting the Hawaiian lifestyle. Aulani is now also home to the largest collection of Hawaiian artifacts outside of Bishop Museum. Whether it is to learn something about the culture or to meet Mickey, we encourage a trip to the west side of O‘ahu and experience Disney in Hawai‘i and join us in saying E Komo Mai!

AHL worked specifically on the hotel/timeshare buildings (exterior and interior), two parking garages, landscaping, kiosks/retail shops, conference center, and the exterior of the spa.