Mason Architects Inc.

05/27/2026

What an incredible evening celebrating community, culture, and leadership! 🌟

On May 9th, some of our MASON team had the absolute honor of attending the prestigious Kama‘āina of the Year event at the iconic Royal Hawaiian Hotel. 💖✨

Gathering under the stars at the historic Pink Palace of the Pacific was nothing short of magical. It was a beautiful night dedicated to honoring individuals who make a profound, lasting impact on our island home.

We left feeling incredibly inspired, re-energized, and deeply grateful to be part of a community that constantly lifts each other up. Cheers to the visionaries making Hawai‘i a better place for future generations! 🥂🏽

Swipe to see a few highlights from a memorable night out with the team! 📸👇

04/22/2026

Happy Administrative Professionals’ Day to the one who keeps it all together — Rosanne, our Office Manager. We’re so grateful for her steady presence, problem-solving spirit, and the way she helps make everything run smoothly behind the scenes.

04/16/2026

HUGE NEWS for the MASON family! 🥂✨

We are beyond thrilled to announce that our very own Melanie Islam, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, has been honored with the 2026 AIA Young Architect Award! 🏆

This isn’t just an award—it’s a recognition of Melanie’s incredible leadership, her commitment to sustainable design, and the way she’s shaping the future of architecture here in Hawaii and beyond. 🌴📐

Melanie’s work at MASON goes so much deeper than just drawings; she is a champion for our environment and a mentor to the next generation of designers.

Please join us in the comments by dropping a CONGRATS for Melanie! We couldn’t be more proud to have her leading the way on our team. 👏✨

04/14/2026

Congratulations to Yi-Ju Chen on becoming a licensed architect! This is a major milestone and a true reflection of the dedication, skill, and persistence it takes to reach this point.

We’re excited to celebrate this achievement and all that lies ahead in her career as she continues shaping thoughtful, impactful design.

04/09/2026

After 25 years, we’re saying a heartfelt thank you and congratulations to Dee as he begins the next chapter of his life.

Dee has been a steady presence in our office, our culture, and our community. His work has helped preserve cherished places, elevate design standards, and strengthen the way MASON approaches architecture with care and integrity.

We’ll miss his daily presence, but we’re so grateful for the work he leaves behind—on paper, in buildings, and in the way he treated every project and every person with respect. Wishing Dee a full‑filled retirement filled with time, travel, and the kind of peace that comes from knowing your work has truly mattered. 🌴

Dee, thank you for 25 years of dedication, wisdom, and impact as part of the MASON family.

04/08/2026

Support the future of design today. On UH Mānoa Giving Day, we’re proud to stand with the School of Architecture and celebrate the students, faculty, and ideas shaping Hawaiʻi’s next generation of architects.

Your gift helps strengthen education, creativity, and opportunity for aspiring architects who will go on to shape the places and communities we call home. Every contribution makes a difference, and every show of support helps build what’s next.

Join us in giving back to the UH Mānoa School of Architecture today.

Join me and make a gift for UH Giving Day!

04/07/2026

We’re excited to welcome Harry Chu to the MASON Team! ⚡️

Harry Chu is a licensed architect in California and Hawaii. He recently moved from the Big Island to Oahu to join us. His background includes a M. Arch from SUNY Buffalo, and he is an AIA and NCARB member.

Welcome Harry – architect, steward of place, and the reason your next MASON project might come with a killer aerial view! ✨

03/28/2026

You watch Nichole cradle a 4×6 negative with gloved hands, gently brushing away dust under soft, raking light. The care isn’t just for show—it follows the kind of guidance the Library of Congress gives to anyone handling historic photographs: protect the emulsion, avoid fingerprints, and keep the surface clean so future generations can see these images as clearly as we do now.

This standard ensures clarity, consistency, and longevity. As you zoom in on the dust particles lifting away, you’re reminded of the delicate balance between modern technology and traditional documentation.

For a SOI‑architectural historian, that guidance translates directly into daily practice—every dusted negative, every labeled sleeve, and every scanned file is a quiet promise to preserve the evidence of our history.

03/07/2026

A heartfelt mahalo to for hosting the Huakaʻi Awards and recognizing lifetimes of impact—especially Glenn’s Medal of Honor. Stunning photos by captured every lei, laugh, and legacy moment.

Swipe to the end for Glenn’s leis proudly displayed in our office—a symbol of aloha and the community spirit that makes this work meaningful. Grateful for partners like Melanie Islam and everyone who joined us. Onward together! ✨

02/21/2026

AIA Hawaiʻi is celebrating 100 years of shaping our islands—from historic preservation to resilient new designs.

In Hawaii Public Radio's "The Conversation" feature, AIA President Melanie Islam discusses key challenges like reinstating the State Building Code Council (suspended since 2023) and supporting HB 1725 to update codes outdated since 2018, avoiding project delays and costs.

At MASON, we're proud to contribute to this legacy: redefining preservation, one storied place at a time.

Link to the full story on our Linktree in bio.



What barriers do you see in Hawaiʻi design today? Comment below!