5/5 Ryan 9 months ago on Google • 54 reviews
The
creation
of
Mililani,
nestled
in
the
heart
of
Oahu,
was
a
carefully
orchestrated
venture
that
started
in
the
1960s.
Envisioned
by
Castle
&
Cooke,
it
was
among
Hawaii's
pioneering
planned
communities,
and
it
was
designed
with
deep
respect
and
acknowledgment
of
the
indigenous
culture
and
natural
beauty
of
the
land.
Integral
to
this
planning
was
the
development
of
the
Mililani
Town
Center.
Developers
strived
to
balance
modern
community
needs
with
the
preservation
and
respect
for
Native
Hawaiian
values
and
the
environment,
embedding
the
spirit
of
"Aloha
'Āina,"
love
of
the
land,
into
its
construction.
The
town
center,
at
its
inception,
was
designed
as
a
pu'uhonua,
a
sanctuary
or
place
of
gathering
for
the
community.
It
sought
to
reflect
the
communal
spirit
of
Native
Hawaiian
culture,
a
space
where
people
could
come
together
to
shop,
eat,
and
participate
in
cultural
and
recreational
activities.
Throughout
the
construction
process,
care
was
taken
to
minimize
disruption
to
the
natural
environment.
In
a
nod
to
the
Hawaiian
concept
of
"Mālama
'Āina"
or
care
for
the
land,
developers
preserved
as
much
of
the
natural
flora
and
landscape
as
possible,
working
harmoniously
with
the
terrain
rather
than
against
it.
The
result
is
a
town
center
that,
although
modern
in
its
facilities,
maintains
a
strong
connection
with
its
surroundings
and
the
cultural
heritage
of
its
place.
The
essence
of
Hawaii's
rich
history
can
be
seen
in
the
architecture
and
the
community
events,
a
homage
to
the
island's
traditions
and
stories.
Today,
Mililani
Town
Center
serves
as
the
vibrant
heart
of
the
community,
embodying
the
spirit
of
"Laulima,"
or
many
hands
working
together.
It
stands
as
a
testament
to
a
successful
integration
of
modern
community
planning
and
Native
Hawaiian
values,
showing
how
respect
for
the
land
and
culture
can
lead
to
the
creation
of
a
thriving
community.
1 person found this review helpful 👍
