The buildings’ Spanish Mission Revival style of architecture, popular in Hawaii in the 1920s, is complementary to its location on the dramatic slopes of the Koolau mountain range. The renovations restored the buildings in a manner that is true to their historic fabric, and sensitive to its current operations.

The campus of Windward Community College was established in 1927 as a Psychiatric Hospital for the Hawaiian Kingdom. Its location was idealistic for its time when quite respite was deemed crucial for the successful treatment of its patients. It continued in its function for over four decades, when its facilities were moved to an adjacent site in a modernized hospital setting. The buildings and site were given to the University of Hawaii system in the 1970s and the Windward Community College was formed.

Its facilities have been somewhat neglected over the years, and upgrades to its two original structures- Hale Laakea and Hale Noeau was desperately needed. Minatoishi Architects was the Historic Architect in charge of reviewing design drawings and technical information, ensuring that the design and construction of the facility follows the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines.