Hawaii Pacific University has selected local architecture firm Group 70 International to design new dorms for nearly 300 students at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

HPU has campuses in downtown Honolulu and Kaneohe but currently only offers student housing on its Hawaii Loa campus in Kaneohe. 

The new dorms are part of a large-scale Aloha Tower renovation project that HPU is funding through special purpose revenue bonds, the first issue of which raised more than $42 million. The second bond sale is slated for next summer and is expected to fund more capital projects and IT infrastructure upgrades throughout the university. 

HPU’s efforts to solidify its Aloha Tower plans haven’t always gone smoothly.

The Aloha Tower Development Corporation deemed HPU sole owner and manager of the marketplace in January, more than a year after the university dished out $14 million to manage the facilities and only following an intense, long-drawn-out battle between HPU and its former partner on the project, developer Ed Bushor. 

Some critics still accuse HPU of relying on sweetheart deals and other corrupt tactics to move its project and business intentions forward.

Group 70 will convert retail and gathering spaces currently on the marketplace’s second floor into residential lofts and study areas. The university also hopes to partially renovate the first floor.

Group 70 has worked in various capacities ranging from civil engineerings to assets management on several well-known buildings, including Ward Theaters and the Lodge at Koele on Lanai. Other projects include education and research facilities for the University of Hawaii, Chaminade University, Iolani School and Hawaii Baptist Academy. 

Photo: Aloha Tower Marketplace entrance, pre-renovation (Courtesy of daryl_mitchell via Flickr)

— Alia Wong