A historical journey
Our journey began by engaging with local families, cultural experts, and kĹŤpuna with historical ties to the area and the âÄina. After studying the Moâolelo (historical accounts), botanical information, and other available resources, a modern historical interpretation for Koa Ridge was born.
Connecting with our past while planning for the future
In Hawaiian culture, E Ola Koa (live like a Koa tree) is used as a greeting to wish someone a long and healthy life. At Koa Ridge, weâve adopted this greeting to welcome residents and guests to the community.
Ola represents life, health, wellâbeing, and essential living. Quality of life is important to us from the environment and energy we surround ourselves with to the health and wellâbeing of our body, mind, and spirit. To live our best life is to keep all three in harmonious balance.
The word Ola, a vital part of the phrase âE Ola Koa,â refers to the abundant and healthy life that Koa Ridge offers to its inhabitants and guests.
E Ola Koa - Live your best Life
A master-plan inspired by
E Ola Koa "Circle of New Life"
âOkipuâu were forest clearings used for planting âawa, maiâa (bananas), and other plants.
ĚěĂŔ´ŤĂ˝ Begins with âOkipuâu
âOkipuâu were distinct manâmade land features found on the islands of Oâahu and Kauaâi. Early maps show that a multitude of these forest clearings existed here on the Koa Ridge site. In ancient Hawaiâi, âokipuâu clearings were created to let sunlight shine through the dense forest and touch the earth below. This allowed for the birth of new life, creating a thriving environment for new plants to flourish.
In order to create a unique sense of Hale, or âHome,â we designed a community for residents that grows as they grow, that is centered around thriving lives, and that has roots firmly planted in the distinct stories of place. We offer a translation of the ancient âokipuâu concept into our unique master-plan, creating special landscape clearings with community features that include interactive parks and recreational facilities, community gathering areas, botanical landscapes, retail and dining spaces, and more. Through this intentional design concept, we are creating spaces to make way for families to live and grow, and to make positive connections with the greater community.
Keiki Koa â Symbol of New Life
Like a sprouting Koa tree, the Hale Lau Koa (house of Koa leaves) community at Koa Ridge provides a new and unique âokipuâu forest clearing as a place for families to plant their roots, cultivate the community, and grow in Life.
From a traditional Hawaiian art form, the symbol for Koa Ridge is born
The Art of âOhe KÄpala
âOHE KÄPALA CARVING
The art and practice of âOhe KÄpala was developed in the Hale Kua (the womenâs beating house) during the final stages of kapa (Hawaiian cloth) decoration. Native âohe (bamboo laths) were carved with intricate designs depicting repetitious patterns found in nature. Each motif was carefully chosen to balance the graphic proportions of positive and negative space. Inspiration and intention for the niho (patterns) originated from the mountains, sea, and sky.
âOhe KÄpala Print
Local designer Manaola Yap honored the traditional Hawaiian art of âOhe KÄpala when creating the Lau Koa (Koa leaf) pattern now used as the symbol to represent life at Koa Ridge. This unique design comes from the gathering of the keiki leaves of the Koa plant. Manaola shares about the honoring of space through this pattern. âThrough pattern design and storytelling, we lay the foundational path to a thriving community that shares an extraordinary relationship between the land and its people. Infusing inspiration from the surrounding environment is an important step in developing a close and positive connection to place.â
The Lau Koa Pattern
Its woven form represents the strength that binds the community together.
Its mat form represents a gathering place that fosters the people.
Hale â Home is the Heart
Inspired by the choice of the Lau Koa (Koa leaf) as a strong symbol for Koa Ridge, the Lau Koa pattern depicts the early stage of a leafâs growth. The young Koa leaflets shown here represent the nurturing of new life.
The woven nature of the Lau Koa pattern displays the binding method of traditional âaho cordage that was used as lashings for traditional Hawaiian Hale (houses) and the Moena or woven mats that furnished them. The âaho cordage was the string that held the structure of the home together. Without the âaho, the Hale would not stand on its own.
The intention is to bring the wisdom of the Koa tree to the growth of the Hale Lau Koa community at Koa Ridge and the families and people who grow within it.
New Life Begins at Koa Ridge
While we continue to honor its history and distinctive stories of place, weâve planted the seeds for new life here at Koa Ridge. A forwardâthinking master-plan design now offers residents a place to live, grow, and thrive. A community where youâll find many of lifeâs necessities available within walking distance, interconnected by a 7.5âmile pedway that gives you the option to walk or bike to most services and amenities, including shops, restaurants, a community center, medical center, and much more. A place with parks and open spaces that encourage an active, outdoor lifestyle. A home where your family can plant new roots and grow for generations to come. This is Koa Ridge. Come thrive with us.
Helping to Reforest Hawaiâi
For every home sold at Koa Ridge, ĚěĂŔ´ŤĂ˝ will plant a Koa tree in the homeownerâs name, and that tree will live out its life in a native Hawaiian forest. This is our opportunity to help reduce the carbon footprint at Koa Ridge and make a positive impact on the environment.
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