Sustainable Design Dream Team holds weekend charrette

Haleakala Times
November 20, 2006
by Heron Hudson

Around 20 people gathered last weekend to begin designing Maui's first farm community for developmentally disabled adults and to discuss, among other things, visions of what Sunrise Farm could look and feel like in 30 years.

Imagine strolling or rolling around raised garden beds abundant with organic produce ready for market. The aroma of dinner being prepared in the kitchen wafts up the smooth path to a natural amphitheater with a view of the sunset's reflection on the water of Maui's beautiful North Shore. Friends and visitors enjoy the dappled shade and the soft fragrance of native Hawaiian flowers flanking ecologically smart buildings that blend seamlessly into the surrounding beauty. Careful artistic details highlight the healing powers of meaningful work and the creativity of those who come here and contribute. Feel a sense of belonging, community and home.
It is a vision that might appeal to any Maui citizen, but for the portion of society deemed "disabled", it represents a stark contrast from the average care institution. The efforts to design the facility focus on a right for freedom rarely acknowledged by public or governmental institutions.

Never before has this dream of a sustainable farm community for adults with disabilities and their caregivers been so close to becoming a reality here on Maui. The La'a Kea Foundation has named this dream Sunrise Farm. It will be the first community of its kind on Hawaii.

La'a Kea's mission is "To establish a residential farm community on Maui for adults with developmental disabilities based on the realization that every person, regardless of their ability or disability, needs friendship, a consistent and supportive social environment, meaningful work and opportunities for creative expression." The talented design team that has joined forces with La'a Kea brings a common dedication to sustainability to the project. . The foundation also aims at a vocational day program on the farm offering meaningful work in a rural environment.

From Friday, Nov. 10 to Sunday Nov. 12 at a variety of locations near Pa'ia, a diverse group of professionals, experts and community members met with the Board of the La'a Kea Foundation to develop the Sunrise Farm Community and rally support in a series of creative brainstorming exercises in what is known to planners as a "charrette". The intensive weekend session was the latest event for a project that has been in the planning stages for the last 2-3 years. The Foundation hopes to break ground in 2008 at the 12 acre site above Pa'ia which has been leased from the County of Maui for development.

The charrette was the first opportunity for Sunrise Farm's emerging "dream team" of community designers, some of whom traveled from the mainland and Oahu, to meet on Maui. The group includes a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified master planner, a team of "green" architects, experts in building for people with disabilities, a Hawaiian culture and history advisor, an innovator of alternative education, and a permaculture guru. Many of these professionals are offering their services free of charge to La'a Kea, which is still planning its fundraising campaign.

In addition to the La'a Kea Foundation Board and the Sunrise Farm Design Team, community members were also welcomed to the event. A few adults with special needs and experienced local caregivers attended the charrette and shared a perspective as potential residents. Other community members shared ideas of how to integrate the Sunrise Farm community with surrounding communities of Pa'ia and Maui County.

Sunrise Farm is modeled after the Camphill Village model of biodynamic farming and equitable community living designed specifically for the special needs community which is founded on the principle that spirit can be nurtured though creative expression and meaningful work. According to Rodgers there is a great need for housing for developmentally disabled and mentally retarded adults on Maui. Out of an estimated 400 special needs people who would qualify to live at Sunrise Farms on Maui, the facility will only be able to house between 25 and 30 special needs residents and about 25 live-in staff members. Designers hope that as the project gains momentum, it will become a humane model for other special needs communities.

To donate to La'a Kea or become involved in the project, visit the website at www.laakea.org or call them at 808-281-3463.

(read original article here)