In case you haven’t noticed, Impact Hub HNL has a couple truly unique additions to the space that came from some of our most creative members. Evan Collier’s company ARCH Hawaii, along with his team including Impact Hub members Micah Thrasher and Lealyn Papaya, designed and fabricated our new phone booths to provide an attractive and fun solution for a well-known coworking challenge.
Aligned with our commitment to sustainability, ARCH created the booths from mostly reclaimed wood from Re-Use Hawaii, repurposed polycarbonate from our existing office walls, and other found items. Other recent projects include creating jumbo sized harps for a beach wedding altar in Ko’Olina, brand activation displays for major brands such as Beats by Dre, 40-foot train car facades for an event in Maui, and upscale furniture pieces for commercial designers.
On his first visit to Oahu in 2015, Evan saw that there was not an inclusive design and fabrication shop on island. Whether it’s a six-foot-tall set of illuminated letters for your event or a professional, cutting-edge display for your shop, you would likely need to build it yourself, work with a local general contractor, or have it built overseas and shipped over.
But Evan knew his company, ARCH NYC, could help solve some of these challenges – and it allowed him to stay on the island after realizing his love for the ocean and the Aloha spirit. Thus, ARCH Hawaii started as a sister studio to his thriving NYC shop.
Evan teamed up with Rick Schneider, local business owner of Events International (EI), a full service event company established in 1987. Partnering helped him utilize existing office and warehouse space, combine production and bookkeeping staff, business networks, and the experience and expertise of an on-island part. Many of EI’s clients want to display large structures or custom items that can’t be found in stores, so the partnership made sense.
Evan says a good piece of advice for budding entrepreneurs is, “to find an established business that will take you under their wing. If you can find the right fit, it’s a creative way to leverage each other and operate symbiotically.”
Currently, Evan leads a small dedicated staff in Hawaii consisting of two designers, two fabricators and one sales person, but organically grows using their network of local artists and makers when bigger jobs require more man power. The team operates as a family and Evan regularly promotes health and positivity in the workplace, being mindful that a successful and vibrant company can only be lead by successful and vibrant employees.
ARCH’s Lead Designer & Project Manager Micah Thrasher, a Hawaii native, holds a doctorate in Architecture Design from the University of Hawaii and runs the show while Evan is back in NYC or selling and bidding on projects here around the state. The two started as friends and then learned they both had a vision of building beautiful and sustainable creative projects for Hawaii.
As a young company, ARCH’s main focus is learning about local organizations that may need their help. They are looking to present their work to architects, theaters, dance companies, retail shops, event companies, designers, and anyone who needs a small or large creative build project brought to life. If that’s you or someone you know, please reach out and say hello to ARCH Hawaii. Find out more on their website and follow them on Instagram.
***Update: This event has been rescheduled to Friday, 9/28 due to Hurricane Lane. Tickets for this event will be valid for the new date.
Most of you know Anne as the person that keeps Impact Hub HNL running smoothly on a daily basis, but she is also a writer and educator. Anne was a state teacher fellow and she serves on the 
