Breaking the ground for a new Wing at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies

 

HONOLULU — A new addition to the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies will soon be a reality as APCSS broke ground for an additional learning-center wing in a ceremony held here Thursday.    

Senator Daniel Inouye, a founding father of the Center, along with Senator Daniel Akaka, APCSS Director Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ed Smith participated in the ceremony. The Reverend William Hi‘iakaikapoliopele Kaina blessed the project and the “Aina” where it is being built.   

Major construction activity for the $12.7 million expansion project, awarded to Sumo-Nan JV II LLC of Honolulu by the Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District, is estimated to be completed in April 2012. The Corps is leading the project management team for the Center. The construction project will add a 10,000 square ft. single story building to serve as a state-of-the-art Information Integration Learning Laboratory that includes a 108-person plenary space, six seminar rooms, audio-visual and computer server rooms, required ancillary spaces, and an ethno-botanical garden.   

  According to Smith, ‘the integrating concept behind the design of our new wing is a place where focused critical thinking, analyses of facts surrounding a range complex security challenges comprehensive security policy conceptualization, and various decision-aids all coalesce to help security practitioners practice collaboration and cooperation for the common good.”   

The project also calls for a U.S. Green Building council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design “LEED” rating system rating of “Silver” or better, according to the Army Corps of Engineers.    

It is a model for sustainability and sustainable design through: energy (>30% reduction in energy use over current construction; water (high efficiency fixtures); maintenance (ease and lower impact on the environment); materials (renewable, sustainable, and recycled materials); and preserving and enhancing green space (xeriscaping, 50% reduction in water use, and ethno-botanical garden with native and indigenous plants).     

The groundbreaking ceremony took place during the commemoration for APCSS’ 15th Anniversary and official welcoming for Ambassador (Ret.) Lauren Kahea Moriarty, APCSS’ new academic dean. Established by U.S. Pacific Command on September 4, 1995, the Center was first located in the Waikiki Trade Center. It moved into its current facilities at Ft. DeRussy in June 2000.   

The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is a Department of Defense academic institute that addresses regional and global security issues.  Uniformed and civilian representatives of the U.S. and Asia-Pacific nations participate in a comprehensive program of executive education, professional exchanges and outreach events, both in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. APCSS’ mission is to educate, connect, and empower security practitioners to advance Asia-Pacific security.   

Since opening in 1995, APCSS has had representatives from 96 countries, territories and international organizations attend courses at the Center for a total of 5,174 alumni. In addition, more than 8,000 participants have attended APCSS conferences, workshops and regional seminars. 

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