Project: What It Means To Be A Stream: resurrecting channelized streams, community, and resiliency on O’ahu
Student: Jay Moorman, DArch, MLA
Course: Spring 2021 ARCH 764 Capstone Studio: Research & Design
Capstone committee: Simon Bussiere (chair), Phoebe White, Karla Sierralta

This project is a two-part consideration of a current challenge. Through research and design, Jay Moorman sought to answer the question: “How do we optimize stream geomorphology, hydrology, and ecology to stimulate community and resiliency in the face of climate change and sea level rise?” The core principles of the project are streams, community, and resiliency. Streams of O’ahu, once valued as a life-sustaining resource, have been conscripted for storm water conveyance and mutilated to increase land available for development and to protect property. Resurrecting channelized, urban streams will re-invigorate community connection to fresh water resources and foster resiliency.
This design research project studied a specific community, Hau’ula, through outreach and mapping to validate conclusions. In his work, Jay envisions a stream-centric community common to replace the concrete-lined scar disconnected from people and place. He considered individual stakeholders and mini sites, and designed interventions that resurrect Waipuhi Stream and increase its capacity to absorb climate change-related shock events and sea level rise-related chronic flooding.