Renovation of the earthquake-damaged Mauna Kea Beach Hotel won the third annual People's Choice Award as part of the 51st annual design awards competition by the American Institute of Architects Honolulu Chapter.

The winning project was designed by architect John Hara, principal of John Hara Associates Inc. More than 500 votes were cast in the online competition that allowed the general public to choose their favorite among 32 entries.

AIA Honolulu judges presented two awards of excellence this year, to architect John Ida of Urban Works Inc. for the Honolulu Zoo Learning Center, and to architect Gregory Warner of Walker Warner Architects for an entry titled Kamuela-area residence.

Awards of merit were presented for the Sacred Hearts Academy Performing Arts Building by architect Lorrin Matsunaga of Urban Works Inc.; the Ka'upulehu Beach Club, Phase 1, by architect Mark de Reus of de Reus Architects; for the Kilauea-area residence submitted by architect Anthony De Jesus of De Jesus Architecture & Design; and the Na Manu Eha residence by architect Peter N. Vincent of Peter Vincent Architects.

Unbuilt Awards, recognizing currently unfinished projects or theoretical work, were presented for the Zero Energy Relocatable Classroom by architect Brent Sumida of Sumida Anderson Anderson LLC, and for the Punahou School K-1 Neighborhood Project by architect Lorrin Matsunaga of Urban Works.

The latter project also won special recognition as recipient of the Mayor's Choice Award: A Vision for a 21st Century Ahupua'a.

Additionally, the Jack C. Lipman AIA Members' Choice Award was presented for the Kamuela-area residence by Gregory Warner of Walker Warner Architects.