TechHui

Hawaiʻi's Technology Community

A former gallery space in Chinatown? A peaceful cottage in Manoa Valley? An office in the heart of the financial district? When you close your eyes and think of an open, friendly, shared headquarters for creators and developers, what does it look like?

After talking with Burt and Todd years ago, and Patrick most recently, and seeing Manoa Geeks grow and TechHui thrive, I've started to imagine it could happen. I've even named an imaginary coworking spot Lumihana -- "working space."

So tell me... what do you see?

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Ideally, a coworking space would provide a choice of wired or wireless Internet access, reasonably priced refreshments, and comfortable furniture and air conditioning.

To really make my day, there would be a managed-switch that defaults to "Internet Only" access on all ports. I don't want to have to worry about some punk in the next cube over who's intentionally sniffing network traffic or scanning ports; or is unintentionally spreading the latest worm throughout the Coworking space.

And since it's a managed switch, it should be easy to have several ports grouped a private network so participating machines can gain peer-to-peer access to each other.

I'd be OK with a "Gym Membership" type arrangement for casual/freelancers who'd pop in with a laptop at odd hours or random basis; with a "VIP Arrangement" for anyone who needs a dedicated, reserved station with maybe a locking filing cabinet or an on-site locker (with security camera!)

Just a thought. I love the idea, and I'm looking forward to trying out any new coworking spaces as they come up.
Unless i missed it I've seen no mention of the Manoa Innovation Center (MIC). A virtual membership is $100 / month and gives access to conference rooms and many other services. I very much feel like i get my money's worth.
ken
Ken, do you take your laptop to MIC and spend hours there doing work? Is there a community office space available?

I'm curious as to whether your membership includes a "Mailing address and mailbox at Manoa Innovation (MIC)".

How many hours of conference room time do you get?

Also, would they let you borrow an LCD projector?
short answer as my arm is in a sling and i am typing one handed:
yes limited amount of time in conf rooms, don't recall how much.
no shared space but i bet one could be created - nice service to add
yes i have taken my laptop and done work on their wifi
yes a mailbox and address
plus many other services and much networking
of course cheap office space for those who move beyond virtual membership
don't know about projector we broke down and bought our own, they are pretty cheap noe

ken


Truman Leung said:
Ken, do you take your laptop to MIC and spend hours there doing work? Is there a community office space available?
I'm curious as to whether your membership includes a "Mailing address and mailbox at Manoa Innovation (MIC)".
How many hours of conference room time do you get?

Also, would they let you borrow an LCD projector?
Thanks, Ken. Maybe virtual members can crowd into the lunchroom! Anyone want to give it a try? It almost always seems empty. Maybe the normal MIC occupants wouldn't like it.

Or a group of virtual members can create a hui and rotate reserving the conference rooms for 4 hour coworking time several days per week. This might be a good idea to see if there is a market for a formal coworking space.
I think thats a great idea. We were members of the Virtual Incubation Program before we became tenants. Its great to have access to the conference rooms when you need to meet with customers, and having a proper business address is always nice. You can even use HTDC facility conference rooms on other islands. We have taken advantage of this several times for customers located on or visiting neighbor islands. Finally, if you want to move in when the building is full you get bumped to the top of the waiting list.

Manoa is a fantastic place to work. There is no traffic, plenty of free parking, beautiful views and a lot of nice lunch spots within walking distance. If you work with students or profs they can take the shuttle bus from MIC to the UH campus.
Or a group of virtual members can create a hui and rotate reserving the conference rooms for 4 hour coworking time several days per week. This might be a good idea to see if there is a market for a formal coworking space.
As an Internet developer, here is what I imagine could be a good fit for me:
- must be quiet and respectful
- wired and wireless internet access
- have meeting rooms with projectors, white boards, etc.. (ability to reserve one)
- public printer, scanner, copier
- comfortable couches, coffee tables, etc..
- advanced lighting arrangements
- a number of different lounges
- food not allowed (food smell is distracting)
- no alcohol
- drinks/coffee ok
- ambient atmosphere, possibly light music
- have coffee, tea, basic nutritious snacks/fruit on premises
- available 24/7
- bicycle rack, safe parking
- well ventilated and air conditioned
- clean
- easy access to bathrooms
- organized in a way that makes it easy to work in groups
- access to changing room, shower
- storage space or a personal locker
- have green plants, an aquarium, open views, pleasant interior, etc..
- outside access to a balcony or a garden with a fountain :)
- central location (easy to get to)

A number of locations like this around the islands could be a great way to start!

Thanx for asking.. :)

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