Palms Hawaii Architecture

Palmer Hafdahl
AIA
Owner/Architect

As a principal and founder of Palms Hawaii Architecture Palmer cares for the environments that nurture our shared gift of life. He loves the hope in freedom of commonwealth and enjoys the personal liberty that living two miles from work provides. He is happy to say our office is on the same block and a walk to the Bank, Post Office and County Building. Dedicated to the team and projects we share, Palmer is always looking forward to improving our professional service.

Palmer was raised and learned to work in the construction trades. Upon graduating from California Polytechnic he designed and built on the Central Coast of California with his long time mentor. He purchased one of the first Windsurfing franchise and help developed the sport that brought him to Hawaii in 1976. That passion for windsurfing and architecture made Hawaii the perfect home. Moving in professional development from Oahu to Lanai and finally on Kauai, where standing in the eye of Hurricane Iniki focused his commitment to the community.

In the aftermath of Iniki, Palmer joined the FEMA Office of Emergency Permitting to advance reconstruction of a devastated Kauai. Kauai has been home since 1992.

Licensed Architect: State(s) of Hawaii, Colorado and California
Bachelor’s Degree (1973) and Post Graduate (1986) in Architecture from California. Polytechnic State University

Jonathan Lucas
AIA
Licensed Architect

Jon’s passion for art and life lead him to Kauai in 2001. He has over 15 years of architectural experience and prior to joining Palm’s Hawaii Architecture in 2013 Jon was sole proprietor of Lucas Design Services LLC. Jon celebrated professional licensure in the State of Hawaii, Fall of 2019. He is also a Lecturer at Kauai Community College in the Trade Technology division and Construction Academy. He is also an active surfer that advocates for a food and energy independent state.

Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts in Architecture – Savannah College of Art & Design
Minor in Electronic Design– Savannah College of Art & Design
Master’s Degree of Architecture – Savannah College of Art & Design

Coren Metcalf
Project Architect

Coren is a recent graduate of the Environmental Design Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Raised on the island, Kauai has always inspired and spurred a sense of curiosity in Coren. The sense of community and interplay of nature in people's lives have been long held values of Kauai that Coren hopes to enhance through design. As a self described "nature-enthusiast," you will likely find Coren surfing, hiking, or running with his family in his free time.

Bachelor's Degree of Environmental Design -- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts -- Kauaʻi Community College

Raisa Carlos
LEED GA
Architectural Designer

Raised on Kauaʻi, Raisa’s interests and passion naturally grew sensitive to the environmental and cultural welfare of Hawaiʻi and its people. Her mixed plate of roots, recent three-year residency in Germany, and off-island travels further extended that care to the rest of the world.

She is predisposed in wanting to know a bit about every trade and wants to concentrate in environmental and interior designs to find the harmonious balance in beauty and sustainability.

She loves creating, gardening, antiquing, exploring, talking stories with her dad, and bragging about Hawaiʻi.

Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture (2016) – University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Gale Gillespie
Executive Office Administrator

Gale Gillespie serves as the Executive Office Administrator, bringing a heart for service, organization, and excellence in supporting daily operations and team collaboration. She is known for her thoughtful, steady presence and her commitment to creating a well-run, people-centered environment.

Born and raised in Queens, New York, Gale developed an early appreciation for architecture and history, inspired by the rich diversity, iconic structures, and layered stories of the city. In 2023, she moved to Kauaʻi, where she embraces island country living while continuing to value the connection between people, place, and the built environment. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Hebraic Theology, reflecting her deep passion for faith, leadership, and continued growth.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 37 years, her family, and being in nature. She especially loves gardening and creating peaceful, welcoming spaces.

Licensed Minister
Theology Minister’s Degree – Mount Olive Bible Institute
Certified Executive Office Administrator – Fresh Skills Workforce Education

Talia Young
Structural Designer

Raised by an aspiring architect and a General Contractor, Talia has grown up in the Kaua'i construction industry. Her inherent/inherited interests in design and construction, along with an affinity for mathematics, led Talia to engineering. Building on her background in Structural Engineering, Talia is currently pursing a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering at John Hopkins University. Talia hopes to use her knowledge to become a meaningful contributor to Kauai's ever-growing built environment.

During her intellectual pursuits in San Diego, Talia participated in the intercollegiate sports of sand volleyball and surfing. In her free time, you can find Talia at the beach enjoying these hobbies.

B.S. Structural Engineering (2023) -- University of California San Diego

Tom Knapp
AIA, LEED AP
Architect

Tom has over forty years of experience in the design, construction, and project management of construction project ranging from single- and multi-family residential, schools, campuses, parks, office buildings, shopping centers, historic restorations, and adaptive re-use to highly specialized facilities such as space exploration launch complexes, satellite communication ground facilities, hospitals, laboratories, and museums.
He is now enjoying living on Kauaʻi while still practicing Architecture.

Licensed Architect: State(s) of California, Hawaiʻi, and Florida
LEED 2.0 Accredited Professional, USGBC
Bachelor of Architecture (1972) – California Polytechnic State University

pH-EV
Smart Electric

PHev has been a supporting member of the Palms Hawaii Architecture team since August of 2014. She serves to cheer our company travels and complement our environmental responsibilities. Palms Hawaii Architecture recognizes the advantage of clean electric vehicles in a "smarter" built environment.