LIKA is the story of how a notorious invasive tree species is transformed into a space of sanctuary. Hawaiian for Lisa, Lika was named in memory of D.Arch graduate Joseph Valenti's mother. It is the first ever albizia wood structure and was built on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus. In pioneering the prototype, Valenti has developed a pathway to sourcing timber locally, restoring native ecosystems, and designing for future island resilience.