Gordon Karau

As the Director of Planning and Capital Projects, Gordon oversees all facilities and construction initiatives for Namahana School’s campus. 

A third generation construction professional, Gordon combines a rare blend of boots-on-the-ground experience, financial acumen, creative vision, and a deep network of local industry relationships. He holds a Bachelor's in Environmental Design, a Master of Architecture, as well as an MBA in International Real Estate Development that he completed at MIT.

His portfolio spans large-scale resort-residential developments in Hawaiʻi, Costa Rica, Mexico and Western Canada. He began his career 20 years ago in Hawaiʻi with two of the State’s leading architecture firms, WCIT and DeReus Architects, before transitioning into development at Kukuiʻula, where he managed a full spectrum of vertical development activities. More recently, he served as the Director of Real Estate Development for the $60M "Epicenter for Food Innovation" at Common Ground on the North Shore of Kauai, and the Director of Planning and Product Development at Predator Ridge, Western Canada’s leading resort residential community. 

Gordon’s deep ties to the island’s professional community are built on over a decade of trusted collaboration with local North Shore contractors and partners, including a long-standing relationship with the team at Noho.

His commitment to Namahana is fueled by a belief that when practiced at their finest level, architecture and development combine to give tangible expression to the highest values of our civilization. In that light, Namahana School will create a legacy for the North Shore, and Kauaʻi, that will continue to be enjoyed for generations.  

An avid surfer and dual citizen who speaks multiple languages, Gordon is thrilled to be back on the North Shore, and will work to ensure Namahana’s facilities will uplift the community and future generations.