Sue's Qualifications & Affiliations

• BS Iowa State University; Interior Design

• US Green Building Council

• LEED AP: LEED Accredited Professional

• NCIDQ National Council for Interior Design Qualification

• Professional Member, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)

• Past President ASID Hawai’i Chapter

• Past ASID National Director

• Former Member of State Commissions
      - Commemorative Quarter Commission
      - CQIC for Department of Human Services

Sue seemed destined to become an Interior Designer as early as 5 years old, when she began rearranging furnishings in her dollhouse!

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in interior design, she began working on her career in earnest by working at a large hospitality design firm in Honolulu, where her first job was as Assistant Interior Designer for the SS Independence cruise ship. For this project Sue designed some of the interior spaces, and also followed the ship to dry dock to oversee its renovation. She eventually moved on to creating interiors for guestrooms, corridors and public spaces in many of the well-known brand hotel properties:  Sheraton, Hilton, and more regional locations such as the Kapalua Bay Hotel and Mauna Lani Resort..

In 1991 Sue moved to Hawai’i Island and started Trans-Pacific Design, an interior design firm specializing in Hospitality and Residential design.

When the green design trend started, Sue studied with the US Green Building Council to take and pass the accreditation for the New Construction and Major Renovation Division to earn the LEED AP designation (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design Accredited Professional). 

Taking care in creating healthy and sustainable interiors is a high priority for Sue, and she continues research in this area with continuing education classes such as the ASID REGREEN program and by joining the Sustainable Furnishings Council. Sue is a firm believer that while selecting beautiful finishes and creating a sense of place are important, the source of the materials, their construction and even the adhesives used for the install are critical in ensuring a truly healthy and sustainable interior.

A current member and former chapter president and national board member of the American Society of Interior Designers, Sue’s design work in the Kohala Coast resorts and residences, on Hawai’i Island , and in other areas of the state has received dozens of awards; it has also been featured in numerous magazine articles.

In addition to her work in interior design and as Principal Owner of Trans-Pacific Design, Sue is also a Partner supporting the Estate Services division of HomesGroup-Hawai‘i, a State of Hawai’i sustainable business that provides a variety of monthly home overview and service programs, including home visits to second home owners when they are away.

Shawn Moynahan was raised on the island of O’ahu.  Her father’s family moved to Hawaii from California in the early 1900s. After graduating from Punahou School, she pursued her higher education on the mainland.  Where she received her Bachelors of Science in Design from Arizona State University School of Architecture.  After completing her degree she returned home to Hawaii where she started her career on O’ahu in multiple markets of commercial design such as healthcare, corporate, and retail design.  After working 11 years with a Honolulu-based Interior Architecture firm she moved to the island of Lanai.  With this move, her career took a turn to high-end residential and hospitality design.  When she returned to O’ahu she continued her work in residential, hospitality, corporate, and healthcare design.  She is currently based on the island of O’ahu but spends a great deal of time on Hawaii Island where her mother, brother, and uncle live.

Shawn’s work has not only been within the Hawaiian islands.  She has also done design work in McMurdo Station in Antarctica, New York State, Delaware, Florida, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam.  

She has been honored to be apart of design teams that have received awards from both the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the Historic Hawaii Foundation.  Additionally, she is flattered to have a project featured in the book Hawai’i: A Sense of Place: Island Interior Design by Mary Philpotts McGrath and Kaui Philpotts.

In her spare time, Shawn enjoys working in ceramics, hiking, paddling, and cooking with family and friends.  She is also active with Hawaii Potters Guild on their Board as Co-Chair of Exhibits and on their Long Range Planning Committee.  In addition, she is on the Board of IIDA Hawaii Pacific Chapter as the Vice President of Professional Development.

The Trans-Pacific Design Difference

Our full-service interior design firm will work with you and your architect and/or contractor every step of the way to make sure the end result is what we have envisioned. We connect with the client and architect on the selections and specifications for all interior finishes, appliances & equipment, plumbing fixtures & fittings, lighting and bath accessories.

Trans-Pacific Design maintains strong local ties and a firm commitment to our island neighbors. Through donations of time and money and a firm resolve to support green and sustainable design, we give back to our community by respecting our beautiful environment and supporting local non-profit activities.

We keep on top of the latest interior design trends and competencies through continuing education programs and accreditation compliance requirements with professional industry organizations. 

Trans-Pacific Design takes great pride in our community and the local connections and know-how we've accumulated through years of respected work and community service. 

• We source from all over the world and focus on local sources whenever possible

• We live and work on Hawai’i Island and bring a vast number of years and variety of interiors experience to each new project

• We have many business relationships with vendors that provide us with favorable pricing.

• We have the knowledge to navigate the freight and install challenges of living on an island.

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Watch a video from a realtor we work with:

TPD Qualifications & Affiliations

• Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer

• Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce
      Sust-Aina-bility Committee

• Make-A-Wish Hawai’i, Project Designer

• Supporting local artisans

• Member; Sustainable Furnishings Council