Brainstorming sessions over dozens of lunches and often between jobs have generated thousands of ideas, but some basic elements come up more often than others. At last rough sketch, things looked like this:

• Located in a business district — ideally the artsier, college-ier blocks in Honolulu’s Chinatown. Vibrant, energetic, accessible via public transportation.
• About 1,000 square feet of retail space with street frontage, plenty of light, and geek-friendly infrastructure.
• Configurable layout to allow use as coworking space, conventional meeting space, classroom or lecture space, or performance space.
• Monthly rent of about $2-$4 per square foot, working out to about $3,000 per month base. Of course insurance, taxes, and other expenses will also be a factor.
• A small number of charter members or partners at $200-$300 per month for dedicated or preferred workspaces.
• A larger number of “members” for workspace, network, and equipment access at $100 per month.
• Drop-ins accommodated for a modest fee or voluntary contribution.
• Rental rates for meetings, events, presentations and performances.
• Cafe amenities (food and drink) could generate revenue but also complicate things considerably.
• Space, infrastructure or equipment sponsorships, government grants and subsidies welcome!

Can’t you see it in your head? A shiny oasis of comfort and collaboration nestled between an art gallery and a coffee shop, where you can spend the whole day writing or just stop by between classes to answer email.  Take the bus down, work and converse, then head out to a nightclub or arts festival.  Who needs Starbucks?