Building Industry Hawaii - December 2020

DECEMBER 2020/$5.00

BRAVE

LEADERSHIP CEO Jess Leorna, President-elect Beau Nobmann are poised to shepherd BIA-Hawaii into the uncertainties of 2021

HEAVY EQUIPMENT MAKES LIGHT WORK GUAM MILITARY CONSTRUCTION MOSS’ THE ELEMENT

E

veryday across the Hawaiian Islands, hundreds of our hardworking employees make their way to our lumber yards, treating plant, truss manufacturing facilities and electrical supply offices and warehouses.

They provide technical expertise on our many quality brands and bring “top notch� service to our customers and friends.

This Holiday Season we pause to say thank you to our loyal customers.

Our best wishes for a prosperous and robust New Year filled with business opportunities.

www.honsador.com

www.honsador.com

IMAGES COURTESY ANDY PRICE AND JO NAYLOR/FLICKR

Mahalo!

COFFEE BREAK HAWAII Publisher AMANDA CANADA Editor DAVID PUTNAM Associate Editors BRETT ALEXANDER-ESTES PRISCILLA PÉREZ BILLIG Senior Advertising Director BARRY REDMAYNE Senior Account Executives DAVID KANYUCK JENNIFER DORMAN Advertising Coordinator LORRAINE CABANERO Lead Art Director URSULA A. SILVA Art Director JONATHAN TANJI Graphic Designer DUSTIN KODA Circulation Manager CHELSE TAKAHASHI Press Manager ABE POPA Press Operator DEAN ONISHI Bindery Operator AUSTIN POPA

Copyright 2020 with all rights reserved.

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Best Guess for ’21?

As a calamitous 2020 limps to a welcomed end, we are hopeful for a healthier, more profitable 2021 for all of Hawaii, its people and its economic drivers. Fortunately—especially for readers of BIH— the Islands’ construction industry fared better this year than other business sectors in dealing with the frustrating uncertainties of the COVID-19 outbreak.

What the new year will bring is “a guessing game” at this point in time, says the CEO of the Bergeman Group, a construction management firm.

Dana Bergeman says that “until we have significant progress on a vaccine, keeping COVID-19 at bay on jobsites continues to be a major focus. Containment protocols are working, but they are time-consuming and costly, neither of which were factored for most projects at time of bid.”

The year wasn’t all bad. Government agencies, for example, awarded more than $2.7 billion in contracts through the first 10 months of 2020.

That’s nothing to sneeze at. However, other major elements of Hawaii’s economy crumbled—none worse than tourism, which saw visitor arrivals plummet 97.4 percent through September from a year ago, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. In October, airports reopened to tourists, following pre-testing procedures, and thousands began pouring in daily, mainly to Oahu. Some say that’s good news for the hospitality Dana Bergeman industry; others warn it’s inviting trouble. We’ll see soon enough.

Hawaii’s construction companies maintained a steady backlog of work in 2020, even while exercising an abundance of caution at the jobsite. No industry has done more to support the local economy than builders. According to data from the Associated General Contractors of America in late October, Honolulu’s construction workforce ranks No. 41 among 358 U.S. metro areas the AGC surveyed. Honolulu shows a 3 percent increase with 800 more workers in September than during the previous 12-month period (27,700 vs.

26,900). The Neighbor Islands, however, report 400 fewer workers (4,100 vs. 4,500) during that timeframe, a 9 percent decline, and collectively rank No. 253.

Lance Luke, principal consultant at Construction Management Inspection LLC, says challenges for contractors in 2021 include “higher costs of building materials, more regulations with respect to safety due to COVID-19, higher costs of the Honolulu rail project and a shift in marketing with greater emphasis on social media.”

Says Bergeman: “As we look to 2021, the focus is squarely on the economy. Hawaii is in a particularly vulnerable spot. If there is a vaccine soon, 2021 could be a very busy year as contractors address projects that have been deferred and delayed due to COVID- Lance Luke 19. However, because the construction economy here in Hawaii relies heavily on tourist dollars and government capital improvement projects, 2021 could be grim for workers if those dollars don’t return to enable projects to resume.”

The Bergman Group was among myriad construction-related companies to log a solid year, completing approximately 40 renovation and restoration projects in 2020.

Luke also has had a busy year. “Projects my company worked on in 2020 consisted of mostly renovation projects such as concrete spalling repair, painting, waterproofing, asphalt reconstruction and sealcoating, wood replacement and cast-iron drain piping replacement,” he says. “I also worked on one large townhouse project in Kapolei from the ground up.”

The timing might be ripe for an aggressive business plan.

“Ironically, now is one of the best time periods in years to push forward with projects because construction costs have temporarily stabilized, many buildings are sitting empty, which makes completing improvements easier and less expensive and the cost of borrowing money is at a record low,” Bergeman says.

“These factors should stimulate construction spending. However, like everyone, developers and building owners are waiting to see what’s going to happen, making 2021 a guessing game for everyone.”

New Year’s resolution ideas, anyone?

A hui hou,

david@tradepublishing.com www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 3

CONTENTS

HAWAII Visit us online at www.tradepublishing.com

DECEMBER 2020 VOL. 63 NUMBER 12

12

20

26

58

Features

News Beat

51 NAVFAC Hawaii Honors Engineers of the Year

3

Coffee Break: David Putnam

8

Kiewit Lands KCT Project Worth $352M

Best guess for ’21?

After 10 months, agency contract awards more than $2.7 billion

12 Rolling in The Element

Spotlight on Success: Moss Construction

20 Guam MILCON Reaches $1.2B

Massive military construction buildup will extend through 2025

26 Top Guns

Today’s heavy equipment makes light work of Hawaii’s toughest jobs

50 AHL, Okland to Construct BYUH Building 51 Henderson to Redesign Kaimana Beach Hotel 52 GCA Urges Members to Weigh In on Landfill Law 52 Hawaiian Cement Delivers Compassion Kits 53 2 Big Island Sort Stations Accepting C&D Waste

Departments 6 Datebook 8 Contracts Awarded 9 Low Bids 54 News Makers 57 New Products

39 Inside BIA-Hawaii:

Taking Aim at a ‘Bottleneck’

In 2021, the trade association will focus on the Islands’ permitting process and support builders through COVID-19

46 Inside BIA-Hawaii: In Her Sights

Jess Leorna, CEO and archery enthusiast, targets the Islands’ construction challenges

56 New Product Profile: BrightScan

Manoa-based tech company designs thermal

On the Cover BIA-Hawaii CEO Jess Leorna and 2021President Beau Nobmann Photo by Anjj Lee Design by Ursula A. Silva

BRAVE

LEADERSHIP CEO Jess Leorna, President-elect Beau Nobmann poised to shepherd BIA-Hawaii into the uncertainties of 2021

+

HEAVY EQUIPMENT MAKES LIGHT WORK GUAM MILITARY CONSTRUCTION MOSS’ THE ELEMENT

temperature scanner for the jobsite and the office

58 Project Profile:

Nordic Builds the Dream Incubator

DECEMBER 2020/$5.00

Entrepreneurs Sandbox aims to accelerate technology and innovation

4 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

COMING IN JANUARY

Building Industry Hawaii will bring you the latest on Military and Pacific Region Construction along with Top Projects and a report on Infrastructure projects across the Islands.

TRUSTED PARTNERSHIPS INTEGRITY • SOLUTIONS • SERVICES

(808) 871-4787 www.aritapoulson.com Lic. #BC-13759

DATEBOOK | Upcoming Classes, Events & More If you’d like your organization’s event to be considered for Datebook, contact brett@tradepublishing.com a minimum of two months prior to your event.

Editor’s note: Due to the continuing developments surrounding COVID-19 in Hawaii, some scheduled events and activities have been canceled, postponed or, as of press time, were unconfirmed.

DECEMBER 1

DECEMBER 1

HAPI Shorts (Ongoing)

Electrician 240 Class

Presented by the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. Hawaii Chapter (ABC Hawaii). Meets HRS section 448E-5(b) requirements. The class for the coming year is now open for enrollment. Email Ken@abchawaii. org for an application packet.

DECEMBER 1

AIA Center for Architecture Programs (Tentative) Until further notice, programs at the American Institute of Architects Honolulu Chapter’s Center for Architecture are restricted. A limited number of programs and events are available online. For information on the latest available programs, visit aiahonolulu.org.

Virtual sessions by industry professionals presented each week during lunch hour by the Hawaii Asphalt Paving Industry (HAPI). 20to 30-minute sessions are followed by questions and answers. December sessions: Smoothness 101 (2nd); GPR for In-Place Density Monitoring (9th); Intro to Stone Matrix Asphalt (16th). Go to hawaiiasphalt.org/ education/hapi-shorts/ for more information. Free.

DECEMBER 1

NAHB CAPS II – Design Concepts for Livable Homes and Aging In Place – Online Class

Presented by the Building Industry Association of Hawaii (BIA-Hawaii).

8 a.m.-4 p.m. Zoom virtual training. To register and for more infor-

Trusted for more than 50 years in Hawaii

mation: biahawaii.org or contact Barbara Nishikawa at 629-7505 or BLN@biahawaii.org. Fee: BIA-Hawaii members $230; non-members $300.

DECEMBER 2

NAHB CAPS III – Details & Solutions for Livable Homes and Aging in Place – Online Class

Presented by BIA-Hawaii. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Zoom virtual training. To register and for more information: biahawaii. org or contact Barbara Nishikawa at 629-7505 or BLN@biahawaii.org.

Fee: BIA-Hawaii members $230; nonmembers $300.

DECEMBER 14, 16, 17, 21, 23

40-Hour Safety Hazard Awareness Training for Contractors (5-Day)

Presented by BIA-Hawaii. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (daily). BIA-Hawaii, 94-487 Akoki St., Waipahu. To register and

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Call Us Today for Your Free Consultation (808) 349-9076

for more information: biahawaii. org or contact Barbara Nishikawa at 629-7505 or BLN@biahawaii.org.

Fee: BIA members $450; non-members $575; ETF $287.50.

JANUARY 9, 16, 23

AGC’s STP Unit 6 | Risk Management and Problem Solving (2015 Edition)

Presented by the General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA of Hawaii). 7:30-11:30 a.m. (daily). Instructor: Kristi Koga. Zoom videoconference. For more information and to register by Dec. 24: gcahawaii. org, or contact Gladys Hagemann at gladys@gcahawaii.org. Fee: GCA members $295; non-members $395.

When Quality Counts and Service Matters.

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JANUARY 11

Respirable Crystalline Silica Competent Person Level Course (4-Hour) - General Industry/ Construction - Online Webinar

Presented by Lawson & Associates via Zoom, 7-11 a.m. Register at lawsonassociatesinc.thundertix. com/events/178119. Email response contains link to webinar. For more information, go to info@lawsonsafety. com, lawsonsafety.com or contact Lawson at 441-5333. Fee: $99 plus tax and registration/online ticketing fee.

Oahu (808) 832-9245 • Maui (808) 877-5068 2344 Pahounui Drive • Honolulu, HI 96819 • www.hcdhawaii.com

JANUARY 13-15

2021 AGC Construction Safety & Health Virtual Conference

GCA of Hawaii has reduced attendance fees for AGC’s first virtual annual safety conference. Conference registration allows access to recorded content not viewed during the threeday webcast. Register at gcahawaii.org or na.eventscloud.com.

AVAILABLE NOW!

JANUARY 15

Orientation: ABC Hawaii 2021 Apprenticeship Programs

Apply to attend orientation classes for ABC Hawaii’s 2021 state-approved apprenticeship programs in carpentry, electrical, painting, plumbing and roofing. Orientation classes available from February to June; apprenticeship programs start in August. To apply and for more information: Ken Wilson at 845-4887 or ken@abchawaii.org.

AERIAL SURVEY GRADE LIDAR AND MULTIARRAY 3D IMAGING. APPROVED BY DOD/ACE FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE AND CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS 8th Axis Industrial LLC PO Box 235951 Honolulu, HI 96823 808.397.7907 the8thaxis.com @the8thaxis

www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 7

CONTRACTS AWARDED

Kiewit Lands KCT Project Worth $352M

0

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

Oahu

Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. ... $352,498,080 New Kapalama Container Terminal Wharf and Dredging, Honolulu Harbor

Maui Kupuno Builders LLC dba Manu Builders LLC..................... 23,237,081

Nan Inc. .............................................. 75,527,000

Kamehameha Highway, Kamananui Road and Wilikina Drive Rehabilitation, Vicinity of Weed Circle to H-2

Nan Inc. ............................................... 30,867,340

Repair Building 503A, Fort Shafter

S&M Sakamoto Inc. .......................... 27,973,600

Women’s Community Correctional Center, Hookipa Makai Cottage Renovation

Hawaii State Veterans Home

Repair Building 502, Fort Shafter

Waipahu High School, New Classroom Building

Hensel Phelps Construction............. 22,455,000 S&M Sakamoto Inc. .............................4,059,000

OCTOBER'S TOP 10 CONTRACTORS

1. Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. (1) ..................................... $352,498,080 2. Nan Inc. (3) .......................................................................... 114,736,624 3. S&M Sakamoto Inc. (2) ......................................................... 32,032,600 4. Maui Kupuno Builders LLC dba Manu Builders LLC (1) ....... 23,237,081 5. Hensel Phelps Construction (1) .............................................. 22,455,000 6. Healy Tibbitts Builders Inc. (1) .............................................. 16,729,460 7. Castaway Construction & Restoration LLC (1) ....................... 9,540,980 8. American Marine Corp. (1) ..................................................... 6,658,750 9. Prometheus Construction (2) .................................................... 4,376,405 10. Summit Construction Inc. (1) ................................................. 3,508,888

Information is summarized from the Contractors Awarded section of BIDService Weekly, compiled by Research Editor Alfonso R. Rivera.

8 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

January.......................$1,072,379,035 February........................$175,816,281 March..............................$94,085,715 April...............................$197,160,199 May................................$180,918,628 June...............................$204,354,691 July................................$130,898,435 August.............................$82,776,738 September.......................$52,852,545 October..........................$598,136,369 TOTAL..........................$2,789,378,636

JULY

$598,136,369

200,000,000

Sizing Up 2020

$130,898,435

400,000,000

$180,918,628

$175,816,281

600,000,000

$94,085,715

800,000,000

$197,160,199

$1,072,379,035

1,000,000,000

$204,354,691

1,200,000,000

$32,032,600, with $27,973,600 of that amount for a new classroom building at Waipahu High School.

October’s $598,136,369 awards total was the second-highest so far in 2020, trailing only January’s massive $1,072,379,035.

$52,852,545

Nine government agencies handed out jobs to round out October’s impressive amount. In contrast, September delivered the year’s lowest so far, with only $52,852,545 in awards.

Nan Inc. had landed three contracts in October worth $114,736,624. The two largest jobs for Nan involve military projects: $75,527,000 for work at the Hawaii State Veterans Home and $30,867,340 to repair Building 502 at Fort Shafter.

S&M Sakamoto Inc. claimed two projects valued at a combined

$82,776,738

The Department of Transportation awarded contracts valued at $403,216,588 in October, with the lion’s share of $352,498,080 going to Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. for wharf and dredging work at the new Kapalama Container Terminal in Honolulu Harbor.

Adding in October’s total of $598,136,369 in contracts, the tally for 2020, with two months still to count, stands at $2,789,378,636. The 10-month total represents a 397 percent increase over the $560,736,375 awarded during the same timeframe in 2019.

AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

Summit Construction Inc.....................3,508,888 Waimano Ridge, Hale C, Convert Former Dormitories into Office Space

Global Specialty Contractors Inc. ......1,331,637 Waimanalo Reservoir Miscellaneous Improvements

Paul’s Electrical Contracting LLC.......... 907,039 Reef Runway Taxiway Signage Improvements at Daniel K. Inouye International (DKI) Airport

Doonwood Engineering Inc. ................... 766,383 Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Pump Stations, Equipment and Sump Pumps at DKI

MJ Construction Co. ............................... 742,000 Kaala Elementary School, Renovate 2 Relocated Trailers

Brian’s Contracting Inc. ..........................652,000 Farrington High School, Bldg. I and J, Railing Replacement

All Maintenance & Repair....................... 527,000 Kailua Intermediate School, Bldg. F, Stream Academy

MJ Construction Co. ............................... 410,000 Former Honolulu Airport Tower

Prometheus Construction...................... 194,000 Pali Highway, Shotcrete Lower Nuuanu

Contech Engineering Inc. .......................183,888 Demolition of Structures at Leahi Fire Control Station

A’s Mechanical & Builders Inc...............154,500 DOA King Street Facility, Human Resources Office, Replace Packaged Air Conditioning Unit

Hawaii Pacific Solar.................................141,509 Fern Elementary School, Bldg. B, Reroof Entire Building

Fine Builders LLC....................................... 49,450 Kaala Elementary School, Interior and Exterior Reconstruction of Storage Room and Various Areas

Maui

GP Roadway Solutions Inc. ................ 1,230,636 Kula Highway and Piilani Highway, Guardrail and Shoulder Improvements, North Kihei Road to Lipoa Parkway

HI-Built LLC................................................341,538

Isemoto Contracting Co. Ltd. ................. 360,974 DOE Annex Hilo, Miscellaneous R&M FY08-10

Maui Kupuno Builders LLC .....................198,679

Pahala Ballfield Facility, Accessibility Improvements, Kau

Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, Ferry Pier Improvements

Maui Agricultural Research Center, Waterline Replacement, University of Hawaii, Kula

Castaway Construction & Restoration ........................................9,540,980

Hawaii

Prometheus Construction.................. 4,182,405

USDA Inspection Building at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, North Kona

Hana Highway Rockfall Mitigation, MP12, District of Hana, Island of Maui

Civil Defense Storage Building Improvements, South Hilo

Guardrail and Shoulder Improvements, Phase 1, Haliimaile Road (Route 371), Haleakala Highway to Baldwin Avenue, Makawao

Healy Tibbitts Builders Inc. .............. 16,729,460

Inbound Baggage Handling System Improvements Phase 1 at Kahului Airport

International Roofing & Building Construction..........................545,900

Nan Inc. ..................................................8,342,284 HI-Built LLC................................................ 597,500 Naalehu Elementary School, Campus Repaving, Kau

Site Engineering Inc. ...............................336,000

Kauai

American Marine Corp. ........................6,658,750 Port Allen Deep Draft Maintenance Dredging

Paul’s Electrical Contracting LLC.......2,317,700 Traffic Management Center, Island of Kauai

Pacific Blue Construction LLC................568,168 Kapaa High School, Agricultural Learning Center

LOW BIDS The companies below submitted the low bids in October for the work detailed. Submitting the lowest bid is not a guarantee of being awarded the job. However, it is a strong indication of future work, and subcontractors can plan accordingly.

Oahu

Road & Highways Builders ............. $39,777,777 Pali Highway Resurfacing, Vineyard Boulevard to Waokanaka Street

Paul’s Electrical Contracting LLC.......7,697,777 Traffic Signal Modernization Oahu,Phase 1

Henry’s Equipment Rental & Sales Inc. .................................... 497,000

Waipahu Intermediate School, Additional Multi-Purpose Playcourts

Allied Electric............................................445,100 Kamiloiki Elementary School, Replace Fire Alarm System

Titan Industries LLC................................. 405,760 Kaimuki Middle School, Miscellaneous R&M FY16

Pacific Isles Equipment Rentals Inc. ....332,000 Aiea Intermediate School, Miscellaneous R&M FY26, Resurface Basketball Courts

WJ Hale Construction Inc. ..................... 270,481 Waiau Elementary School, Retaining Wall

Quality General Inc. ....................................27,217 Queen Street Extension Sidewalk Repair

AWARDS BY AREA

Oahu .......................$546,185,395 Maui ...........................32,223,698 Hawaii ........................10,182,658 Kauai ............................9,544,618 Total ........................$598,136,369

A&B Electric Co. Inc. .................................17,690 Holomua Elementary School, Remove and Replace 1600 Amps Main Breaker

Maui

HI-Built LLC.......................................... 12,242,245 Iolani Street, Liholani Street and Makani Road, Pavement Reconstruction, Makawao

Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. Inc. .................................................. 4,798,000 Kahana Nui Bridge Replacement, Lahaina

West Maui Construction.......................4,200,779 Transit Hub, Kahului

Sterling Pacific Construction.............. 3,411,434 Lanai Youth Center, County of Maui

Maui Kupuno Builders LLC...................1,905,714 Central Maui District, Maintenance Operation Baseyard, Kahului

Seal Pros LLC............................................ 610,015 Molokai District Resurfacing, FY2020/2021. Molokai

Betsill Bros. .............................................. 574,368 Kahului Fire Station, Apparatus Shelter

Paul’s Electrical Contracting LLC.......... 497,700 Old Haleakala Highway, Traffic Signal Improvements at Pukalani Street, Makawao

Maui Kupuno Builders LLC..................... 491,502 Hana Community Center, Building F, Parking Improvements

Lite Electric.............................................. 405,000 Hana Park Basketball and Tennis Courts Reconstruction, Phase I

Maui Paving LLC....................................... 378,685 East Maui District Resurfacing (FY2020 & FY2021), Piilani Highway, MP 32 to MP 32.75

Global Specialty Contractors Inc. ........ 100,930 Makamakaole Bridge, Guardrail Repairs

Maui Kupuno Builders LLC...................1,570,913

Hawaii

Maui Kupuno Builders LLC...................1,227,330

Mohouli Park,- Outdoor Tennis Court Resurfacing

American Electric Co. Ltd. ..................1,083,272

Kauai

Central, South and West Maui District Resurfacing Wailuku Police Station, Parking Lot Repairs

Light Ordinance Compliance at Various Molokai Sites, Mitchell Pauole Center

West Maui Construction...................... 1,021,481

Site Engineering Inc. ................................ 87,800

Pacific Blue Construction LLC................103,528 Single Family Rehabilitation at 4330 Hardy Street, Apt. 2, Lihue

Haiku Park Restroom

AWARDS BY AGENCY

DOT .........................$403,216,588 DAGS .........................83,659,388 Army ...........................59,981,090 DOE .............................31,612,201 DLNR ...........................16,913,348 Agriculture ...................1,331,637 DPWHI .............................881,900 DOFMA ............................341,538 UH ....................................198,679 Total ........................$598,136,369 www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 9

Congratulations Winners Mokulua High Performance Builder & Peter Vincent Architects Wai’alae Timeless Modern DETAILS - RESIDENTIAL & NEW RESIDENTIAL

Pacific Pool & Spa

| Lagoon 5

OUTDOOR LIVING - RESIDENTIAL

Mark Development | Koa’e Makana Workforce Housing AFFORDABLE MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

Guerin Glass Architects | Ritz-Carlton Residences MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

Windward Cove | Cove Big Island Pond Renovation LANDSCAPING

Armstrong Builders | Kalama Kai AFFORDABLE MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

Gentry Hawaii | Keali’i

NEWLY DEVELOPED COMMUNITY

PETER VINCENT ARCHITECTS The Kobayashi & Kosasa Family Dinning OVERALL GRAND AWARD & COMMERCIAL REMODELING

BIAHAWAII.ORG/BIDCA-WINNERS

AHL | Keahuolu Courthouse

Sandy Lau | Aina Haina

ADU RESIDENTIAL REMODELING

AHL | Straub Medical Center

Kapolei Clinic

NEW COMMERCIAL

DETAILS - COMMERCIAL

Hawaii Modern Architecture & Interior Design

AHL | Kalihi Palama Health Center

Mederios Residence

CONDOMINIUM RESIDENTIAL REMODELING

PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

Moss turned over the first of the 13-building project to Alaka’i Development this month.

12 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS

Moss Rolls in

THE ELEMENT GC turns over the first of a 13-building residential project for Alaka‘i Development

BY DAVID PUTNAM PHOTOS COURTESY MOSS CONSTRUCTION

R

ight across from the University of Hawaii – West Oahu rail station on Kualakai Parkway, general contractor Moss Construction is nearing completion on The Element for Alaka‘i Development.

www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 13

SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS As one of the earliest transitoriented developments in the Ewa Beach and Kapolei areas, the 318-unit multifamily community is expected to wrap in October 2021.

The Element, part of the masterplanned community Ho‘opili, will provide 13 three-story apartment buildings—totaling 325,000 square feet on a 12-acre site—with one-, two- and threebedroom units, says Anthony Musielak, Moss’ senior project manager. The Element will include a leasing building, Anthony Musielak fitness center, clubhouse and a café, as well as an outdoor pool and BBQ area.

“The Element will provide a combination of affordable and market rate units to the Ewa Beach area,” Musielak says.

The owner already is pleased with the progress of the $83.3 million project.

“Moss is in the process of deliver-

The units at The Element offer spacious kitchens.

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S Moss Construction on the completion of The Element at West Oahu.

MAHALO FROM YOUR F R I E N D S AT F E R G U S O N .

ferguson.com

14 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

Yes, we are building this!

Moss appreciates being a part of the Alaka‘i Development Team

We honor relationships and believe every project is first and foremost about genuine, rewarding relationships with clients, subcontractors, suppliers, and the surrounding community.

Hawai'i | Florida | Texas | California | mosscm.com | 808.585.7900 ABC 33782

SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS ing our 318-unit project, providing the type of care and attention that I would expect from a first-class contractor and a friend,” says Jon Wallenstrom of Alaka‘i Development. “The Moss team are good listeners, highly professional and skilled in their profession. Their strongest attribute is their integrity, and there are no qualities that are more important in a contractor and a friend. I consider Jon Wallenstrom Moss to be both.”

Wallenstrom adds that “the homes have been designed to accommodate all family formations and are affordable to local residents. The homes and community center have been designed to create a great quality of life.”

Along with the client and GC, the project team includes KTGY Architects; Inatsuka Engineering LLC, which performed mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) tasks; inte-

rior designers JNY Design; WKM Landscape Architects and structural engineers DHP and MKM.

“The project architect and the structural engineers are based on the Mainland, so Moss was already accus-

The bedrooms at The Element are roomy and comfortable.

MAHALO Moss & Associates for making us part or your Team at The Element at West Oahu

Mahalo Moss & Associates, LLC Alakaʻ i Development

“Over 100 years of Landscaping in Hawaii” Lic. No. C-11540

www.tnlhawaii.com 16 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

94-416 UKEE ST. SUITE 201 WAIPAHU, HI. 96797 PH.671-6785

MAHALO NUI LOA MOSS CONSTRUCTION for making us a part of your team!

“Our Moss and Associates core values include Honoring Relationships, Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Contagious Energy.

Floor Technologies exhibits all of the same values and has played a vital role in all of the multi-family projects we have built and continue to build. They continue to meet our challenging schedules and we consider them a big part of the Moss family.”

– DOUG ROGERS, VICE PRESIDENT

MOSS & ASSOCIATES, HAWAII

SMART SYSTEM FAST TRACKING PROJECTS IN HIGH-RISE CONSTRUCTION

SURFACE PREPARATION, MOISTURE VAPOR PROTECTION, SOUND ATTINUATION, AND SELF-LEVELING IN ONE SYSTEM. • Substrate to wear surface finishing with ONE contractor.

• Leveling expertise within critical criteria.

• Ability to install 20,000 sq. ft or up to 3 floors a day.

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SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS

The Element includes a clubhouse for occupants and their guests.

tomed to working via video conference from the preconstruction stage through the turnover of the first building to ensure seamless communication,” Musielak notes. “Moss also utilized project management software to collaborate with the design team and owner.”

He says Moss “utilized a workforce system called TRIVA to track manpower. TRIVA utilizes a series of solar-powered towers that continually scan the site for an RFID chip that each worker wears on their hardhat. If for some reason there was an emergency where we needed to muster and get a headcount, we could immediately account for each worker’s location

onsite via the mobile app.”

The project is being done in phases.

According to Moss, both the clubhouse buildings and the first residential building will be turned over to the client this month. Moss says it expects to turn over one residential building every month until October.

“We are just starting to lease homes and the market is responding,” Wallenstrom says. “People in Hawaii are looking for an environment where they can live, work and play in comfort and safety. Each of The Element’s homes has been designed to accommodate working from home with generous spaces and complementary high-speed internet. An open-air

Congratulations Moss

www. Protechroofinghawaii.com

808.845.1300 18 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

community center with a pool, exercise room and dedicated areas for quiet work and contemplation provides additional benefits to our residents.

“We have leased a number of units and expect that progress to continue. None of this could have happened without the steady hand of Moss leading the construction effort.”

“People in Hawaii are looking for an environment where they can live, work and play in comfort and safety.”

—Jon Wallenstrom Moss broke ground on the project in January, then just weeks later was forced to adjust to the outbreak of the COVID-19 disease.

“Due to the pandemic, Moss introduced an entirely new safety program focused on preventing and tracking a possible COVID outbreak,” Musielak says. “Moss hired additional safety personnel who check every individ-

Construction Tasks • Large sitework package: Grading, paving and site utilities • Waffle mat slabs • Metal/wood framing • Roofing: Asphalt shingles • Exterior finish carpentry: Hardi Board siding • Aluminum railings • Flooring: LVT, ceramic tile and carpet • Solar carports and roof panels • Electrical • Plumbing • Fire sprinklers • Mechanical • Interior finish carpentry • Pool: 1,500 square feet

Rendering of The Element IMAGE COURTESY ALAKA’I DEVELOPMENT

ual’s temperature as they enter the jobsite every day, and clean high-use surfaces. We instituted a 100 percent mask protocol and policed social distancing guidelines. We also purchased additional hand-washing stations to try to keep all the workers safe.”

Musielak says amenities that set The Element apart include the project’s clubhouse, leasing building, fitness

center, café and pool area which offer “a modern resort-style feel and provide a great place for future tenants to hang out and relax.”

He singles out six subcontractors for their contributions to the success of the project: Protech Roofing and Insulation, Hi Tech Plumbing, Century Flooring, SWI Drywall, Industrial Fire and Goodfellow Bros. Inc.

THANK YOU MOSS CONSTRUCTION FOR MAKING US A PART OF YOUR TEAM

“ECH“Moss considers Moss is an extremely professional that hasfrom the very best leadership from Doug Rogers is anthat extremely professional builder thatand haswell the organized very best builder in leadership Doug Rogers (Hawaii VP), to the (Hawaii to the Project managers, to Superintendents in the field.

They really have their act together and manage an organized ProjectVP), managers, to their Superintendents in the field.

They really have their act together and manage a well-organized project gets built fast withthe thehighest highest quality quality in truly a very impressive group.” project thatthat gets built fast with in the theindustry. industry.They Theyare are truly a very impressive group.”

- JohnMcGill, McGill, Electrical Electrical Contractors - John ContractorsHawaii, Hawaii,Inc. Inc. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS HAWAII, INC 91-522 NUKUAWA ST., KAPOLEI, HI 96707 Tel: 808.380.9900 Fax: 808.380.9910 www.echcorp.us.com www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 19

Upgrades to the Guam International Airport by Black Construction are valued at more than $100 million.

PHOTO COURTESY BLACK CONSTRUCTION CORP.

Guam MILCON Reaches $1.2B

Massive military construction buildup will extend through 2025

BY BRETT ALEXANDER-ESTES

Black Construction is general contractor for the $178 million Andersen Air Force Base Replace Family Housing project.

PHOTO COURTESY BLACK CONSTRUCTION CORP.

20 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

S

ite prep work at Camp Blaz, Guam’s new $8.7 billion U.S. Marine Corps base, “is nearing completion,” reports Frank Humay, vice president of Baldridge & Associates Structural Engineering Inc. (BASE), one of many Hawaii firms busy on the island.

Frank Humay This clears the way for new projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars, many of them supporting the approximately 5,000 U.S. Marines who will start deploying to Guam over the next few years.

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The BASE/Hensel Phelps design-build P-601 aircraft maintenance hangar project on Guam uses reinforced concrete and long-span structural steel trusses, and will continue in 2021.

PHOTO COURTESY HENSEL PHELPS

“Currently, ongoing military projects are estimated at $1 billion for 2020, with a projection of another $1 billion in projects slated to begin for 2021,” says James Martinez, president of the Guam Contractors Association. “The military construction projects … will remain robust through 2025 as we James Martinez see the peak in military projects around this time.”

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Marianas Commanding Officer Capt. Timothy Liberatore provides a lower, but no less impressive assessment. “The Department of Defense (DOD) spent approximately $527 million on construction projects in Fiscal Year 2020, which is expected to grow to over $700 million in FY 2021,” Liberatore says. “This information only includes NAVFAC contracts, which comprise almost all DOD construction on Guam.”

Michael Grossi, managing director and executive vice president at Aon Michael Grossi

22 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

Risk Services, a Hawaii surety firm, says he is “definitely seeing a continued increase in the size and number of projects being released in Guam. Currently we have contractors who have pending outstanding bids in excess of $500 million. In 2021, there are several very large federal projects scheduled to bid, including a large BEQ complex with a government estimate of $500 million to $750 million.”

At Black Construction Corp., a leading Guam Leonard K. Kaae Sr. builder, Senior Vice President and General Manager Leonard K. Kaae Sr. says “we have a

number of major contracts underway on Guam.” The combined value of these contracts—many of them with the DOD—is approximately $2.6 billion.

Current Black contracts include the $100 million-plus Guam International Airport Upgrades, the $84 million P-715 Live Fire Training Range, the $86 million P-250 MALS & P-260 Corrosion Control Hangar, the $28 million Pacific Unlimited Inc. Cold and Dry Storage Facilities, the $120 million Northern District Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrades and the $178 million Replace Family Housing project at Andersen Air Force Base. In July, Black completed the $45 million Route 3 Road Widening project for the Government of Guam Public Works.

For the coming year, “Black was

Black Construction spreads topsoil on a slope at the $84 million P-715 Live Fire Training Range project.

PHOTO COURTESY BLACK CONSTRUCTION CORP.

Core Tech is GC on the Tumon Lateral Conversion project.

PHOTO COURTESY CORE TECH INTERNATIONAL

recently awarded the P-491 Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Combined Facility at Naval Station Guam with a current contract value of $47 million,” Kaae says. “Black awaits award notification on a number of projects bid in 2020 and, if successful, we anticipate

starting construction in 2021.”

Black is also currently a task holder for a $990 million design-build multiple award construction contract (MACC) and also selected on the $990 million Mamizu MACC. “Both these programs will run beyond 2022,” Kaae

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24 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

says. “Based on additional information released by the Navy, the current Marine buildup for Guam is expected to continue on through 2024. We are optimistic to get our fair share.”

Core Tech International, another leading Guam builder, has “a total of 10 ongoing projects, including joint venture projects with a total backlog of $163 million,” says Chit Bathan, Core Tech CEO. These include two military projects, the J-755 Urban Combat project Chit Bathan (a JV under Core Tech-HDCC-Kajima LLC) and the P-3105 Munition Storage Igloos Phase 3 (a JV project under Core TechHawaiian Dredging LLC).

Summer Towers Villa (residential) and the Guam Power Authority Tumon Lateral Conversion Project (infrastructure) will be joined with “other projects that may be awarded to us between now and 2021,” Bathan says, adding that she expects more

construction through 2022.

Like many Hawaii builders on Guam, Humay says that apart from the recently completed Tsubaki Tower resort, BASE projects on Guam are “primarily with the military. Many of the large (DOD) facilities our office has been working on in design for the past several years are being awarded at the end of this year/beginning of 2021,” he says. “We are also involved with several large warehouse/distribution facilities, a public works building and training facilities. These projects are all at the new Marine Corps Base in Guam.”

Currently, Nan Inc. is bolstering its longtime presence on Guam with several DOD projects—a medical/ dental clinic, three BEQs and an ordinance facility. “We are anticipating a lot more opportunities in 2021 and 2022 as the Navy continues to ramp up its relocation program,” Ryan Nakaima

1st DPRI Guam Contract Awarded for $26.6M Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Pacific

in October awarded the first of 12 planned Defense Policy Review Initiative (DPRI) Guam contracts to Reliable Builders Inc., a small business in Tamuning.

The $26.6 million firm-fixed price contract includes two projects— Area Distribution Nodes (ADN) and Site Telecommunications Cabling— which are expected to be complete in May 2022.

The contract provides for a state-of-the-art digital communications backbone at Guam’s new Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz (MCBCB), which will provide on-island connectivity to more than 60 facilities within the base, along with worldwide connectivity.

“This is great news for the Guam DPRI program,” said NAVFAC Pacific Guam Program Management Office Director Will Boudra. “Not only did the NAVFAC Pacific team include two projects into this one contract award, we were able to award the Telecommunications Cabling project three months ahead of schedule.” says Ryan Nakaima, Nan Inc. vice president.

Healy Tibbitts is also busy with “onsite work for the Guam Waterworks Authority,” says Rick Heltzel, Healy Tibbitts Builders Inc. president. The GWA contract, he says,

is for Project No. S18-002-OEA—an outfall effluent diffuser installation project that will upgrade the Northern District Wastewater Treatment Plant to a secondary treatment facility. “We are currently performing planning and ...continued on page 55

ON TRACK WITH BLACK

P.O. BOX 24667 BARRIGADA, GU 96921 | TEL: (671) 646-4861/5 | FAX: (671) 646-9086 www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 25

At Honouliuli, Nan Inc. is using Caterpillar and Hitachi excavators to remove 400,000 cubic yards of coralline rock.

PHOTO COURTESY NAN INC.

TOP

GUNS Today’s heavy equipment makes light work of Hawaii’s toughest jobs

BY BRETT ALEXANDER-ESTES

H

ow’s your fleet?

Can it excavate 400,000 cubic yards of rock for $267 million?

Or rebuild a taxiway for $6 million?

If your heavy equipment can handle loads like these, big jobs like these could be yours.

26 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 27

Clayton Morrell, “is currently one month ahead of schedule and under budget.”

Contractors will need to deliver more successful projects like these as Hawaii Clayton Morrell builds its way out of the COVID-19 crisis. And they will likely need the latest heavy equipment to do it.

Hawthorne Cat At Kahului Airport, Goodfellow Brothers is using Hitachi and Caterpillar 40-ton hydraulic excavators and Caterpillar ’dozers. PHOTO COURTESY GOODFELLOW BROS.

At the $267 million Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant project, Caterpillar D11, D10 and D8 ’dozers are digging up 400,000 cubic yards of hard coralline rock. “Overall, the project is approximately 50 percent complete,” says Myles Mizokami, Nan Inc.’s director of civil operations. Other large equipment, including a KCP 60-meter concrete boom pump and a

28 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

Sany 286-ton lattice crane, “allowed the project … to meet the tight project schedule,” Mizokami says.

At Kahului Airport, Goodfellow Brothers is using Hitachi and Caterpillar 40-ton hydraulic excavators and Caterpillar ’dozers at the Taxiway A-C Intersection Reconstruction.

The approximately $6 million project, says Goodfellow Project Manager

“2021 will see a continuation of Caterpillar’s update to the mini excavator line,” says Chris Giannaris, Hawthorne Cat corporate marketing and strategy manager. The 302.7, 303 and 303.5 will all be available in the Next Generation Mini Hex (MHEX) line featuring fuelefficient engines, load-sensing hydraulics and the exclusive Cat StickChris Giannaris

...continued on page 32

TO THE HAWAIIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

DECEMBER 2020

CFA Piles Drilled Shafts Micropiles Shoring Systems

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In 2021, Caterpillar’s 302.7, 303 and 303.5 will all be available in the MHEX line.

PHOTO COURTESY HAWTHORNE CAT

...continued from page 28

Steer system, he says. “This provides customers with the best value in terms of performance, operator experience, serviceability and affordability.”

This year, “Caterpillar’s Compact Construction Equipment (CCE) continues to dominate sales,” Giannaris says.

“Compact Track Loaders (CTLs), such as the 259, 289 and 299, and Mini Hydraulic Excavators (MHEXs),

such as the 303, 305 and 308, are all customer favorites.”

Bauer

Bauer’s newest machine on Oahu is a BG-33V which was recently delivered to customer CMZ of Hawaii, says Mike Minihan, Bauer regional sales-Southwest.

The new rotary drilling rig features the Caterpillar Tier 4 Final exhaust emissions standard, reduced sound

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In 2021, Komatsu is introducing extended Komatsu Care maintenance programs.

emissions and an energy-efficient power (EEP) package for reduced fuel consumption of up to 30 percent.

The BG-33V performs Kelly drillMike Minihan ing with casing as well as continuous flight auger (CFA) piles, and “can be set up to do many other methods,” Minihan says, “such as soil mixing, jet grouting, displacement piles, torque down piles and others.”

Bacon Universal

In 2021, “Kubota is releasing several new model excavators,” says Adrian P. Silich, president of Bacon Universal Co. Inc., “notably the U48-5, U55-5, KX057-5 and a new gasoline two-seater RTV-520 utility vehicle.”

Also at Bacon, Komatsu’s 2021 intelligent i-machines feature fully integrated 3D design data that control the blade and bucket. “Komatsu is also introducing extended Komatsu Care maintenance programs,” Silich says,“(allowing) customers to purchase

34 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

PHOTO COURTESY KOMATSU/BACON UNIVERSAL CO. INC.

up to another 8,000 hours of Komatsu Care maintenance.”

Alex Kwon, president of Paradigm Construction Inc., is using Komatsu on projects for Castle & Cooke, D.R. Horton and Gentry Homes. “Komatsu’s line of excavators Alex Kwon and wheel loaders have been splendidly reliable equipment for us,” Kwon says.

Other 2021 Bacon standouts are a

new JLG 12K-lift capacity 12054 Skytrak model, and newly-installed Topcon GPS systems on Bacon’s rental fleet.

American Machinery

“The new John Deere L series ’dozers offering 2D slope control is a hot item for 2021,” says Sean Loa, American Machinery’s sales manager. “This factory-installed option allows Sean Loa

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Operators using dual joysticks on new John Deere 670G motor graders “quickly become more productive.”

PHOTO COURTESY JOHN DEERE

customers the ability to view and set the slope of the blade.” 2D slope control with Topcon components is easily upgraded to SmartGrade 3D grade control, and is available on the new 700L and 750L ’dozers.

This year, Loa says, “our dualjoystick option on our G series motor graders has been very popular … (and) provides intuitive control with minimal hand motion during direction changes and gear shifts.” Loa says Hawaii Department of Transportation equipment operators have recently received two new John Deere 670G motor

The John Deere 750L ’dozer offers 2D slope control.

PHOTO COURTESY JOHN DEERE

graders, and “quickly become more productive, with precise control with less fatigue.”

currently being used by Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. Inc. on the Maui Bay Villas project.

Doc Bailey

Sunbelt Rentals

Next year, a LinkBelt 210-ton ATC-3210 All-Terrain Crane will join Doc Bailey’s existDoc Bailey ing fleet of rough terrain cranes. These, Bailey says, are

A new 180-foot Genie ultra-boom manlift has just been delivered to Sunbelt Rentals’ Kapolei location, says James Allison, Sunbelt Rentals Inc. district manager-Hawaii. It’s the first and largest in the state, he says, and its safety features are “the best in the industry.”

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� Fold-In Ralls Features Standard on(GFCI) All Scissors 120VAC 120VAC (GFCI) Fold-In Rails � Platform Power (Not (Not Shown) Shown) Features�....__ Standard on All Power Scissors �....__ 120VAC (GFCI) Fold-In Fold-In Ralls Ralls Platform Self-Closing &

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Sunbelt Rentals’ 180-foot ultra-boom manlift, the only one in Hawaii, just arrived at Sunbelt’s Kapolei branch. PHOTO COURTESY SUNBELT RENTALS INC.

Sunbelt Rentals’ 50-foot disaster trailer can immediately respond statewide.

PHOTO COURTESY SUNBELT RENTALS INC.

The single 180-footer joins Sunbelt’s statewide fleet of 130-foot and 100-foot ultrabooms. “Sunbelt carries (Hawaii’s) largest rental fleet as it relates to ultrabooms,” Allison says.

Another new delivery, this to James Allison Sunbelt’s disaster response and remediation fleet, is “a monster 50-foot disaster trailer that is ready at a moment’s notice to be used anywhere in the state that we can ship it,” Allison says.

Service Rentals

“In 2021, we are focusing on improving our existing fleet with more 80-foot boom lifts and aerial equipment,” says Service Rentals and Supplies Inc. CEO Ryan Ouye. “Our newer models will allow our customers to complete the job with absolute ease, and feel safe using Ryan Ouye the most up-todate equipment. We are also aiming to include new Genie 5519 units in our fleet to expand our aerial options for

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*Financing offer valid from July 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021. 0.9% interest for 60 months financing with zero down payment available only on the following new Cat machines manufactured by Caterpillar Inc.: Skid Steer Loaders, Mini Excavators, Compact Track Loaders, Compact Wheel Loaders, Backhoe Loaders, Small Dozers, Small Wheel Loaders, and Telehandlers and when purchased with a qualifying Cat Customer Value Agreement (CVA). A qualifying CVA includes the Maintenance Parts Kits for 3 years/1,500 hours (exception: the Small Wheel Loader includes a parts kit for 3 years/3,000 hours); TA1 Inspection; Product LinkTM; and a Powertrain, Hydraulics and Technology Equipment Protection Plan (EPP) for 3 years/3,000 hours on Skid Steer Loaders, Mini Excavators, Compact Track Loaders, Compact Wheel Loaders, Backhoe Loaders, Small Dozers, Small Wheel Loaders and Telehandlers. The maintenance parts included cover the first 1,500 hours (estimated 3 years) of machine utilization. The kit contains one set of parts for regular planned maintenance under normal operating conditions. In some severe applications where maintenance parts need to be replaced more frequently, the additional parts will be at the customer’s expense. Excludes dealer labor, wear parts, S•O•SSM and fluids (final drive oil is included for Compact Track Loaders, and Mini Excavators). The fluids not included are oils, grease, coolant, friction modifiers, additives, etc. All excluded items are available at participating dealers at an additional cost and should be negotiated with the dealer. For details on the exact parts list for your specific machine, please contact your local dealer. Financing, zero down, and published rate terms are only available through Cat Financial for customers meeting credit approval and subject to Cat Financial offered terms and conditions. Not all buyers will qualify. Higher rates may apply for buyers with lower credit rating and lesser qualifications. Offer available only at participating Cat dealers. Flexible payment terms available to those who qualify. Offer is available to customers in the USA only. Offer subject to machine availability. Offer may change without prior notice and additional terms and conditions may apply. Contact your Cat dealer for details.

Service Rentals’ Doosan 400 KVA generators provide extended power.

**Financing offers valid from July 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021. 0.0% interest for 60 months financing with zero down payment available only on the following new Cat machines manufactured by Caterpillar Inc.: Skid Steer Loaders, Mini Excavators, Compact Track Loaders, Compact Wheel Loaders, Backhoe Loaders, Small Dozers, Small Wheel Loaders, and Telehandlers. Financing, zero down, and published rate terms are only available through Cat Financial for customers meeting credit approval and subject to Cat Financial offered terms and conditions. Not all buyers will qualify. Higher rates may apply for buyers with lower credit rating or lesser qualifications. Offer available only at participating Cat dealers. Flexible payment terms available to those who qualify. Offer is available to customers in the USA only. Offer subject to machine availability. Offer may change without prior notice and additional terms and conditions may apply. Contact your Cat dealer for details. © 2020 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Corporate Yellow”, the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

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our customers.”

This year, Ouye says, top performers include “our 10,000-pound Skyjack Reachout Forklift and our 400 KVA Doosan Generator.” The popular Skyjack offers extended-reach capacity, high-load strength and allterrain versatility. The generators “are perfect for long-term jobs that need an extended power output,” Ouye says.

Pacific Pump & Power

Pacific Pump & Power’s new autonomous dredge with a three-inch diam-

eter discharge made by Mighty Dredge, a PPP company, is equipped with new technology that will “change the way people dredge to be safer, less laborintensive and much more cost-effective,” says Paul Leonard, PPP general manager.

PPP’s main busiPaul Leonard ness is renting and selling large industrial pumps, generators and air compressors. “This year

at the Kamehameha WWPS Sewer bypass for Kiewit,” Leonard says, “we set up to bypass peak flows of 30 million gallons of sewage per day for 16 months—continuously.”

PPP has also significantly increased its rental fleet of power equipment, and is “selling a lot more air compressors and generators,” Leonard says.

Windward Equipment Rentals

This year Windward Equipment Rentals entered the sales market and “began providing sales, service and parts for a complete line of LGMG ANSI 92.20-approved mobile elevated work platforms,” says WER Operations Manager Rob Stefanowicz. “Our first lifts arrived in July starting with the AS1432, AS1932 and AS2632 scissor lifts. Both our rental and sales customers have had nothing but positive reactions.”

Most WER inventory usually arrives less than 60 days after order and offers comprehensive warranties, he says.

For Kiewit, Pacific Pump & Power’s set-up continuously bypassed peak flows of 30 million gallons of sewage per day for 16 months.

PHOTO COURTESY PACIFIC PUMP & POWER

Kiewit Confronts KCT Phase II At the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s $352 million Kapalama

Container Terminal Wharf & Dredging project, Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. will dredge more than 495,000 cubic yards of soil and sand, among other challenges.

“Working at or near the water with heavy machinery and installing large concrete and steel structures will definitely be a challenge, both with regards to building quality work and minimizing environmental impacts,” says Kyle Nakamura, Kiewit Phase II project manager.

“We anticipate large excavators and cranes to assist with Kyle Nakamura the dredging and installation of the large steel members for the bulkhead wall,” Nakamura says. “There will also be drills and cranes with specialized attachments for constructing the CIDH piles and stone columns.

“Kiewit hopes to carry forward the momentum from the successful completion of the Phase I project into Phase II,” he says. “We expect to further develop the teamwork and relationships established between contractors, subcontractors, vendors, HDOT Harbors division and their consultants, utility agencies and the harbor users that neighbor us, to help complete the KCT Wharf & Dredging Project on time and within HDOT’s budget, with minimal impact to the community and environment.”

38 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

Windward Equipment Rentals now offers sales, service and parts for a complete line of LGMG ANSI 92.20-approved mobile elevated work platforms.

PHOTO COURTESY WINDWARD EQUIPMENT RENTALS

In the Spring, WER plans to open a second location in Waimanalo, says Martha Stefanowicz, company president, and “go big with the arrival of the LGMG T65J Boom, the A45J Articulating and SR4069E Rough Terrain lifts.”

“Going big” with new equipment may also yield big profits for Hawaii buildMartha Stefanowicz ers in 2021. New opportunities—like the $352 million Kapalama Container Terminal Phase II project—are just around the corner.

INSIDE BIA-HAWAII

TAKING AIM AT A

‘BOTTLENECK’ In 2021, the trade association to focus on the Islands’ permitting process and support builders through COVID-19

BY DAVID PUTNAM PHOTOS BY ANJJ LEE

B

efore he’s even officially settled into the president’s role at the Building Industry Association of Hawaii, Beau Nobmann already has formed goals and plans for 2021.

Beau Nobmann www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 39

INSIDE BIA-HAWAII Among his primary targets are improving a slow permitting process, helping builders maintain their “essential” standing during COVID-19 and training the next generation of workers.

“We have a major bottleneck in our building process with the Department of Planning and Permitting,” says Nobmann, sales manager at HPM Building Supply, “and the BIA has been attempting to address the issue for years.

“The City and County of Honolulu remains one of the slowest counties nationwide to process a building permit,” adds Nobmann, who succeeds Dwight Mitsunaga as BIA-Hawaii president. “This process will continue to be one of BIA’s focuses for 2021 as we owe it to the Industry to speak up about the delays, increases in costs and other inconsistencies in requirements.”

CEO Jess Leorna, who took the reins of BIA-Hawaii in April, agrees.

“As this has been an election year, the conversation about DPP and a painstaking, arduous permitting process continuously raises its ugly head,” she says. “We know that permitting in Hawaii takes an exponential amount of time over permitting in other states.

Jess Leorna We know that this has been a topic of conversation for years and years, yet change can’t seem to be made.

“In 2021, we are not going to let the newly elected officials forget about this important topic,” Leorna adds.

“The processes at DPP need to be addressed, and fast. We need to keep the momentum of the conversations we’re having now. DPP’s permitting process is the gateway for sustainable economic development. DPP’s staff needs to have the tools and training to work efficiently and effectively. Time spent on improving the process and the resources will inevitably improve DPP’s productivity and is a necessary investment.”

Leorna concedes that “change will not happen overnight, and the path will remain challenging for some time.

Come next election year, I, for one, do not want to hear that nothing has been 40 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

2021 BIA-Hawaii Officers and Directors

President: Beau Nobmann, HPM Building Supply President-elect: Daryl Takamiya, Castle & Cooke Homes Vice President: Sarah Love, Bays Lung Rose & Holma Secretary: Hinano Nahinu, Pacific Source Treasurer: Brian Moore, Central Pacific Bank Special Appointee – Builder: Paul Silen, Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. Inc. Special Appointee – Builder: Mark Kennedy, Haseko Special Appointee – Associate: Chris Bennett, Riggs Distributing Immediate Past President: Dwight Mitsunaga, DM Pacific Inc.

TWO-YEAR TERM

Director – Builder: Lili Shintani, Alan Shintani Inc.; Jon Moore, Howard Hughes Corp.; Jordie Mukai, Ridgeway Construction; Marc Putman, Armstrong Builders LLC Director – Associate: Kamuela Potter, Inspired Closets Hawaii; Peter Eldridge, Raynor Hawaii Overhead Doors

ONE-YEAR TERM

Director – Builder: Ryan Gross, D.R. Horton; Gavin Ishikawa, Hawaii Building Group; Marc Rinker, Gentry Homes Director – Associate: Naomi Azama, HMAA; Darcy Endo-Omoto, Hawaiian Electric Company

done about this, and BIA will be here as a resource for the city, and for staffers, to help move the process along.

I’m optimistic we can make some progress if we keep the momentum we saw with our candidate interviews this election season.”

Nobmann says the BIA will continue efforts in keeping Hawaii’s construction sector busy during COVID-19. “The construction industry has been extremely blessed to be deemed essential during the pandemic, and as an industry and an organization we will continue to be grateful and respectful of that ability to continue to work,” he says.

“The BIA reached out quickly in 2020 to all construction companies and construction-related associations to spearhead a response and a proactive action plan—our industry would (thereby) adopt and stand behind on jobsites and in workplaces all related CDC guidelines for COVID-19 safety.

“We did it together, not only as the BIA but as an Industry as a whole. We have been able to continue to work and have shouldered much of the support of our Hawaiian economy

during this time. We aim to do our best to set the standards for keeping our workers, our families and ultimately our communities safe during these uncertain times.”

Leorna says the collaboration of Hawaii’s contractors and associations on a sample jobsite safety policy and an industry pledge that made their commitment to safety clear in the face of the coronavirus helped earn and keep the industry's “essential” status.

“This act showed our power in numbers,” she says, “and that the industry could be relied upon to stay safe and open and keep the economy going while other industries would inevitably be shut down; it was because of these actions that the construction industry was deemed essential and our members (and nonmembers) could stay in business.

“BIA has also submitted more than 125 testimonies this year, many in opposition of proposed bills and code amendments that increase the cost to build, and therefore the cost to buy.

The industry is already facing financial pressures including labor shortages, permitting delays, increase in

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INSIDE BIA-HAWAII lumber rates and supply chain disruption. We hoped that elected officials and administrators would consider the added burden that COVID inflicts on the industry, while recognizing that Hawaii’s economy is relying heavily on the construction industry—commercial, residential, military and infrastructure—to keep some semblance of balance.

However, the current city administration has pushed bills through that increase the cost to build.

“The codes committee and energy office continue to propose expensive energy upgrades and mandates. BIA will continue to keep tabs on this activity ... we certainly would like to see a reduction in this momentum and more support and understanding for the people, businesses and jobs that are carrying us through the pandemic.”

Leorna says BIA also will work to address amendments and bills that were put into effect during the last days of the current City and County of Honolulu administration.

She cites, for example, Bill 25, which “increases the cost to build significantly due to its immediate requirement for new construction to be solar-ready and include 25 percent of parking stalls to offer electric vehicle charging stations.

State and county policy-makers should understand that the industry simply cannot afford significant hits to the bottom line, especially at a time when the economy so heavily relies on construction.”

Leorna says that as an affiliate of the National

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Association of Home Builders (NAHB), BIA-Hawaii is also monitoring the adoption of various codes at the national level. “Many of these codes are being adopted to address climates in different regions of the country, and should not be required in the tropical climate that we live in,” Leorna says.

“Also, many proposed codes do not address public health and safety, but rather are being pushed by special interest groups. Many of these new codes will directly impact Hawaii by increasing the cost of housing and reducing housing affordability.”

Looking ahead, both Nobmann and Leorna are optimistic that the construction industry will “continue on an upward trend.”

Leorna points to builder confidence being at “an all-time high nationwide. We expect to see heightened infrastructure spending in 2021, and heightened new home sales combined with the low level of inventory indicates growth opportunities for the industry.

“Though we are hopeful that additional waves of COVID-19 infection will be manageable by our government and medical system, the industry faces further supply chain disruption and significant increase to the cost to build related to 2020 policy. Housing is a critical piece of the puzzle to recovery after the pandemic, and everyone in the industry needs to contribute to the conversation so that our elected officials understand the impact of every bill, every code amendment and every new mandate that crosses their table.”

Nobmann adds that he expects interest rates “to stay low in 2021 as the national economy will attempt to rebuild and stabilize after the havoc of COVID-19 … heading into 2021 there is an ability to be cautiously optimistic about a vaccine as well as a greater awareness to public safety measures that can be taken to prevent massive outbreaks. Both of those things should provide greater stability in a depressed economy.

“This will allow for residential builders to continue to push forward and grow, as well as create greater predict-

ability in the economy, which leads to more borrowing and spending. Some larger commercial and public projects as well as residential projects have been stalled due to the overall uncertainty that the pandemic has created worldwide. I feel that 2021 will be a great year of growth.”

Nobmann also aims to push the importance of training and the use of technology. “The construction industry has historically been behind the curve when it comes to technology and adaptation to change. However, out of necessity we have all found excellent and productive ways to communicate and interact. At this time, we have a great opportunity in front of us to continue the momentum of virtual meetings, trainings, online educational courses, etc.

“We aim to do our best to set the standards for keeping our workers, our families and ultimately our communities safe during these uncertain times.”

OUR

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We are committed to providing you the materials you need for your projects on time and in full.

—Beau Nobmann “We feel that it is important to continue to provide these additional options to our working professionals and those who continually juggle the balance between work and family life.

“Our role for 2021 is to continue to bolster our platform and offerings of meaningful content both virtually and in-person as permitted. We hope to reach more of our members and those interested in joining the construction industry through a better, more focused effort toward technology.”

Leorna also wants to work to address Hawaii’s “shortage in labor in spite of the high unemployment rates.

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INSIDE BIA-HAWAII up and work with employers to place workers in jobs.

“BIA will focus on expanding our education offerings by 40 percent, including workforce entry and professional development courses as well as some specialty courses such as historic building preservation. Collaboration is a key word for our association activities, and industry folks, elected officials

and state agencies can expect to see BIA at the table with the goal of building relationships in the new year.”

Affordable housing is another area of concern for Nobmann. “The BIA is constantly working with contractors and builders to address the affordable housing problem in Hawaii,” he says. “But we are approaching a point where the conversation begins to fall

on deaf ears, meaning contractors are being pushed to build more affordable houses, yet when they do they are stalled and added costs are heaped upon their project.

“We desperately need to work together as a county and as an Industry to preserve the integrity of our buildings, neighborhoods and cities, but also need to understand that time is money.”

Mitsunaga Finds ‘Silver Lining’ in 2020

Outgoing BIA president lauds efforts of association members, staff and other Island organizations for working together during the pandemic

BY DAVID PUTNAM

“Adapting to and surviving the devastating impacts of this year’s COVID-19 is probably one of BIA-Hawaii’s most prominent achievements,” says Dwight Mitsunaga, 2020 president of BIA-Hawaii.

When Mitsunaga, who also is head of DM Pacific Inc. and DM Architects Inc., ascended to the top office of the building association, COVID-19 had yet to become a household word.

“In looking for a silver lining,” he says, “the one thing that really stands out is the ability and great efforts of our staff, board of directors, chairs, committees, members and everyone to all step up, work together and continue providing services to benefit our communities, the building industries and our general membership.

“As with many non-profits, the pandemic has devastated our organization’s finances due to restrictions impacting our revenue-producing activities and events, many of which were cancelled or drastically constrained.”

His take on serving as BIA president during 2020’s hectic days?

“Actually, I feel honored to have been entrusted to serve as BIA-Hawaii’s president,” Mitsunaga says. “Since 1955, there were so many other presidents who worked so hard to achieve so much for the building industry.

BIA-Hawaii has come so far from those early days and probably even beyond what was initially envisioned.

“It’s been really great interacting with everyone at BIA-Hawaii, its boards, its committees, its members and affiliates. It has been a real eye-opener learning how everything runs. And it’s really all the wonderful and hardworking people that keep BIA-Hawaii going.”

Going forward, he advises builders “to keep everything moving in a positive direction. At the pandemic’s onset, our Government Relations Committee collaborated with numerous trade organizations, unions and affiliates to

44 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

establish the COVID-19 Construction Dwight Mitsunaga Jobsite Rules. This was extremely effective in Hawaii maintaining the building and affiliated industries as essential businesses.

“Our Awards and Events Committee had to really dig deep to continue providing for our members and the public. Our annual building shows, awards events, public interest forums, election panels, fundraisers, etc., were either lost or had to be offered virtually. Our Education Committee’s wonderful training curriculum had to be presented online.

“The BIA has now collaborated with the National Association of Home Builders, and has been offered their national resources and virtual platforms to educate Hawaii’s new or displaced workers through its Construction Training Center (CTC). BIA’s Membership Committee continues to reach out to our members, looking for ways to assist them and provide added value to their memberships.”

President to President

With his term as 2020 president of BIA-Hawaii heading into its final days, Mitsunaga offers some words of advice for 2021 President Beau Nobmann.

“I think that maintaining great relationships and interacting with everyone is key,” Mitsunaga says. “Our new CEO, Jess Leorna, coming all the way from Alaska, brings a lot of experience, knowledge and new ideas to help in our transition out of COVID-19. BIA’s great staff—Operations Director Mary Ah-Wong, Education Director Barbara Nishikawa, Awards and Events Director Vanessa Vinson and Membership Director Khatrina Meeuwsen—and all the committees and committee chairs do such a wonderful job.

“It’s been a great experience and a great challenge.

Wishing you good luck in 2021.”

INSIDE BIA-HAWAII

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46 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

IN HER SIGHTS INSIDE BIA-HAWAII

Jess Leorna, CEO and archery enthusiast, targets the Islands’ construction challenges

BY BRETT ALEXANDER-ESTES

B

PHOTOS BY ANJJ LEE

ack in Fairbanks, Building Industry Association of Hawaii CEO Jess Leorna “always had a deep freezer full of salmon and game meat,” she says. “My husband is a bow hunter, and his annual hunting trip produced at least one caribou to add to the freezer.

www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 47

INSIDE BIA-HAWAII “In fact,” she smiles, “when I was eight months pregnant, my husband arrived at 4 a.m. from his hunt and we processed meat for the entire morning and next day.” Eventually, Leorna picked up a bow herself and would round up Scotty and their young daughter for a “family-friendly 3D archery shoot in a hidden forest just out of town.”

Now Leorna is targeting construction strategies at BIA-Hawaii, where she started as CEO soon after COVID19 made landfall.

“The biggest impact of the pandemic has been first, the fear and anxiety that comes with the knowledge that no one is 100 percent safe,” she says. “Any individual and business can see hardship, even if they are considered ‘essential.’ Projects have been pushed back, and we still see a labor shortage even in the face of unemployment highs.

“Consumers are uncomfortable with in-home work, such as remodels or upgrades. Industry professionals are finding it difficult to execute projects with these economic pressures, while local government is passing bills that increase the cost of homes immediately—for example, the electric vehicle requirements that went into effect this summer (Bill 25, which mandates electric vehicle charging stations in most new Oahu multi-family builds).

BIA and our Government Relations Committee are working tirelessly to

“Local government is passing bills that increase the cost of homes immediately.”

48 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

slow down new legislation that increases the cost to build during the pandemic.”

Leorna, who sits on the Executive Officers Council of the National Association of Home Builders, says the NAHB in October succeeded in negotiating the removal of electric vehicle charging station requirements from the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code. “It is imperative to the strength of our economy that the building industry remains agile and is able to offer jobs to Hawaii’s residents without increased burden or additional restrictions,” she says. “The best survival strategy is to work together. Collaborate with agencies and sister associations who understand the problems presented. The industry has power in numbers, and associations like BIA and NAHB are the voice of the industry.”

Leorna learned early on that collaboration is a success multiplier.

Concentrating in political science and global peace and securities at the University of California–Santa Barbara, she was aiming for a career in international law and eventually, a U.S. ambassadorship. “I love travel, culture and people,” she says, “and learning about intricacies in culture that can make or break relationships.”

Instead, she went straight from her cap-and-gown ceremony to Expertcity, a new high-tech venture.

“I was excited by the ideas of startup companies: how they function and scale in their early years,” she says. “The company had cool products, and was ahead of its time.”

Products included GoToMyPC and GoToMeeting, and the company grew “exponentially,” she says.

Leorna became a finance liaison. She joined an Expertcity team that “had incredible accounting knowledge, and taught me a substantial amount of corporate accounting.” She also worked with executives who shared an “extensive amount about implementation of systems and operations”—all leading to a junior controller position in San Francisco some years later.

“It is imperative to the strength of our economy that the building industry remains agile.”

“My most valuable experiences at Expertcity were in relationships,” she says. “Learning to be open to take on new challenges, managing budgets … and learning to work closely and collaborate with executives and department heads.”

Leorna later moved to Interior Alaska Home Building Association, which she describes as similar in purpose but smaller in scope than BIA-Hawaii.

“Alaska and Hawaii share similar challenges,” she says. “I would say they have a similar impact on their industries simply because both states are so far removed from what Alaskans call ‘the lower 48’ and we call ‘the Mainland.’

“Both states need to find ways to increase affordability of homes and address the shortfall of homes. Alaska developed a financing entity that is especially creative and works to get people into homes, while offsetting increases to the cost to build and buy.

“The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) is a self-supporting public corporation that provides special, Federal-approved loans to Alaskan borrowers. The entity provides financing options for multifamily complexes and single-family homes, loan programs for low- to moderate-income families, consumer education, weatherization and energy rebates, grants, homelessness initiatives and rental assistance programs, and new housing choices for seniors.

“The entity pays dividends into the state reserve while offering these

Jess Leorna sits on the board of the Executive Officers Council of the National Association of Home Builders.

special loans through local banks— an innovative and holistic approach to increasing access for people who truly need affordable housing with the added benefit of contributing money to the state economy in more ways than one.”

Gladys Marrone, BIA-Hawaii’s former CEO and a staunch advocate of expanding Hawaii’s housing options, struck up a friendship with Leorna at an NAHB conference some years ago. When Marrone recently left BIA-Hawaii, she tapped Leorna for her position.

“We moved from Alaska when our home was still under three feet of

snow, and it was minus-30 degrees,” Leorna says. “When we stepped off the plane in Honolulu, I took my down jacket off and breathed the warm, humid air— it felt clean and clear.

This was my first feeling of being at home in Hawaii” —also home to Scotty’s relatives.

“Then our family whisked us from the airport to our new home, and they brought us food, clothes, toys, and they stopped in to check on us regularly. Even during the pandemic, we have a closeness to family now that we weren’t able to have in Alaska.”

Hawaii is a far cry from Fairbanks, where Leorna, her husband and daughter Onyxx Wren loved to fish,

“The best survival strategy is to work together.”

hike and camp. “Our favorite outdoor adventure is fishing,” Leorna says, “and in Alaska we would fly fish while wading down a river at 3 a.m. when the midnight sun was still high, or take to the icy lakes for some ice fishing—40 degrees in the dead of winter.”

Now the family is exploring new territory. Since moving here, Onyxx has learned the words ‘Auntie’ and ‘Uncle.’ “I think these are just the cutest, sweetest words aside from ‘Mama’ and ‘Papa,’ ” Leorna says.

“Due to COVID, Ony won’t attend school until January, but we are looking forward to the culture she’ll experience there. She’ll be washing rice, dancing hula, making poi in class and other practical and cultural activities. Onyxx loves the different species of birds, the beach, the grass, and she loves to visit her cousins.”

And like her mother, who is always up for new adventures, “she’ll wear a colorful lei any time of day!” www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 49

NEWS BEAT

Rendering of the proposed science and math building at BYUH IMAGE COURTESY AHL

AHL, Okland to Construct BYUH Science, Math Building Brigham Young University Hawaii plans to build a three-story, 43,000-square-foot building on campus for math and science classrooms and labs, with completion estimated by the summer of 2022.

Hawaii architectural firm AHL is doing the design and Utah-based Okland Construction Co. Inc. is the general contractor on the project.

BYUH recently saw the demolition of a 60-year-old, one-story building to make room for the new structure,

50 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

which will house seven teaching laboratories, research and support space, 10 classrooms, offices for up to 30 faculty members and a variety of informal learning and collaboration spaces.

“The site is being raised nearly four feet on a plinth because this particular area on campus is prone to flooding, and BYUH needs to design their new facility in accordance with current FEMA flood maps,” says Ethan Twer, AHL senior associate and project architect. “Our design includes a gracious plaza with

a rain garden and shade trees. There is also a sinuous walkway to connect the adjacent road to the main entry of the building.”

The mechanical, electrical and plumbing services were designed for adaptability and, according to AHL, the “plug-and-play” system allows faculty to change programs, research projects and teaching methodologies with little disruption to ongoing instruction.

NAVFAC Honors Engineers of the Year Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii and NAVFAC Pacific in October announced Engineers of the Year awards for fiscal year 2021.

NAVFAC Hawaii announced Red Hill Program Management Officer Cmdr.

Darrel Frame as Darrel Frame Military Engineer of the Year and Supervisory Structural Engineer Guar Johnson as Civilian Engineer of the Year at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH). NAVFAC Pacific named Shannon Kimoto as Civilian Engineer of the Year and Lt. Jonathan Zisko as Military Engineer of the Year.

Guar Johnson Frame, a civil engineer, led the integration and daily operations of the Red Hill Construction Program Team and

Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor (FLCPH) Fuels Department, forming a model for petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) operations and construction departments worldwide.

Johnson, a civil engineer, is a lead structural technical expert and has been involved with more than $200 million of Navy Mission Critical requirements. In addition, he developed a review/tracking system of pier load evaluation requests by incorporating current assets and structural engineering studies.

Kimoto is the design and construction (DC) business line senior civil engineer. She serves as the stormwater / low impact development subject matter expert (SME) for the U.S. Pacific Fleet area of operations.

As the supervisory general engineer, Zisko oversaw the execution of a $250 million construction portfolio, and staff of 18, at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. He developed numerous processes to create workflow efficiencies and performed project management for the Vertical Electro-Magnetic Pulse Simulator, a

globally unique facility constructed to test aircraft resilience to electromagnetic attacks.

NAVFAC Pacific also recognized the 2021 civilian and military engineers of the year in the Pacific Area of Operations (AO).

Along with Frame, Johnson, Kimoto and Zisko, the 14 winners representing NAVFAC Pacific, Far East, Hawaii, Marianas, Northwest, Southwest, and Officer in Charge of Construction (OICC) Marine Corps Marianas (MCM) include: • Civilian Engineer of the Year: Michael Ishibashi, NAVFAC Far East; Lee Enzastiga, NAVFAC Marianas; David Gibson, NAVFAC Northwest; Jason Jaskowiak, OICC MCM; and Dr. Michael Fraser, NAVFAC Southwest.

• Military Engineer of the Year: Lt. Cmdr. Christian Auger, NAVFAC Far East; Lt. Mark Bush, NAVFAC Marianas; Lt. Corey Devonis, NAVFAC Northwest; Cmdr. Peter Benson, NAVFAC Southwest; and Cmdr. Dennis La, OICC MCM.

Henderson to Redesign Kaimana Beach Hotel Henderson Design Group has been selected to redesign the 122-room Kaimana Beach Hotel in Waikiki into a beachfront destination boutique hotel.

In partnership with BlackSand Capital, Private Label Collection and Welcome Stranger, the six-month project is scheduled to be unveiled in December and includes the hotel’s lobby, restaurant, sunset bar, private gathering space and suites.

Henderson Design Group, based on the Island of Hawaii, has curated a collection of vintage furnishings combined with custom handmade items to merge Old Hawaii with an eclectic style. The redesign includes an open plan that will connect the lobby to Kaimana Beach, the property’s moniker and top attraction.

“This is an exciting project for us to work on as we are tasked with breath-

ing new life into a legacy property and restoring its glory without compromising the old charm that has become a favorite of both locals and visitors over the past five decades,” says Eric Henderson, principal and creative director of Henderson Design Group.

“Sustainability takes center stage in our creative vision, and our team is excited to bring it to life this year.”

www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 51

NEWS BEAT

GCA of Hawaii Urges Members to Weigh In on Landfill Law The General Contractors Association (GCA) of Hawaii has reached out to its members for suggestions on ways to allay rising construction costs stemming from the recent passage of a waste management law.

Act 73 was signed into law by Gov. David Ige on Sept. 15. According to an email dated Oct. 13 to GCA members

by Rick Heltzel, Legislative Committee chair, the law will “effectively cause the closure of PVT Land Co., the only construction and demolition landfill on

Oahu, in approximately five years’ time, with no alternative available for the foreseeable future.”

The GCA also notes under this law the “metal and concrete that PVT accepts from construction projects cannot go to H-Power. In addition, PVT is the only permitted facility that accepts non-contaminated and contaminated excavation and dredging materials.”

The remaining options, the association says, will be to take debris to the

municipal landfill at nearly double the cost PVT charges per ton or shipping the material off-island for recycling.

The day after the bill became law, PVT announced increases in fees. For example, disposal for general non-contaminated debris jumped from $57 per ton to $75 per ton, a 31 percent increase.

GCA members can weigh in on the topic by contacting Cheryl Walthall at Cheryl@gcahawaii.org or Gladys Hagemann at Gladys@gcahawaii.org.

(Front, from left) Jeannie Stewart, Teri Esperanza, the Waikiki Community Center’s Caroline Hayashi and Crystal Antonio, Aloha United Way President John Fink, (back, from left) George Stewart, Jonathan Esperanza and Eddie Laguana.

Hawaiian Cement Delivers Compassion Kits Hawaiian Cement’s Oahu Ready Mix Division in October partnered with Compassion for Cancer Caregivers for the first delivery of 300 Compassion Kits to the Waikiki Community Center for kupuna in need. The Waikiki Community Center has been the hub for kupuna since 1978. (Left) Eddie Laguana presents the first Compassion Kit to Caroline Hayashi, president of the Waikiki Community Center.

PHOTOS COURTESY HAWAIIAN CEMENT

52 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

2 Big Island Sort Stations Accepting Construction, Demolition Waste The East Hawai‘i Regional Sort Station on Hawaii Island now accepts construction and demolition (C&D) waste for disposal with the following restrictions: • A maximum of five cubic yards per load will be accepted (a five-cubicyard load will fit in a pickup truck with an eight-foot bed filled to the top

of the cab).

• No item shall exceed four feet in any dimension or weigh more than 50 pounds.

• No rocks, concrete or grading and grubbing (C&G) materials will be accepted.

The West Hawai‘i Sanitary Landfill located at 71-1111 Queen Ka‘ahumanu

Highway will continue to accept C&D and C&G waste, and will accept loads of more than 50 cubic yards if notified more than 24 hours in advance.

For more information, go to hawaiizerowaste.org, or call the Department of Environmental Management, Solid Waste Division office at (808) 961-8270.

Bill 40: Small Contractors Take a Hit Trade leaders express concern over the law’s impact on a ‘fair and open’ bidding process

BY PRISCILLA PÉREZ BILLIG

S

ix months after the passage of Bill 40, many of Honolulu’s building industry leaders are pushing back against the law that mandates local city projects valued at $2 million and more must use union labor.

“This version is still a major obstacle to the fair and open competition for city projects funded by our tax dollars,” says Jeffrey Durham, Jeffrey Durham president and CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Hawaii Chapter, a national construction trade association founded on the merit shop philosophy.

“This bill is highly exclusionary in that it caters to one-third of the licensed contractors in the state who have chosen to be affiliated with labor unions,” Durham says. “By requiring the successful low bidder to become a signatory to organized labor unions for work performed on that project, many highly qualified contractors will not bid on city projects over the $2 million threshold, and effectively raise the cost of city construction projects in Honolulu.”

Durham adds that Bill 40, which became law on June 9, will lead to less employment opportunities as a full

two-thirds of the Islands’ construction workforce has no desire to belong to a union and be forced to pay a third party for the opportunity to work in the industry.

“The speed with which local policymakers moved to amend a faulty ordinance that was only a year old speaks volumes about the problems with CWAs (community workforce agreements),” says Keli‘i Akina, president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

“Unfortunately, as the Grassroot Institute told the City Council, Bill Keli‘i Akina 40 did not go far enough to mitigate the damage done by the original law. Moreover, the council did not consider how they could help local contractors affected by the COVID-19 crisis by eliminating the restrictive CWAs.” Akina noted that across the country, states and municipalities have been eliminating CWAs as studies show that CWAs tend to increase the cost of government contracts.

“The changes in Bill 40 do not go far enough to address these cost and delay issues,” Akina says. “What’s more, by retaining a preference for

CWAs in city contracts as low as $2 million, the amendments do little to help the 4,500 licensed, non-union local contractors that were hurt by the original law.”

Akina added that if the city is interested in helping small businesses and local contractors recover from the effects of the COVID lockdown, “they should eliminate CWAs altogether and remove other unnecessary restrictions on local businesses.”

The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is opposed to government-mandated CWAs, including Cheryl Walthall the recently passed Bill 40, says Cheryl Walthall, GCA executive vice president.

“We believe that publicly funded contracts should be awarded without regard to the lawful labor relations policies and practices of the government contract,” she says. “However, with the passage of Bill 40 into law, we stand ready to work with the City and County of Honolulu to ensure that CWAs are negotiated fairly, with the input of the contractors that will have to administer them, to the benefit of the residents of Honolulu.” www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 53

NEWS MAKERS

Nishihara Leads CBRE Hawaii Project Management Team Ronald “Ron” G. Nishihara has joined CBRE as director of project management for the Hawaii region. He previously was with Trinity Management Group LLC. Denys Ilyichov, his Trinity colleague, joins the CBRE project management team as project manager.

Denys Ilyichov “The addition of Ron and his team greatly enhances CBRE’s project management offering in the Hawaii region,” says Kimberly K. Lord, CBRE Hawaii region senior managing director.

Nishihara’s more than 30 years of commercial real estate experience includes all phases of real estate development from consulting and planning through construction management and delivery.

As Trinity principal, Nishihara and his team provided consulting, project and construction management services to notable Hawaii projects, including the Hawaii Public Housing Authority multi-family housing project in Hilo, the Pacific Gateway Center, Edmonson Hall and Hamilton Library at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, the Waianae Police Station replacement, and the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology on Coconut Island, among others.

Putman Promoted to VP at Armstrong Builders

Marc Putman has been promoted to vice president at Armstrong Builders and will continue to oversee construction management for large-scale residential and commercial projects.

Previously he was senior project manager. Putman Marc Putman has more than 10 years of construction experience, overseeing a number of challenging projects from technical concrete structures to custom architectural buildings.

54 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

He began his career with Armstrong Builders in 2016 as a project manager after working as a superintendent with Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. “Marc is an instrumental member of our team,” says Armstrong Builders President Jim Keller. “He has performed exceptionally well managing multiple complex projects over the years and hiring and mentoring talented new team members.”

HHF Planners Welcomes Yong

Gene Yong has joined planning and landscape architecture firm HHF Planners, where he brings 30 years of experience in land use planning, master planning, entitlements, educational facilities planning and military planning.

His work includes federal Gene Yong infrastructure and facilities planning work for the Navy, particularly its naval shipyards. His work with HHF on the Navy’s recent Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan covered all four of the Navy’s U.S. shipyards and was recognized by the American Planning Association in 2019.

Yong’s past projects include planning and entitlement work with Punahou School, Kamehameha Schools, Maryknoll School, Chaminade University, Mid Pacific Institute, Iolani School, the state Department of Education, Shriners Hospital for Children, North Hawaii Community Hospital and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

Atlas Promotes Muranaka to AVP Atlas Insurance Agency Inc. has promoted Keane Muranaka to assistant vice president within the risk and claims management consulting unit. Atlas also

Keane Muranaka

Ron Nishihara

has hired Adrene Thompson as senior claims consultant and promoted Chris Wong to risk consultant.

Both Thompson and Wong will Adrene Thompson join Atlas’ Client Consulting Unit, where their clients will include members of Hawaii’s building industry.

Muranaka will continue day-to-day claims management services across the agency’s commercial and personal lines Chris Wong clientele. He will also monitor local and national court cases impactful to current and future claims settlements.

Muranaka, who has been with Atlas Insurance since 2008, holds a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Thompson, who has 12 years of insurance industry experience and holds a workers’ compensation adjuster license, will specialize in providing oversight for workers’ compensation claim management services.

A former Atlas intern, Wong joined Atlas in 2019 as an associate risk consultant, and is now providing risk consulting services with a focus on safety and technical compliance assistance. Wong holds a bachelor’s from the Shidler College of Business, UH-Manoa.

Chung Rejoins Belt Collins as VP

John Chung, previously vice president and chief engineer at Honolulubased planning, engineering and landscape architecture firm Belt Collins Hawaii, rejoined BCH earlier this year in the same capacity.

Chung left John Chung BCH in 2016 and served for nearly four years as public works manager and administrator for the Hawaii State Department of Education.

At BCH, Chung is serving as a principal engineer and project manager for the firm’s civil engineering projects, overseeing site development, master planning, infrastructure assessments and roadway and infrastructure design.

BCH in January merged with Bowers + Kubota Consulting, a Hawaii-based architectural/engineering firm.

Five Join G70

Hawaii design firm G70 has hired Jeff Merz as a senior planner/ project manager and Dylan Fong as a civil designer.

Merz, who was at AECOM, specializes in master planning, facility assessments and environmental reviews. He will Jeff Merz work alongside both clients and principals to lead project teams through the completion of master plans, environmental reviews and project completion.

Fong will assist project managers with the preparation of drawings and reports, construction documentation, material reviews and Dylan Fong project coordination

with subconsultants. His backgtound includes an internships at Coughlin Porter Lundeen in Seattle, and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates in Honolulu.

Earlier, G70 also announced the addition of three staff members.

Michael Beason joins as civil project manager. A 30-year industry veteran and certified engineer in Hawaii and California, Beason will oversee projects, prepare and present project engineering and public reports, and supervise project teams.

Erin Chow joins as architectural designer. Most recently a G70 intern, Chow will assist in review and preparation of working drawings, coordinate with architect/engineer subconsultants, and synthesize design information for clients and consultants.

Julia Kimoto joins as a civil designer. Kimoto will assist project managers with drawings and reports, construction documentation, material reviews and project coordination with subconsultants.

...Guam MILCON, continued from page 25

engineering for this deep-water pipeline installation,” he says, “and will begin mobilizing specialized marine equipment and deep diving gear along with materials for the project in the first quarter of 2021.”

Going forward, Humay says, BASE expects “to remain Rick Heltzel busy on Guam for the foreseeable future. Whereas we are exploring a number of private sector opportunities, our backload of work

Work Suspended Guam’s Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS)

suspended all construction on the island following the Nov. 5 discovery of clusters of coronavirus-positive workers on job sites.

According to the DPHSS, “application of the directive to militaryaffiliated construction activities will be coordinated between Public Health and Department of Defense public health authorities.”

is primarily with the military. We are involved with several multi-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts for Navy design work, along with pursu-

Black Construction’s P-250 MALS project, combined with the P-260 Corrosion Control Hangar project, is valued at $86 million.

ing design-build opportunities.”

Nan Inc., says Nakaima, is likewise “making the appropriate adjustments” on Guam. This includes “mobilizing additional personnel, equipment and other strategic resources.” In 2021 and beyond, Heltzel says, Healy Tibbitts “will continue to pursue both waterfront and deep foundation work on Guam for both NAVFAC and the Government of Guam.”

As these and other big-ticket projects gain momentum, Hawaii builders with the capabilities and financial resources to work in Guam, says Grossi, “should do very well.”

PHOTO COURTESY BLACK CONSTRUCTION CORP. www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 55

NEW PRODUCT PROFILE

BrightScan Detection Manoa-based tech company designs thermal temperature scanner for the jobsite and the office

BY PRISCILLA PÉREZ BILLIG

C

onstruction companies and training organizations are adopting the BrightScan Thermographic Display System, a touch-free temperature measurement with facial recognition and mask detection capabilities from Bright Light Digital.

The technology company, based out of the Manoa Innovation Center, offers BrightScan as an advanced artificial intelligence thermal scanner, which may help detect temperatures often displayed by COVID-19, as well as an access control system that accurately identifies a person and measures their body temperature, with or without a mask or glasses.

“Since safety is such a big part of the construction industry, the BrightScan device can serve as a first line of defense Mark Tawara in helping to keep construction workers, subcontractors and visitors safe,” says Mark Tawara, president of Bright Light Digital.

Features of the device include: • 8-inch IPS LCD display • Integrated camera, thermal sensor and display • Touchless body temperature sensor • Mask detection for entry • Facial recognition for point-of-entry • Built for 24/7 operations • Integrates with existing access control systems • Visitor log management • Table stand, floor stand or wall mount options The built-in camera recognizes an individual’s face using advanced 56 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

Bright Light Digital’s BrightScan Thermographic Display System PHOTO COURTESY BRIGHT LIGHT DIGITAL

facial recognition software. BrightScan records body temperature with accuracy within 0.9-degrees Fahrenheit in under one second, with audible feedback and keeps track of name and ID number, identity, expiration date, registered type and photo of entrants.

Upon detection of a person not wearing a mask, a no-access message is both displayed and voiced.

Companies and training organizations using the device include Lawson & Associates Inc., Koga Engineering & Construction, Pacific Resource Partnership, Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters and the Hawaii Carpenters Apprenticeship & Training Center.

“During a monthly review of our safety protocols earlier this year, a preshift individual thermal scan was identified as a best practice,” says Garett Ichimura, project manager with Koga Engineering & Construction. “It would identify those with an elevated temperature and prevent them from entering our office and possibly infecting others.

“The BrightScan is now used as a preventive tool in our overall safety plan, which continues to evolve with

more data and science, as well as new guidance from health authorities.

BrightScan would be helpful in providing reassurances to our crews at the jobsite that everyone is as healthy and safe as possible.”

Lawson & Associates, the largest occupational safety and health support services firm in Hawaii, specializes in assisting small, medium and large businesses achieve efficiency in operations through a wellmanaged safety and risk program.

Tracy Lawson, president and founder of the firm, says the “BrightScan Tracy Lawson device has helped us ensure state-of-the-art, contactless temperature taking for everyone entering our facility. It also is a visible, accessible device that anyone can use as often as they like and is one of the elements of our COVID-19 procedures.

“It was easy to set up, and we have only gotten positive feedback about its use.”

NEW PRODUCTS

Skyjack at 63 Feet

Skyjack has unveiled its tallest scissor lift—the SJ9263 RT (rough terrain), reaching a platform height of 63 feet. The model complies with new ANSI standards that took effect June 1 for all new aerial lifts, which require machines to cut off when platforms are overloaded and before over-tilting, and for scissor lifts to be rated for wind and outdoor and indoor use. The scissor’s platform has a capacity of 1,200 pounds. With platform dimensions at 14 feet, 2 inches long and 6 feet, 3 inches wide, it can be extended to 23 feet, 4 inches long with a dual extension option and can accommodate four workers. www.skyjack.com

Lube Job

Couple Up

Trailer separations happen frequently— at a rate of more than two-and-ahalf per day. Premier Manufacturing offers the Saf-T-Latch, part number 820ELA, which is connected to a Premier air chamber. If a driver forgets to close the hitch manually, the coupling is designed to close when the emergency brake is released. According to the manufacturer, it is always the responsibility of the person making the coupling connection to ensure the latch is closed, as well as the driver’s responsibility to verify that the equipment is correctly connected prior to moving the vehicle. www.premier-mfg.com

ASV Holdings Inc. introduces the Elite line of highperformance, heavy-duty lubricants: 5W-40 Heavy Duty Full Synthetic Engine Oil; ASV Elite 10W-30 Heavy Duty Engine Oil; ASV Elite Zinc Free 46 Multi-Viscosity Hydraulic Oil; and ASV Elite Green Grease NLGI 2. The new engine oil, hydraulic oil and grease products are extensively tested for use in optimizing ASV equipment. The products help to reduce fuel consumption, improve efficiency and optimize performance in ASV machines, according to the manufacturer. The Elite line is Tier IV Final approved. They hold up to extremely high and low ambient temperatures all year long. ASV’s Elite line of lubricants is available in grease tubes, gallon jugs, pails and drums exclusively through the ASV dealer network. www.asvi.com/news/elite-line-of-lubricants

Illuminated

Allmand Bros. Inc.’s Night-Lite E-Series tower is developed with the coiled power cable secured to the top of the first, third and fifth sections to minimize tangling, making it easy for crews to set up. With multi-directional forklift pockets and the ability to withstand high winds, this light tower is durable enough to be used in many different environments, including construction sites, according to the manufacturer. The Night-Lite E-Series features four LED light fixtures that provide an output of 154,000 lumens with automatic on/off functionality, a timer and photocell to sense daylight and control the light accordingly. www.allmand.com www.tradepublishing.com/building-industry-hawaii | 57

PROJECT PROFILE

Nordic Builds the Dream Incubator

Entrepreneurs Sandbox aims to accelerate technology and innovation

BY PRISCILLA PÉREZ BILLIG PHOTOS COURTESY NORDIC PCL CONSTRUCTION INC.

T

he toddler’s sandbox has taken on a whole new meaning since the innocent days of childhood. Today, the Entrepreneurs Sandbox is a 600-acre high-tech, startup incubator designed to create innovation-focused jobs in Hawaii.

Nordic PCL Construction Inc. recently completed construction of the $7.3 million, 13,500-square-foot, two-story steel and concrete Hawaii Technology Development Corp.

(HTDC) project in Kakaako. The stateowned, tech-focused hub marks the first phase of completion of the Kakaako Innovation Block with funding from state, federal and private sources, according to Pamela Nitta, manager, special projects division at Nordic PCL. “When the Entrepreneurs Sandbox was under Pamela Nitta construction, the Nordic PCL team used a 360-degree camera to document and track punchlist items as well as help solve constructability issues in the field,” Nitta says.

The Entrepreneurs Sandbox has a mix of open spaces and dedicated desks.

“The team also utilized mobile applications that allowed the field workers to submit all documents to a shared platform where team members could review them immediately.”

The structure features exposed concrete slabs, exposed structural steel, 58 | BUILDING INDUSTRY HAWAII | DECEMBER 2020

The Entrepreneurs Sandbox offers three sound-proof private “phone booths.”

colored STO finish and large curtainwall panels. The ground floor houses 4,500 square feet of co-working and event space. Co-working amenities include high-speed wireless internet, conference rooms equipped for teleconferencing, three sound-proof private “phone booths,” secure offices and a mix of open and dedicated desks.

Multiple event spaces are also available for rent to the public. The largest event area is 3,000 square feet and features a three-story, large-format screen with a state-of-the-art projection system. Smaller classrooms and conference rooms are spread throughout the building, providing flexible collaboration spaces for start-up firms.

The Entrepreneurs Sandbox had several stakeholders, including developer Stanford Carr; the HTDC, attached to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA), a public entity created by the Legislature and housed within DBEDT; the Federal Government Economic Development Association; and the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine.

“Each entity had varying and sometimes competing objectives,” says Nitta. “During the construction process, Nordic PCL collaborated with all parties to ensure that each stake-

The Entrepreneurs Sandbox in Kakaako

holder’s needs were addressed.”

As the Entrepreneurs Sandbox had to conform to strict budget and program requirements, Nordic PCL along with architect Ferraro Choi worked with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive list of value engineering items ranging from alternative materials to design modifications to meet program requirements more efficiently, according to Nitta.

The HTDC-managed facility has secured tenants that include innovation teams from Central Pacific Bank, Servco Labs, Hawaiian Telcom, Hawaiian Airlines and Pacxa, a technology services group.

“An effort being supported by the HTDC and its tenants is the true initiative, which is accelerating the adoption of technology and innovation Len Higashi through collaboration and sharing of solutions to common business problems,” says Len Higashi, acting director of HTDC.

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