American Savings Bank (ASB) has been honored by Forbes Magazine as a top-ranked bank in Hawaii for the fifth year and was recognized on its prestigious 2024 “Best In-State Banks” list. This accolade reaffirms ASB’s status as a leading financial institution, recognized for its excellence in serving Hawaii’s residents, businesses and communities. 

Out of 4,000 financial institutions nationwide, only 185 banks achieved this recognition, placing ASB in the top 4% of banks across the United States. The distinction underscores ASB’s nearly 100-year commitment to providing easy and convenient banking solutions tailored to the unique needs of Hawaii’s diverse population. 

“American Savings Bank is proud to be recognized as Hawaii’s top-ranked bank on Forbes’ Best In-State Banks list for the fifth year,” said Ann Teranishi, president and CEO at ASB. “This national honor reflects our team’s dedication to offering personalized financial solutions to make our customers’ dreams possible. We’re grateful to our customers for their trust and recognition of our service.”  

ASB was named a distinguished Hawaii bank on the list based on high ratings in several key areas: trust, branch services, digital services, customer service, financial advice and terms and conditions. In 2023, ASB stood out as the only bank in Hawaii to receive this honor. ASB has been named to the Forbes “Best In-State Banks” list five out of seven times, achieving consecutive recognition in 2023 and 2024.  

This consistent “Best In-State Bank” recognition by Forbes is a testament to ASB’s dedication to excellence and innovation in banking. ASB’s continued success is driven by its commitment to make banking accessible and beneficial for all its customers, enhancing financial well-being and contributing to a stronger Hawaii.  

For more information and to view the full list of Forbes’ 2024 Best In-State Banks, click here.   

Photo: courtesy of American Savings Bank

Hawaii’s post-pandemic job recovery is the slowest in the nation. Out-migration of the kamaaina workforce has weakened the economic foundation and made it difficult for small businesses to start up, much less expand. These issues drove the Chamber to mobilize researchers, national experts, community leaders and small-to-big business owners. They joined together as architects and designers of the 2030 Blueprint for Hawaii. More than 20 chief executive officers and numerous lawmakers were interviewed to gain perspective. Focus groups were conducted with young professionals, entrepreneurs, and tech industry influencers. Input was sought from the Chamber’s board of directors, its members and neighbor island chambers.  

The visionary blueprint calls for policy making and direct change that’s data-informed based on its comprehensive study of Hawaii’s past and present realities. It challenges Hawaii’s communities and policymakers to grow jobs and increase support of businesses as well as how to jumpstart a sluggish economy.  

The 2030 Blueprint for Hawaii is a must read this summer, says Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s President & CEO Sherry Menor-McNamara. “This is Hawaii’s story of hope and resilience. In it, there are opportunities for small businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators to pursue. The future of Hawaii’s business community can be reinforced and revitalized. When businesses thrive, residents and families benefit. Job growth for communities on all islands is key to Hawaii’s future success. This is a plan of action to accomplish that goal.”  

As the “Voice of Business” in Hawaii, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is a statewide, non-profit organization whose mission is to serve as the advocate for business in Hawaii. Visit cochawaii.org.

In finding ways to use ChatGPT for Home Inspections, I asked ChatGPT to show me a typical plumbing defect that a Home Inspector would discover. Here is the generated image: 

Photo: AI Generated

I was amused by this image as it is obviously not based on reality. It is more of an artistic image based on Surrealism. 

From Wikipedia: Surrealism is an art and cultural movement that developed in Europe in the aftermath of World War I in which artists aimed to allow the unconscious mind to express itself, often resulting in the depiction of illogical or dreamlike scenes and ideas. Its intention was, according to leader André Breton, to “resolve the previously contradictory conditions of dream and reality into an absolute reality, a super-reality”, or surreality. 

Shocked by this image, I asked ChatGPT for an Electrical defect: 

Photo: AI Generated

No, active fires are not usually detected by a Home Inspector. Amazed again, I asked for a Foundation defect: 

Photo: AI Generated

Yes, it would be difficult for the Home Inspector to dig around the house…more artistic is this garage door defect: 

Photo: AI Generated

Finally, I asked, “What if Salvador Dali was a Home Inspector, what would he draw for a House defect?” 

Here is the most intriguing art image: 

Photo: AI Generated

Conclusion 

ChatGPT cannot provide realistic house defects but can be quite entertaining in trying to do so! 

For any questions on this topic, please call Oscar Libed of  Inspect Hawaii at 808-728-5707 or send an email to  oscar@inspecthawaii.com 

www.inspecthawaii.com 

Monitoring the Health of Maui

The Maui Wildfire Exposure Study follows the health and recovery of Maui wildfire survivors.

It’s easy to overlook a cough, especially amid competing priorities like finding a job, tending to family, and searching for a home. But for Maui residents affected by August 2023’s wildfires, either directly or indirectly, that cough could be a symptom of deteriorating health.

Forty-six percent of Maui residents surveyed reported that their health had declined in the past year, according to initial findings from the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study, or MauiWES. The survey was conducted by researchers at the University of Hawai‘i and funded by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation and Kaiser Permanente. It also reported that up to 60% of participants may suffer from poor respiratory health.

“It’s been really challenging for them to recover, because it’s not just one thing that will solve all of their problems. It’s a myriad of issues that they have to resolve to really not only recover, but to do so in a healthy way,” says Alika Maunakea, a professor at UH Mānoa’s John A. Burns School of Medicine, which headed up the study along with the University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization, or UHERO.

While the study, consisting of 679 participants, included the collection of biomedical samples, it also looked at social factors such as mental health, depression, suicidal ideation and anxiety, as well as employment status, food insecurity, and access to care. The idea behind the study is to prevent long-term health issues among Maui’s survivors — and understanding the conditions in which they live, work, and play is a critical piece of that.

As part of the MauiWES study, various health tests are performed. | Photo: courtesy of MauiWES

“This is the largest, most comprehensive study ever done in Hawai‘i after a disaster,” says Ruben Juarez, HMSA professor of health economics at UHERO. He is responsible for analyzing the study’s data and reporting its findings.

“If you don’t have good housing, if you don’t have a stable job, your priority is not going to be health,” says Juarez. “In fact, that’s what we’re seeing in our cohort, that many of these people… over 30% of people that we have in the study, this was their first medical check since the wildfire.”

The work of MauiWES is not just to collect data and analyze it, but also to monitor risk factors and inform participants of their medical results to help prevent any long-term problems.

“Without the support of Kaiser Permanente, we would not have been able to sustain this research project, nor expand to include a wider population,” Maunakea says. “Kaiser Permanente’s investment helped ensure that we will be able to continue this vital health research for the sake of our survivors and their future.”

Surprise Findings

Maunakea knew the study would reveal respiratory health issues and increased cardiovascular risks. But, like Juarez, he didn’t expect that so many of the participants who were already showing symptoms weren’t seeing doctors.

“They hadn’t gone to get a medical assessment or health assessment since the fires so that was surprising to hear,” Maunakea says. He explains that ignoring a cough due to exposure to ash and smoke could result in long-term lung problems and an increased risk for heart disease.

Maunakea was also surprised by the extent of the participants’ mental health issues. The study found that more than half of participants have symptoms of depression, with rates highest among middle-aged people. It also showed that 30% of participants have moderate to severe anxiety, 20% have low self-esteem, and 4.4% thought about suicide in the past month.

“Mental health impacts everything about your physical health and gets down to your physiology,” says Maunakea. “They all relate to each other. If you don’t get mental health support, your physical health might decline. If you don’t have access to care, then you’re less likely to take care of your health.”

Disparities in health insurance coverage were also found, with over 13% of participants lacking any health insurance at all. “That’s above the pre-wildfire average, which was about 5%,” says Juarez. “We’re seeing, for Hispanics, 38% don’t have health insurance and that’s something we’re actually working to address.”

Inclusion Matters

The wildfire exposure study is the first in Hawai‘i to include Hispanic representation on a social and biomedical scale. Hispanics make up 11% of Hawai‘i’s population, says Juarez, with the highest concentrations on Maui and Hawai‘i Island.

Community organizations engaged with minority groups to encourage participation in the study. “They’re just really grateful that they were taken into consideration,” says Veronica Jachowski, co-founder and executive director of Roots Reborn, a resource hub for Maui immigrants. The nonprofit helped MauiWES engage with over 200 people in Latino and Compact of Free Association, or COFA, communities.

In the study, more than 60% of Filipinos and Hispanic and Latinos reported very low food security. “Kaiser Permanente recognizes that food insecurity has worsened for survivors living in hotels and has stepped up to increase the amount of grants to community-based organizations supporting feeding programs,” says Jachowski. “This support makes a difference for families and individuals without access to kitchens or the ability to pay for groceries,” she says.

The study also found that the Hispanic and Latino community has the largest number of residents without insurance, at 38%.

Photo: courtesy of MauiWES

“If there’s representation in health studies, then you’re reducing biases,” Jachowski says. “If you have diverse representation, it helps researchers better understand how impacts, specifically fire impacts, affect different groups of people.”

Jachowski says that many of the study’s minority participants are extremely grateful for being included and for having their health results explained to them. “One of the things they always say is, like, ‘It’s good to know, otherwise how else would I have known? I don’t have insurance,’” says Jachowski.

“Kaiser Permanente’s Hawaii Health Access Program has provided critical access to individuals, the majority of whom are receiving access to health insurance for the first time in their lives,” Jachowski says. “This has completely revolutionized access for the most disenfranchised people of Maui.”

Expanding the Study

With the initial report complete, Juarez and Maunakea say the goal now is to expand the cohort from 679 individuals to 2,000, including children for the first time.

Additional funding, which they are pursuing, could also provide an opportunity to extend the study an additional five years or longer. This would allow repeat screenings every year to look at some of the changes and update participants on additional findings.

Juarez and Maunakea are looking at the 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program’s ongoing screenings as a guide.

Participants want the support, says Maunakea. “They want to be included in the study over the long term because they want to know what’s happening and make sure that they’re OK,” he says. “I think that really does help.”

Celebrating Parenthood

Expectant parents are being showered with additional support in a fun and leisurely way. Imua Family Services holds community baby showers each quarter at the nonprofit’s Discovery Garden in Wailuku, Maui. The first ones were in January and April and the next events are scheduled for August and November.

The baby showers are intended to give expectant parents information about all the resources available to them pre- and post-pregnancy, but the events are held like a typical baby shower, complete with gifts, games, massages, and mocktails.

Dean Wong, executive director of Imua Family Services, says that while some parents-to-be have families and friends to throw them baby showers, a lot of people in the Islands do not. “Either their families don’t live in the Islands or they don’t have the means since the fires. Some people don’t have homes. They’re still displaced,” Wong says. “Supporting parents-to-be is one of our most important priorities. The investment from Kaiser Permanente for these baby showers reminds parents and their families that they are cherished and supported. We are creating a safety net of support from the onset so parents will know we are here for them.”

Photo: courtesy of Imua Family Services

So far, the showers have been very popular. “The first one was for 40 expecting parents, and we put it out there for persons in their second and third trimester, and it filled up within a day,” says Wong. “Once we saw how that went and how well that was received, we kind of made some fine-tunings to the second one and we also increased the number of people that we could gather. And then that one also filled up very quickly.”

Not only do the parents receive gift bags packed with baby essentials and folders full of resources, they’re also able to make friends with other attendees. “The earlier that families can start creating their support circle or their network of friends,” says Wong, “the more support they’re going to have as they’re raising their children.”

The Nonprofit Housing Movement

Hawai‘i Community Lending’s new program addresses the need for more nonprofit affordable housing developments in the Islands.

The vast majority of housing in Hawai‘i and throughout the United States is built by for-profit businesses, and now, with thousands of residents still displaced by the Lahaina fires, more nonprofit developers are urgently needed.

“If we’re going to adequately address the housing shortage for residents, then we need something in addition to the private market,” says Gavin Thornton, executive director of the Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice. “That’s why investing in those nonprofit developments, and removing the financial incentives, is so important,” Thornton continues. “It makes it less about being a smart financial investment and more about being a home for someone that needs it.”

This year, Hawai‘i Community Lending, a community loan fund, introduced a new program aimed at increasing the number of nonprofit developments in the state, especially on Maui.

“We brought together nine different nonprofits who did a weeklong training with us,” says Jeff Gilbreath, executive director of Hawai‘i Community Lending. These consisted of small to midsize nonprofit developers, some of whom already have a few completed projects but lack the staff or capacity to leverage larger dollars for affordable housing developments.

Photo: courtesy of Hawaii Community Lending

“We took them through kind of the development process, one-on-one, to share with them, like, what do you need as a rental housing developer or a homeownership developer to do this work and expand your capacity,” says Gilbreath. Hawai‘i Community Lending also introduced strategies to bring on partners and shared funding and financing options with them, including information on the federal home loan bank and community development financial institutions.

“Kaiser Permanente heard the need for supporting nonprofit developers in building affordable housing and made an investment to do just that,” says Gilbreath. “It has been 32 years since the Hawai‘i state Legislature made the recommendation to increase the capacity of nonprofit affordable housing developers as a way to address our long-standing housing crisis. We mahalo Kaiser Permanente for listening and taking action so this work can finally come to fruition.”

The training was completed in May and the nonprofits have since been paired with subject matter experts to guide them in their affordable housing plans over the next 12 months. These experts help with questions about acquisitions, federal programs, working with land trusts, and more.

The Hawai‘i Community Lending training program covered topics such as funding and acquisitions. | Photo: courtesy of Hawaii Community Lending

The shortage of nonprofit developers is largely due to developers’ desires to make money, Thornton says. And purchasing resources, such as land, takes time. “You have to build the resources to be able to purchase the land and do the very expensive work of housing development, but if you’re good at it, you make a profit that allows you to do more and purchase more land and do more developments,” says Thornton. “It’s hard for nonprofits to do it.”

More regulations within the private sector could help. In 2022, of the 21,131 housing units sold across Hawai‘i, only 27% were owner-occupied. Thornton says regulating short-term rentals and increasing taxes on investment properties could bring property prices down and potentially bring more of those homes into the long-term housing market. Relaxing zoning requirements could also make it easier to develop multifamily housing, he says.

On completion of the nonprofit developer capacity program, Gilbreath would like to see nonprofits double their development capacity. He would also like to see the program continue year after year.

“These folks are already planning to build more than they had initially thought before getting into the program,” he says. “You’ll see us be better positioned, like say in Lahaina, to rebuild faster because you’ve got more people doing it and at levels that are affordable for families who need it.”

Making a Difference

Each January, nearly 1,000 physicians, nurses, providers, and staff from Kaiser Permanente, along with their family members and other community partners, get together to volunteer in the community. It’s a tradition that began 15 years ago; the company holds its annual day of service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to honor his legacy.

Photo: courtesy of Kaiser Permanente

The volunteers are divided among nine different locations across the state: Paepae o He‘eia, Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi, Papahana Kuaola, the Cultural Learning Center at Ka‘ala Farm and Kalaeloa Heritage Park on O‘ahu; Paeloko Learning Center on Maui; Waipā Foundation on Kaua‘i; and Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve and Haleolono Fishpond on Hawai‘i Island.

“They’re always needing help. They have massive things they’re trying to do, and we have a lot of people,” says David Bell, MD, assistant area medical director for professional development, people, and service for Hawai‘i Permanente Medical Group. He says it was important to choose nonprofits that would connect physicians, providers and staff physically to the land. All of these sites are tied together as having missions dedicated to ahupua‘a restoration and aloha ‘āina. The group brings medical staff outside to the communities they serve, which also helps to create stronger bonds within the group itself.

Photo: courtesy of Kaiser Permanente

Volunteers may be assigned to remove invasive species and replant native ones, restore a stream, remove rocks or work in a lo‘i. “They do a wide variety of things that get them sweaty and outside and moving, and in some instances, dirty. It’s hands on, culturally based fishpond restoration work,” says Keli‘i Kotubetey, founder and assistant executive director of Paepae o He‘eia. “They have been invested in the restoration and the success of the fishpond and that is amazing.”

Hawaii’s most popular lifestyle show is adding another arrow in its audience delivery arsenal.  HI Now Daily, the thriving live show celebrating everything local, will be broadcast live on all three channels of Hawaii News Now beginning in September.   

The program has been an innovative leader in the lifestyle storytelling category, by not only broadcasting on live television, but also streaming that content on the station’s free streaming app, offering it live on Facebook and YouTube, and elevating the pieces with behind-the-scenes extras and engaging contests on social media.   

HI Now Daily highlights everything that’s great about the Hawaiian Islands and their vibrant community. The lifestyle show features local food, non-profits, fashion designers, cultural leaders, fitness coaches and fun events that families can enjoy together.  Not only do hosts Rachel Pacarro and Kainoa Carlson welcome guests live into the HNN studio, they also cook live with them in the station’s state-of-the-art kitchen and travel live on location to businesses on all of our islands.   

The enthusiasm of the hosts, guests and audience is truly contagious.  HI Now Daily has quickly become the destination for business owners to showcase their brand’s stories, and to educate a warm and welcoming audience who is loyal to the show, and eager to support local businesses.  Consumers find the show daily on their favorite platform, engage with the content, and follow through with visiting and patronizing brands they see featured on the show.  Hosts Kainoa and Rachel have their own loyal following and have embraced their roles as social media influencers on behalf of HI Now Daily and the brands they showcase.  

HI Now Daily is live every weekday at 3pm and can be consumed on the Hawaii News Now free streaming app, Roku, Amazon’s Fire TV, Apple TV, Facebook Live, YouTube Live, KGMB, KFVE and beginning September 2nd on KHNL.  Binge old episodes and watch for new ones to drop on hinowdaily.com.  

In the ever-changing landscape of employer services, understanding the nuances of your clients’ industry can help you better tailor your services. Joey Lee, Director of Sales at Hawaii Dental Service (HDS), recognized this opportunity and implemented a subtle, yet effective change. 

At HDS, Hawai‘i’s leading dental benefits provider, Joey’s team of account managers offer dental benefits packages to meet the specific needs of the employer groups they serve.  

“Our sales team operates as the eyes and ears of HDS,” Joey explains. “They maintain close relationships with our clients, so we can stay attuned to their evolving needs.” 

When Joey noticed her account managers getting bogged down with industry-specific terminology and practices, she realigned the team, assigning her account managers to specific industries. This move towards specialization positioned her team to better understand their clients’ staffing structures and health needs. For instance, when a hotel undergoes a change in ownership, having a constant account manager versed in hospitality helps to ease the transition. 

HDS values maintaining operations locally with a Hawai‘i-based workforce. Local service representatives are familiar with the unique dynamics of living in Hawai‘i—from understanding the differences in infrastructure across various communities to recognizing the significant burden of Hawai‘i’s inflated cost of living. 

Community engagement is another pillar of HDS’s philosophy. The company maintains its commitment to improving oral health in Hawai‘i through grants, scholarships, and community programs aimed at reducing barriers to care and supporting the local dental industry. 

Although community service is already fundamental to HDS’s culture, Joey encourages her team members to personally make an impact. As a team, they participate in community service projects, and individually, many team members actively serve on nonprofit boards. While the sole intent of these efforts is to promote social welfare, they can also lead to opportunities to further HDS’s mission of improving oral health across Hawai‘i. 

“We strive to serve everyone, promoting oral health and wellness in every community,” Joey emphasizes. “When HDS promotes a new oral health initiative, our team is on the frontline to champion that message.” 

Central Pacific Bank

CENTRAL PACIFIC BANK: WHERE EXCEPTIONAL PERSONAL SERVICE MEETS THE LATEST IN DIGITAL CONVENIENCE

Central Pacific Bank (CPB) understands that exceptional service is key to creating a positive banking experience. This commitment extends beyond traditional branches, seamlessly integrating into their robust online and mobile platforms. In fact, in independent market research, the bank annually ranks at or near the top among all local financial institutions in customer satisfaction.

ROOTED IN A LEGACY OF INCLUSION

In 2024, CPB is celebrating 70 years since it was founded by Nisei veterans who valiantly fought in World War II only to face challenges securing financial services when they returned home. With that legacy, CPB carries a deep understanding of Hawaii’s diverse needs. This heritage fuels their mission to go above and beyond for all of Hawaii’s people.

EXPERIENCE THE CPB DIFFERENCE

CPB’s team members are dedicated to building long lasting relationships, while taking the time to understand your unique financial goals. This personalized approach allows them to craft tailored solutions that empower you to achieve financial success.

BANKING ON THE GO

CPB recognizes the importance of digital convenience. Their award-winning online and mobile banking platforms boast a user-friendly interface, live chat option, and a comprehensive suite of features, making managing your finances effortless, anytime, anywhere.

TRUSTED BY HAWAII AND RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY

Central Pacific Bank has earned the trust of its customers and the recognition of prestigious publications like Forbes and Newsweek. These distinctions speak volumes about the public’s trust in them as well as their commitment to secure banking and financial solutions. The bank is also annually recognized as one of the Best Places to Work by Hawaii Business Magazine.

A BANK BUILT ON ALOHA

CPB actively invests in Hawaii’s communities, supporting local organizations, women entrepreneurs, small businesses, and initiatives that enhance the lives of everyone across the islands. This embodies the true spirit of aloha – a deep sense of service and respect – that sets CPB apart.

Central Pacific Bank
220 South King St
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 544-0500
www.cpb.bank

HEMIC

For over 25 years, HEMIC has been dedicated to caring for Hawai‘i’s businesses and their workers. As Hawai‘i’s only mutual insurance company and a 100% local enterprise, HEMIC’s commitment to partnerships is in their DNA.

Recognized as Hawai‘i’s leading Workers’ Compensation provider, today HEMIC has grown into a family of companies with insurance coverage and risk management solutions for Hawai‘i businesses — from “mom & pop” shops to large employers and self-insured entities.

• HEMIC’s Workers’ Compensation offering for all Hawai‘i businesses includes a safety credit program, nurse triage hotline, online Safety Suite, and safety & risk management consulting services at no additional cost to policyholders. HEMIC’s customizable large deductible program was developed for large employers who seek to assume a portion of their insurance risk while benefiting from HEMIC’s expertise in claims, safety and risk management.
• Employer’s Protective Insurance Company (EPIC) is Hawai‘i’s fastest growing provider of Temporary Disability Insurance, with superior customer service and efficient claim handling managed entirely by their local team. EPIC’s early involvement with support for the claim filing process means quicker payouts for qualifying claims. EPIC’s claimant satisfaction survey from their inception to date has an average score of 5.99 out of 6.
• HEMIC Insurance Managers, Inc. (HIMI) has a new Small Business Program that provides all the insurance coverages that a small business needs in one convenient bundle and payment solution.
• HIMI’s Third-Party Claim Administration Services are multiline with a specialty in Workers’ Compensation, providing expertise in claim management and mitigation for self-insured entities, captives and other employers seeking to outsource this function.

“At HEMIC, we know that the people and businesses we serve are our neighbors, family members, and our community,” says Tammy Teixeira, SVP of Business Development & Customer Experience. “We appreciate the importance of delivering superior service – and doing so with professionalism and a spirit of aloha. Our sense of kuleana drives us and fuels our passion to help Hawai‘i businesses succeed.”

HEMIC
915 Fort Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 524-3642
www.HEMIC.com

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union

ALWAYS RIGHT BY YOU

At Hawaii State Federal Credit Union (Hawaii State FCU), we believe that “always right by you” isn’t just a tagline – it’s our way of life. It’s also a promise, to treat our members fairly, like family, and to always consider what’s best for them in all we do.

Credit unions were originally established to provide financial services and support to communities that were unserved and underserved by traditional banks. This idea of people helping people was the foundation on which Hawaii State FCU began. By maintaining our member focused, community-minded way of doing business, we have continued to grow from our humble beginnings serving Hawaii’s territorial government workers to becoming one of the largest credit unions in the state, with 14 branches on Oahu and Maui.

Over our 88-year history, our dedication to our members never wavered. We invest significant time and resources toward continually improving our member experience, offering value-added products, convenience, innovative technology, and educational tools and resources to set people on the path to financial wellness. Our members are an essential part of our financial cooperative, and our commitment to them ensures that we can continue to build relationships and provide vital financial services that support the well-being of our community for many years to come.

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union
333 Queen Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 587-2700
www.HawaiiStateFCU.com

Island Insurance

Island Insurance provides insurance solutions for Hawai‘i’s businesses and families. Founded in 1939, Island remains the only locally-owned property and casualty (P&C) insurance company in the state. President Scott Kuioka says, “As a locally-owned and operated company, we understand the unique challenges Hawai‘i businesses and families face. Our experienced team and disciplined underwriting standards help us to uphold our mission and deliver exceptional service, from policy quoting through claims handling.”

Island Insurance has consistently been recognized as a Top 50 P&C insurer in the U.S. by the Ward Group for 17 consecutive years and honored as one of the Best Places to Work by Hawaii Business for the past 18 years.

We offer a full range of property and casualty insurance products. Our Commercial Lines division provides insurance solutions for businesses of all sizes and offers a comprehensive range of commercial insurance products, including specialty services like Risk Control and Premium Audit. A recent investment in our information technology system will enable Island to further innovate and continue to enhance our customer service.

Giving back to the community is ingrained as part of Island’s DNA. Island Insurance employees actively support numerous Hawai‘i non-profit organizations year-round through leadership, fundraising and other events. The Island Insurance Foundation donated over $1.3 million to local non-profits last year and matches employee donations to non-profits up to $500.

“We’re proud to be recognized as a locally owned business in the Top 250,” says Kuioka, “and we remain dedicated to delivering insurance solutions and exceptional service to Hawai‘i and helping our community.”

Island Insurance
P.O. Box 1520, Honolulu, HI 96806
(808) 643-4000
www.islandinsurance.com

ProService Hawaii

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF EMPOWERING EMPLOYERS TO SUCCEED IN HAWAII

ProService has grown from a small office in Kailua-Kona in 1994 to multiple offices across the islands, ready to serve Hawaii employers today. While their team has grown, their purpose remains the same: Empower employers to succeed in Hawaii.

Their recent partnership with Silver Lake, a global technology investment company, has further accelerated innovation and improvement for ProService.

“We are proud to work side-by side with business owners in Hawaii, saving them time and money so they can focus on growing and operating the business they love,” says Ben Godsey, CEO of ProService.

The ProService team prides itself on helping more people live, work, and thrive in Hawaii. The team expertly guides employers in facing their HR challenges, such as navigating complex employment law changes, finding strategies to hire and retain employees, and managing day-to-day employee-related matters spanning payroll, employee benefits, and claims.

In a nutshell, ProService helps business owners:

• Save on labor costs today and over time
• Attract, engage, and retain their employees
• Get valuable time back to spend on what matters most
• Get local HR expertise across payroll, benefits, compliance, and more
• Navigate sensitive HR matters, stay compliant with state and federal rules, and avoid costly mistakes

LOCAL SERVICE EXCELLENCE AND A MINDSET OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

ProService partners with 3,000 businesses, representing 50,000 employees across the state. They’ve embarked on a multi-year journey to enhance their local service and expertise with more advanced technology solutions to empower their employees and clients to do their best work.

As the company accelerates progress across the organization, they will continue to invest in their high-performing employees and service culture, which are paramount to their future success. The company’s mindset of continuous improvement is one of the reasons why local employers enjoy partnering with ProService, and why the company has been recognized as one of Hawaii’s Best Places to Work for the last 18 years.

ProService Hawaii
6600 Kalaniana‘ole Hwy #200,
Honolulu, HI 96825
(808) 427-4988
www.proservice.com/top250

Chaminade University of Honolulu

CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY OF HONOLULU HAS BUILT A COMMUNITY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

President Dr. Lynn Babington says Chaminade students thrive in an inclusive and supportive academic environment meant to not only inspire but challenge. “Our students are pursuing ambitious goals and then applying what they learn by serving those around them,” she said. “In every student, we see a leader ready to drive positive change.”

To amplify its strong service-focused mission, Chaminade is continuously expanding its programming, working with stakeholders to understand the highest priority demands facing Hawaii communities and dovetailing academic offerings to meet fast-evolving workforce needs. Undergraduate and graduate students alike take advantage of innovative partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, the United Nations and more.

These opportunities are in addition to Chaminade’s dedicated educators, cutting-edge programs and wraparound academic advising and career development services designed to ensure every student gets the individualized support they need.

All are powerful ingredients—which have proven to be a recipe for success.

As Babington points out, Chaminade is home to Hawaii’s largest undergraduate nursing program and offers the state’s only APA-accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology—one of five doctoral programs offered at the university.

Chaminade also prepares working professionals for a rapidly changing world, helping them to advance their careers with an MBA or advanced degrees in counseling, marriage and family therapy, education, criminal justice, nursing and more. Together, the programs deliver on the university’s promise to put the community first. “Pursuing a mission of social justice is at the heart of everything we do,” Babington said. “We see educational opportunity as a transformational force for good in people’s lives and Hawaii’s future.”

That mission is evident in Chaminade’s “Hawaii Guarantee,” a pledge that incoming Hawaii high school seniors will pay the same tuition rate as they would at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and be provided with an achievable path to graduate in four years.

Babington says the Hawaii Guarantee is about making the dreams of a college education accessible to all Hawaii students. “At Chaminade University, we’re proud to be developing the next generation of leaders,” Babington said, “in Hawaii and for Hawaii.”

Chaminade University of Honolulu
3140 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 735-4711
www.chaminade.edu

HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union

HAWAII’S LARGEST CREDIT UNION

HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union stands as Hawaii’s largest credit union, offering more than just financial services—we are a dedicated partner in every member’s journey towards financial wellness. Our commitment extends beyond transactions; we strive to empower individuals at every stage of their financial lives through operational excellence, tailored products, and personalized services.

At HawaiiUSA, innovation is key. We recognize the importance of banking convenience in today’s world, which is why we provide superior digital services that simplify banking and make money management easier than ever. Our intuitive processes and exclusive member benefits not only streamline transactions but also enhance the financial resilience of our members.

Central to our mission is promoting financial wellness. We believe in creating a community that’s financially savvy and empowered. This starts with our own team—investing in their career and professional development to foster a reciprocal and respectful workplace. Our employees benefit from financial wellness programs, boosting their personal financial confidence.

Furthermore, sustainability is integral to our approach. We partner with schools to implement financial literacy programs for K-12 students, aiming to empower the next generation with essential financial skills. Recognizing the need for more resources in at-risk communities, we collaborate with partners to deliver tailored financial wellness initiatives.

Our commitment to growth is evident in our latest branch concept, the Kakaako Financial Center, which showcases modern technology and sets a benchmark for future branches. This shift reinforces our dedication to innovation and enhancing member experience statewide.

At HawaiiUSA, we are not just a financial institution; we are leaders in the financial wellness movement. We support small businesses, advocate for our communities, and champion financial education. Our legacy is built on inspiring others to achieve financial success and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union
1226 College Walk
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 534-4300
hawaiiusafcu.com

Par Hawaii

POISED FOR THE FUTURE

Hawaii is at another energy crossroad as the state continues its shift to 100% renewable energy.

Par Hawaii, which has produced fuels made with imported crude oil for more than 50 years, is at the forefront of this change.

Par Hawaii is expected to achieve a major breakthrough next year when it begins producing renewable fuels at its Kapolei refinery. The refinery, which has been operating since 1972, will produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to help the airline industry meet its ambitious decarbonization targets and renewable diesel and other fuels to meet the evolving demand of other businesses, including electric and gas utilities.

ADDITIONAL REFINERY INVESTMENTS

It has taken quick thinking from the Par Hawaii team to keep pace with the rapid advancements in renewable energy. In 2018, Par Hawaii made a $27 million investment to erect a distillate hydrotreater at its refinery to produce clean ultra-low sulfur diesel and enable the refinery to produce more jet fuel. Par Hawaii is now investing an additional $90 million to reconfigure this processing unit to produce sustainable aviation fuel and other renewable fuels.

“We are fortunate to have a very talented team that designed our renewable fuels production facility. This is a sizeable investment – $90 million – to produce fuels for Hawaii’s future,” said Eric Wright, Par Hawaii president. “Par Hawaii is excited to work with Hawaii’s airlines, utilities and the rest of the community to accelerate progress on the State’s renewable energy goals.”

A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

Hawaii’s journey to renewable energy, as with any transformational change, is not easy. It takes collaboration. Par Hawaii is partnering with Hawaiian Airlines, the state’s largest airline; Pono Pacific, the state’s largest land conservation company, and other agriculture stakeholders are working on viable cover crops such as a Camelina to grow Hawaii’s own feedstocks to provide even greater energy resiliency for the islands.

“We see the renewable fuels future looking bright for Hawaii. We are glad to be part of the solution,” Wright said.

Par Hawaii
91-325 Komohana St,
Kapolei, HI 96707
www.parhawaii.com

Hawai‘i Gas

120 YEARS OF GOOD ENERGY

With twelve decades of history, Hawai‘i Gas is one of the oldest companies operating in the Aloha State today. Founded in 1904 as the Honolulu Gas Company, Ltd., the company has a history of pioneering innovation: its original gas plant in Iwilei was one of the first of its kind worldwide.

A NATIONAL LEADER IN LOW CARBON-EMISSIONS TECHNOLOGY

In 1974, Hawai‘i Gas began operating the Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) Plant on O‘ahu using an innovative method to create SNG from a petroleum co-product. For 50 years, Hawai‘i Gas has incorporated up to 15% hydrogen—a zero-carbon form of gas energy—into its utility fuel mix, more than any other utility company in the nation. In 2018, Hawai‘i Gas began operating the state’s fi rst Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility, capturing waste gas at the City and County of Honolulu’s Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant. Across the state, low-carbon-emissions propane is part of everyday living for thousands of homeowners and businesses.

INVESTING IN A RENEWABLE ENERGY FUTURE

Hawai‘i Gas is committed to delivering renewable energy solutions and advancing the state’s climate goals, continuing to invest in technology to further diversify and decarbonize Hawai‘i’s fuel mix. “We are firm in our commitment to a sustainable and energy-resilient Hawai‘i,” said president and CEO Alicia Moy. “We’ve led the nation in hydrogen and RNG blending for decades, and it’s our kuleana to keep innovating to further reduce our carbon footprint.”

In early 2024, Hawai‘i Gas announced two forthcoming projects for locally produced renewable energy, with plans to partner with Eurus Energy America and Bana Pacifi c to produce renewable green hydrogen and RNG on O‘ahu. “These projects represent exciting forward movement on our path toward decarbonization,” said Moy, “enabling us to significantly increase the amount of renewable energy in our fuel mix with a focus on diversification, reliability, and affordability for our communities.”

Hawai‘i Gas
515 Kamakee St, Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 535-5900
www.hawaiigas.com

Website accessibility is critical to ensuring greater inclusivity for users of all abilities in addition to mitigating potential lawsuits for having an inaccessible website. Adding alternative text for images, ensuring good color contrast, enabling keyboard navigation and captioning videos will empower more users to engage with your content. 

Some advice, however. Be cautious of quick-fix plugin solutions or overlays to address accessibility. Adding one line of code will not fully fix your site’s accessibility issues. In fact, it may leave you more vulnerable to legal action. Optimizing for accessibility requires expertise, testing and ongoing improvement efforts.  

In August 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice published a new rule under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandating more specific web accessibility standards for state and local governments. The ruling underscores the necessity of digital accessibility and increases the likelihood of similar requirements being placed on private businesses as well. 

If you are planning a website redesign, design an accessible website from the start. It is simpler than retrofitting an inaccessible one. In addition, keeping accessibility front and center from the beginning not only helps you align with legal standards but also increases your site’s user-friendliness, expands your potential customer base and promotes a positive brand image.  

Accessible websites also improve search engine optimization (SEO) performance. Clean markup code, helpful metadata and descriptive content all contribute to making your site more accessible, search engine friendly and — drumroll, please — AI friendly. Structured data enhances the machine-learning process enabling search engine and AI algorithms to crawl and read content more efficiently and with greater accuracy. 

In today’s rapidly changing digital landscape, having an accessible website gives you a competitive advantage. A positive experience for users of all abilities will have beneficial impacts on your organization, now and in the future. 

Let’s talk: Lori.Lum@finnpartners.com 

anthologygroup.com | (808) 544-3000

NAIOP Hawaii has served as the state’s premier association of development industry leaders and decision-makers since 1988.

For nearly three decades our annual Kukulu Hale Awards program has recognized individuals and organizations whose projects, professional achievements, and civic service have contributed to Hawai‘i’s economic growth and enriched our community.

We invite you to read about this year’s awardees and distinguished entries in the following pages. Special honorees include D.R. Horton Hawaii, Developer of the Year; Randy Hiraki, Lifetime Achievement; Kūhiō Lewis, Outstanding Service Award; and Nordic PCL Construction, Contractor of the Year.

On behalf of our board of directors and NAIOP Hawaii’s 180-plus members, I extend deepest gratitude to our Kukulu Hale sponsors, jurors and committee members. Their generous support makes this year’s program possible.

Mahalo!

Reyn Tanaka,
2024 President
NAIOP Hawaii

2024 Kukulu Hale Jurors

From left: Jan Yokota, Ruoyun Sun, Francisco Gutierrez, Kawika Fiddler, Ellen Ashford

Kukulu Hale Awards Committee

• Jennifer Camp and Catherine Camp, Co-Chairs
• Todd Apo, Liana Dietz, Larry Heim, Mike Imanaka, Glen Kaneshige, Courtney Kosaka, Mele Pochereva, Barbie Rosario, Sunny Rosario, Leighton Yuen

Developer of the Year – Ku Ho’okela Award: D.R. Horton Hawaii

D.R. Horton Hawaii is delivering on its promise to provide much-needed housing with Ho‘opili, a 1,550-acre master-planned community in West Oahu with residential and commercial opportunities, future schools and recreational amenities. 2,700 families call Ho‘opili home, with almost 50 businesses approved to operate in Ho‘opili including eateries, a convenience store, medical spas and beauty salons, an insurance agency, and dental practices. Over the next decade, D.R. Horton Hawaii plans to build a total of up to 11,750 homes in Ho‘opili.

For 50 years, D.R. Horton Hawaii has been building affordable and workforce housing for Hawai‘i’s families. During that time, the homebuilder’s dedicated team has constructed upwards of 15,000 homes across O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island, with thousands more on the horizon. D.R. Horton Hawaii continues its legacy of commitment to local communities not just through the homes it builds but through its partnerships across Hawai‘i.

Since 2005, D.R. Horton Hawaii has believed in the tremendous potential West O‘ahu holds for Hawai‘i’s families. It has worked for many years to bring this project to fruition. At 1,550 acres, Ho‘opili, in West O‘ahu, is D.R. Horton Hawaii’s largest project in the Islands. When complete, the master-planned community is expected to offer up to 11,750 new homes within a variety of mixed-use neighborhood design concepts.

Many of the housing units are created with families in mind, with affordable rental and for sale opportunities for those earning between 30% AMI to above 200% AMI. Ho‘opili, which means to come together in Hawaiian, will create opportunities for families to grow and businesses to thrive, with community centers, tot lot and recreational parks, temporary soccer fields, and a Bark and Ride Park for dogs.

SoHo (short for South Ho‘opili) Community Center is Ho‘opili’s first recreational community center. The facility provides a gathering and recreational place for the community with amenities including a 5,750 sq. ft. swimming pool, 6,800 sq. ft. of multi-purpose spaces, kitchen, offices and lanais along with an open park. Its design is an ode to the agricultural industry through its incorporation.

Ho‘opili is O‘ahu’s first master-planned community to be integrated with the Skyline rail. It is designed for both vertically and horizontally integrated mixed-use development around the Keoneae at UH-West O‘ahu and the Honouliuli at Ho‘opili rail stations.

While D.R. Horton Hawaii is rooted in building homes for Hawai‘i’s families, its team members are proud to build and grow relationships by giving back through volunteerism and in-kind and charitable contributions. For years, D.R. Horton Hawaii has partnered with the Institute for Human Services, Special Olympics Hawaii, and Blood Bank of Hawaii and donated parcels of land to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center for a new clinic and the Hawaiian Humane Society for its Kosasa Family Campus at Ho‘opili to ensure much-needed services are available to West O‘ahu families and the community.

Its team is actively involved in the Ho‘opili community, partnering with the Ho‘opili Community Association and the Ho‘opili Neighborhood Watch to host family friendly, community-oriented events on Ho‘opili’s Festival Street, safe driving campaigns, and urban garden learning fairs.

Festival Street at Ho‘opili is a 58,000 sq. ft. private roadway that transforms into a pedestrian friendly space for gatherings and celebrations that residents, guests, and the greater community can enjoy. To date, D.R. Horton Hawaii has helped organize themed night markets, holiday craft fairs, and urban garden learning fairs.

Acknowledging the area’s rich history, 159 acres of land in Ho‘opili is planned to remain in perpetual commercial agriculture contributing to O‘ahu’s food sustainability needs for generations to come. Community urban gardens are integrated within Ho‘opili to provide residents opportunities to practice sustainable farming methods and grow their own fruits, herbs and vegetables. Single-family home lots come with fully landscaped edible garden yards consisting of fruit trees such as citrus and banana, herbs such as lemongrass and rosemary, shrubs such as sugarcane and pomegranate, and raised planting beds growing green onions, lettuce and eggplant. Mango, ulu and avocado trees can be found throughout Ho‘opili’s parks and condominium properties.

The D.R. Horton Hawaii team

“Our team is dedicated to D.R. Horton Hawaii’s mission, and commitment to community is paramount to our success,” said Tracy Tonaki, D.R. Horton Hawaii’s president. “Building homes is more than just a job; it is something we are very passionate about and our promise to Hawai‘i’s families in the place that we call home. On behalf of our entire D.R. Horton Hawaii ‘Ohana, we are extremely humbled by and grateful to NAIOP Hawaii for this extraordinary honor.”

Lifetime Achievement Award- Holo Pono Award

Randy Hiraki
President, Commercial Plumbing, Inc.

Randy Hiraki was just eight months shy of his 30th birthday when he opened a small residential plumbing company in his garage with a business partner. Never did he imagine that nearly 40 years later Commercial Plumbing would have grown to be the largest plumbing company in Hawai’i, with projects that span the islands and business sectors, from hotels and hospitals to high-rise residential and research facilities.

Randy’s introduction to a plumbing career took place in high school when he signed up for a vocational seminar “because we got a free lunch and the rest of the school day off,” he recalls with a chuckle.

“I learned that plumbers were the highest paid trade at the time and decided that’s what I wanted to do.” The day after graduation he started as an apprentice at a large plumbing company, learning the nuts and bolts of the trade on the way to earning his journeyman license. In 1984 Randy enrolled in an SBA program to learn the fundamentals of running a small business; the following year he was in business, taking on small residential jobs and eventually expanding into commercial work.

He has built the company on innovation, integrity, and customer service, and he places a high value on training and continuing education to keep his employees and himself tuned in to the latest industry advancements. Some innovations come from Randy’s own inventive mind; his ideas for new, high-tech equipment are brought to life with help from a robotics engineer in Colorado.

“Not only is Randy a good tradesman, but he’s also a very good businessman,” acknowledges Vice President Mark Suzuki, who was brought aboard 24 years ago to help grow the company and oversee its financial and administrative functions.

Today Commercial Plumbing is employee-owned. It operates under an E.S.O.P. adopted in 2011 and a top down commitment to using the latest technology and developing a talented team to provide the best quality of work at the best prices. The company’s nearly 250 employees include not only skilled plumbers, sprinkler fitters and project managers, but also mechanical engineers and designers trained in 3D building information modeling (BIM) and CAD.

Believing the key to success is good, loyal employees to keep local industries going, Randy’s biggest goal is to provide mentorship and training that enables his employees to run the company someday so they, too, can be successful in life – and continue to provide good jobs for home-grown talent. He also wants employees to understand that when a company does well, it’s important to give back to the community.

Leading by example, Randy has served on the board of the Great Aloha Run for the past 17 years and offers the company’s professional services pro bono for worthy causes, including the plumbing for Kahauiki Village housing community for homeless families and projects at University of Hawai‘i sports facilities. Three large food distribution events on O‘ahu during the pandemic and, more recently, collecting and loading containers of food and supplies for Maui wildfire victims are just some of the ways that Commercial Plumbing employees have come together in company-sponsored support of community needs.

NAIOP Hawaii salutes Randy Hiraki for his decades-long success as a business leader who hasn’t lost sight of his company’s humble beginning.

Outstanding Service Award

Kūhiō Lewis
CEO, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

Since taking the helm of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) in 2018, Kūhiō Lewis has been instrumental in driving the growth of this community development financial institution, a nonprofit committed to advancing cultural, economic, political and community development for Native Hawaiians. Programs he has initiated in just six years not only have uplifted thousands of local individuals, families, and businesses, but also have transformed the 24-year old organization, leading to CNHA’s recognition as one of Hawai‘i’s top 100 companies in 2023.

These programs include the Hawaiian Trades Academy, established in 2020 to raise household income for local families by providing highly valued certifications like Hazmat, Hazwhopper, OSHA, CDL; a revolving Loan Fund that has raised over $20 million to help more than 300 businesses and individuals access capital through CNHA’s community development lending arm; and Pop-Up Makeke, an innovative, online marketplace launched in 2021 to help Native Hawaiian businesses survive the pandemic. The marketplace continues to thrive and has supported over 400 businesses, generated $6.5 million in sales, and sold over 600,000 local products globally.

CNHA’s tourism arm, Kilohana, was established in 2022, a pivotal year in which the organization secured a $27.4 million contract from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, becoming a prime marketer and tourism steward for the state. Then, in response to the Maui wildfires last August, CNHA sprang into action with Kako‘o Maui, an initiative to quickly and efficiently deploy resources to Native Hawaiian communities impacted by the fires. The program has raised over $34 million in private donations and has provided multi-faceted support for Maui’s recovery efforts. It has served more than 4,000 Maui residents in various ways, including continued housing for those displaced by the fires, a resource center that serves as a hub for multiple service providers, and certifications for over 400 residents to work in the burn zone.

This track record aptly has earned Kūhiō a reputation as a leader who gets things done without letting bureaucracy get in the way, thereby enabling CNHA to pivot and implement programs quickly to seize opportunities or meet urgent needs.

His journey up to now hasn’t been entirely by choice. “It seems as though these responsibilities have found their way to me,” he says. “My life took unexpected turns. I became a parent in high school; graduated three years later than planned; became a single parent at 21; and attended community college to discover my path. It was there that I was introduced to the beginnings of my leadership journey within the Hawaiian community. These were the elements shaping my life’s trajectory, with my kuleana (responsibility) calling out to me.”

Kūhiō explains that growing up from modest beginnings has given him a profound outlook on life: “I’ve learned that nothing worthwhile comes without effort; you have to work for it and sometimes fight for it. Instead of fixating on obstacles, I focus on finding solutions and taking action. I choose to surround myself with like-minded individuals who share a determination to challenge the status quo.”

Kūhiō’s determination, innovation, and commitment to community advancement have led to what some have described as CNHA’s transformation from “an organization for Hawaiians” to “a Hawaiian organization for Hawai‘i.”

2024 Kukulu Hale Award Winners

New Project Award – Commercial/Other Over 40,000 SF

Civil Beat Plaza

Entrant: G70
Developer/Owner: 3650 Waialae LLC
Lead Design Firm: G70
General Contractor: Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.

The Civil Beat Plaza is a new ground-up, mixed-use commercial office building with sustainability and innovation baked into the DNA of its design. Although the building is brand new, it strives to evoke and maintain a harmonious presence along Waialae Avenue that blends into the eclectic existing urban fabric of the surrounding built environment, while honoring the historical nature of the neighborhood through massing, materials, color, patterning, and retail street frontage. The existing Goodwill that was located on the site is retained and becomes the prominent face to the neighborhood along with a neighborhood restaurant located at the corner plaza.

New Project Award – Commercial/Other Over 40,000 SF

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort

Entrant: Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.
Developer/Owner: KW Kona Investors LLC
Lead Design Firm: Walker Warner Architects
General Contractor: Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, is an iconic hideaway that was devastated by a tsunami in 2011. This beloved resort remained in disrepair until 2023 when the re-imagined 81-acre property with 150 thatched-roof bungalows reopened. Five restaurants and bars, including the original resort’s Shipwreck building, Talk Story bars, and Asaya Spa are powered 100% by solar energy. Several buildings have been designed for LEED Gold Certification. Working with the natural landscape and existing archaeological landmarks, the design respectfully restores the original Pacific Island style with modern touches and innovative sustainable elements.

New Project Award – Commercial/Other 40,000 SF or Less

‘Āhuimanu

Entrant: Hunt Companies Hawai‘i
Developer/Owner: Hunt Companies Hawai‘i
Lead Design Firm: Steve W.G. Au & Associates
General Contractor: Shioi Construction, Inc.

‘Āhuimanu is a 36,000-square-foot, mixed-use town center located in historic Kīlauea Town on Kaua‘i. The project was developed by Hunt Companies to bring improved convenience and quality services to local Kīlauea residents and visitors, who previously had to travel to Princeville for neighborhood services or to shop. By mid-2022 ‘Āhuimanu was fully leased, and construction was completed in September 2023. Anchored by the 12,700-square-foot Kīlauea Market + Café, ‘Āhuimanu’s tenants include a wide variety of restaurants, retail and community services. Most are established Kaua‘i businesses seeking outlets on the North Shore.

New Project Award – Commercial/Other Over 40,000 SF

AC Hotel Honolulu

Entrant: Allied Builders System
Developer/Owner: Continental Assets Management
Lead Design Firm: NORR, Inc.
General Contractor: Allied Builders System

The AC Hotel Honolulu is an exciting renovation and adaptive reuse of the 1960s-era office building originally designed by the renowned Hawai‘i architect, Ernest Hara. This project helps preserve and resurrect an elegant mid-century modern building by enhancing its appearance and optimizing its use. It reactivates an important intersection in downtown Honolulu and adds a new urban boutique hotel to serve business travelers as well as tourists and locals who want an alternative hotel option outside the Waikiki area. This project will contribute significantly to the economic growth and revitalization of this area.

Renovation Award – Commercial/Other Over 40,000 SF

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union

Entrant: Nordic PCL Construction, Inc. & hi-arch-y LLC
Developer/Owner: Andrew Rosen
Lead Design Firm: hi-arch-y LLC
General Contractor: Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.

The new Hawaii State FCU headquarters consolidates multiple locations and brings together 240 employees to streamline customer service efficiency and prioritize wellness, collaboration, and innovation. This state-of-the-art 10-story, 4,300-square-foot branch renovation features a customer-centric program with an open floor plan, specialist stations, private offices, conference rooms, touch tables for virtual access, and Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs). It also features 70,000 square feet of offices, an 80,000-square-foot garage, eight employee work floors, a fitness center, and an open rooftop deck and lounge. This consolidation provides the staff with space and resources for future growth, while promoting employee collaboration through innovation and technology.

Renovation Award – Commercial/Other 40,000 SF or Less

Papa Pilialoha – The Friendship Floor

Entrant: Ferraro Choi And Associates, Ltd.
Developer/Owner: Central Pacific Bank
Lead Design Firm: Ferraro Choi And Associates, Ltd.
General Contractor: J Kadowaki Inc.

Papa Pilialoha – The Friendship Floor is a communal workspace created to cultivate inspiration and engagement among Central Pacific Bank employees who typically work remotely or have hybrid schedules. The design was shaped by input from a cross section of departments and generations. Over 12,500 square feet of open concept and multi-functional spaces accommodate everything from individuals’ focused work to large special events. Features include sit-to-stand workstations, formal and casual gathering spaces, a wellness/nursing room, treadmill desks, phone booths, and a ‘Park and Recreation’ area to decompress and socialize with coworkers.

Public/Government Project Award

Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center

Entrant: Hunt Companies Hawai‘i
Developer/Owner: Hunt Companies Hawai‘i
Lead Design Firm: Design Partners, Inc.
General Contractor: Moss & Associates

The University of Hawai‘i and UH Foundation embarked on a bold vision for an immersive, multi-story, live-learn-work community woven into the entrepreneurial ecosystem. They hired Hunt Companies to design, build and finance the RISE Center, which offers 374 undergraduate students the opportunity to live and learn in spaces that include state-of-the-art technology and hands-on workshop spaces for collaboration and mentorship. RISE serves as a catalyst for economic diversification and fosters an environment of workforce development, generating valuable opportunities for young people through venture creation and collaboration with established organizations.

Nonprofit Project Award

Diamond Head Theatre

Entrant: Allied Builders System
Developer/Owner: Diamond Head Theatre
Lead Design Firm: Studio Red Architects
General Contractor: Allied Builders System

At 17,000 square feet, the new Diamond Head Theatre is a focal point for the local arts community in Hawaii, featuring a full fly loft, enhanced audio-visual capabilities, and improved sight lines. It includes additional restrooms, an expanded box office, upgraded concessions, new dressing rooms, green room spaces, an improved scene shop, and back-of-house areas. With a commitment to environmentally sensitive design, the project used locally sourced CMU blocks and oriented the building to utilize prevailing winds for a covered exterior lobby. The team collaborated with the theatre to ensure continuous operation throughout the project, minimizing performance interruptions.

Green Building Award

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort 

Entrant: VCA Green
Developer/Owner: Kennedy Wilson
Lead Design Firms: Delawie
General Contractor: Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.

Every aspect of Kona Village was premised on the rich cultural heritage of “Malama Honua,” the Hawaiian phrase meaning “to care for our earth.” Respecting the Native Hawaiian knowledge of sustainability as a lived practice, the project includes the state’s largest private solar array, a reverse-osmosis water treatment plant, a comprehensive composting program, and much more – all contributing to three LEED v4 Gold certifications. For this complex rebuild of the original resort, which was devastated by a tsunami, the development team found balance among respecting culture, minimizing impact, and participating in the modern-day tourism industry.

Contractor of the Year: Nordic PCL Construction

With more than eight decades of building some of the most prominent projects that define Hawai‘i’s skyline, Nordic PCL Construction’s fingerprints can be found on all the major islands of Hawai‘i. Founded in Honolulu as a sole proprietorship, Carl John “C.J” Haglund was a Swede who set roots in the Islands and named his company “Nordic” as a tribute to his Scandinavian descent. Haglund sold Nordic Construction Company just as Hawai‘i entered an era of unprecedented growth following the end of World War II. Succeeding owners grew Nordic to a mid-size contractor with Hawai‘i’s transformation from agricultural communities to a tourism mecca and East-West business hub.

In 1995, the opportunity to partner with Denver-based PCL Construction Services for the $200M design-build Hawai‘i Convention Center laid the foundation for Nordic to eventually become part of the PCL family of companies in 2008. Although the acquisition provided the financial strength and resources to allow the kama’aina company to grow, Nordic PCL Construction maintained its personalized approach to working with clients by “being big on capability with a small company feel.” Nordic PCL’s president, Glen Kaneshige, says the company’s growth and longevity would not have been achievable without a team who embrace the timeless values that govern how local business relationships are managed. “We are only as good as our people, and successful projects depend on successful relationships,” says Kaneshige. “It is rare for a construction company to last for more than eight decades, but great partnerships with clients, design professionals, subcontractors and unions are paramount.”

While Nordic PCL’s projects are often identified by a tower crane like the ongoing Hilton Grand Vacations Ka Haku timeshare tower at the former location of the King’s Village Shopping Center in Waikiki or the Halawa View Apartments near Aloha Stadium for Pacific Development Group, the company has undertaken unusual projects like the reconstruction of Kona Village Resort on 81 acres of lava fields. The company is also completing the conversion of the King Kalakaua Plaza (“Niketown”) in Waikiki into timeshares. Nordic PCL’s portfolio runs the full gamut of market sectors including hospitality, healthcare, commercial office, retail, military, light industrial, and education.

Investing locally through community service matters for a business to be considered local in a geographically isolated location like Hawai‘i. The desire to give back to the community is a fundamental value Nordic PCL embraces and fosters to build cultural understanding and deepen relationships. The company supports charitable giving through fundraising and direct involvement with local charities that include the Aloha United Way, Hawaii Foodbank, Habitat for Humanity, American Heart Association, Special Olympics, Teach For America, and Child & Family Service. Selfless giving builds better communities, and Nordic PCL’s commitment to the local community is an integral piece of the company’s culture. By exemplifying the spirit of kokua and ‘ohana, the company has been recognized as one of Hawai‘i’s “Best Places to Work” and “Most Charitable Companies” on multiple occasions by Hawaii Business Magazine.

Kaneshige postulates that growing and sustaining market presence requires keeping focused on the three “Rs” – Results, Relationships, and Reputation. “Great results develop the relationships that will forge reputation. Without the relationships and reputation, it would be challenging for any construction company to succeed in Hawai‘i let alone last more than eight decades.”

Distinguished Entries

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay 

Entrant: G70
Developer/Owner: SOF-XI Kauai PV Hotel LP
Lead Design Firm: : Lake Flato (concept/ schematic) & G70 (Architect of Record)
General Contractors: Layton Construction; Nordic PCL Construction Inc.

Central Pacific Bank Flagship Branch Renovation

Entrant: MGA Architecture LLC
Developer/Owner: Central Pacific Bank
Lead Design Firm: MGA Architecture LLC
General Contractor: : Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.

Girl Scouts of Hawai‘i STEM Center for Excellence

Entrant: G70
Developer/Owner: Girl Scouts of Hawai‘i
Lead Design Firm: G70
General Contractor: Hensel Phelps

Grand Wailea Humuhumunukunukuapua‘a

Entrant: Nordic PCL Construction Inc.
Developer/Owner: BRE Hotels & Resorts
Lead Design Firm: G70
General Contractor: Nordic PCL Construction Inc.

Hale Makana O Mo‘ili‘ili

Entrants: Moss & Associates & AHL
Developer/Owner: ‘Ikenakea Development
Lead Design Firm: AHL
General Contractor: Moss & Associates

Halewai‘olu Senior Residences

Entrants: First Hawaiian Bank & American Savings Bank
Developer/Owner: The Michaels Development Company
Lead Design Firm: WRNS Studio
General Contractor: Unlimited Construction Services, Inc.

Halewai‘olu Senior Residences (Green Entry)

Entrant: Unlimited Construction Services, Inc.
Developer/Owner: The Michaels Organization
Lead Design Firm: WRNS Studio
General Contractor: Unlimited Construction Services, Inc.

Hanalei Base Yard Office and Garage

Entrant: Unlimited Construction Services, Inc
Developer/Owner: County of Kauai
Lead Design Firm: Marc Ventura AIA, LLC
General Contractor: Unlimited Construction Services, Inc

Hawaii Hochi Offices & Warehouse Renovation

Entrant: MGA Architecture LLC
Developer/Owner: Hawaii Hochi, Ltd.
Lead Design Firm: MGA Architecture LLC
General Contractor: Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co.

Hawaiian Humane Society Kosasa Family Campus

Entrant: Allied Builders System
Developer/Owner: Hawaiian Humane Society
Lead Design Firm: Pacific Asia Design Group, Inc.
General Contractor: Allied Builders System

Honolulu Coffee at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

Entrant: Layton Construction
Developer/Owner: Honolulu Coffee
Lead Design Firm: Workshop. Design + Research Studio
General Contractor: Layton Construction

The Ho‘omaka Marketplace

Entrant: Mark Zimmerman
Developer/Owner: Ho‘omaka Marketplace, LP/Mark Zimmerman
Lead Design Firm: AHL
General Contractor: Allied Builders System

Island School New Classroom Building – Kauai

Entrant: Layton Construction
Developer/Owner: Island School
Lead Design Firm: Project Design, Inc.
General Contractor: Layton Construction

Kulanihako‘i High School, Phase Two (formerly Kihei High School)

Entrants: Nordic PCL Construction, Inc. & G70
Developer/Owner: State of Hawaii Dept. of Education
Lead Design Firm: G70
General Contractor: Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.

Liljestrand House Deck Rehabilitation

Entrant: Armstrong Builders
Developer/Owner: The Liljestrand Foundation
Lead Design Firms: Dean Sakamoto Architects and Joe Ferraro
General Contractor: Armstrong Builders

Peter Vincent Architects Harbor Court Office

Entrant: Peter Vincent Architects
Developer/Owner: Peter Vincent Architects
Lead Design Firm: Peter Vincent Architects
General Contractor: Canaan Builders LLC

The Plaza at Punchbowl

Entrant: MW Group
Developer/Owner: MW Group
Lead Design Firm: InForm Design
General Contractor: MW Building Systems LLC

Romer Waikiki at The Ambassador

Entrant: Allied Builders System
Developer/Owner: Highgate
Lead Design Firm: Pacific Asia Design Group
General Contractor: Allied Builders System

Sky Ala Moana

Entrant: Design Partners Incorporated
Developer/Owner: JL Capital
Lead Design Firm: Design Partners Incorporated
General Contractor: Albert C. Kobayashi, Inc.

Wai Kai

Entrant: Haseko (Hawaii), Inc.
Developer/Owner: Wai Kai Commercial Development LLC
Lead Design Firm: CallisonTKL, Inc.
General Contractor: Layton Construction

Waikoloa Family Affordable

Entrant: First Hawaiian Bank
Developer/Owner: GSF, LLC / Coalition for Specialized Housing
Lead Design Firms: Design Partners, Inc. / RM Towill
General Contractor: Alan Shintani, Inc.

Wayfinder Waikiki

Entrant: The Vanguard Theory
Developer/Owner: Dovetail + Co.
Lead Design Firm: The Vanguard Theory
General Contractor: Coral Pacific

Wong Leong Plaza

Entrant: American Savings Bank
Developer/Owner: 755 Partners LP
Lead Design Firm: Stantec Architecture
General Contractors: CE&S Corp.; Surface Shield Roofing & Construction

Chapter Awards

2023 Member Company of the Year

NAIOP Hawaii recognizes The Audio Visual Company (AVCO) for the many years it has supported our organization with professional AV services. The company is a sponsor of the chapter’s monthly Breakfast Forums, where they are always the first to arrive to set up equipment and ensure the speaker presentations run smoothly. A few years ago, AVCO became a valued member of the Kukulu Hale Awards production team to operate the multimedia awards presentation.

2023 Honorary Member of the Year

Liana Dietz
Commercial Sales & Marketing, Old Republic Title and Escrow of Hawaii

NAIOP Hawaii is proud to honor Liana as an honorary member of the chapter for her many years of volunteer service. Her company is a long-standing sponsor of the Kukulu Hale Awards, and Liana is always the first to step forward to volunteer at the awards event. She has chaired the chapter’s annual charity golf tournament for countless years and is one of the smiling faces that greets guests at our Breakfast Forum events.

2022 Developing Leader Member of the Year

Keegan Flaherty
Senior Development Associate, ‘Ikenakea

Evan is thoughtful and genuinely engaged with the legislative work he does for NAIOP. He also is recognized as a hard-working and effective member of the DL Steering Committee where he looks for ways to get other DL members involved in legislative projects for NAIOP and to build relationships with legislative counterparts.

About NAIOP Hawaii

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, is the leading organization for developers, owners and investors of office, industrial, retail and mixed-use commercial real estate. NAIOP comprises 20,000+ members and provides strong advocacy, education and business opportunities through a powerful North American network. Its sister organization, the NAIOP Research Foundation, is one of the industry’s leading think tanks dedicated to conducting research assessing the trends, economic viability and needs of the built environment.

The Hawai‘i Chapter of NAIOP was chartered in 1988 and began with only a handful of members. Today, the chapter has more than 180 members, including many of Hawai‘i’s most influential developers, owners, investors, lenders, designers, attorneys, asset managers and other industry leaders. As the recognized forum for current issues that impact commercial real estate in Hawai‘i, NAIOP Hawaii strives to play an active role in our members’ professional development by sharing information on best practices, legislation and the latest developments in the real estate community and by providing numerous opportunities for networking at both the local and national levels.

Contact Us: 

Barbie M.W. Rosario, Executive Director
barbie@naiophawaii.org
www.naiophawaii.org

On an ongoing basis, Wailuku nonprofit Ka‘ehu invites families impacted by the August 2023 wildfires to partake in lei making, lauhala weaving, plant stamping, T-shirt printing and other cultural activities.  

The repetitive tasks ground attendees in their bodies as they reflect on their feelings and thoughts. Attendees can also participate in ho‘oponopono, lomilomi, grief counseling, and other services.  

These activities are part of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s culturally grounded and holistic approach to Maui’s mental health response. Embracing the principles of trauma-informed care, it recognizes that a variety of alternative therapies can help individuals impacted by a collective trauma reflect on and improve their mental health.  

For example, some impacted residents may feel more comfortable participating in kukakuka (talking story and reflecting together), lomilomi and other services before receiving therapeutic support. In other cases, individuals may prefer to participate in cultural activities instead of receiving traditional counseling or other mental health services.  

HCF’s Maui Strong Fund mental health strategy stems from Hawai‘i’s efforts to become a trauma-informed state. In February 2024, Gov. Josh Green declared Hawai‘i trauma-informed and directed the state Office of Wellness and Resilience (OWR) to implement a trauma-informed care framework throughout state departments and with community-based organizations. The framework integrates safety, trust and transparency, empowerment, collaboration, peer support, and honoring cultural, gender and historical issues.   

Kehau Meyer, senior program officer for HCF’s Maui Recovery Effort, says the Maui Strong Fund mental health response was intentionally inclusive of both clinical resources and community-centered wellness. 

“We listened to our organizations doing work on the ground and understood that Maui needed certain resources that were comforting and familiar while also building in a warm handoff to traditional mental health resources,” she says. “The mental health network that formed was helpful in ensuring HCF stayed on track with the collective efforts of experts and practitioners actively responding to the needs.”  

HCF’s mental health response are directly informed by OWR’s weekly meetings of mental health providers, clinicians and other partners that discuss mental health needs they’re seeing and hearing from Maui community members. That led HCF to fund flexible therapeutic interventions to help impacted individuals cope, group grieving and healing activities, and longer-term therapeutic services for individuals and families to prevent and address Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

Photo: Ka`ehu

HCF’s strategy has led to better coordination and more diverse therapeutic support options for fire-affected households. For example, the foundation has contracted nine clinicians and group practices to provide free therapy sessions to affected individuals—up to 10 sessions—and on-site mental health support at community meetings. It’s a short-term solution to reduce barriers to mental health care, such as lack of insurance or when individuals find it too difficult to get therapy sessions approved by their health insurance. “We really need to understand the needs of Maui and the needs of those serving those in Maui,” says Michele Navarro Ishiki, director of mental health services at Piha Wellness and Healing, and one of the contracted clinicians providing therapy funded by HCF’s Maui Strong Fund.  Michele has been providing trauma-informed individual and community care to those affected by the Maui fires. 

HCF has funded mental health activities for people ranging from infants and their caregivers through the elderly—and has ensured that funds go to culturally relevant mental health care using mediums that will reach different types of people needing care. One of HCF’s Maui Strong grantees, Maui Medics Healers Hui, began providing care at multiple community hubs right after the fire. Today, the Hui provides naturopathic, traditional Native Hawaiian, and eastern and western healing services at its post-fire wellness center at the Royal Lahaina Resort. Its team considers culture preferences at the forefront of treatment experiences.   

Mental Health America of Hawai‘i is expanding its Mental Health Resilience, Prevention, and Support Program. It has so far trained over 1,000 individuals in general self-care and resiliency, conducted 266 clinical mental health encounters for youth, and distributed crisis resources to thousands of attendees across the state. The organization uses a statewide approach to reach Lahaina residents who have relocated to other islands, as well as residents in other counties experiencing indirect trauma.  

Other Maui Strong Fund grantees have incorporated artmaking into healing. Makawao’s Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center visits Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers’ Wailuku homeless shelter twice a week to provide art activities to displaced residents. Hana Arts operates an Art and Music Therapy program for students in Hana, where many families displaced by the fires have relocated to. Maui Community Theatre’s Maui OnStage program supports impacted youth’s well-being by giving them a safe space to explore their emotions.  

More requests for mental health support are expected as more individuals and families affected by the fire move into stable housing. Many partners and HCF grantees in mental health and wellness are preparing to meet the needs of people that will seek services in the upcoming months. 

Learn more about Hawai`i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund here.