Hawthorne Cat Debuts New Trucks, Service Division

Hawthorne Cat debuted its new Cat Class 8 CT660 vocational truck in Hawaii in May as it launched a new truck service division at its Waipahu location.

The new facility will include a public Department of Transportation (DOT) inspection station, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified auto and heavy truck technicians, after-hours and roadside service and a full-service repair, body work and paint department.

"This truck brings state-of-the-art power, performance and productivity to our operations," said Mark Kuhn of A&M Trucking in Honolulu, which purchased one of the custom trucks. "We especially appreciate the fuel efficiency and detailed safety measures, like the sloped hood for increased visibility."

The CT660 is the first on-highway Class 8 truck offered by Caterpillar. Available in truck or day-cab configurations, it has aluminum alloy cab construction, reducing overall weight for maximum payloads. The front design decreases wind drag and the truck uses an EGR system with the latest in fuel injection technology to reduce emissions.

Healy Tibbitts Takes Build Hawaii's Grand Award

Healy Tibbitts Builders, Inc. captured the Grand Award in the 10th annual Build Hawaii awards presented by the General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA). The awards program was held on April 6 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village to salute GCA members' projects that were completed in 2012.

Healy Tibbitts won the top award for its work on the National Park Services' $2.2 million Critical Repair of Kalaupapa Dock Structures on Molokai in the category of Federal Construction, less than
$30 million. Healy Tibbitts overcame the many challenges of this remote project site and repaired critical harbor infrastructure, including the breakwater, revetment and buttress wall and dock.

The following received Awards of Excellence:
Charles Pankow Builders — Project: Laulani Village Shopping Center. Category: Building Construction, more than $35 million.
Nordic PCL Construction, Inc. — Project: Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus, Middle School. Category: Building Construction, $25 million to $35 million.
Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc. — Project: Joint Traffic Management Center Parking Structure. Category: Building Construction, $10 million to $25 million.
S & M Sakamoto, Inc. — Project: Tanaka of Tokyo Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant. Category: Building Construction, $1 million to $10 million.
JV: Albert C. Kobayashi, Inc. & Structure Tone, Inc. — Project: University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Category: Design-Build/Design-Assist Construction, more than $35 million.
Hawaiian Dredging — Project: Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam Child Development Center. Category: Design-Build/Design-Assist Construction, less than $35 million.
Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. — Project: Pohakuloa Training Area, Battle Area Complex and Tactical Vehicle Wash Facility. Category: Federal Construction, more than $30 million.
Nan, Inc. — Project: Ane Keohokalole Highway, Hina Lani Street to Palani Road. Category: Highway Construction, more than $25 million.
Hawaiian Dredging — Project: South Punaluu Stream Bridge Replacement. Category: Highway Construction,
$10 million to $25 million.
Hawaiian Dredging — Project: Papahawahawa Bridge Replacement. Category: Highway Construction, $1 million to $10 million.
Hawaiian Dredging — Project: Uakea Road Emergency Repair. Category: Highway Construction, less than $1 million.
Hawaiian Dredging — Project: Pearl City Force Main Emergency Repair. Category: Municipal and Utilities Construction.
Hawaiian Dredging — Project: Halekulani Major Renovation. Category: Renovation/Remodeling, more than $15 million.
dck pacific construction, LLC — Project: Queen's Medical Center Hawaii Medical Library Renovation. Category: Renovation/Remodeling, less than $15 million.
Weston Solutions, Inc. — Project: Chem-Wood Property. Category: Environmental Construction.
Unlimited Construction Services, Inc. — Project: Villages of Moae Ku Affordable Apartments Phase I. Category: Residential, more than $5 million.
Goodfellow Bros., Inc. — Project: Kawailoa Ridge Windfarm. Category: Specialty Construction, more than $5 million.
Weston Solutions — Project: Tank 48 Bottom Replacement, Upper Tank Farm Pearl Harbor. Category: Specialty Construction, $3 million to $5 million.
Healy Tibbitts — Project: Waikiki Beach Maintenance. Category: Specialty Construction, $1 million to $3 million.
Weston Solutions — Project: Multiple Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization Projects at Kaena Point. Category: Specialty Construction, $500,000 to $1 million.
Healy Tibbitts — Project: Recovery and Removal of the Offshore Portion of the 12-inch HDPE Pipeline. Category: Specialty Construction, less than $500,000.
Alakai Pacific Opens Guam Office
Alakai Pacific, Inc. has officially commenced business on Guam after obtaining a certificate of occupancy from the Guam Fire Department on March 26.

Alakai Pacific, a subsidiary of Oahu's Alakai Mechanical Corp., held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 7, 2012 to mark the completion of its 18,000-square foot facility at the Harmon Industrial Park in Tamuning. The company, however, delayed opening pending the fire department permit.

"The process took longer than expected, but in the long run, it benefits all of us to have a safe facility," said Ricky Guerrero, vice president of Alakai Pacific.

"We are extremely excited that the Alakai name has stretched from Hawaii and now is rooted on Guam."

Alakai has also obtained a "hot works" permit for welding operations and a C37 plumbing license issued by the Guam Contractors License Board.

"That, combined with C40 refrigeration and C51 air conditioning license that we already possessed, now enables us to perform mechanical construction work on Guam," Guerrero said. "With proper personnel in hand, with a reputation that Alakai brings and with a little luck and I think we will be following our business plan as we envisioned several years ago."

Johnson Named 2012 Guam Executive of the Year

Jerrold C. "Jere" Johnson, president of Hawaiian Rock Products, has been named 2012 Guam Business Magazine's Executive of the Year, beating seven other nominees for the award.

Hawaiian Rock Products is the largest supplier of primarily ready mixed concrete, hot mixed asphalt and concrete masonry blocks on Guam, Saipan, Tinian and Palau. The company has about 400 workers at its four locations in the region. It also has a fleet of more than 200 construction vehicles and occupies more than 300 acres in Mangilao, as well as batch plants in Agat and at Andersen Air Force Base.

Johnson was honored on Jan. 12 at the Hyatt Regency Guam. The annual award recognizes executives who have made outstanding contributions to the local business community and raised the bar in the field in which they are involved.

Along with his business success, Johnson considers the company's community involvement an important aspect of its operations. "As a good corporate citizen, we contribute to a long list of nonprofit companies," he said.

After receiving his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1972, he was hired as a construction engineer by Hawaiian Dredging. He remained there until 1984, rising to general superintendent.

In 1985, he moved to Guam as vice president and general manager of Hawaiian Rock. He became president of the company in 1990.

CRW Replaces Harbor Court's Arched Roofs

Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing Hawaii (CRW), Inc. recently completed the replacement and installation of the arched roofs at Harbor Court's 41-story mixed-use commercial and residential building across from Honolulu Harbor.

According to CRW vice president Larry Young, five arched roofs needed to be replaced. "This was a challenging yet rewarding project as we are confident that Harbor Court can now deflect further moisture and salt-air damage to this recognizable downtown Honolulu structure," he said.

After the existing arched metal panels and decking were removed and decking repaired, a new custom fabricated curtain wall flashing was installed. CRW then installed two layers of DensDeck Roof Board, high-performance fiberglass mats with a noncombustible gypsum core. A tan Sarnafil 60 mil Fleeceback single-ply vinyl waterproofing membrane along with Sarnafil's décor ribs were also installed as a finish.

"With Harbor Court's presence of high-end residences and executive offices, it is paramount that the building maintains its long-term structural integrity and beauty," said Harbor Court property manager Jimmy Ventura, with Douglas Emmett Management Hawaii, LLC. "Replacing the arched roofs was a major project and we're very pleased with CRW's professionalism from start to finish. They provided a far-reaching safety plan for their crew and the occupants of the building and completed the project within our scheduled timeline."
Bonterra Solar Installs PV Atop Condo

Bonterra Solar recently installed a photovoltaic (PV) solar system comprised of 160 SolarWorld panels on the roof of the Crown Thurston condominium on Spencer Street in Makiki.

"The rooftops of many residential and commercial high-rises are perfect places to install large PV systems," said Andrew Yani, Bonterra founder and principal. "The roofs are large, flat and strong."

The PV system will generate 40 kilowatts of electricity for the 11-story condo near Punchbowl Crater. Bonterra teamed up with Pacific Industrial Coatings to first apply a new membrane coating to the roof. 

"When it comes to major improvements, my concerns are cost, quality, time and how it will affect my residents," said Rey Patio, Crown Thurston building manager. "Bonterra exceeded all our expectations and treated our property and residents with respect."

Aliamanu, Pearl Ridge Schools Get Sun Power

Hawaii Pacific Solar (HPS) recently completed the installation of photovoltaic systems for both Aliamanu Middle School and Pearl Ridge Elementary School that are expected to save each school more than $500,000 over the 20-year life of the system.

The PV systems will each prevent 300,184 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere—equivalent to the CO2 emissions from 15,265 gallons of gasoline or from 317 barrels of oil. Aliamanu's 123.48 kW(DC) system is estimated to produce 192,986 kW hours of electricity per year. The system includes 504 Conergy modules and two advanced energy 50kW inverters. The Conergy Sun Top mounting system was installed. Pearl Ridge has a 127.4kW(DC) system expected to produce 193,078 kW hours of electricity per year.

"The State Department of Education's (DOE) effort to conserve energy at our schools is continuing on both Oahu and Kauai," said Bob Johnston, president and CEO of HPS. "Aliamanu and Pearl Ridge are the 11th  and 12th schools on Oahu to receive PV and we are proud to be a part of their energy conservation and sustainability efforts."

The systems being installed by HPS at Oahu and Kauai schools are owned and maintained by RC Energy of Denver under a Power Purchase Agreement. The installation is done at no cost to DOE.

NAVFAC Hawaii Awards Safety Star

Steven Christiansen, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii's Environmental Services Branch Chief, received the command's annual Safety Star award at an Employee of the Year ceremony in April.

"Steve has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to safety in the workplace this past year, 2012, and is recognized as a true role model for safety," said Emric Katada, NAVFAC Hawaii safety director. "He manages and motivates a great team, who perform high-risk work every day that most people do not even realize is being done or take for granted. Yet despite his heavy workload, Steve always supports our safety office, command safety initiatives and our ultimate goal of 'Beyond Zero Mishaps' position."

Christiansen, a resident of Kaneohe, is supervises 86 professional and trade personnel, both civilian and enlisted military within the Environmental Services Branch of NAVFAC Hawaii. The branch includes the Navy Laboratory Section; Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal Section; Asbestos & Lead-Based Paint Remediation Section and Pest Management Section.

NAIOP Hosts 10th Annual Real Estate Symposium

The Commercial Real Estate Development Association (NAIOP) Hawaii chapter, presented its 10th annual Hawaii Real Estate Symposium April 26 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Mark B. Dunkerley, president and chief executive officer of Hawaiian Airlines, was keynote speaker at the well-attended event, which also included two panel discussion sessions.

The panel for the topic "Kakaako: Why It's such a Big Deal," with Daniel Cody, chief investment officer for MW Group as moderator, included Deepak Neupane, director of planning and development for the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA); Aedward Los Banos, chief operating officer for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA); Dan Nishikawa, president of the Pacific Rim for OliverMcMillan; Paul Quintiliani, senior director of the commercial real estate division for Kamehameha Schools (KS) and David Striph, senior vice president-Hawaii, for The Howard Hughes Corporation.

The second panel presentation, titled "Let's Talk About Deals," with Jeff Arce, partner and Chief Financial Officer for The MacNaughton Group as moderator, included Steve Colon, president, Hawaii division of Hunt Development Group; Walter A. Dods, Jr., currently chairman of Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc., Hawaiian Telcom Services Company, Inc. and Matson, Inc., former CEO and chairman of First Hawaiian Bank and former CEO and chairman of BancWest Corp.; Rikki J. Keating, a director of Eastdil Secured, in Los Angeles and Lance Parker, vice president, acquisitions & Investments for A&B Properties, Inc.

PBTE 'Early Birds' oGet Special Rateson Exhibit Space

The 14th annual Honblue Pacific Building Trade Expo, one of Hawaii's leading building industry trade shows, is accepting reservations for 2013 exhibit space with "early bird" prices for those who sign up by June 30. The 14th annual expo will be held Nov. 13 at the Hawaii Convention Center.

Interested exhibitors can contact Barbie Rosario at barbie@pacificbuildingtradeexpo.com. Booths are available at 2012 rates until July 1. Sponsorship opportunities also are available.

The all-day event, sponsored by the Honolulu chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), features products and services from nearly 300 vendors as well as offering seminars on topics ranging from building technology and design to sustainability. With free admission for AEC (architecture, engineering and construction) industry professionals, the expo provides an opportunity for companies to reach more than 1,300 architects, contractors, engineers, developers, interior designers, specifiers, building managers, and military and government officials.

For more information, visit pbtexpo.com.

 

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