Maui Wind Farm Exceeds Expectations
Kaheawa Wind Power (KWP), the wind farm located in the west mountains of Maui, has exceeded production targets in its first full calendar year of operation, announced UPC Wind, which owns the wind farm.
The facility generated 125,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity in 2007, more than originally forcast at the start of the year.
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“As Maui’s first utility-scale wind project, Kaheawa Wind Power demonstrates that clean, renewable energy production is a feasible, viable commercial opportunity for Hawaii,” says Paul Gaynor, president and CEO of UPC Wind. “In addition, we are pleased that this project is playing a significant role in helping Hawaii achieve a statewide goal of 20 percent renewable energy generation by the year 2020.”
Currently, the 20 GE 1.5 megawatt turbines generate enough clean, nonpolluting power to meet 9 percent of Maui’s total electricity needs during peak hours and up to 30 percent during nonpeak hours, according to the KWP web site. This is enough to supply electricity to more than 11,000 Maui homes each year and is the equivalent to saving the island of Maui 600 barrels of oil per day.
In addition, using this source for energy generation has avoided the release of over 91,000 tons of carbon dioxide, 440 tons of nitrogen oxide and 377 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions. That amount of carbon dioxide is equal to emissions from nearly 16,000 cars or more than 11,400 SUVs.
UPC Wind has plans to increase the maximum output at KWP and also has possible wind farm ventures on Molokai, Oahu and Kauai.
HLPA Hosts Design Seminar
The Hawaii Lumber Products Association will be presenting a two-day professional development class entitled “Wood Design Seminar” on April 15 and 16 at the Ala Moana Hotel.
The course, designed by the American Wood Council, will be presented by Robert Taylor, Ph.D., and Jim Bowman, national experts in the industry, and is intended for engineers, architects, contractors and others involved in wood construction. Participants who complete the course will receive professional credits.
“The HLPA is pleased to be able to host this seminar for the industry professionals here in Hawaii who can benefit from additional knowledge of building with wood,” said Dave Rinell, vice president of HLPA. “As Hawaii continues to grow and the need to build new or replace older structures escalates, we feel this course should help the building and construction industry to stay on top of current trends and technologies that are available.”
The first day’s seminar will cover topics such as design standards for wood-frame construction at any scale, allowable stress design methodology of the national design specs for wood construction and new developments, and provisions for the 2005 NDS (National Design Specifications) for wood construction and the Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) 2001 national edition and how to apply them.
On the second day participants will learn to become familiar with provisions of the WFCM and the commentary to the WFCM, how to design a two-story house for seismic and wind loading by a design demonstration and through the WFCM workbook gain the ability to execute similar designs.
Taylor is the current director of technology transfer at American Forest & Paper Association and is an award-winning speaker and educator on the topic of wood design. Bowman is the current Northwest regional manager of the AF & PA.
On the Move
Unlimited Construction Services, Inc. helped revive a bit of Kauai history recently when the company largely donated the use of one of its cranes and 10 days of a full crew to move a 77,000-pound concrete lantern into its new position where it is being renovated by experts.
The lantern, built in 1915 by Japanese immigrants to honor the Japanese emperor, was buried during World War II due to anti-Japanese sentiment. It was rediscovered nearly 30 years later after parents complained about rebar sticking out of the ground on the soccer field, but promptly covered up again when government officials were unsure how to handle the find.
Peter Robson, Unlimited president, said the rigging was made specifically for this job and that the pick was good. “I brought one of my best teams out here,” he said. “I wanted to make sure it was done well.”
Target Breaks Ground on Oahu
Target Corp. held groundbreaking ceremonies on Jan. 24 and Jan. 25 (at Kapolei Commons and in Salt Lake, respectively) for its first, and long-awaited, Hawaii stores. Both are expected to open at the same time in March 2009.
Dick Pacific Construction Co., Ltd. is the general contractor of the Kapolei store, and Nordic Construction, Ltd., will be building the Salt Lake store. Each will be 160,000 square feet in size, employing approximately 300 people each. The architects are MulvannyG2 Architecture and RIM Architects.
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Target will be the anchor tenant of the 600,000-square-foot Kapolei Commons, a new shopping center being developed by The MacNaughton Group and Kobayashi Group and currently under construction. The Salt Lake store is located at the site formerly occupied by Costco before it relocated to Iwilei.
“We typically get great receptions wherever we go, but I can honestly say that no reception has topped what we’ve received here in Hawaii,” says Bryan Berg, regional senior vice president for Target.
“This is probably the only project no one complained about,” says Maeda Timson, former chair of the Makakilo/Kapolei neighborhood board.
A third Hawaii store is planned, in Kona, and expected to open in July 2009. All three Target stores will be equipped with rooftop solar systems. Target operates 1,500 stores in 48 states.
NAIOP Hosts Commercial Real Estate Seminar
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In its continuing commitment to help members stay abreast of legislative and regulatory issues that impact the commercial real estate industry, the Hawaii chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) recently hosted a breakfast presentation on “hot button” issues. Moderated by Christine Camp, CEO of Avalon Development, the program included panelists James Mee of Ashford & Wriston and Dean Uchida of D.R. Horton-Schuler Homes.
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Among topics discussed were Act 343 related to easements and required documentation with their impact on industry projects. Examples mentioned were Koa Ridge and “even a hospital trying to build a parking lot near a state road,” said Uchida. Mee spoke of current Bureau of Conveyances problems that are “hot issues for both the public and legislators.” He outlined a “history of problems at the Bureau, including last year’s highly visible dispute over the confirmation of the DLNR (Department of Land & Natural Resources) chair.” He pointed out that one question arising from an in-depth study is whether to merge the Bureau and the Land Court System or look at other possible options. “All of this is a very important issue for those in real estate and development,” he emphasized. Other panel topics included bills related to recycling and reuse and to compliance with mandatory LEED standards.
Shioi Honored by Carpenters Union
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The Hawaii Carpenters Union honored Shioi Construction, Inc. with its 2008 Outstanding Union Builder Award at a reception hosted by the Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) at the Oahu Country Club on Jan. 8.
Founded in 1948 and incorporated in 1973, Shioi Construction has offices on Kauai and Oahu and specializes in multifamily homes, commercial and industrial buildings and condominiums. In 2007, ownership was transferred to the company’s 100 employees, and Conrad Murashige, who accepted the award, serves as its president.
“Conrad Murashige is one of the true leaders of our industry. His company consistently delivers high quality projects that have had a positive impact on the Garden Island,” says Ron Taketa, financial secretary and business representative of the union. “(The company) has repaired schools in the aftermath of hurricanes Iwa and Iniki and built many of (Kauai’s) leading projects at Princeville, Grove Farm, Poipu and Nawiliwili. Conrad also gives generously of his time to the community and has been a long-time supporter of several nonprofit organizations and industry groups.”
The award recognizes a signatory contractor for exceptional contributions to union construction in Hawaii during the past year and for taking a cooperative and creative approach to labor-management relations.
“Shioi Construction is known for quality, and it knows that the highest quality work comes from union carpenters,” comments Kyle Chock, executive director of the PRP. “The partnership between quality builders and top-notch workers is working to build a sustainable future for our state.”
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In accepting the award, Murashige said, “We have supported unionized carpentry in Hawaii for many years and are honored to receive the 2008 Outstanding Union Builder Award from the Hawaii Carpenters Union. The thing I’ve come to learn is that the union experience provides more than an hourly wage. It provides careers that people can really benefit from and competitive wages that give our children a future in Hawaii.”
BIA Holds 14th Annual Home Show
The 14th annual Building Industry Association of Hawaii Home Building & Remodeling Show, held from Jan. 24 through Jan. 27, generated an attendance of 22,000 over the four-day period.
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The newest addition to the show was the first annual Future Builders of Hawaii high school building competition. The challenge: students from the 10 participating schools were asked to design and build one or multiple-function projects from a single sheet of 4-foot by 8-foot plywood with minimum waste. Student teams had to work independently, with no assistance from the instructors except for safety concerns.
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The winners in the various categories were:
• Best Use of Materials: McKinley High School
• Workmanship: Nanakuli High School
• Most Creative: Pearl City High School
• Best Design and People’s Choice: Pearl City High School
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“Based on the response of our schools and the public,” says Karen Nakamura, CEO of BIA-Hawaii, “we are planning a second annual … competition and are very excited about expanding this new event to more students.”
The main draw of the home show, the expo, showcased the newest products and services in home remodeling, serving as a key venue for attracting new clientele. The seminars offered during the event ranged from several addressing green, sustainable and energy-efficient design to hurricane retrofitting, feng shui and construction contracts.
Big Island Attraction Gets Renovated
The visitor center at Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park (colloquially as the City of Refuge) is being revamped and the renovation is expected to be completed this month.
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The visitor desk area is being covered and expanded by about 1,200 square feet. It will now serve not only as a reception area but also as an informal bookstore and gift shop. The center had not been modified since it was built in 1962, and the reception area was essentially just a desk in the open air, says Donna Cuttone, park ranger. “The front will still be open air, with a roll down door, so it will be like a walk-in, three-sided bookstore and information desk. We’ll be able to sell a lot more items.”
Begun in January, work also includes remodeling the rangers’ office behind the reception area. “The footprint will remain the same,” says Cuttone, “but the floor will be leveled and new flooring put in, along with air conditioning. It’s really going to be an improvement.”
Being done by Big Island-based Heartwood Pacific LLC, the $400,000 project was funded by the fees collected at the entrance station, Cuttone adds, “so the visitors are directly benefitting from the money they pay.” Since about 10 years ago, the National Park Service, which operates the center, allows parks to keep 80 percent of the collected funds for visitor-related projects and infrastructure repairs. Before this, the entry fees went to a general fund.
“The main thing is for visitors to have a more comfortable space that is also available to them,” Cuttone says.
The park remained open during the work, and visitor information and sales were temporarily relocated to the auditorium.
Ritz-Carlton Makeover Complete
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua reopened on Jan. 7 following a $160 million renovation project.
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The extensive makeover involved the redesign of 463 guest rooms and suites, new restaurants and upgraded amenities.
The hotel — which originally had 548 guest rooms, a number of which were converted to condotel units — closed in July 2007 when the work began.
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The new rooms now feature dark wood floors, new furnishings, travertine bathrooms and the latest technology, including LCD flat-screen televisions, iPod docking stations and wireless Internet access. The new condotel residential suites feature kitchen areas and spacious living rooms.
Revamped restaurants include the hotel’s signature restaurant, The Banyan Tree, with a new outdoor bar and lounge offering panoramic ocean views; Kai Sushi, which is located in a new restaurant space; and The Terrace restaurant, showcasing a new plantation- inspired design, and the Alaloa Lounge.
The newest amenities on the property are a 10,000-square-foot, three-tiered pool, including a new children’s pool and enlarged cabanas, and a 24-hour fitness center that also offers dramatic ocean views. In addition, a symbolic entry bridge, enhanced water features, fire sculptures and native landscaping greet guests at the hotel’s entry.
An expanded Ritz-Carlton Spa is scheduled to open in May 2008. The 17,500-square-foot facility will have 15 treatment rooms, including two outdoor couples’ cabanas, and steam rooms, saunas and hot tubs with private and co-ed relaxation areas. Many of the treatment rooms will open to private outdoor shower gardens.
The general contractor for the massive renovation is Ledcor – US Pacific Construction LLC, and the lead design firm is San Francisco-based SB Architects.
Construction Begins on Lualai Phase Three
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Kaomalo LLC, a joint venture between D.R. Horton - Schuler Division and Parker Ranch, recently began the construction and sale of phase three of Lualai at Parker Ranch on the Big Island.
This phase, which will encompass approximately 82 homes, includes Maluhia neighborhood, with 10,000-square-foot lots, and Nanea neighborhood, with 5,000-square-foot lots. Both neighborhoods feature three, four and five-bedroom custom homes, ranging in size from 1,100 to 1,200 square feet and a selection of seven custom floor plans.
“Homebuyers are drawn to Lualai because of its high quality construction and affordable price range,” says Mike Jones, division president of D.R. Horton. “Maluhia and Nanea offer more homebuyers the opportunity to create homes that suit their needs and enable them to live in a convenient and beautiful setting close to Waimea town.”
The newest model, available in the Maluhia neighborhood, is Elua, a four-bedroom, three-bathroom home with 1,970 square feet of living area and includes front and back lanai, a study, a media room and detached garage.
Prices of the homes in Lualai range from $448,000 to $600,000.
The Allure of Luxury
On Jan.30, a blessing and groundbreaking ceremony was held for Allure Waikiki, a luxury high-rise condominium project by The Fifield Companies. The development, located at 1837 Kalakaua Ave. (the former site of the Wave Waikiki nightclub), is Fifield’s first project in Hawaii. Fifield representatives, state legislators and other dignitaries attended the event.
“Today marks a very important milestone,” says Alan Schachtman, senior vice president of Fifield. “It is our first development in Hawaii and we couldn’t be more happy. We’re both excited and honored to be part of Waikiki.”
Fifield has already begun constructing Allure’s 35-story tower.
It will feature 291 upscale condominiums with a variety of spacious one,
two and three-bedroom floor plans. Each unit will feature hardwood flooring
in the entry foyer, kitchen, living room and hallways. Floor-to-ceiling,
double-glazed insulated windows will offer expansive mountain, city and
ocean views. Every unit also includes a full-size, stackable washer and
dryer, a gourmet kitchen with Viking stainless steel appliances, granite
countertops and a stainless steel under-mount sink with Kohler faucet.
Schachtman says it’s all about giving customers more value.
“Value is always a part of our equation,” says Schachtman, pointing out, “One of the things The Fifield Companies does very well is, we maximize square footage. We maximize the layout.”
Schachtman says that some developers’ units often fall short of their potential because of poor planning. For example, if a buyer purchases a 1,000-square-foot unit from another developer, it’s likely that only 75 percent of the space has been made “useable.”
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“With us, it’s a much higher percentage, in the 90s,” says Schachtman. “That automatically gives the buyer better value because they get more useable space for the same amount of money. We’re very careful in our process. We don’t waste money, and we feel we do offer a very good value to our buyers.”
The prices for the units range from $700,000 to $2.2 million. So far, Schachtman says, nearly all buyers are from Oahu.
Schachtman said the community’s reaction to Allure Waikiki has been positive.
“We’ve had great community reaction,” Schachtman says, pointing to how Fifield has made efforts to be sensitive to the community. For example, the company has contributed $5 million toward off-site sewer system improvements. And when the iwi kupuna (ancestral bones) were unearthed at the Allure Waikiki site, the developer ordered archeological surveys to locate the families to whom the remains belong.
“The community has been very receptive to what we have done so far and we hope they will continue to be receptive.”
Allure Waikiki is scheduled for completion in spring 2010.
AirReps Hawaii Opens New Home
AirReps Hawaii, a division of Heide & Cook mechanical contractors, recently moved into its newly-renovated showroom in Kalihi. Participants in the dedication and blessing included (from left): Dexter Kekua, senior vice president and CFO of Heide & Cook; Dawn Kanno, general manager of AirReps Hawaii; Earle Matsuda and Patrick Miura, president and vice-president, respectively, of Heide & Cook; and Kahu Curt Kekuna.
Korean Organization Recognizes Community Leaders
Kathryn Whang Inouye, chief operating officer of the Kobayashi Group, LLC, was one of five people honored by the Korean American Foundation Hawaii at its third annual “Light of the Orient” awards banquet on Jan. 13 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.
The special award recognizes honorees for their professional accomplishments and community contributions.
“Many of our previous award winners were Korean Americans who made a lot of contributions to the Korean- American community,” comments Taeyong Kim, president of the Korean American Foundation Hawaii. “Kathy is one of our shining examples who has made many contributions that have impacted the community at large. Her work is not ethnically bound. It’s so broad and widespread. We’re really proud to have her as part of our community and doing so well. She’s an example for other Korean Americans.”
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Inouye has more than 25 years of real estate develop-ment experience and has served on numerous professional and nonprofit boards, commissions and fundraising committees. She served two four-year terms on the Board of Land and Natural Resources, appointed by the former Gov. Ben Cayetano, and is a board member of the Aloha Stadium, appointed by Gov. Linda Lingle. She currently serves on the board of directors for Child and Family Services, Malama Learning Center, Girl Scouts of Hawaii, Korean American Foundation Hawaii and several professional organizations.
Other award winners were: Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann; Dr. Kwan Jay Cho, founder and president of International Mid Pac College (IMPAC); Patricia Hamamoto, superintendent of the state Department of Education; and Chief Justice Ronald Moon of the Hawaii State Supreme Court.
Nearly 500 people attended the awards ceremony, which raised funds for the association’s community grants and scholarship program. The gala coincided with the nationwide celebration of the 105th anniversary of the first arrival of Koreans to America on Jan. 13, 1903.
GCA Installs New Officers
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At a gala event held Jan. 19 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, new officers and directors of the General Contractors Association (GCA) of Hawaii were installed and committee awards presented. Installed as president for 2008 was J. Gerry Majkut who received the gavel from outgoing president Darrell Goo. Other officers include: 1st vice president, Garrett Sullivan; 2nd vice president, Conrad Murashige; treasurer, Wes Mikuni and secretary/executive vice president, Johnny Higa. AGC (Associated General Contractors of America) national directors are: Glenn Nohara, Gordon Scruton and William “Bill” Wilson. Garner Shimizu is subcontractors council chair, and past president directors are Thalia Choy, Mitsuru Kaneshige, Rodney Nohara and Russell Young.
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The construction education committee, chaired by Thalia Choy, was cited as most improved committee while the safety committee, chaired by Dan Vasilash, was honored for most outstanding performance.
Outgoing president Goo thanked his officers, board and committee members and emphasized that the industry was blessed with another good year. New president Majkut pointed out that GCA members are industry and community leaders and underscored how lucky he feels to be living and working in Hawaii.
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In her address, Gov. Linda Lingle congratulated the GCA and the construction industry “on a great year” and said, “You do much more than build buildings. You build businesses, create communities and support people and their dreams.” Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann told the assembled group he needed their help to help fix the infrastructure and “to have a good, solid transportation system.”
Big Island Gets Workforce Housing
Developer UniDev Hawaii LLC broke ground on Dec. 29 for Kamakoa at Waikoloa, a new workforce housing development on the Big Island.
Intended to provide homes for resort and hotel employees as well as public sector workers, the project is being built on 275 acres and will include 1,200 housing units when completed. The units, which will be available for sale and for rent in a variety of housing types, also will be Energy Star qualified, incorporating sustainable planning and design principles. Other elements of the new community will include a planned school, community center, daycare facility, parks and recreation facilities.
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The first phase of construction, under general contractor Hawaiian Dredging
Construction Co., Inc., calls for building 426 affordable housing units
(308 for sale and 118 for rent). The kinds of housing available include
single-room occupancy units, detached bungalows, townhomes and single-family
homes. Home sales are planned to start in mid-2008, with occupany anticipated
in early 2009. Completion of the full development is expected to take
about five to seven years.
“The goal of Kamakoa at Waikoloa is to provide market-quality homes
at prices affordable for working people, some who currently must travel
upward of two hours to reach their workplace or settle in tents on nearby
beaches to avoid such commutes,” says Ernesto Vasquez, AIA, president
and CEO of MVE Pacific, project architect.
Architecturally, the homes and community buildings will embody a Hawaiian sense of place, including spacious lanai for indoor/outdoor living.
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“The quality of housing is not just measured in its appearance,” adds Jeffrey Minter, CEO of UniDev Hawaii, “but is also reflected in the quality of materials and methods of construction that are largely unseen.” For example, plumbing systems are designed to minimize piping and venting and curb energy and water consumption. Solar water heating systems are provided, and lighting fixtures are strategically placed for maximum effect, efficiency and comfort.
“Kamakoa is about creating a community that sustains itself both ecologically and socially,” concludes Vasquez.