E
xperts say Hawai‘i construction is in the first stages of a boom and demand for workers is soaring. Hawai‘i job sites added about 3,000 workers in the first half of 2024, and more will be needed as rail’s new $1.6 billion project breaks ground next year.
In response, the Building Industry Association of Hawaii (BIA Hawaii) is rapidly expanding the number and scope of its 2024-2025 construction training programs.
“Workforce development will be a key focus [in 2025],” says BIA Hawaii CEO Roseann Freitas.
Building Industry Hawaii recently asked Freitas, 2024 President Hinano Nahinu and 2025 President-elect Marc Rinker how they are developing workforce training and other programs that will support Hawai‘i construction in the busy year ahead.
QUESTION: What workforce training is BIA Hawaii providing in 2025?
FREITAS: [We’re partnering] with the state’s Workforce Development Division to offer Pre-apprenticeship Construction Training (PACT) programs throughout 2025.
BIA Hawaii [also] plans to expand its offerings. We will enhance our training programs at our local facilities and collaborate with other organizations to provide training opportunities across all islands.
At BIA Hawaii, we provide a wide range of safety training courses, including OSHA 10, OSHA 30, EM 385, OSHA 40, Fall Protection, Scaffold User, Trench and Excavation Safety, Forklift and Aerial training, among others. We also offer companies the flexibility to customize their training programs to meet specific needs.
Additionally, we offer specialized courses from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) curriculum, such as Certified Aging in Place, Train the Trainer, Universal Design, Project Management and various business courses.
Q: Have your Maui members told you what they need most?
FREITAS: Education is the primary need we are hearing from the Maui community. From Pre-Apprenticeship Construction to ongoing safety courses, we are collaborating with the Maui Chamber of Commerce and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) to get needed training to the Maui construction industry.
Q: What industry legislation did BIA Hawaii support last year?
FREITAS: BIA testified on various bills throughout the 2024 session, especially on Bill 65, which focuses on adopting the Hawaii State Building and Residential Code.
Q: Are Hawai‘i’s new building codes still increasing the cost of new construction?
RINKER: Jon Kam, the director of construction at Gentry Homes, said, “In my experience, each time new building codes are adopted, construction costs increase. These new codes aim to enhance safety from fires and natural disasters (like hurricanes and earthquakes), improve energy efficiency as technology and materials advance, and reduce environmental impacts as awareness grows. Although these new requirements come with a cost, they offer long-term benefits that may not be immediately apparent.”
Q: What are your legislative priorities in 2025?
FREITAS: In 2025, BIA Hawaii will focus on legislation promoting affordable housing. We want to work with state, city and county government officials to find a solution.
Q: How are you and the NAHB working to increase housing in Hawai‘i?
FREITAS: The NAHB supports BIA Hawaii by providing testimony before the local legislature. By tracking housing statistics and trends, NAHB offers valuable data illustrating the legislative impact on home costs.
Q: Are permits moving more quickly now at the Department of Planning & Permitting?
NAHINU: We have seen some considerable improvements from the DPP. First is the leadership under the direction of Dawn Takeuchi Apuna, who has led fearlessly and effectively during such tumultuous times. The DPP’s partnership with Accuity LLC has also proven to be a guide in the integration and implementation of change management systems.
Q: What BIA Hawaii events are you looking forward to next year?
FREITAS: BIA Hawaii has an exciting lineup of in-person member events planned for 2025. We are thrilled to kick off the year with the BIA Home Building and Remodeling Show from Jan. 24 to Jan. 26, 2025, featuring a special collaboration with Mana Up. The second home show will be Aug. 8 to Aug. 11, 2025.
Additionally, mark your calendars for our Golf Tournament on Aug. 22, 2025, which promises to be a fantastic day of networking and fun. We also eagerly anticipate NAHB Forecasting & Analysis AVP Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington’s economic report in April 2025.
BIA Hawaii 2024 Officers and Directors
Roseann Freitas – CEO
Officers
Hinano Nahinu – 2024 President
Marc Rinker – 2025 President-Elect
Sarah Love – Immediate Past President
Kamuela Potter – Vice President
Paul Silen – Treasurer
Marc Putman – Special Appointee
Peter Eldridge – Special Appointee
Directors
Scott Amano – Amano Construction
Sylvio Boucher – Homeworks Construction Inc.
Max Lindsey – Mark Development Inc.
McKibbin Mist – D.R. Horton Inc.
Tommy O’Donnell – O’Donnell Construction LLC
Aaron Okamoto – The Carpet Shoppe Inc.
Lukas Petersons – Longhouse Design + Build
Kaloa Robinson – Stanford Carr Development LLC
Lili Shintani – Alan Shintani Inc.
Daryl Takamiya – Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii Inc.
Robyn Titcomb – First Hawaiian Bank
Wayne Uehira – Hawaiian Electric Company
Craig Washofsky – Pacific Home & Appliance Distribution
Q: What have been your high points at BIA Hawaii so far?
FREITAS: 2024 has been a year of rebuilding at BIA Hawaii. The strong collaboration within our team ensures that we are all rowing in the same direction. We are fortunate to have a great relationship with our independent contractors, who significantly contribute to our mission. I’ve been fortunate to work with a fantastic board of directors, especially Hinano Nahinu and Sarah Love … [whose] support has been invaluable as we continue strengthening and growing our organization.
NAHINU: My top priorities included establishing our leadership team by appointing Roseann Freitas as the CEO of BIA and organizing the BIA staff. Also, expanding our membership to the neighboring islands and gaining NAHB approval for jurisdiction over Maui and the Big Island was also crucial. This expansion will allow BIA to increase its membership and support the Maui Rebuild.
Another significant achievement was chartering Hawaii’s first Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council. The NAHB PWB Council is dedicated to promoting industry professionalism and supporting women in the building industry at local, state, and national levels.
RINKER: Serving as a state delegate for NAHB at the 2024 Legislative Conference [in Washington, D.C.]. Additionally, I have met many incredible individuals. … The passion and dedication of these industry leaders are truly inspiring, and knowing I have their support makes the challenges of becoming president much more manageable.
Q: What’s ahead for Hawai‘i construction in 2025?
RINKER: I believe the outlook for the construction industry … is positive, with home building expected to remain strong. Even more exciting than the 2025 forecast is our current work to prepare for the future through our PACT courses. I am very passionate and excited about this initiative.
