Building quality relationships with business partners is an essential part of Hawaiʻi’s construction industry — something Kaipolani Chang, Grace Pacific LLC sales manager, knows well.

After graduating from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, Chang didn’t enter university thinking she’d end up in construction. She first received her Bachelor of Science in human development and family studies, followed by a master’s in counseling, looking to pursue a career in counseling. She later pivoted after taking on a job at Ameron Hawaii as an administrative assistant.

Chang has since risen through the ranks as a sales associate for various companies while finding satisfaction in forming bonds with other industry professionals. Her next pursuit is solidifying the Hawaiʻi branch of Women of Asphalt to make resources for women in local construction readily available.

Question: What initially interested you into pursuing a career in construction?

Answer: Just the interest in the material and being part of a project, building something, knowing that you helped contribute to a successful project that’s still standing. … Just being a part of history and building Hawaiʻi.

Q: What led you to want to specialize in asphalt?

A: I wouldn’t say I specialize in [asphalt]. I’m new to the asphalt industry and my history is more like, material sales. So I’ve sold aggregate and sand, I’ve sold cement, I’ve sold aggregate mix concrete, … so asphalt is the newest material that I’ve started to sell. I’m not an expert by any means, I’m still learning things.

Q: Do you have any mentors you attribute your success or skillset to?

A: Fortunately, I’ve worked for several companies within the construction industry that have had long standings, long histories in the industry. So I’ve been able to connect and learn under leaders and mentors … who are able to give me the knowledge that I need. So product knowledge, customer service — I mean, it’s just key into creating that successful win-win relationship.

Q: What made you want to join Women of Asphalt?

A: The [National Association of Women in Construction] was having an event that was just highlighting different associations, organizations — women-focused. … One of the speakers was Jon Young, he’s the executive director of [Hawaii Asphalt and Paving Industry], spoke about this Women of Asphalt. And so I was like, “Oh, what is this?” … He was interested in maybe creating a Hawaiʻi branch, so we were like, “Okay, let’s do it!”

Q: What do you hope to achieve with bringing Women of Asphalt to Hawaiʻi?

A: I would primarily connect the Hawaiʻi people to the national coalition, all the Hawaiʻi women, and then provide whatever the national level provides, like mentorships, education, advocacy, ability for networking here on a local level, and then also partly highlight and bring attention to our contributions for the women of Hawaiʻi — the [contributions] women in asphalt in Hawaiʻi bring [to] the industry.

Q: What kinds of ideas are circulating in the Women of Asphalt meetings now?

A: We’re trying to get a board together, trying to get the leads together so that we can move forward and make decisions. We’re … still gathering what kinds of events we want to do, what kinds of networking events, and just having them assign [leadership] because now that we’re established [as] the Hawaiʻi branch, having the Women of Asphalt, who have been a part of the national coalition, … connected to the Hawaiʻi branch. So it’s just really the foundation of it all.

Q: How do you balance your professional duties with your personal life?

A: So I’m a planner. I like to plan and just take one day at a time and just enjoy it. And I mean, take time for myself. … Just create those healthy boundaries and … make sure that I get everything done.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: My husband and I, we like to travel to Japan, so we’re always there. … And we just picked up — or I just picked up — golfing. … It took me a while because, again, I’ve been in the industry for like, 17 years now, right? So they’ve always told me like, “Oh, that’s where the majority of business gets done,” and I’m like, “Thank you.” It’s long, but I ended up liking it.