When Hawai‘i builders gather at the Roofing Contractors Association of Hawaii (RCAH) Top Roofing Awards gala on Feb. 22, they’ll celebrate the Awards’ 10th Anniversary and the many outstanding roofing projects completed throughout the state in 2024.

They’ll also reflect on the roofing industry’s recent challenges.

“Dealing with the new energy requirements [last year] was a challenge for the industry,” reports Tim Lyons, RCAH executive director. “Contractors and manufacturers wanted to achieve the best product outcome and installation procedures to meet new proposed guidelines.

“Of concern was the challenge to provide the variety of materials that the marketplace desired and still be in compliance,” he adds.

Lyons says all sides compromised to get the best result, which unfortunately wasn’t always an option when dealing with labor shortages.

“Finding workers for the roofing industry was [at the] forefront,” he emphasizes.

Roofers also had to scramble for materials.

“Supply chain issues lingered and were minimized in some areas but persisted in others,” says Lyons. “Due to the need for foreign imported oil, [oil-based roofing] products had little stability in both prices and availability.”

While still present, those issues do not seem to be affecting project outcomes to the same extent this year.

“Our products are [still] needed,” Lyons admits. “But also, desired specialty products will be available for those projects hunting for that ‘something special.’ They will be there to satisfy environmental, stylistic and durability concerns.”

RCAH’s Top Roofing Award winners will be announced at the Ko‘olau Ballrooms gala on Feb. 22. Winners are chosen by RCAH’s panel of judges, who include Howard C. Wiig, energy analyst, Hawai‘i State Energy Office, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism; Jim Reinhardt, principal architect, Kent Engineering Architectural Diagnostics; Amanda Canada, publisher, Trade Media Hui; Landon Sakai, area superintendent, Hensel Phelps Construction Co.; James Kurata, State of Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services, Central Services; Ku‘ulei Kaanoi, Swinerton; and Tylynn McMonagle, Beachside Roofing LLC.

(Editor’s Note: Trade Media Hui publishes Building Industry Hawai‘i and is a sponsor of the RCAH’s Top Roofing Awards.)

The following 27 projects are up for RCAH’s Top Roofing Awards and encompass a wide range of designs and materials in the residential and commercial categories. Project roofers have provided a brief summary of each job.

Given the impressive achievements of these finalists and improved market conditions, Lyons says, “We are positive about
roofing’s future in 2025.”