When the state’s top general contractors (GCs) responded to Building Industry Hawai‘i’s annual “Red-Hot Subs” survey in December 2025, there were a few surprises.
The GCs named some new firms as their preferred subcontractors in seven essential building trades — electrical, mechanical, carpentry, painting, windows, flooring and steel (structural and sheet metal).
Building Industry Hawai‘i then asked all nominated subcontractors to predict demand for their trades in 2026.
With some exceptions, Hawai‘i’s Red-Hot Subs see continued strong demand in 2026 — and therefore, a strong construction industry going forward.
“It is projected that the construction industry will be the largest job provider over the next few years as construction spending continues to be very strong,” says Amado Sanchez, CEO of Group Builders Inc. and a 2026 Red-Hot Sub. “This perfectly aligns with our own projections and is supported by what we see on paper, with many major projects [in] the pipeline.”
Group Builders’ 2026 projects are further confirmation, with Ālia at 888 Ala Moana Blvd.; Hale O Pi‘ikea, Phase 2; Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority (HPHA) School Street Senior Affordable Housing, Phase 1A; Maui Bay Villas, Phase 3; and Hōkūala Hotel all providing opportunities for substantial revenue as well as new technical mastery.
Read on to discover what our other “Red-Hot Subs of 2026” are up to — and the outlook for Hawai‘i’s trades in the year ahead.
CARPENTRY
FIRST PLACE
BRUCE MATSON CO. INC.
808-735-0254 (Hawai‘i)
206-575-7810 (Washington)
brucematsonco.com
Top 2025 Projects
|
Upcoming 2026 Projects
|
Q: What are your keys to success as a carpentry subcontractor?
A: “Have the best people that can fabricate and install the best products. We are blessed to have some outstanding carpenters that we think are the best in the industry.”
– Brent Matson, President
2026 FINALISTS
Group Builders Inc.
M2K Construction LLC
ELECTRICAL
FIRST PLACE
WASA ELECTRICAL SERVICES INC.
8808-839-2741
wasahawaii.com
Top 2025 Projects
|
Upcoming 2026 Projects
|
Q: What’s your outlook for Hawai‘i’s electrical subcontracting market in 2026?
A: “Predict market to be flat; and with a few job exceptions, may even be a slight recession.”
– Ronald Yee, President, CEO
2026 FINALISTS
DSE Hawaii (formerly D. Suehiro Electric Inc.) ELCCO Inc.
STEEL
FIRST PLACE
HAWAII STEEL LLC
808-841-0773
hawaiisteel.net
Top 2025 Projects
|
Upcoming 2026 Projects
|
Q: What’s your outlook for Hawai‘i’s steel (structural and sheet metal) subcontracting market in 2026?
A: “For 2026, structural steel in Hawai‘i is positioned at the intersection of a very active public program and a selective but still healthy private development pipeline. Government work provides the floor; private projects provide most of the upside for specialty-steel subs.”
– David A. Miller Jr., President
2026 FINALISTS
IG Steel LLC
Swanson Steel Erectors Inc.
PAINTING
FIRST PLACE
JADE PAINTING INC.
808-677-5233
jadepainting.com
Top 2025 Projects
|
Upcoming 2026 Projects
|
Q: What are your keys to success as a painting subcontractor?
A: “Our success comes from being a trustworthy local partner. By planning meticulously, fostering early communication and building strong relationships with our general contractors and owners, we earn their trust project-by-project, ensuring a positive and collaborative experience!”
– Donald W. Ka‘anapu Jr., Estimator/Project Manager
2026 FINALISTS
JD Painting & Decorating Inc.
The Zelinsky Co.
MECHANICAL
FIRST PLACE
DORVIN D. LEIS CO. INC.
808-877-3902 leisinc.com
Top 2025 Projects
|
Upcoming 2026 Projects
|
Q: What’s your outlook for Hawai‘i’s mechanical subcontracting market in 2026?
A: “Project delays due to funding and/or permitting, and the new EPA regulations for refrigerant (which has disrupted design and manufacturing), has softened the market as we start 2026. We foresee a pickup mid-to-late next year, with the pipeline of affordable housing projects, continued luxury housing demand and some significant island infrastructure projects. The size and volume of the projects should be supporting the mechanical subs for several years to come.”
– Michael St. Clair, Executive Vice President
2026 FINALISTS
Alaka‘i Mechanical Corp.Commercial Plumbing Inc.
WINDOWS
FIRST PLACE
REFLECTIONS GLASS
808-676-6767
reflections-glass.com
Top 2025 Projects
|
Upcoming 2026 Projects
|
Q: What are your keys to success as a windows subcontractor?
A: “Our success comes from pairing deep technical glazing expertise with disciplined, proactive coordination and understanding not only the glazing system, but how it interfaces with structure, tolerances and trade sequencing. We invest upfront in preconstruction, shop drawings and early issue resolution so risks are identified and solved before they impact the field, budget or critical path. Just as important, our five-branch presence across O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, Kona and Hilo allow us to mobilize quickly, support projects locally and give general contractors consistent, reliable execution across the entire state.”
– Chamoine Kane, President
2026 FINALISTS
Alii Glass & Metal Inc.
Oahu Metal & Glazing LLC
FLOORING
FIRST PLACE
A-AMERICAN CUSTOM FLOORING INC.
808-454-8888
aamericanhawaii.com
Top 2025 Projects
|
Upcoming 2026 Projects
|
Q: What are your keys to success as a flooring subcontractor?
A: “Our vision is to partner with our clients to provide the highest-level support across all phases of construction to deliver an exceptional final product.”
– Benny Capalnas, Vice President
2026 FINALISTS
BMK Construction LLCCB Tech Services Inc.
When the state’s top general contractors (GCs) responded to Building Industry Hawai‘i’s annual “Red-Hot Subs” survey in December 2025, there were a few surprises.
The GCs named some new firms as their preferred subcontractors in seven essential building trades — electrical, mechanical, carpentry, painting, windows, flooring and steel (structural and sheet metal).
Building Industry Hawai‘i then asked all nominated subcontractors to predict demand for their trades in 2026.
With some exceptions, Hawai‘i’s Red-Hot Subs see continued strong demand in 2026 — and therefore, a strong construction industry going forward.
“It is projected that the construction industry will be the largest job provider over the next few years as construction spending continues to be very strong,” says Amado Sanchez, CEO of Group Builders Inc. and a 2026 Red-Hot Sub. “This perfectly aligns with our own projections and is supported by what we see on paper, with many major projects [in] the pipeline.”
Group Builders’ 2026 projects are further confirmation, with Ālia at 888 Ala Moana Blvd.; Hale O Pi‘ikea, Phase 2; Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority (HPHA) School Street Senior Affordable Housing, Phase 1A; Maui Bay Villas, Phase 3; and Hōkūala Hotel all providing opportunities for substantial revenue as well as new technical mastery.
Read on to discover what our other “Red-Hot Subs of 2026” are up to — and the outlook for Hawai‘i’s trades in the year ahead.
CARPENTRY
FIRST PLACE
BRUCE MATSON CO. INC.
808-735-0254 (Hawai‘i)
206-575-7810 (Washington)
brucematsonco.com
Top 2025 Projects
|
Upcoming 2026 Projects
|
Q: What are your keys to success as a carpentry subcontractor?
A: “Have the best people that can fabricate and install the best products. We are blessed to have some outstanding carpenters that we think are the best in the industry.”
– Brent Matson, President
2026 FINALISTS
Group Builders Inc.
M2K Construction LLC
ELECTRICAL
FIRST PLACE
WASA ELECTRICAL SERVICES INC.
8808-839-2741
wasahawaii.com
Top 2025 Projects
|
Upcoming 2026 Projects
|
Q: What’s your outlook for Hawai‘i’s electrical subcontracting market in 2026?
A: “Predict market to be flat; and with a few job exceptions, may even be a slight recession.”
– Ronald Yee, President, CEO
2026 FINALISTS
DSE Hawaii (formerly D. Suehiro Electric Inc.) ELCCO Inc.
STEEL
FIRST PLACE
HAWAII STEEL LLC
808-841-0773
hawaiisteel.net
Top 2025 Projects
|
Upcoming 2026 Projects
|
Q: What’s your outlook for Hawai‘i’s steel (structural and sheet metal) subcontracting market in 2026?
A: “For 2026, structural steel in Hawai‘i is positioned at the intersection of a very active public program and a selective but still healthy private development pipeline. Government work provides the floor; private projects provide most of the upside for specialty-steel subs.”
– David A. Miller Jr., President
2026 FINALISTS
IG Steel LLC
Swanson Steel Erectors Inc.
PAINTING
FIRST PLACE
JADE PAINTING INC.
808-677-5233
jadepainting.com
Top 2025 Projects
|
Upcoming 2026 Projects
|
Q: What are your keys to success as a painting subcontractor?
A: “Our success comes from being a trustworthy local partner. By planning meticulously, fostering early communication and building strong relationships with our general contractors and owners, we earn their trust project-by-project, ensuring a positive and collaborative experience!”
– Donald W. Ka‘anapu Jr., Estimator/Project Manager
2026 FINALISTS
JD Painting & Decorating Inc.
The Zelinsky Co.
MECHANICAL
FIRST PLACE
DORVIN D. LEIS CO. INC.
808-877-3902 leisinc.com
Top 2025 Projects
|
Upcoming 2026 Projects
|
Q: What’s your outlook for Hawai‘i’s mechanical subcontracting market in 2026?
A: “Project delays due to funding and/or permitting, and the new EPA regulations for refrigerant (which has disrupted design and manufacturing), has softened the market as we start 2026. We foresee a pickup mid-to-late next year, with the pipeline of affordable housing projects, continued luxury housing demand and some significant island infrastructure projects. The size and volume of the projects should be supporting the mechanical subs for several years to come.”
– Michael St. Clair, Executive Vice President
2026 FINALISTS
Alaka‘i Mechanical Corp.Commercial Plumbing Inc.
WINDOWS
FIRST PLACE
REFLECTIONS GLASS
808-676-6767
reflections-glass.com
Top 2025 Projects
|
Upcoming 2026 Projects
|
Q: What are your keys to success as a windows subcontractor?
A: “Our success comes from pairing deep technical glazing expertise with disciplined, proactive coordination and understanding not only the glazing system, but how it interfaces with structure, tolerances and trade sequencing. We invest upfront in preconstruction, shop drawings and early issue resolution so risks are identified and solved before they impact the field, budget or critical path. Just as important, our five-branch presence across O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, Kona and Hilo allow us to mobilize quickly, support projects locally and give general contractors consistent, reliable execution across the entire state.”
– Chamoine Kane, President
2026 FINALISTS
Alii Glass & Metal Inc.
Oahu Metal & Glazing LLC
FLOORING
FIRST PLACE
A-AMERICAN CUSTOM FLOORING INC.
808-454-8888
aamericanhawaii.com
Top 2025 Projects
|
Upcoming 2026 Projects
|
Q: What are your keys to success as a flooring subcontractor?
A: “Our vision is to partner with our clients to provide the highest-level support across all phases of construction to deliver an exceptional final product.”
– Benny Capalnas, Vice President
2026 FINALISTS
BMK Construction LLCCB Tech Services Inc.
