A civil engineering license and pageant title rarely coexist on a resume, but for Kiana Yamat, these accomplishments represent her tireless work ethic. Dovetailing her expertise as a project engineer at Hensel Phelps with community-building connections from her reign as Miss Hawaii USA 2022, Yamat has cultivated a thriving professional life.
“Success on a jobsite depends on clear communication, articulating priorities while actively listening to others,” Yamat says. “Pageantry reinforced [to me] that leadership isn’t just about speaking confidently — it’s about understanding people and working together toward a shared goal.”
Born and raised in Lāhainā, Yamat says she learned “the value of hard work” from her mom and dad, who worked as a teacher and hotel electrician, respectively. The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM) School of Engineering alum started her career at Hensel Phelps after college, then moved to San Francisco for a stint in land development design. Yamat is now back at Hensel Phelps where she has been part of several high-profile projects.
She aims to pay her success forward by serving as a mentor to aspiring women and young professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and construction.
Question: What drew you to the field of engineering?
Answer: Childhood trips to Disneyland sparked my interest in how the “Imagineers” blended creativity and engineering to build experiences everyone could enjoy. As I got older, I realized I wanted to bring that same kind of innovation to Hawai‘i [by] using engineering to make life here better, more accessible and more enjoyable. That curiosity eventually led me into the field.
Q: What were the most memorable experiences during your reign as Miss Hawaii USA 2022?
A: I entered the Miss Hawaii USA pageant with a purpose: to connect with like-minded women and inspire female students to explore careers in this industry. During my reign in 2022, I focused on breaking stereotypes to show that success in construction doesn’t require fitting a specific mold.
Some of my most memorable experiences include being the keynote speaker at the [UHM] College of Engineering Convocation, speaking to classrooms and community groups about opportunities in engineering and construction across the state and encouraging young women to see themselves in roles traditionally dominated by men.
Q: What might a typical day on the job look like for you?
A: My day as a project engineer includes coordinating with trade partners, reviewing design and construction deliverables, meeting with owners and design teams, updating schedules and budgets and resolving challenges as they arise. It’s a fast-paced job, and I enjoy the dynamic nature of the work because every challenge is an opportunity to build something meaningful for our communities.
Q: Which project has been most satisfying for you to work on? Why?
A: Kaiser Permanente West Oahu Medical Office [at Kapolei] was my first healthcare project after returning to Hensel Phelps, and I joined the team right in the middle of COVID. That experience showed me how vital our work is to the community. It was also the best team I’ve ever worked with. Many of them remain mentors I still rely on today.
Q: What’s on the horizon that has you most excited?
A: The takeover of Gen Z in the construction industry! As a millennial supervisor, I’m constantly impressed by the fresh ideas they bring to the table. From Bluebeam and Excel tricks to their innovative use of [artificial intelligence], they’re transforming everyday processes and making our workflows smarter and faster. It’s inspiring to see how technology and creativity are shaping the future of construction.
Q: Who are your personal female role models keeping you inspired on this path?
A: I’m fortunate to have incredible female role models right here at Hensel Phelps. Area Superintendent Lauren Ho and Safety Manager Amber Kenui exemplify what it means to be strong, intelligent and accomplished women in construction. Their guidance has shaped my confidence and leadership skills, reminding me that representation matters and inspiring me to keep pushing boundaries for women in STEM.
Q: What do you do to unwind on your days off?
A: Even though I work in construction, most of my day is spent indoors running meetings, so I enjoy being outside on my days off. I prefer being at the beach or doing something active by the water. I’ve recently started training for my second 10K, so you might see me running around Ala Moana Beach Park. If you see me out there, don’t be scared to say hi!
