Question: What Nan Inc. projects are you leading now?
Answer: As project manager, I am currently leading the ground-up construction of an aviation operations building. The project is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District contract for the construction of a two-story building at Wheeler Army Airfield on O‘ahu.
The standout features of the project include advanced building systems integration, sustainable design elements and high-performance facility standards that support long-term durability and operational efficiency.
Q: What new Nan Inc. projects are coming up?
A: Looking ahead, Nan Inc. continues to pursue and secure projects across the public and private sectors — including federal, infrastructure and mixed-use developments — strengthening Hawai‘i and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
A major company milestone was the recent completion of The Park on Ke‘eaumoku, our first mixed-use high-rise development featuring 42 levels of residences, outdoor spaces, amenities and eateries.
I’m excited to be part of projects that not only represent technical achievement but also directly serve our community.
Q: What attracted you to construction?
A: As a kid, I enjoyed being outdoors — going to the beach, playing sports and spending time with friends and family.
I was always interested in how things were built and put together, whether it was helping with small projects around the house or just being curious about construction sites around town.
Just like in sports, construction appealed to me because it combines leadership, problem-solving and teamwork.
Q: What was your first major Hawai‘i project?
A: The [Nan Inc.] Medical & Dental Clinic at Marine Corps Base, Kāne‘ohe Bay, which was a new, 98,000-square-foot [facility].
Q: What did that project teach you?
A: As this was also a joint venture with a mainland company, it taught me the importance of communication, adaptability and staying solution-oriented. I learned that successful projects are built not only on technical knowledge but on trust and teamwork.
Q: Looking back at Nan Inc.’s recent Daniel Kahikina Akaka VA Clinic project, do you feel it was especially rewarding?
A: Because the clinic was located in Kapolei — where I grew up — the Daniel Kahikina Akaka VA Clinic was especially meaningful to me.
The impact it has on Leeward veterans and their families, as well as the broader island and Indo-Pacific region, made the project deeply rewarding. With my grandparents being veterans and my mother working within the VA system — occasionally even at the clinic — delivering a healthcare facility of that scale and complexity on the west side was both professionally significant and personally meaningful.
The project significantly sharpened my project management skills … [and] reinforced the importance of both individual and team accountability with regards to precision when working on mission-critical facilities.
Q: What do you feel are your most valuable strengths as a project manager?
A: My most valuable strengths are financial organization, leadership skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
Growing up in Hawai‘i, I learned the importance of taking care of the people who take care of you. I prioritize building strong relationships with field teams, management staff, owners, consultants and subcontractors. … Successful projects are not built by individuals — they are built through strong partnerships and mutual trust.
Q: What advice would you give a first-time project manager?
A: Strive to understand the work at every level — from the granular details to the broader project vision. Communicate clearly, consistently and effectively. Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask questions and always take ownership of your responsibilities. Building trust is just as important as building structures.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. As a husband and new father, my wife Camille and our son Luca Keli‘ikoa are the real MVPs.
Maintaining balance outside of work keeps me grounded and reminds me why we build — for our families and our community.
