The Roofing Contractors Association of Hawaii (RCAH) held its annual Top Roofing Awards banquet on Jan. 27 at the Honolulu Country Club, recognizing notable roofing projects completed the previous year.
Tim Lyons
While last year’s awards ceremony marked the return of an in-person event following a two-year hiatus, Tim Lyons, RCAH executive director, says the organization experienced an understandably disappointing turnout as the state continued to recover from the effects of COVID-19.
In contrast, during the lead-up to this year’s awards, Lyons says judges saw an increase in nominations from RCAH members, along with a greater variety of projects in general.
Judges for the 2023 awards represent a cross-section of industry professionals, including Howard Wiig, energy codes and standards program manager, Department of Business and Economic Development; Jim Reinhardt, AIA, principal architect, Kent Engineering; Scott Ai, vice president, Beachside Roofing; Amanda Canada, publisher, Trade Media Hui; Mike Roney, president, Rainbow Roof Maintenance and Chris Kinimaka, public works administrator, Department of Accounting and General Services. (Editor’s Note: Trade Media Hui is the publisher of Building Industry Hawaii and is a sponsor of the RCAH Top Roofing Awards.)
According to Lyons, judges met at length to review nominees’ applications and project photos, “grading them in the areas of project uniqueness, safety considerations, supplier service, energy factors with information on the general contractor, difficulty of installation, issues with jobsite conditions, [with] extra credit given for LEED efforts.
“As we review the contenders we see some very high-end sophisticated projects and our nominees are getting better at packaging their submittals,” says Lyons. “Many of the projects are worthy of recognition and this year’s task for the judges was definitely more difficult.”
Looking to the future, Lyons remarks: “There is a noticeable trend towards more complexity and difficulty of certain projects including the business acumen necessary to run a roofing construction company. We used to say that you needed to know roofing first and then business. Now it is more essential to know business and how to operate one and then pick up on the roofing trade.
“The years ahead hold promise for more and better roofing materials, roofing installation methods and displays of professionalism for those that can learn to do more than just ‘slap on a roof.’”
Nominees and winners from the RCAH 2023 Top Roofing Awards are showcased on the following pages. They encompass a range of residential and commercial projects across a range of structures and environments, utilizing a variety of materials and techniques.
RCAH 2023 TOP ROOFING AWARDS
FINALISTS
CATEGORY: RESIDENTIAL |
Steep Slope – Metal Roofing
THE CONTENDERS
Project: Van Deventer Residence |
Foreman: Maxencio Guillermo
Project Start: May 15 |
Project Completed: May 22 |
Material Supplier: HPM Building Supply |
Manufacturer: Dura Coat Products
Van Deventer Residence
David’s Custom Roofing & Painting Inc.
Upon starting this project, David’s Custom Roofing discovered a number of issues from the previous installation that needed to be addressed – adding work and time to this project – so they could guarantee the highest level of quality. In addition to the roofing work, the team also managed the installation of solar hot water panels and PV panels in collaboration with the customer’s solar provider, ensuring functionality and longevity of the entire roofing system.
Project: Uyeda Residence |
Foreman: Kepa ClarkeProject Start: June 10 |
Project Completed: July 25
Material Supplier: Kloeckner |
Manufacturer: PAC-CLAD
Uyeda Residence
Tory’s Roofing & Waterproofing Inc.
Upon starting this project, David’s Custom Roofing discovered a number of issues from the previous installation that needed to be addressed – adding work and time to this project – so they could guarantee the highest level of quality. In addition to the roofing work, the team also managed the installation of solar hot water panels and PV panels in collaboration with the customer’s solar provider, ensuring functionality and longevity of the entire roofing system.
THE WINNER
Project: Private Residence: Kukio Golf & Beach Club | Foreman: Guadalupe Lopez
Project Start: May 12 | Project Completed: June 22 | Material Supplier: Zappone Manufacturing Inc.
Manufacturer: Zappone Manufacturing Inc.
Kukio Golf & Beach Club
Private Residence
Kokua Roofing
Though this project was for just a one-story building, the winds and copper shingles made working on this project a sometimes slippery endeavor. Kokua installed Zappone copper shingles with accent shingles, copper valley metal and drip edge, making for an eye-catching project even more captivating after the patina is formed. The scene is further enhanced by the natural backdrop of the sun and volcanoes. The entirety of the project entailed about 70 squares.
CATEGORY: RESIDENTIAL
Steep Slope –
Shingle/Shake Roofing
THE CONTENDERS
Project: Yoda Residence |
Foreman: Russel Aganos
Project Start: July 5 |
Project Completed: July 7 |
Material Supplier: Beacon Roofing Supply |
Manufacturer: Malarkey Roofing Products
Yoda Residence
David’s Custom Roofing & Painting Inc.
David’s Custom Roofing removed two layers of asphalt shingles and installed APOC Hybrid CXL underlayment, replaced 2.5# lead pipe jacks and installed drip edge flashing. They utilized Malarkey Highlander shingles.
Additionally, David’s coordinated the installation of both solar and hot water panels and PV panels with the solar provider, implementing a comprehensive approach that included new mounting hardware and flashing to prevent a recurrence of issues the customer had encountered with a previous solar installation.
In the end, David’s successfully provided lasting solutions that offered protection and peace of mind to the customer.
Project: Private Residence, Hualalai Villas & Homes
Foreman: Guadalupe Lopez
Project Start: Nov. 14, 2022 |
Project Completed: Dec. 5, 2022 |
Material Supplier: ABC Supply Inc. |
Manufacturer: DaVinci Roofscapes LLC; Firestone Building Products
Private Residence, Hualalai Villas & Homes
Kokua Roofing
This project was at a private residence within an exclusive resort, and consisted of approximately 70 squares of work. Kokua Roofing utilized DaVinci shake shingles, copper valley metal and drip edge – a contrast in itself, yet appeared cohesive in its physical setting. The roof’s color and texture were reminiscent of the color of lava, creating a subtle but significant focal point for the observer, and creating a sense of belonging to the ground it lays upon.
Tory’s Roofing & Waterproofing
Hong Residence
Project: Hong Residence
Foreman: Richard Guzon
Project Start: Oct. 16
Project Completed: Oct. 30
Material Supplier: ABC Supply
Manufacturer: Malarkey Roofing Products
Tory’s Roofing removed the existing wood shakes and installed a luxury shingle, the Malarkey Windsor, making the house stand out amongst its neighbors. The roof design had lots of different angles and cuts, so the team had to take extra care to ensure the shingles were installed consistently throughout the entire roof and angle changes.
THE WINNER
Project: Cooke Residence | Foreman: Brock Martin
Project Start: March 23 | Project Completed: Oct. 31 | Material Supplier: Hawaii Supply LLC | Manufacturer: CertainTeed LLC
David’s Custom Roofing & Painting Inc.
Cooke Residence
Cooke Residence
This roofing project presented some significant challenges to David’s Custom Roofing – it was steep, expansive and intricate. The project centered around the main house, which served as both a residence and a museum showcasing valuable Hawaiian artifacts. David’s was deeply committed to preserving its contents and structure and took extraordinary care to ensure the protection and maintenance of these precious artifacts throughout this complex, multifaceted project which also encompassed carpentry, painting and gutter installation.
CATEGORY: COMMERCIAL
Low Slope – Fluid Applied
THE WINNER
Project: Hawaii Electricians Pension Fund | Foreman: Josh Garcillas
Project Start: March 2021 | Project Completed: April 29, 2022 |
Material Supplier: Beacon Roofing Supply |
Manufacturer: GAF Roofing; American Hydrotech; SIKA Corporation; Soprema USA
Alcal Specialty Contracting Inc.
Hawaii Electricians Pension Fund
Hawaii Electricians Pension Fund
Hawaii Electricians Pension Fund
Alcal installed fully-tapered PVC insulation, Sikafluid applied Hydrotech BGW coating on the elevator pit, retaining wall and pavers on the fourth floor. This comprehensive approach to waterproofing, insulation and surface enhancement offered long-term protections against water damage and environmental elements. Soprema vehicular traffic coating created a durable and safe surface, further ensuring long-term protection for this new building.
CATEGORY: COMMERCIAL
Low Slope – Single Ply
THE CONTENDERS
Project: Kaimuki Gateway Plaza
Foreman: Leo Dayton
Project Start: February 2022
Project Completed: July 15, 2022
Material Supplier: Hawaii Supply LLC
Manufacturer: Carlisle Construction Materials
Kaimuki Gateway Plaza
Alcal Specialty Contracting Inc.
Alcal installed Carlisle TPO roofing membrane with multiple penetrations for solar. During the course of the project on Waialae Avenue, there was limited access for loading and unloading of materials and equipment, which posed safety concerns for the team, but they were able to create and maintain a robust safety framework for the duration of their work.
Project: Women’s Community Correctional Center
Foreman: Rico Newman
Project Start: Aug. 21
Project Completed: Sept. 22
Material Supplier: Beacon Roofing Supply
Manufacturer: Elevate Roofing Products
Women’s Community Correctional Center
Tory’s Roofing & Waterproofing Inc.
Despite the logistical challenges of working in a secured facility while having to avoid contact with inmates, Tory’s Roofing managed to pull off this project in a month. This was a brand new construction project over a metal deck, where they installed a base layer of 3.5 insulation, new tapered foam insulation and DensDeck protection board over a base layer of insulation, and a new TPO roofing membrane.
Project: Farrington High School, Building H |
Foreman: Denis Daguro
Project Start: June 25 |
Project Completed: Aug. 11 |
Material Supplier: Hawaii Supply LLC |
Manufacturer: Carlisle Construction Materials
Farrington High School, Building H
Surface Shield
Roofing Co.
Surface Shield removed 386 solar panels and 19,600 square feet of existing roof before they could begin the installation of a 20-year Carlisle TPO roofing system. There were multiple areas with spall damage, so Surface Shield ended up repairing the damaged areas and removed the loose pieces of the concrete support beams that were potential hazards for students and faculty. They sealed over 400 PV penetrations with custom TOP pipe boots, and removed existing perimeter edge metal flashing that contained lead.
Project: Greenwood AOAO |
Foreman: Noah Channels
Project Start: Sept. 1, 2022 |
Project Completed: May 6, 2022
Material Supplier: Beacon Roofing Supply / RSI
Manufacturer: GAF Roofing
Greenwood AOAO
Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing
Hawaii Inc.
Commercial Roofing installed a tapered EPS system, coverboard and brand-new GAF EverGuard 80 mil TPO membrane roofing system. The design strategy was to maximize the possible capacity of solar panels that could be installed on the rooftop. They integrated a racking system that enabled the PV system to be installed 7 feet above the roof surface to avoid obstacles, all the way to the edges of the roof, allowing for 50 percent more capacity.
THE WINNER
Project: Valley of the Temples | Foreman: Rico Newman
Project Start: Sept. 12 | Project Completed: Oct. 30 | Material Supplier: Hawaii Supply LLC
Manufacturer: Carlisle Construction Materials
Tory’s Roofing & Waterproofing Inc.
Valley of the Temples
Services were prohibited at the chapel at the Valley of the Temples due to leaking, so Tory’s worked hard and quickly to complete this job so operations could resume. Tory’s removed the existing cap sheet and installed a Carlisle TPO 115 mil fleeceback membrane. They also applied coating on the side of the chapel’s A-frame walls, restoring the chapel to its former beauty.
CATEGORY: COMMERCIAL
Low Slope – Modified Bitumen
THE CONTENDER
Commercial Roofing
& Waterproofing
Hawaii Inc.
Kapiolani Medical Center Physicians Office Building
Project: Kapiolani Medical Center Physicians Office Building
Foreman: Noah Channels
Project Start: Feb. 8
Project Completed: Aug. 22
Material Supplier: Beacon Roofing Supply/RSI
Manufacturer: Polyglass USA
The removal of the existing roof and installation of a new polyglass modified bitumen system on a rooftop where over 70 percent of the rooftop contained mechanical equipment was just one of the challenges presented to Commercial Roofing on this project. They took extra care in regards to odors and other factors to avoid disrupting the care of the fragile patients being treated within.
THE WINNER
Project: UH Bilger Hall | Foreman: Denis Daguro
Project Start: November 2020 | Project Completed: September 2021
Material Supplier: Strategic Building Products Hawaii LLC / ABC Supply
Manufacturer: Holcim Elevate; Gaco; Firestone Building Products
Surface Shield Roofing Co.
University of Hawaii’s Bilger Hall
University of Hawaii’s Bilger Hall
The labs at UH Bilger Hall had among the highest degree of difficulty and complexity that Surface Shield had encountered on a project, challenges that were exacerbated by supply-chain disruptions, rainy weather and numerous design changes through the course of the project.
Oddly shaped platforms with low clearances, custom tapering every roof section to accommodate changes that had been made over the last 70 years, risks of fire, rain and even explosions were some of the daunting obstacles that Surface Shield pushed through while working on this vital facility.
CATEGORY: COMMERCIAL
Steep Slope – Metal Roofing
THE CONTENDERS
Project: Daniel K. Akaka Veterans Home
Foreman: Shannon Gibbons
Project Start: Oct. 6, 2020
Project Completed: Sept. 22, 2021
Supplier: Alpine Metal Products Inc.
Manufacturer: Ultra Seam Metal Roofing and Siding Systems
Daniel K. Akaka Veterans Home
A Team Pacific
Roofing
A Team Pacific Roofing installed a new aluminum standing seam metal roofing system that encompassed over 65,000 square feet with over 23,000 square feet of new Elevate TPO roofing. Additionally, they installed metal soffit panels, coping and edge trim throughout the newly built facility that will provide critical services to veterans.
Project: FMC Hilo Lanikaula Clinic
Foreman: Bernard Yadao
Project Start: May 2022
Project Completed: January 2023
Material Supplier: HPM Building Supply
Manufacturer: HPM Building Supply
FMC Hilo Lanikaula Clinic
Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc.
Alcal executed the installation of polyiso insulation, DensDeck roof boards and standing seam metal panels, ensuring a water-tight seal and proper drainage. The renovation of this historic building involved careful coordination to ensure they met not only LEED standards, but also preserved the integrity of this historic building.
Tory’s Roofing & Waterproofing
Faith Assembly of God
Project: Faith Assembly of God Church
Project Start: Feb. 7
Project Completed: June 22
Material Supplier: HPM Building Supply
Manufacturer: HPM Building Supply
Tory’s Roofing removed the existing wood shakes and installed a luxury shingle, the Malarkey Windsor, making the house stand out amongst its neighbors. The roof design had lots of different angles and cuts, so the team had to take extra care to ensure the shingles were installed consistently throughout the entire roof and angle changes.
THE WINNER
Project: The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, Ewa Beach
Foreman: Jonathan Minaker
Project Start: November 2022 | Project Completed: February
Material Supplier: Aloha Roofing Supply | Manufacturer: PAC-CLAD
Pacific Islands Group LLC
Church of Later Day Saints in Ewa Beach
Church of Later Day Saints in Ewa Beach
For this project Pacific Islands Group replaced the entire exterior with an R-20 insulated-metal roof and wall system. With so many roof and wall sections involved, they needed to have crews working in all areas, making for an extremely active site involving 26 different metal details, continuous roof-to-wall transitions to full window casings. Every part of this facility was a custom detail.
CATEGORY: COMMERCIAL
Steep Slope –
Shingle/Shake Roofing
THE CONTENDERS
Tory's Roofing & Waterproofing
Terraces at Launanai Valley
Project: Terraces at Launanai Valley
Foreman: Jesse Purganan
Project Start: March 16
Project Completed: May 16
Material Supplier: Hawaii Supply LLC
Manufacturer: Malarkey Roofing Products
Tory’s Roofing removed the existing wood shakes and installed a luxury shingle, the Malarkey Windsor, making the house stand out amongst its neighbors. The roof design had lots of different angles and cuts, so the team had to take extra care to ensure the shingles were installed consistently throughout the entire roof and angle changes.
THE WINNER
Project: Queen Emma Preschool | Foreman: BJ Padilla
Project Start: Aug. 15, 2022
Project Completed: Jan. 15
Material Supplier: Beacon Roofing Supply
Headed Home Roofing
Queen Emma Preschool
The 8/12 pitch factor of this project meant that safety harnesses were required as well as roof jacks for stability. Headed Home Roofing’s team could work only on the weekends for the safety of children and staff. However, they managed to maintain the building’s uniqueness while providing something that would withstand the wet conditions of the Pali Highway.
