Every March, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii Engineering Excellence Awards offer a powerful reminder: behind every great structure, system or solution is a team of engineers whose work often goes unrecognized, but never unfelt. This year’s EEA ceremony on March 22 honored five remarkable projects that embody the best of Hawai‘i’s engineering community.
More than an evening of accolades, these awards serve as a vital pulse check for Hawai‘i’s construction industry, celebrating the technical ingenuity and coordination that push projects from blueprint to build-out.
R.M. Towill Corporation received this year’s Grand Conceptor Award — the event’s highest honor — for the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase 1B project.
Excellence Awards were presented to Orion Engineers & Associates for the HNL Runway 8L Widening Phase 2, and to Wilson Okamoto Corporation and Geolabs Inc. for the ‘Iao Valley State Monument Emergency Flood Repairs.
Honor Awards went to Sea Engineering Inc. for applying cutting-edge computational fluid dynamics modeling to protect the Hilo Breakwater, and to Engineering Partners Inc. for making Kolekole Gulch Park fully accessible while preserving its history.
ACECH EEA’s annual banquet reminds us that progress isn’t possible without the technical minds and creative problem-solvers who lay the groundwork for better builds in Hawai‘i.
In news that is unrelated, but no less exciting, I’m thrilled to share that Trade Media Hui has named Richard Melendez as senior editor. Since joining us as associate editor in 2023, Richard has brought exceptional editorial integrity and a true passion for industry reporting. With a rich background in local writing, editing and media across both print and digital platforms, Richard’s thoughtful approach and deep understanding of Hawai‘i’s industries make him the ideal person to help lead our editorial team into the future.
Please join me in congratulating Senior Editor Richard Melendez on this well-deserved recognition — we’re excited for what’s ahead.
Amanda Canada, Publisher
Building Industry Hawai‘i
amanda@trademediahui.com
