Home Improvement History: Happy 20th Anniversary, Resource Guide
Our trusted trove of listings has been a reader favorite from the start.
In a world where home improvement information can be found in an increasing number of ways, our Hawaii Home + Remodeling Resource Guide has stood the test of time.
The magazine team 20 years ago made an ambitious decision to transform its December issue into a comprehensive, carefully curated compendium of contacts in the local home improvement industry. Launched in an era when Rolodexes were giving way to the World Wide Web, the 2004 Resource Guide exemplified the enduring value of printed listings.
“I’m a sucker for resource guides,” wrote then-editor Lance Tominaga in his editor’s letter. “At home I have stacks of them cluttering my bedroom: sports media guides, collectible price guides, digital camera guides, consumer guides and more. Buried somewhere within these messy mounds, I know, is my feng shui guide on how to ‘unclutter’ my life.”
As we looked back on the inaugural 2004 Resource Guide issue, we found insightful stories and tips on subjects that Hawaii homeowners still talk about today. Two decades later, for example, our friends at Homeworks Construction continue to provide insider knowledge on how to navigate the local permitting system. Loyal advertisers like Bella Pietra Design were as much a cornerstone in the industry then as they are today.
Technology over the years has allowed us to explore enhancing the Resource Guide with a searchable digital directory and online flipbook. As AI becomes integrated into the media landscape, we’ll undoubtedly have even more ways to bring Resource Guide information to you in the future. These advances are exciting, and we hope our predecessors are proud to see how their simple idea has evolved to serve a new generation of Hawaii Home + Remodeling readers.
Regardless of the Resource Guide’s format going forward, its purpose will always be to connect residents with Island businesses and to honor the many hands that build the places we call home.
Editor’s Note: This article has been slightly modified from the original print version for optimal online reading. To view the full print story, subscribe to our digital edition or pick up your copy of Hawaii Home + Remodeling at one of our partner locations.
