Behind the Build

Meet the home-building pros who will turn your ideas into home, sweet home.
HHR-09-16-Featured-Image-Builder Profiles
Photo: David Croxford

In this section, we profile Hawaii’s home-building pros who specialize in turning your vision into home, sweet home.

koolau builders

Koolau Builders

Commitment and Loyalty to Customers

We are a true design-build firm with an in-house design team and a full-time build team. We are passionate about our work and the relationships that we build, as well.

Specialty in Aligning Wants and Needs

Our design team is detailed, progressive, attentive and motivated to make sure the final product is a reflection of a customer’s vision. As designers we are able to assist in composing the elements a customer wants so that everything works together. As a general contractor we are able to engineer a build so that budgets match

the design and the work schedule is controlled so a quality finish is achieved.

Standouts in the Industry

Our clean aesthetic comes from a background in the arts where balance, weight, color, texture, volume and other elements factor in to create vivid and energetic compositions. With our background and experience in the building industry, we can make sure that light, ventilation, utility of space and structure are all checkpoints

in each design decision we make.

KB Custom Homes

We are building a series of home plans that will be matched with a design style that our Koolau team will integrate into each model. Every home in the line will be unique as we will customize finishes and options to give your new home that special “wow” factor. We streamline the steps and make it fun to build your new custom home.

Koolau Builders
730 Moowaa St. Unit I, Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 271-4300
koolaubuilders.com

Brandon Hiromoto, Carpenter
Robert Richards, Lead Designer
Sam Nakoa, Carpenter
Mason Goodrich, Framing Foreman
Shawn Paragas, Foreman
Davin Muramoto, Carpenter
Christine Tang, Vice President
Nick Tang, President
Michelle Agena, Office/Marketing Manager

“I absolutely love turning a finished project back over to a happy homeowner. To know that we are able to help people realize some of their dreams is a very fulfilling experience.”

— Nick Tang

 

alternative energy

Alternative Energy Inc.

Hawaii’s Favorite Renewable Energy Company

Alternate Energy Inc. (AEI) is Hawaii’s full-service renewable energy contractor for the ultimate energy efficient home or business. Our vision is to help make Hawaii the country’s renewable energy leader, where

more homes and businesses can affordably generate, convert, manage and, most important, store energy right on their properties.

AEI’s Integrated Design-Build Program

AEI is a full-service renewable energy contractor. One call puts our finest PV, AC, solar water heating, home energy storage solution (HESS), electric vehicle charging, solar attic fans and electrical contracting to work for you. Utilizing our proprietary Design-Build program, our project developers, engineers, electricians, and PV and HVAC technicians work seamlessly to design and install your perfectly integrated system.

Mitsubishi Electric Elite Dealer and Elite Diamond

AEI is the largest Mitsubishi Electric residential contractor in the nation, holding both Elite Dealer status for PV panels and Elite Diamond Contractor status for HVAC. We are the only company in Hawaii, and the nation, to hold both distinctions.

Locally Owned, Kamaaina Company

Celebrating more than 20 years of service, AEI is one of Hawaii’s top residential and commercial renewable energy companies. We are locally owned and operated, proudly serving our community since 1993.

Alternate Energy Inc.
803 Ahua St.
AlternateEnergyHawaii.com
(808) 842-5853 [Oahu]; (808) 872-9592 [Maui]

Clockwise:
Michael Ito, Director of Marketing;
Craig Kawamura, Director of Sales;
Josh Van Drei, Electrician;
Christopher Schopen, Operations Manager;
Amy Soares, Project Administrator

“Our mission is to help the families of Hawaii become more energy independent and save money.”
 

hk construction

HK Construction Corp.

Fourth-Generation Contractor

HK Construction is a design-build, fourth-generation contractor specializing in new homes, additions and renovations. We do high-end custom work down to your typical homes. We are conscious of the materials

we use inside a home, ensuring they are low maintenance and work in our environment.

Building for Families

I enjoy working on multigenerational homes, blending spaces for two families or two generations to live together. I grew up in a large family; it’s nice to have everybody around. It makes a lot of financial sense for the older generation to be able to depend upon the younger generation and live with them rather than going into a retirement home.

Innovation and Education

HK Construction is innovative with designs, products we’re using and applications of materials and techniques. We meet with homeowners to discuss their issues and give them sound advice about building. We offer monthly seminars for homeowners to learn more about the process, and we ourselves take classes to stay updated on the latest wants, needs and trends in the industry.

Family Business

My father, Harry Kim, is an active member of our design team. Our design team consists of experienced architects/ draftsmen, engineers, designers and project managers. Our goal is to produce creative solutions and customers are often pleasantly surprised with the results.

HK Construction Corp.
905 Factory St.,  Honolulu, HI 96819
(808) 841-1800
hkchawaii.com

Lance Kamisato, Design Consultant
Alan Twu, Vice President
David Nadolney, Design Consultant

“I enjoy seeing how we can transform a piece of land for someone to be able to call it home.”

— Alan Twu

graham builders

Graham Builders Inc.

Built to Last

Graham Builders is highly skilled at designing and building on sloped topography; its homes feature substantial foundations and structural design to ensure long-term stability and integrity.

Custom-Built for Each Homeowner

“Each job is customized to the homeowners’ unique circumstances. We incorporate defining features that create a sense of belonging in the neighborhoods we build in. Our projects are tailored to reflect the needs and desires of each homeowner, which creates something unique in the architecture.” — Evan Fujimoto

Quality Design at an Affordable Price

“Custom design is something that is for every homeowner. Many times builders design so that it is easy for them to build. Not Graham. However; we do design homes from a contractor’s viewpoint to ensure they can be beautiful and built on budget.” — Danny Graham

Graham Builders Inc.
1144 Young St.
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 593-2808
grahambuilders.com

Jon Miyahira, Project Manager
Jenny Momohara, Project Coordinator
Mike Crews, Construction Manager
Renee Lee, Office Manager
Evan Fujimoto, President
Faith Yamagishi, Controller/Estimator
Danny Graham, CEO

homeworks construction

Homeworks Construction Inc.

Comprehensive Design-Build Experience

Thanks to our full inhouse architectural staff and sample showroom, we provide a comprehensive design-build experience with architectural, drafting and design teams in place to move your project along with efficiency and professionalism. From plan development to drafting, our team possesses the expertise and agility to uncover the design you want and perfect your concept as we go.

Accessory Dwelling Unit Experts

Our project coordinators and architects are always up to date on the latest ADU news and rules. We hold free monthly ADU workshops at our showroom to share the latest information and answer your questions. We walk homeowners through the entire process and take care of everything, from the pre-check form, permit and drawings to the materials, construction and finishing touches.

Homeworks Construction Inc.
2111 S. Beretania St., 2nd floor
(808) 955-2777
homeworkshawaii.com

Wendy Wei, Vice President/CFO
Jim Byxbee, President/CEO
Marshall Hickox, President/Owner/R.M.E.
Sylvio Boucher, President/COO

Categories: Building Industry, Industry Insider