Building with Grace

Here, we explore the stories of three generations of groundbreaking women: Karen Nakamura, the first licensed female general contractor in Hawaii; Hinano Nahinu, interior designer, cabinet design specialist and current board president of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii; and Candace Williams and Dana Akasaki-Kenney of the noted family business Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing. Support women-owned enterprises and industry wahine by also checking out our special section.

The Pioneer: Karen Nakamura Paves the Way with Strength and Courage

From humble Kaimuki roots to an award-winning legacy as the Islands’ “first lady of construction,” Karen Nakamura has done it all. The petite, energetic 80-year-old tirelessly stays active in retirement, supporting industry organizations and lending her longtime expertise in building and remodeling to her church and community efforts. As the first woman to earn a general contracting license in Hawaii, Nakamura laid the foundation for the state’s growing workforce of wahine in construction; now, she pays it forward by advocating for others.

“It’s exciting to see the number of women-owned contracting businesses today,” says Nakamura. “It makes me more excited to see women accepted and respected in the industry.”

Her career path started in an unlikely place: her mom’s beauty salon. Nakamura comes from a family of female entrepreneurs, dating back to her grandmother’s bento shop in Chinatown and her aunties’ enterprises in catering, sewing, and nursing. She became a cosmetologist to assist her mother, developing a solid work ethic and values through that experience.

“My mom, her three older sisters, and my grandmother all had their own businesses,” she notes. “They showed me how to be an entrepreneur, which takes determination, perseverance, hard work and optimism.”

That “can-do attitude,” says Nakamura, carried over after her mother sold the salon, and she began working at her father’s general contracting business. Nakamura’s dad had taken her to job sites and his office while she was growing up, and she was already familiar with his employees, customers and subcontractors. When her father fell ill in 1968, Nakamura took over management of his enterprises, Wallpaper Hawaii and Paul T. Nakagaki Contracting.

“My earliest memories in construction are learning the work itself,” she says, “starting from the bottom and learning the phrases and language, understanding the job and what it takes to get it done.”

In addition to the pressures of the trade, women in construction at the time “had to put up with a lot of teasing, bullying, and just doing to gain respect,” she recalls. “Even customers did not expect women to be on the job site. Being a woman on the job site was hard because you learned by watching and listening, then practiced to master a technique.”

After spending 14 years in the field, Nakamura applied for her general contractor’s license. The process was rigorous, she recalls — the state’s application at the time required 10 years of hands-on experience “submitted in writing chronologically and vouched for by three licensed contractors with whom you worked during that duration.”

It took six months for her application to receive approval from the state. Nakamura then had to take the licensing test in two parts: a written exam on state laws and regulations, followed by a practical test in which applicants submitted a take-off from a set of blueprints provided on test day. She passed the licensing test and went on to a storied career, including serving 16 years as BIA-Hawaii CEO.

Amid her many accomplishments and volunteer work, Nakamura takes time to be with her husband Bertram, daughter Leinani, son Bert, and grandkids Mark, Zachary, and Emily. Building a better Hawaii for the next generation — especially the next generation of women in construction — is a commitment close to Nakamura’s heart.

“I hope that women take the opportunities offered to them to become entrepreneurs in construction today,” she says. “I hope that with technology, the market grows exponentially and there are incentives and help for women who want to be in construction.”

At the Pacific Source showroom in Sand Island, Hinano Nahinu serves clients and the community with her smart, stylish understanding of kitchen and bath design.

Designing Woman: Hinano Nahinu Serves as an Advocate for Opportunities

While attending her first leadership conference with the national association of home builders in Palm Springs last year, Hinano Nahinu met with Professional Women in Building (PWB) councils from across the country. The camaraderie and connections with PWB instantly made an impact on Nahinu, and as BIA-Hawaii board president, she made it her mission to bring it to the Islands.

“We were able to charter the PWB this year,” she says with excitement. “What a great honor it has been to pioneer such a movement for women in our industry right here in Hawaii and create a safe space for them to develop, grow, learn, network and build their businesses alongside other like-minded professionals and operate as high-level industry leaders.”

Nahinu, an award-winning interior designer who has specialized in residential kitchen and bath design at Pacific Source since 2013, credits the women in her ohana for inspiring her personal and professional growth. Born and raised in Keaukaha on Hawaii Island, Nahinu’s mom was a realtor who introduced her to the business when she was in high school. From there, she “fell in love with creating and curating beautiful spaces” and developed the values that would sustain her career.

“My grandmother and mom were the matriarchs in our families, and I admired them both for their strength, tenacity, and capacity to love others,” she recalls.

After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in interior design and MBA at Chaminade University, Nahinu started out in the industry mentored by design pros Sue Moss and Roxanne Okazaki. “I have had the privilege of learning from some of Hawaii’s best designers, as well as the trades that worked with and for us,” she says.

Nahinu, a mom of two, understands the need for opportunities in the community. With a new PWB chapter launching, she looks forward to seeing its benefits in Hawaii.

“My hope is to grow the female workforce here in Hawaii and help to inspire other women in our industry,” she says.

Raising the Roof: Dana Akasaki-Kenney and Candace Williams Elevate a Family Enterprise

Keeping a longstanding local business like Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing running requires a dedicated field staff and admin team to ensure everything flows smoothly. Founded by Guy Akasaki 30 years ago, the company is known for large-scale projects such as the impressive upgrades to roofs and decks at Harbor Court in downtown Honolulu, as well as community endeavors like Kahauiki Village in Kalihi. Guy’s daughters, Candace Williams and Dana Akasaki-Kenney, have been vital in growing the family enterprise with their skills in finance and marketing.

Williams recalls assisting with simple business tasks as a youth, such as organizing printed copies of cleared checks and helping the “office aunties” file documents. She and her sister credit their mom, Lanette, for teaching them solid financial values and a strong work ethic.

“My mom raised us with the concept of a budget and tried to make it as practical as possible for us,” says Williams. “It definitely has had an impact on my career and personal life.”

Akasaki-Kenney says her father never obligated them to a career at Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing. “My dad had really good wisdom,” she says, allowing her and Williams to explore college and jobs off-island before returning home. Akasaki-Kenney didn’t initially consider working in roofing but appreciates the chance to continue the family’s legacy.

Candace Williams (above, left) and Dana Akasaki-Kenney share a favorite family shot from 2016 with their father, Guy Akasaki. Together with the team at Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing, they have taken pride in community projects like Kahauiki Village (at the top) and upgrades at Harbor Court.

“There’s something [special] about seeing what your parents have built,” says Akasaki-Kenney. “It’s a huge opportunity. You never know how you can touch another life in everything that you do.”

Today, Williams is a key adviser on sustainable financial decisions. Akasaki-Kenney drives internal and external marketing initiatives, from employee appreciation to meaningful client outreach. They exemplify how women can complement construction enterprises in valuable ways.

“As businesses continue to recognize and acknowledge women’s ability to meaningfully contribute in a not-as-traditional form, I think that then you’re able to tap into a workforce that’s just as motivated and has a vested interest in seeing the business continue to succeed,” says Williams.

Editor’s Note: This article has been slightly modified from the original print version for optimal online reading. To view the full print story, pick up your copy of Hawaii Home + Remodeling at one of our partner locations.