HONOLULU (HI Now) - Daily construction in Hawaii is about far more than putting up homes and infrastructure, t’s about laying a solid foundation where communities can thrive. That’s the message shared on HI Now by Amanda Canada, Publisher of Building Industry Hawaii Magazine, and Glen Kaneshige, President of Nordic PCL Construction. The two joined host Rachel to discuss the vital role the construction sector plays in shaping the Aloha State.
Building Industry Hawaii Magazine has been documenting the construction industry for 72 years, and 40 years ago began ranking the Top 25 Contractors in Hawaii each year to highlight industry leaders to the public. Kaneshige noted that the construction industry is one of the largest drivers of Hawaii’s GDP, steadily employing around 4,000 people annually and building the schools, hospitals, homes, and shopping centers that residents live, learn, and shop in every day. “It goes out like veins,” he said, describing how deeply the industry is woven into the fabric of the state.
Looking ahead, workforce development remains the industry’s biggest challenge, with a strong need for experienced workers and a wide-open door for young people considering careers, from trade crafts like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work, to project management and engineering. To help grow the next generation, proceeds from the upcoming Top 25 Contractors Luncheon will benefit an education fund supporting Hawaii’s first and only Construction Management Master’s Program, launched at Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) in 2024, which has already enrolled 25 students.
For more information on the Top 25 Contractors Luncheon, please visit buildingindustryhawaii.com.
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