Building a Stronger Hawaii: Hui Kapili Business Accelerator Builds Capacity for Local Construction Industry

Sixteen leaders from 10 businesses selected to receive free training, resources and mentorship from industry leaders to elevate their business and the community.

Hawaii Home + Remodeling Magazine and American Savings Bank (ASB) are proud to announce the launch of the Hui Kapili Accelerator, a program designed to bridge the gap between Hawaii’s labor shortage and construction industry demand. With more than half of construction businesses failing within the first 10 years, Hui Kapili aims to empower small- to mid-sized construction-related companies with the business acumen and support needed to succeed in Hawaii’s competitive market.

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Sixteen leaders from 10 businesses were selected for the 10-week program facilitated by ASB leaders and other business and building industry experts. Session topics include strategic business planning and development, financial management and budget optimization, innovative technology integration, effective workforce management and development, community engagement and social responsibility.

“American Savings Bank is proud to sponsor the Hui Kapili Accelerator to ensure our local workforce and construction-related companies continue to thrive in Hawaii,” said Ann Teranishi, president and CEO at American Savings Bank. “ASB is committed to tackling our state’s affordable housing crisis by investing in the success of these industry leaders, whose companies will improve infrastructure and create opportunities for future generations to remain here at home. We commend the cohort members for investing in their business and employees by investing in themselves.”

As a business owner of over 12 years, Richie Breaux, owner of All Things New Construction and one of the inaugural cohort members, has experienced firsthand the challenges of Hawaii’s building industry. “The Hui Kapili Accelerator will give business owners the opportunity to learn from industry experts and share our knowledge with each other, accelerating growth for each business,” Breaux said. “It gives us a chance to find common ground so we can address the issues the industry faces together and work toward solutions. We don’t want to see our residents moving away from Hawaii because of housing and labor challenges.”

Introducing the Inaugural Hui Kapili Cohort:

• Kris Baptist, Aina Lani Pacific (Maui)
• Richie Breaux, All Things New Construction
• Tiffanie Gardner and Chino Haynes, Top Priority, Inc.
• Chad Hilweh and Liana Hilweh, Hilweh Builders
• Brandon Jarnesky and Jesse Alverio, Elite Construction Management 
• Ramona Lariosa, Damien Lariosa, and Austin Lariosa, Haloa Construction
• Loida Levinthol, PICS, Inc. (Kauai)
• J.R. Moorhead, Moorhead & Company, Inc.
• James Sims, All-Build Construction 
• Mark Wasden and Victor Rodriguez, TradeMark Construction 

“There was a lot of interest in the program, and we were impressed by the caliber of applicants for our inaugural cohort,” said Cyd Rosa, publisher at Hawaii Home + Remodeling Magazine. “We’re also excited for our cohort to learn from these respected and knowledgeable leaders in their fields so they can drive innovation and growth within Hawaii’s construction industry. The cohort will tackle topics to help their business thrive while diving into issues and seeking solutions the industry faces.”

A Commitment to Community

In lieu of a program fee, participants will engage in a meaningful community project aimed at making Hawaii stronger and more resilient for future generations.

On Sept. 3, cohort members gathered at ASB’s Campus for a kickoff event.

About Hui Kapili Accelerator
Co-sponsored by American Savings Bank and aio, Hui Kapili Accelerator aims to address Hawaii's construction labor shortage and foster sustainable growth within the industry. Hawaii Home + Remodeling Magazine, an aio publication, has been supporting the building and construction industry in Hawaii for over 42 years.