Building Industry Magazine - February 2014 - (Page 46)

Hawaii's Women Women are entering the construction industry in record numbers and increasingly holding leadership positions within it. We interviewed five Hawaii women in construction and discovered that talent, drive, passion, dedication, integrity and expertise in their fields were just a few of the many impressive qualities they all share. Women are more prepared than ever to take on construction jobs traditionally held by men-and as we enter a year that may see a shortage of workers, now's the time to swing open the last of the gates. One of Hawaii's most notable construction industry leaders is Karen Nakamura, execuexecu tive vice president and CEO of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii (BIAHawaii). Born into a family of concon Karen Nakamura tractors, Nakamura practically grew up on job sites. "After being in the field for 12 years," she says, "I remember my dad telling me when I asked him to sign a letter of recommendation for my application to take the test for my general contractors license, 'Women do not, and are not, contractors!'- and he refused to write the letter. This was his challenge to me. Three years later I received my license." Marnie Koga Hursty, president of Mega Construction, Inc. and 2013 president of the General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA of Marnie Koga Hursty Hawaii) was also raised with construction in her blood. "I'm an exception as a woman in this industry-I was born into a construction family and my father paved the way for me," she notes. "I rode in on his coattails and this made all the difference in terms of respect from others and never feeling prejudice from anyone. My success is driven by passion to continue my father's legacy. That's what you need to be a survivor in this industry: passion for it." While many women have built careers in real estate sales, few women-or men, for that matter- have the courage and expertise to become develdevel opers. Christine Camp learned the business from the ground up, eveneven tually launching Avalon Group, a local development, brokerage and Christine Camp advisory services company of which she is currently president and CEO. Camp recalls her years with Castle & Cooke and Alexander & Baldwin, where she honed her knowledge of the field. "For me the opportunity to expand my abilities was the motivation for work; it was never about the pay," 46 | BUILDING INDUSTRY | FEBRUARY 2014 she says. "I always wanted to work to learn and to face greater challenges, and the pay came as a result of my efforts. I never said no, and I took on as many duties as I was allowed because I felt everything was an opportunity. I worked at these companies as if they were my own, putting all my heart and soul into the work, because I saw them as training grounds for starting my own development company." Our readers may have met Tracy Lawson, founder and president of Lawson & Associates, Inc., at one of the many safety seminars she conducts in Hawaii. Lawson's father owned a Tracy Lawson drywall, painting and plastering company, and her experiences working in the family business and as a military police officer came together with a desire to lead a life that would make a difference. "I ended up where I am today through hard work, taking my job seriously and taking responsibility for whatever task I was given," she says. "And I had some great mentors and bosses along the way.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Industry Magazine - February 2014

FEATURES COMMERCIAL/RETAIL
ROOFING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF HI
ROOFING MATERIALS
INSIDE THE NAWIC
HAWAII’S WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
NEWS BEAT Outstanding Union Builder of the Year
Luxury Residences Planned at Ala Moana
CAK Installs Board, Honors Members
BIA Installs President Brian K. Adachi
Admor HVAC Cools Cancer
Kapiolani Medical Center Begins Expansion
ASLA Elects New Board
Nan Inc. Gives $1M to St. Francis
DEPARTMENTS Concept to Completion: 1 43 Hekili Street 6
Contracts Awarded
Low Bids
Best Practices: A Post-Job Survey Equals More Work!

Building Industry Magazine - February 2014