Building Industry Magazine - September 2011 - (Page 16)

KAUAI: Cultivating Natural BY JUDITH SHINSATO Despite ongoing slowdowns in the private sector and a highly competitive marketplace in the public sector, the construction industry on Kauai continues to focus on cultivating and making the most of its natural resources — from finding ways to harness the power of the sun and water to diversify its energy portfolio to managing growth to protect the island’s unique lifestyle and making the most of the few opportunities available to keep local residents gainfully employed. The Main Event Struggling along with the rest of the state as the economy continues to bounce along the bottom, Kauai contractors are staying afloat through public projects, primarily those targeted at improving the island’s infrastructure. “Most of the work on Kauai is still coming from the public sector, though the private sector is showing signs of life with smaller projects, such as the $1.6 million oncology center that we’re starting shortly,” comments Jay Manzano, president of Unlimited Construction Services, Inc. and sister firm Unlimited Builders, LLC, which just completed the Wailua Cane Haul Bridge project for the state Department of Transportation (DOT). (Editor’s note: For details on this project, see this month’s Concept to Completion following this feature.) Bill Thornton, general manager 16 | BUILDING INDUSTRY | SEPTEMBER 2011 of Briant Construction, Inc., a subsidiary of Aqua Engineers, Inc., underscores Manzano’s comments, adding that he is “cautiously optimistic” about the current state of construction on the island. “Most projects now are focused on infrastructure upgrades preparing for an economic recovery when resort, commercial and residential housing construction move forward.” One such ongoing infrastructure

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Industry Magazine - September 2011

Building Industry Magazine Cover
Contents
Datebook
ABC Hawaii Appreciates Members
PV Installation Under Way on Hickam Homes
Hilton Project Reaches Major Milestone
FBI Building New Hawaii Office
Contracts Awarded
Belt Collins Wins Awards
Kauai
Concept to Completion: Wailua Cane Haul Bridge Widening
Local Firms Unveil Greenest Home in Hawaii
Civic Center Goes Net Zero
Inside the GCA
Center Park and Ride Facility
Guam
Best Practices
Low Bids
Developments in Industry Technology
News Makers
New Products

Building Industry Magazine - September 2011