Committees & Councils
GCA Committees play a key role in guiding the construction industry in the Islands. With over 15 committees covering a wide range of topics, they offer the GCA membership a chance to engage and connect with industry peers and to move our industry in a positive direction.
To join a GCA committee, your company must be a GCA member. (Apply for membership)
Are you a GCA member and interested in joining a committee? Contact info@gcahawaii.org.
The purpose of the AIA-GCA-ACECH Committee is to create a better understanding of each other’s roles and concerns in the industry, to foster better relationships between the members of the organizations, and to provide venues of common interest that will bring members of the AIA, GCA, and ACECH together.
Co-Chairs:
GCA - Heather de la Garza (Albert C. Kobayashi, Inc.)
AIA - Eddie Ebert (RIM Architects, a GHD Company)
ACECH - Kyle Kaneshiro (The Limtiaco Consulting Group)
Mentors:
Glen Kaneshige (Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.)
The Board of Water Supply Committee provides a forum for the Contractors and BWS to present concerns, exchange ideas, conduct discussions and resolve issues. The committee identifies ways to improve the delivery of BWS Capital Projects.
GCA Co-Chair:
Racine Hee (D & C Plumbing)
Agency Co-Chair:
Ernest Lau (Honolulu Board of Water Supply)
The Build Hawaii Committee organizes the annual Build Hawaii awards program, encourages entrant and sponsor participation, and produces the event.
Chair:
Maegan Best (McClone Construction Company)
Vice Chair:
Amanda Canada (Trade Media Hui)
Mentor:
Michael Inouye (Ralph S. Inouye, Co., Ltd.)
For more on the Build Hawaii Awards event, click here.
The C & C Committee provides a forum for the Contractors and the City to present concerns, exchange ideas, conduct discussions, and resolve problems.
GCA Co-Chair:
Daniel Nitahara (Civil-Mechanical)
Agency Co-Chair:
Mark Yonamine (Department of Design and Construction)
Mentor:
Jade Richardson (Road Builders Corp.)
The purpose of the Construction Leadership Council is to serve as a resource for the next generation of GCA of Hawaii members. The CLC is to act as a conduit for the upcoming leaders to network, to exchange ideas about work and the industry, and to further develop leadership and profession of the industry.
Chair:
Travis Higa (Constructors Hawaii)
Vice Chair:
Claire Thompson (Nordic PCL Construction)
For more on the CLC, click here.
To improve communication and interaction with the Corps of Engineers (COE) to discuss and resolve construction and procurement issues, as well provide value to its members. That value includes professional growth and learning, the satisfaction of contributing, and the benefit of helping others solve problems.
GCA Co-Chair:
Elton Au (Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.)
Agency Co-Chairs:
Pat Phung & Tristin Suetsugu (Corps of Engineers)
Vice Chair:
Tammie Oka (Kiewit)
Mentor:
Mike Venezia (Hensel Phelps)
Promote excellent relations between DAGS and GCA. Create a collegial environment and forum where DAGS officials and GCA members can discuss matters of interest in a collaborative and informal non adversarial atmosphere.
GCA Co-Chair:
Brad Espedal (Arita Poulson General Contracting)
Agency Co-Chair:
Scott Ojiri (Department of Accounting & General Services)
Mentor:
Jason Thon (Unlimited Construction Services)
MORE ON THE DAGS COMMITTEE:
Education of members “Hawaii self-sustaining now & the future” concept. Maintain open communication between GCA and the government environmental agencies. Inform GCA members of: Current environmental protection regulations that my impact the construction industry, Best management practices (BMP) that minimize pollution to the maximum extent practical (MEP).Resolve environmental concerns affecting the construction industry.
Chair:
Don Beaton (Hensel Phelps)
Mentor:
Rick Heltzel (Healy Tibbitts Builders, Inc.)
Association Policy: Must be a General Contractors member who owns or manages their Company, who have the authority or are otherwise in a position to make independent and autonomous judgments and decisions without the need to check with higher authority (VP Finance, Controller).
Chair:
Mike Venezia (Hensel Phelps)
The Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) Committee provides a forum for GCA of Hawaii members and HECO to review general procedural concerns, exchange ideas, share information on initiatives/projects, and conduct process improvement discussions.
Chair:
Glen Kaneshige (Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.)
Vice Chair:
Lance Wilhelm (The Wilhelm Group)
The purpose of the GCA Human Resources Committee is to serve as a resource for the GCA of Hawaii members on employment and human resources related issues affecting the construction industry.
Chair:
Kapua Ponimoi (Hensel Phelps)
Mentor:
Aaron Yahiku (Jayar Construction)
MORE ON THE HR COMMITTEE, CLICK HERE.
The Legislative Committee shall review and make recommendations pertaining to laws, ordinances, acts, and codes which affect the Construction Industry. It shall also take steps to initiate and promote desirable legislation and defeat harmful legislation. Increase membership participation at the legislature. Update priorities and action plans to support the GCA’s Strategic Plan. Coordinate our efforts with other legislative organizations on common issues and approach the legislature as a unified group.
Chair:
Blake Inouye (Ralph S. Inouye Co., Ltd.)
Vice Chair:
Aaron Yamasaki (Swinerton)
Mentor:
Lance Wilhelm (The Wilhelm Group)
For more on the GCA's advocacy efforts, click here.
To strengthen communication, have interaction and promote opportunities of liaison on items of mutual interest that benefit the Navy and the GCA membership.
GCA Co-Chair:
Teri Moritomo (Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company)
Agency Co-Chair:
Cori-Ann Kuromoto (Naval Facilities Systems Command)
Vice Chair:
Keith MacKenzie (Healy Tibbitts Builders)
The GCA Programs & Training Committee is responsible for providing educational opportunities for members and other professionals in the construction industry.
Chair:
Colleen Furuya (Mass Electric)
Vice Chair:
Cori Gono (Civil-Mechanical)
Mentor:
Michael Young (Albert C. Kobayashi, Inc.)
To provide an open forum where Safety and Health Professionals, associated with the GCA Hawaii, can obtain valuable information and resources necessary to meet their Company’s Safety Goals; thereby increasing profitability and quality of life of its stakeholders. The committee provides assistance in areas of; employee safety and health training, safety professional development, i.e., National Certifications, regulatory updates, equipment and technological advancements, and best management practices associated with safety in construction.
Chair:
Katie Benson (Hensel Phelps)
Vice Chair:
Zoe Fuller (Moss & Associates)
Mentor:
Colin Yoshiyama (Constructors Hawaii)
For more on the GCA Safety Awards, click here.
The State DOT-GCA Committee facilitates the development of cooperative relationships, the sharing of information and the resolution of problems by providing an open forum and an established network for communication.
GCA Co-Chair:
Rick Watts (Kaikor Construction Group)
Agency Co-Chair:
Harry Takiue (State of Hawaii Department of Transportation)
Mentor:
Jason Ames (Grace Pacific LLC)
Committee Spotlight on the Department of Transportation committee: Read More
LIMITED TO SPECIALTY CONTRACTOR MEMBERS. To assist GCA by representing specialty contractor members, influencing policy that affects specialty contractors and promoting ethical practice in bidding, contracting and construction coordination.
Chair:
Jason Ames (Grace Pacific)
To assist the GCA membership and the University of Hawaii to overcome challenges and concerns with the procurement, performance and completion of projects, so both parties are successful.
GCA Co-Chair:
Andrew Fernandez (Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.)
UH Co-Chair:
Brandon Shima (University of Hawaii)
Vice Chair:
Peter Mercuris (Hensel Phelps)
Mentor:
Russell Inouye (Koga Engineering & Construction)
The purpose of the GCA Workforce Development Committee is to monitor the development of the Construction Project Management Program at the University of Hawaii and plan and manage Workforce Development initiatives.
Chair:
George Denise (CBRE)
Vice Chair:
Sami Tamasese (Hensel Phelps)
Mentor:
Matt Heahlke (Goodfellow Bros.)