HAWAI‘I
Building Momentum Across the Islands
ALOHA! ALOHA!
As we move through the early months of 2026, I want to take a moment to recognize the momentum our Hawai‘i Division is building across both Honolulu and Maui. The strength of our work, our relationships, and our people continues to position us for another meaningful year.
This quarter’s newsletter reflects measurable progress across our teams and projects. From a significant reduction in recordable injuries to continued market opportunity and new project wins, our division is demonstrating what consistent planning, teamwork, and accountability look like in action.
We are also seeing steady investment across Hawai‘i’s hospitality and residential markets, reinforcing the value of the expertise our teams bring to complex projects throughout the islands. With a strong backlog and growing pipeline, we are entering the year with confidence and focus.
Mahalo to each of you for the pride you take in your work and the care you show for one another. The progress highlighted in this issue is a direct reflection of your commitment across Honolulu and Maui.
I hope you enjoy this quarterly update and take pride in the accomplishments shared throughout these pages.
Aaron Yamasaki Vice President & Division Manager
WHAT’S INSIDE Building
Across the Islands
SAFETY MOMENT SAFETY MOMENT
77% Reduction in Recordable Injuries
This past year, our Hawai‘i Division reduced recordable injuries from 13 in 2024 to just 3 in 2025 — a 77% reduction over year.
That kind of improvement does not happen by chance. It reflects intentional planning, strong supervision, meaningful pre-task discussions, improved housekeeping, and a continued focus on aligning safety with quality and production.
Fewer injuries mean fewer disruptions on our jobsites. Safe work supports better planning, stronger execution, and more predictable outcomes. When we apply lessons learned early, we prevent issues before they impact our teams or our projects.
This achievement belongs to our entire team — field leaders, project teams, and trade partners — who show up each day committed to doing the work the right way.
13
Recordable Injuries (2024) 4.15% TRIR
3
Recordable Injuries (2025) 4.15% TRIR
77%
Reduction in Recordables
Protecting Our Projects During Rainy Season QUALITY MOMENT QUALITY MOMENT
In Hawai‘i’s rainy season, protecting our projects requires constant attention. A single roof gap, unprotected opening, or clogged drain can lead to significant damage and rework.
A few best practices to keep in mind:
• Check weather early each week and communicate potential storms to trade partners
• Secure loose materials and inspect fencing before high winds
• Watch potential water entry points at roofs, windows, and drains
• Prepare the jobsite before weekends when storms are expected
• Share contact information and be ready to respond if needed
Looking out for one another keeps our projects protected and our teams safe!
Sawhorse or Sawbuck — Which One Do You Need? DAVE’S CORNER DAVE’S CORNER
A sawhorse is the familiar support tool used daily across construction sites. It provides a stable platform to hold lumber, plywood, trim, or assemblies during measuring, cutting, or installation prep. On jobsites, sawhorses support tasks like framing layout, door fabrication, drywall cutting, and temporary work surfaces for assembly. They are built to be lightweight, portable, and strong enough to handle repeated use throughout multiple phases of construction.
A sawbuck, on the other hand, is designed specifically for holding round materials such as logs or poles. Its X-shaped frame cradles the material securely so it can be cut safely with a chainsaw. Sawbucks are typically used in land clearing, site preparation, or heavy timber work where raw wood needs to be processed before it becomes dimensional lumber or structural members.
While the two tools sound similar, they support very different construction methods:
• Sawhorses support precision work and fabrication. Used in carpentry, finish work, framing prep, and controlled cutting.
• Sawbucks support rough cutting and material processing. Used in clearing, heavy timber preparation, and early-stage material handling.
Understanding which tool fits the task helps work flow safely and efficiently.
In many ways, this is similar to construction operations overall. The right process must match the phase of work. Early-stage work often requires heavy preparation, clearing obstacles, and shaping raw conditions into buildable form. Later phases require precision, coordination, and stability to achieve quality outcomes.
Construction excellence comes from knowing when to shift between those approaches. Just as a sawbuck supports rough shaping and a sawhorse supports precise fabrication, strong operations teams know when to focus on preparation and when to focus on refinement. Both are essential, and success comes from applying the right method at the right time.
Similar names. Different tools. Each critical to getting the job done right.
Hawai‘i Construction Market Remains Strong MARKET OUTLOOK MARKET OUTLOOK
Swinerton continues to be well positioned in Hawai‘i’s construction market as we move into 2026. Despite mixed national indicators, construction remains one of the state’s most reliable economic drivers.
Hospitality work continues to be a defining strength for our division. The hotel and resort sector is actively reinvesting, and while visitor volume has slightly declined, visitor spending has increased year over year. Owners and developers continue to pursue high-end renovation and new-build opportunities, particularly in the luxury segment. Swinerton’s ability to deliver complex work in fully operational hotels keeps us a trusted partner for these projects.
We are also seeing steady momentum in multifamily and residential development, supported by statewide housing initiatives. Activity on Maui and the Big Island remains especially strong. As we expand our residential portfolio, we continue to build credibility in a sector where demand remains high and our preconstruction expertise is valued.
With cost pressures and tariff uncertainty still present, the overall outlook remains positive. A healthy pipeline is expected across both public and private sectors over the next 12 to 24 months. Hawai‘i construction is projected to remain a key economic driver through at least 2027, and Swinerton is well positioned to secure projects aligned with our strengths.
RECENT WINS RECENT WINS
Outrigger Waikiki
Public Areas Renovation
Renovation of public areas at Outrigger Waikiki, including façade improvements, lobby and corridor upgrades, grand staircase enhancements, porte cochere modifications, lounge renovations, and storefront updates.
Project Type: Renovation
Construction Cost: ~$32 M
Estimated Completion: March 2027
Royal Hawaiian Center
Building B Chanel Core & Shell
Lendlease improvement project at the Royal Hawaiian Center Building B, including a twostory core and shell buildout for a new Chanel retail store spanning Spaces B104, B106, and B205. Scope also includes removal of existing escalators and installation of a new glass elevator.
Project Type: Tenant Improvement
Construction Cost: ~$6 million
Estimated Completion: January 2027
Strong Start to 2026 CURRENT BACKLOG CURRENT BACKLOG
Our Hawai‘i Division backlog has grown significantly over the past six months, reaching approximately $801M in Job-In-Progress backlog in January 2026, representing about 38.6 months of work
This increase reflects several major project awards secured in late 2025, strengthening both our near-term workload and long-range stability. The sustained backlog growth positions our Honolulu and Maui teams with strong visibility and confidence as we move further into 2026.
What does success look like for Hawai’i?
Success in 2026 for our Hawai‘i Division comes down to four areas: our people, the strength of our client relationships, how we execute our work, and the reputation we continue to build across the islands.
We are focused on growing and developing our talent, strengthening the markets and clients that sustain our backlog, and delivering projects with planning discipline, clear communication, and quality that our partners remember. These efforts reinforce who we are in Hawai‘i and why clients continue to trust Swinerton with some of the most complex work in the state.
What we build matters — to the economy, to communities, and to the future of Hawai‘i. And the work our teams do every day is what allows our company to succeed here.
Fig 1 - Backlog growth accelerated in late 2025, providing strong project continuity and visibility into 2026.
Fig 2 - Projected backlog growth is driven primarily by residential and hospitality sectors through 2032.
OUR ‘OHANA OUR ‘OHANA
Celebrating Moments That Bring Our Teams Together
From learning and industry events to team gatherings and birthdays, these shared ‘ohana moments reflect the connection and community across our Hawai‘i Division.
March Events
Mar 2 — WIC Week: Timberlab
Mar 2 — WIC Week: Jobsite Walk / Office Tour
Mar 3 — WIC Week: Jobsite Walks & Pau Hana
Mar 4 — NAWIC / Swinerton Executive Panel
Mar 5 — Yard Walk / Plant Tour
Mar 5 — Executive Vineyards
Mar 6 — WIC Week Celebration Dinner
Mar 6 — Big Chef Little Chef
Mar 27 — Best Places to Work Gala
April Events
Apr 3 — Good Friday / Easter Luncheon
Apr 7 — DM / SI Leaders Workshop
March Birthdays
Mar 8 — Aaron Yamasaki
Mar 18 — Wally Lopez
Mar 20 — Dan Buyacao
Mar 22 — Randy Miguel
April Birthdays
Apr 2 — Rhett Ai
Apr 3 — Cat Souza
Apr 9 — Brandon Martin
Apr 14 — Hoku Brandt
Apr 16 — Kelley Kagawa
Apr 18 — Ben Steele
Celebrating Our Teams In Honolulu & Maui EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE
We are proud to recognize the following team members whose dedication, leadership, and willingness to support others continue to strengthen our Hawai‘i Division. Their contributions reflect the teamwork, care, and commitment to excellence that define our ‘ohana across Honolulu and Maui.
Brian Callahan consistently goes above and beyond in support of the Maui team and exemplifies Swinerton’s core values.
Brian approaches every task with ownership and commitment, stepping in wherever needed to support the success of the team and branch. Over the past six months, his contributions have included extensive support for the Maui Grand Opening and the Swinerton/Maui Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event, where he volunteered his time and talent to help ensure its success.
Brian’s passion for people and for the Maui team is evident in the way he supports and encourages those around him. His leadership and genuine care strengthen both team culture and project success.
is recognized for his strong leadership, work ethic, and commitment to excellence. He has built a highly organized and effective estimating team by setting clear expectations and modeling attention to detail and accountability. Known for his reliability and dedication, Chaz consistently goes above and beyond to deliver accurate, high-quality work while maintaining a positive and professional attitude, even under pressure.
Starting his career in the field, Chaz brings valuable hands-on experience that strengthens his technical judgment and constructability insight. He continues to grow professionally by embracing new challenges, including serving as a pilot tester for emerging AI estimating tools and collaborating with corporate teams on new processes. His field-to-office perspective and proactive approach make a lasting impact on his team and the quality of their work.
CAREER MILESTONE CAREER MILESTONE
Randy Miguel & Glen Gayer
We are proud to recognize Randy Miguel and Glen Gayer Carpenters Union Superintendent Training Program.
This intensive 18-month Hawai‘i program prepares experienced carpenters for superintendent leadership roles, strengthening skills in planning, safety, and project execution. Their dedication represents an important milestone in their careers and adds to the strength of our field leadership team.
Honoring Leadership, Integrity, & Impact CULTURE AWARD CULTURE AWARD
The Gary Rafferty Culture Award is named in honor of Gary J. Rafferty, Swinerton’s former President and Chief Operating Officer and later Board Director, this award celebrates individuals who embody the very best of our culture. Throughout his decades with the company, Gary was known for leading with integrity and humility, investing in people, and strengthening teams across the organization. He believed that lasting success comes from supporting others, developing talent, and leaving every team and project better than you found it.
The Gary Rafferty Culture Award carries forward that legacy. Established in 2019 within the OCLA and TM divisions, the award was created to highlight employees who exemplify Swinerton’s culture in action. Over time, its impact and meaning resonated across the region, and it has since expanded to include divisions throughout Southern California and Hawai‘i.
The award is rooted in a fair and inclusive process. Team members across the region are invited to nominate colleagues who demonstrate our values through their daily work and interactions. The top nominees are then reviewed by division leadership, who select the recipient based on their sustained cultural impact and contributions. As a result, this recognition reflects both peer respect and leadership trust, making it one of the region’s most meaningful honors.
TEO SAMILIN TEO SAMILIN
2026 Gary Rafferty Culture Award Winner
This year, we are proud to recognize Teo Samilin as the Gary Rafferty Culture Award recipient. Teo was nominated and selected by peers for consistently demonstrating the leadership, collaboration, and people-first mindset that define Swinerton’s culture.
Teo brings a high level of personal commitment and responsibility to his work, operating with fairness and leadership both within and beyond his team. His contributions are felt year after year across the operations team, and his willingness to collaborate and advance division goals strengthens those
He actively removes barriers and creates opportunities for others to succeed. Through proactive leadership and measurable contributions, Teo consistently takes initiative to solve complex challenges and deliver high-quality results while supporting overall team success.
By balancing accountability with collaboration, Teo has helped improve workflows, strengthen partnerships, and drive positive outcomes that extend beyond his immediate responsibilities. His work reflects both technical excellence and a genuine commitment to Swinerton’s values, contributing to a culture rooted in respect, teamwork, and accountability.
Teo’s willingness to support coworkers and clients alike — often going above and beyond at all hours — exemplifies the spirit of the Gary Rafferty Culture Award.
- Aaron Yamasaki
STAY TUNED for our next quarterly update in Q2 2026.
As the first quarter of 2026 progresses, the Hawai‘i Division continues to build momentum across our projects, markets, and teams. The progress highlighted in this issue reflects the strength of our people and the pride our Hawai‘i ‘ohana brings to our work each day.
Mahalo for your dedication across Honolulu and Maui. Together as one ‘ohana, we look forward to sharing more milestones in the next quarterly update.
Swinerton Hawai‘i Division • Honolulu, HI • Maui, HI