LIHU‘E — The Contractors Association of Kaua‘i hosted its 65th annual meeting on Thursday where the 2023 slate of officers, the directors, and special award presentations were made at Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort Lihu‘e.
Nathan Konishi, RME and co-owner of Pacific Blue Construction, took the gavel as the 65th president of the association after being installed by association honorary member and retired Judge Gerald Matsunaga. Demetrio Tolentino, project engineer with Jas. W. Glover, is the immediate past president.
Trinette Kaui of McBryde Resources is the CAK vice president, and Jamie Kimura, a project engineer with Koga Engineering &Construction, will fill the secretary’s chair. Alyss Carveiro, a project engineer and estimator with Earthworks Pacific, will serve as the CAK treasurer.
Jacquelyn Contrades of Shioi Construction, Joni Hamada-Patricio of HAMCO Glass and Glazing, Cody Nishek of Kaua‘i Nursery and Landscaping, Lauren Starner of Kikiaola Construction, Rysan Ouye of Service Rentals and Supplies, Fred Pascual of the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, and Thomas-Jay “TJ” Shigemoto of Hawai‘i Gas will fill positions on the board of directors.
In addition to installing the new CAK leadership for 2023, emcee Mel Rapozo, the new Kaua‘i County Council chair, announced the recipients of four special awards presented for the their contributions to the community, the construction industry and association.
Alicia Leong of Ka‘iwa Construction accepted the Kenneth Shioi General Contractor of the Year award following a cleansing performance led by Beau Acoba of the Grove Farm Company and the Tsunami Taiko drummers, who dedicated one of their four numbers to “the spirit of Warren Haruki, president and CEO of Grove Farm.”
Grove Farm was named the Tetsuro “Rosy” Maeda Member of the Year Award that was presented by Maeda’s daughter Gale Domingsel and grandson Derek Maeda.
The award was accepted by Sharyl Lam Yuen and Shawn Shimabukuro.
Wayne Wada of Esaki Surveying and Mapping accepted the Wayne E. Ellis Associate Member of the Year award before a silent auction wrapped up and the meeting attendees settled down to enjoy the hotel buffet.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
