Territorial Beginnings
In the mid-1950s, Hawaiʻi was still a territory with an agricultural economy. Dwight Eisenhower was President of the United States, and Bill Quinn was Hawaiʻi's Governor.
Founding the Home Builders Association of Hawaii
During this time, there were visionaries who foresaw the imminence of statehood and recognized the boom it would bring to Hawaiʻi, the importance of building and development to a growing economy, and the value of bonding together in an association to promote the building and construction industry.
In 1955, William Blackfield, Bert Kanzaki, Earl Kato, Robert M. Kaya, Ward Kegin, Robert Kuniyuki, James Lai, Melvin Muraoka, Richard Sato, and Kenneth Shioi joined to charter the Home Builders Association of Hawaii. Robert M. Kaya served as its first President.
The association became an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and was granted charter number 1220. Based in Washington D.C., NAHB is one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the country today.
Becoming BIA Hawaii
When Hawaiʻi became the 50th State in the Union, the Home Builders Association of Hawaii grew and expanded its reach, becoming the Building Industry Association of Hawaii (BIA Hawaii) in 1979.
Members of BIA are developers, general contractors, specialty contractors, suppliers, Realtors, architects, financial institutions, and a host of other professionals who serve the building industry. This unique mix enables members to network across their respective sectors and provides the bridging of diverse interests into a common whole—allowing BIA to address the many challenges facing the industry with a uniquely balanced perspective.
Building the Construction Training Center of the Pacific
In 2004, Congressman Neil Abercrombie chaired the HIPA Job Summit, bringing together community groups, government agencies, and construction trades to address the need for skilled construction workers. With 30% of the skilled labor force retiring within five years and the privatization of military housing, the study revealed the urgent need for pre-apprenticeship construction training and ongoing education for trade workers.
That year, the BIA Hawaii Board of Directors responded by committing to build the Construction Training Center of the Pacific and established two committees:
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The Building Committee, chaired by 2004 BIA Hawaii President John Cheung, included members James Watanabe, Robert Armstrong, Kenneth Choate, Alan Shintani, Kip Kamoto, Paul Silen, and Rodney Yamamoto. They were tasked with site search and project development.
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The “Changing Lives, Building a Legacy” Capital Campaign Committee, led by 1992 BIA Hawaii President Robert Armstrong, included James Watanabe, Kenneth Choate, Mary Flood, John Cheung, Audrey Hidano, Scotty Anderson, and Karen Nakamura.
The $7.2 million goal for the acquisition of land and construction was surpassed, with contributions totaling nearly $8.3 million. BIA Hawaii’s Construction Training Center of the Pacific opened in September 2009 and continues to provide training and education to sustain Hawaii’s skilled workforce for the home building and construction industries.
BIA Hawaii Today
As the statewide industry leader in advocacy, member benefits, and consumer reach, BIA Hawaii hosts award-winning, signature annual events including the BIG Home Building & Remodeling Show, the Building Industry Design & Construction Awards, and the Summer BIG Home Building & Remodeling Show.