GCA Installation Ceremony
The GCA’s annual Installation Ceremony was held on January 18, 2025 at The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki.
Along with the new slate of GCA Officers and Board members being introduced, the president title officially changed hands from Michael Young of Albert C. Kobayashi, Inc. to Russell Inouye of Koga Engineering & Construction, Inc.
For the full 2025 list of Board Officers and Directors, click here.
(L to R): Cheryl Walthall (Executive Director), Michael Young (Immediate Past President), Russell Inouye (President), Michael Inouye (1st Vice President), Aaron Yahiku (2nd Vice President), and Mike Venezia (Treasurer)
The GCA also recognized the contributions of two committees:
(L to R): Workforce Development Committee Chair George Denise & 2024 GCA President Michael Young
Outstanding Committee Award: The GCA Workforce Development Committee, chaired by George Denise of Turner & Townsend, was named most outstanding committee. This past year, the committee had several exciting accomplishments that elevated the visibility and importance of the GCA in addressing Hawaii’s workforce development challenges in the construction industry. This includes the revamped BreakingGround808 program, which teaches the teachers at Department of Education high schools about the industry so they can then teach their students, and continued support of the University of Hawaii College of Engineering, including scholarships for engineering students.
(L to R): 2025 GCA President Russell Inouye (accepting he award on behalf of the Board of Water Supply Committee) & 2024 GCA President Michael Young
Most Improved Committee Award: The Board of Water Supply (BWS) Committee, co-chaired by Ryan Yamamoto of RMY Construction, Inc. and Ernie Lau of the Board of Water Supply was recognized for being the most improved committee. The committee offers members an opportunity to talk directly with BWS leadership, including Chief Engineer Ernie Lau and Acting Program Administrator of Capital Projects Division Patrick Chun. This direct line of contact to the decision-makers has allowed collaborative problem-solving, including development of an Advanced Payment for Materials provision, a Conditional Authorization to Proceed provision, and feedback on the board’s Manao project management system.
