"Construction Connection" is your source for monthly information on industry news and events to keep you in the know. BIA-Hawaii is The VOICE of the construction industry and we work diligently to promote our members through advocacy and education and provide community outreach programs to enhance the quality of life for the people of Hawaii.

Hawaiian Electric is asking for community feedback regarding electric vehicles whether it be regarding building code amendments or other legislative proposals and is sensitive to concerns when it comes to mandates.

In an effort to gather feedback from the community Hawaiian Electric initiated the Charge Up Hawaii tool below. If you have a moment please share your feedback.

Hawaiian Electric is seeking community input on the locations of future public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to make sure electrified transportation can be a service to all. The survey also allows sharing your personal feedback regarding your transportation needs.

Over 15,000 passenger EVs are registered in the state with 78% of EVs registered on Oahu. The numbers of EVs on Hawaii roads will continue to increase as the Federal government focuses on zero-emission vehicle initiatives and more EV models become available. To ensure future EV users have dependable charging solutions, HECO estimates that by 2030 there will be a need for 3,600 public EV charging stations at workplaces, shopping centers, parks, and multi-unit dwellings.

Hawaiian Electric launched Charge Up Hawaii which will be collecting input from the community through the end of September via the Charge Up Hawaii interactive map. They are asking the community about transportation needs and encourage you and your constituents to drop pins on the interactive map to let them know where you want to see EV charging stations in the future.

The Safe Access O‘ahu program requires all employees, contractors, and volunteers of businesses, such as restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, museums, arcades and other similar establishments, to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test result each week in order to operate. In addition, customers must show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within the previous 48 hours in order to enter the establishment. Children under 12 years old are exempt.

Learn about the Wellness Tracker to reduce and prevent potential COVID-19 exposures in the workplace while safely helping Hawaii businesses get back to work. An on-demand webinar can be accessed on the One Oahu Facebook page and will demonstrate how your business can use the Wellness Tracker.

The user-friendly app offers screening and tracking, with technology built right here in Hawaii and provided free to the community. The Wellness Tracker is easily customizable for any business.

Learn about key features – QR Code Wellness Checks, Configurable to Your Business, Active self-screening features, and Intuitive user interface. Viewers will watch a demo on how to sign up and setup their account, upload their roster, set screening and more.

September is National Preparedness Month an official U.S. government awareness campaign on the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.

This year’s theme is Prepare to Protect highlights how preparing for disaster is an act of protecting those that you love. With hurricane season in full swing, now is a great time to prepare to protect home building workers and jobsites.

Learn more with two new video toolbox talks that directly address jobsite preparedness and response to natural disasters: Jobsite Disaster Preparedness and Jobsite Disaster Response.

Also view a Hawaii specific guide: Hawaii 2021 Disaster Preparedness Guide

NAHB Professional Women in Building Week is an occasion set aside to celebrate women as an important component of the residential construction industry. Achievements of women that represent all facets of the industry will be showcased, as will the work that is being done to promote, train, advance, and add more women in the field.

Industry professionals are encouraged to join NAHB this week — and throughout the year — by actively raising awareness of the opportunities for growth and success that pursuing a career in homebuilding can provide.

Join NAHB for a week full of special events & webinars. Click below for more information.

Industry trade associations confront many of the same issues, whether it be government affairs, escalating material costs, permitting, inspections, building codes, litigation, and the list goes on. BIA-Hawaii and GCA of Hawaii are pleased to join forces for a shared approach to solving industry issues faced by our members.

The next big idea. The strategies and trends. The products, connections, and experts you won’t see anywhere else. It’s all here at the in-person show in Orlando!

The NAHB International Builders' Show® (IBS)—the premier, once-a-year event that connects, educates, and improves the residential construction industry—is a hub for new product launches, construction demos, industry thought leader sessions, workshops, panel discussions…and more. The people, products, and knowledge you’ll gain will give you the real ideas and real solutions you need to grow and strengthen your essential business.

NAHB’s Sustainability & Green Building Scholarship for IBS exposes young professionals, recent graduates, and students interested in the world of high-performance home building. Scholarship recipients will receive airfare (up to $600), hotel accommodations (four nights) and full registration to maximize their experience with access to numerous networking events, education sessions, and the latest products in the industry.

As curators of premium design materials, Willis is excited to announce that Lapitec® Sintered Stone is now locally stocked in Honolulu, Hawaii!

Sept 20-22: Offsite Construction Week Webinar Series

Sept 28: SAME 2021 Pacific Industry Forum

Sept 28-29: Builder Proptech

Oct 4: The Future of Master Planned Communities

Oct 11-15: NAHB Fall Leadership Meetings in Houston

Oct 12-15: OSHA 510 - Occupational Safety and Health Standards (Construction)

Nov 12: Marketing and Sales for Building Professionals

Nov 15-18: OSHA 511 - Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry

There are many benefits of BIA-Hawaii membership. Each month we will highlight benefits to ensure you are getting the most value from your membership.

Learn more about BIA-Hawaii membership at www.biahawaii.org/value-of-your-membership. Membership questions? Contact trina@biahawaii.org or call 808-847-4666

The BIA-Hawaii CTC headquarters in Waipahu has beautiful and convenient space for all of your event needs. Classrooms for trainings and well-equipped rooms for events are available to rent. The event & classroom rental calendar is now open for 2021. Space fills quickly! Secure your preferred dates and times. Contact info@biahawaii.org or call 808-847-4666.

Sept 28: Identifying Trouble Areas in Residential Building

Oct 12: NAHB Estimating & Scheduling for Profitable Organizations

Oct 19: NAHB Project Management

Nov 12: NAHB Marketing & Sales for Business Professionals

Nov 19: Universal Design Essentials

Dec 2: Project Management

Dec 10, 13, 15, 16,17: 40-hr Safety Hazard Awareness Training for Contractors

About the Employment & Training Fund. In 1991, the State Legislature established the ETF program to address the growing need to upgrade the job skills of Hawaii's workforce, created as part of a national movement that swept the country in the 1980s. Investing in human capital to improve productivity and the nation's quality of goods and services became a top priority. The Employer Referral ("micro") program is for individual businesses that need to upgrade the job skills of their employees. 

BIA-Hawaii is an approved Training Provider. ETF will cover 50% of the Non-Member course fee rate for select courses, up to a maximum of $400.

Learn more at https://labor.hawaii.gov/wdd/home/employers/etf/micro/

BIA-Hawaii is offering members the opportunity to promote their business in the monthly newsletter free of charge for the next few months, first come, first served. If you would like to feature your business, please contact info@biahawaii.org.

Do you know a BIA-Hawaii member who has been giving back to the community by volunteering their time, services, labor or supplies to community projects? Please let us know at info@biahawaii.org.