Wahine Builders and Electric

What's Wahine Builders and Electric?

We are a small self-performing General and Electrical Contractor that achieves excellent results, in both price and schedule, on smaller task orders (up to $500,000.00) because our crew is cross-trained in multiple construction trades.  Yes, it true – we do – virtually all trades from trenching to fine finish.

For thirty years we have been working in the State of Hawaii; primarily on Oahu, but we also built a medical clinic in Kealakekua on the Big Island, a Subway restaurant on Kauai, and performed work on Maui for Kaiser Permanente at several locations on their computer data rooms.

Since June of 2015 we have been the primary sub-contractor and supplier of all Superintendence, and - Quality Control & Project Management (as required) on task orders in various locations in Hawaii.

We have successfully completed 7 task orders and we are currently working on two more.  The task orders were:

1. Replace Wallpaper in Regional Headquarters on the MCBH

We self-performed removal, preparation, painting, and wallcovering.

2. Monitor Roof Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Building #6

This awesome old foundry building from the 1920’s supported our troops in both WWI and WWII.  She had some missing roofing 70’ off the ground on the uppermost roof.  We were able to work closely with NavFac and PHNSY to prepare acceptable Safety and Environmental Plans.  Safety and Environmental concerns are paramount in the shipyard and we are pleased that our persistence and hard work in acquiring information paid off with acceptable plans – that were effective and controlling of costs.  We self-performed this work with our Wahine work force and provided Quality Control, SSHO, and Superintendence.

No pictures are allowed inside the Shipyard – so this may end up as a tall tale for our grandkids, but hereis ab archive picture of Building # 6.  We worked on the tip-top.

3. Fire Alarm Building #416 Subase

This was another challenging and awesome job.  We worked with the National Park Service as the client and NavFac.  We self-performed this working alongside our Quality Control Fire Protection Engineers from Coffman Engineering.  We received some very nice commendation e-mails from the NavFac inspectors who were appreciative of our efforts that exceeded the contract specification.

4. GATR Fence

After I retire – I vow to write a booklet on Military acronyms!  GATR – is Ground to Air Transmit Receive….It was a very cool restricted area in the middle of the Keawe grove next to Honolulu International Airport where the communication with aircraft switches from Tower to Ground.  This job presented some problem……The layout and plans provided by the government were not accurate and – if followed – they would have not served the end user well.  As is customary on all of our project – At NO COST to the government for the BETTERMENT of the project – we did a site survey and presented a alternative layout to NavFac and the End User.  The new layout worked perfectly.  We self-performed all the work in house working with our lower tier sub-contractor David’s Fencing.

5. Heat Pump installation in Laundry Facility - Kauai

What a challenging feat of engineering this project was!  Located on the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai – this project required:

• Extensive electrical (new dual meter disconnects, CT can, panel, low voltage controls, and conduit work to and from panels and equipment.

• Extensive plumbing – ½ - 2” copper, insulation, Hot Water Storage Tank, and connection of all components.

• Design – sadly the government based their design on a Heat Pump that was no longer manufactured! Through research and design we were able to clarify the electrical system and propose new design parameters for equipment that was available.

• Working on a neighbor island. We were able to ship our truck, equipment, and relocate our office to Kekaha just down the street from PMRF. Neighbor Island work has challenges, but this was more like a working vacation. We packed up the crew and chartered a plane (it was the easiest and cheapest way to go)….and off we were to the Garden Isle. We remembered the most important tools: Dog and Greenlee Electrical Bender.

6. Bridge Crane MCBH

Another interesting challenge.  We worked with our lower tier sub-contractor Mutual Welding to remove, paint (with a three-coat epoxy system), and replace 125 feet of custom fabricated bridge crane beam in a repair hanger.  This project was 45 – 60 feet above the ground and difficult to access. 

7. Hot Cargo Pads Asphalt

This project required an extra level of coordination with Airfield Management since we were making repairs on the airfield.  We were blessed with fabulous cooperation from our NavFac Construction Manager and Hickam Airfield Management and we completed this project in record time.  Our lower tier sub-contractor, Jas W Glover, was awesome to work with. 

We take pride in – NON- boiler plate – construction plans that are job specific.

Our team is qualified, trained, and certified is multiple trades, Construction Hazards, Quality Control, Fall Protection, and Safety.  Our 30 years as an award winning design build general and electrical contractor licensed in Hawaii prepared us for easing into government contracting as a Primary Sub-Contractor.  Our two-years of government task orders has prepared us for taking on a task order contract as a General Contractor.