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American Savings Bank (ASB) and aio selected 11 Hawaii construction-related businesses for the third Hui Kapili Accelerator cohort, a 10-week program running from September 15 through November 19, 2026. The accelerator combines business training, expert instruction and peer support to help local contractors address management challenges while contributing to Hawaii’s workforce, housing and infrastructure needs.

Who is in the third Hui Kapili cohort?

The 2026 cohort represents companies working across construction, contracting and related trades. The selected business leaders are:

Participant Business
TC (Tyler Christian) Campbell PDG Hawaii
Lito Coloma Cutting Edge Builders
Elise Cudiamat JC Construction
Cheriese Flores CKF Industrial Contractors
Vanessa McMoore HI State Construction
Pono Nauka Pacific Audio Communications
Richard Orlando Orlando Construction Island Builders
Alyssa Palimoo Showtyme Concrete Services
Tony Shi CAA Construction
Uakea Street Trades Construction Company
David Tuipulotu Mana Mechanical

ASB announced the selection on September 22, 2026. The cohort began September 15 and is scheduled to finish November 19, making the announcement a confirmation of participants after the program had started.

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What the Hui Kapili Accelerator teaches

Hui Kapili is designed for construction-company owners who need to strengthen the business systems around their technical work. Its 2026 curriculum covers six core areas:

Strategic planning and business development

Participants work on setting direction, identifying opportunities and building practical plans for sustainable growth rather than relying only on project-by-project demand.

Financial management and budget optimization

Training addresses financial controls and better use of budgets, issues that can determine whether a contractor can remain profitable as costs, schedules and project requirements change.

Marketing and lead generation

The program focuses on finding and developing potential customers. aio chief executive Susan Eichor said graduates of the first two cohorts learned from presenters and from one another, including by helping each other generate leads and opportunities.

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Workforce management and development

Workforce instruction deals with hiring, developing and managing employees in an industry facing persistent labor pressure.

Community engagement

Each participant completes a meaningful community project in lieu of a program fee. That requirement connects the business training to local needs while providing an in-kind way to participate.

Long-term business sustainability

The final focus is building companies that can operate and grow over time, including through stronger processes, risk awareness and organizational planning.

Throughout the 10 weeks, participants meet subject-matter experts, construction-industry veterans and Hawaii business leaders.

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Why ASB and aio created Hui Kapili

Hui Kapili launched in 2024 to respond to Hawaii’s construction labor shortage and support more sustainable growth in the industry. ASB says the partnership is intended to help construction businesses navigate local operating challenges, create jobs for residents, build needed homes and strengthen state infrastructure.

The need extends beyond trade skill. ASB commercial-banking director Billy Pieper told Aloha State Daily that technically capable contractors may still need support with human resources, marketing and risk management: “Where, OK, you’re great with the hammer. You’re great at putting up drywall. You’re great at being an electrician or a plumber, but you could probably use some help on the HR side or the marketing side or the risk management side.”

That distinction explains the accelerator’s structure: it treats a construction company as both a jobsite operation and a business requiring financial, administrative and growth systems.

How large is the program so far?

Measure Published figure Qualification
Third-cohort participants 11 businesses Selected for the 2026 cohort by ASB
Third-cohort duration 10 weeks September 15–November 19, 2026
Businesses graduating in the first two cohorts 22 businesses ASB’s cumulative figure reported in 2026
Program launch 2024 Reported by ASB and 2026 coverage

The published announcements do not provide audited figures for participant revenue growth, jobs created, housing units delivered or business survival. Reported benefits are qualitative: instruction, peer support, lead generation and opportunities to contribute to community projects.

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What the third cohort means for Hawaii’s construction sector

Hawaii’s housing and infrastructure goals depend on a pipeline of local contractors, but labor shortages and operational bottlenecks can limit how much work companies can take on. By concentrating on management capabilities alongside trade expertise, Hui Kapili aims to improve the capacity of firms already serving the state.

The peer model is also significant. Owners can compare approaches to staffing, budgeting, marketing and risk with other Hawaii businesses facing similar market conditions. The first two cohorts’ reported lead-sharing illustrates a practical benefit that is different from classroom learning alone.

How can a Hawaii business apply to the next cohort?

The announcement of the 2026 class does not state a future application date, eligibility rules or an opening for submissions. Businesses interested in a later cohort should monitor the official Hui Kapili and ASB program announcements for application instructions, deadlines and any updated participation requirements. The current program uses a community project in lieu of a fee, but future cohorts could publish additional or different conditions.

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