American Savings Bank (ASB) and aio have selected 11 Hawaii construction-related businesses for the third Hui Kapili Accelerator cohort. The 10-week program runs from September 15 through November 19, 2026, and combines business training, expert guidance and peer support for companies working in the state’s construction economy.
What the third Hui Kapili cohort is
Hui Kapili is a Hawaii-focused business accelerator created to help construction companies build stronger, more sustainable operations. ASB and aio launched the program in 2024 in response to the state’s construction labor shortage and the need for businesses capable of delivering housing and infrastructure projects.
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The current cohort is scheduled for 10 weeks, from September 15 to November 19, 2026. Participants learn from subject-matter experts, construction-industry veterans and Hawaii business leaders. The program also includes a meaningful community project completed in lieu of a program fee, according to ASB’s announcement.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe 11 businesses selected
The third cohort includes owners and leaders from companies involved in construction, contracting, mechanical work, concrete services and related trades.
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| 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 |
What participants learn
The curriculum addresses the management systems that determine whether a technically capable contractor can grow reliably. Core areas include:
- Strategic business planning and development: setting direction, identifying opportunities and building an operating plan.
- Financial management and budget optimization: improving financial oversight and making better use of limited resources.
- Marketing and lead generation: creating a clearer path to qualified business opportunities.
- Workforce management and development: recruiting, managing and developing employees in a tight labor market.
- Community engagement: connecting business growth with local needs and service.
- Long-term business sustainability: establishing practices that support continued operations beyond a single project or busy season.
ASB commercial-banking director Billy Pieper described the gap the program is designed to address: a contractor may be excellent at a trade such as drywall, electrical work or plumbing while still needing support with human resources, marketing or risk management. Hui Kapili treats those business disciplines as essential parts of construction-company performance rather than as afterthoughts.
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Why ASB and aio created Hui Kapili
The partnership’s stated goals extend beyond individual company growth. ASB and aio say stronger construction businesses can help create local jobs, increase Hawaii’s capacity to build needed homes and reinforce the workforce and companies supporting state infrastructure.
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aio CEO Susan Eichor said participants in the first two cohorts learned from presenters and from one another. She also described peer relationships that helped businesses generate leads and identify opportunities. That peer network is a central feature of the accelerator: owners work through shared Hawaii-market challenges with other operators facing similar pressures.
What is known about earlier cohorts
ASB reports that 22 businesses graduated across the first two Hui Kapili cohorts. The third cohort adds 11 more companies. The program launched in 2024, so the 2026 group is part of its third annual cycle.
Public announcements describe learning, peer support, lead generation and broader housing and workforce objectives, but they do not publish audited figures for participant revenue growth, jobs created, housing units built or business-survival rates. Those outcomes should not be inferred from the cohort size or the program’s goals.
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How a Hawaii business can watch for the next application cycle
The announcement for the 2026 cohort gives the dates and participant list but does not state a future application deadline, eligibility checklist or selection timetable. A company interested in a later cohort should monitor Hui Kapili’s official program channels and announcements from ASB and aio for the next call for applications.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Because the program is built around construction-related businesses, prospective applicants should be prepared to explain their company’s operating needs and how structured help with planning, finance, marketing, workforce management or sustainability could support growth. The 2026 release does not confirm whether future cohorts will use identical requirements, dates or fee arrangements, so applicants should rely on the next official announcement for those details.
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Why the cohort matters for Hawaii’s construction economy
Hawaii’s building pipeline depends not only on projects and capital but also on local firms that can hire, manage risk, control budgets and remain solvent through changing conditions. Hui Kapili’s design addresses that business infrastructure directly. Its third cohort brings together 11 companies for a defined 10-week period, with instruction, expert access, peer learning and a community project instead of a program fee.
For now, the clearest published result is participation: 22 businesses completed the first two cohorts and 11 more were selected for 2026. Whether that translates into measurable gains in employment, revenue, housing production or company longevity will require reporting beyond the launch announcements.
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