The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) has selected Assistant Professor Norman Takeya as one of two recipients for the 2020 Mark Hasso Educator of the Year Award. This annual award recognizes excellence in construction management practices and honors individuals based on merit.

After earning his degree and working in the construction industry, the Hilo native joined Honolulu CC in 2006, first in the then transitioned to grow the (AEC) program. Takeya has led AEC students to national competitions all over the U.S. in addition to receiving numerous awards locally from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Residential Construction Management Competition. He received the 2015 UH Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award and, in 2016, the Outstanding Educator award from NAHB. Takeya is also a well-known master ʻukulele maker and instructor.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award, but it’s really been a privilege to teach and mentor the AEC students over the past 10 years,” said Takeya. “The local businesses should also be recognized in this award because they frequently refer students to the program, provide internship opportunities, and hire and promote AEC graduates.”

Karen Lee, Honolulu CC interim chancellor said, “Norman is always encouraging students to learn and excel with the newest technologies, and graduates are being rewarded with very lucrative jobs. We are thrilled that CMAA recognized his many outstanding contributions to our students and the construction industry.”

CMAA is dedicated to improving the nation’s infrastructure by advancing professional construction and program management worldwide. Award winners will be honored during , in October.

“Each of our award winners work hard to make a difference, and we commend each of them for their achievements and contributions to the construction industry,” CMAA president and CEO Andrea S. Rutledge .

The construction industry is on the rise in �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��, and is providing career exploration to 66 high school students representing 20 public, private and charter schools, including the �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ�� Youth Challenge Academy.

In July the students were recognized amongst their family and friends for successfully completing the , a six-week program that gave them introductory knowledge of carpentry, sheetmetal, welding and autobody.

“The goal of the Summer Construction Academy program is to give our students the chance to experience the college campus environment and courses offered,” explained program coordinator Calvin Matutino. “Students got to experience hands-on activities that will give them insight into careers and educational pathways in the various disciplines of the construction industry, thus giving them the opportunity to make informed choices, so that they can steer their own futures.”

Eleven of the 66 students returned as advanced participants, applying what they previously learned to multiple projects, such as constructing three metal-framed walls, and building child-sized picnic tables that will be donated to preschools within the community.

Half of the 66 students are 2016 high school graduates, and 21 of them plan to attend Honolulu Community College in the fall.

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The Construction Academy Summer Program started with 12 students in 2008 and has grown over its eight-year existence. The summer experience is an extension of the Construction Academy, which is in approximately 16 high schools across the state during the academic year, filling the gap of industrial education in the public schools. The program was established through a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and continues to operate solely on legislative funding.

“We instill the traits individuals need to find work—employability skills, like how to maintain your job, arrive to work on time, giving a courtesy call when absent to work or when late, volunteering for overtime when approached by your employer, being accountable and responsible. We want the students to never give up,” said Matutino. “There will be obstacles, but if they push forward they will be able to accomplish any goal.”

—By Billie Lueder

Preparing high school students for the workforce was the theme of a special recognition ceremony that honored 53 high school students entering grades 10-12 and recent 2015 graduates from 21 Oʻahu high schools who successfully completed the Summer Program.

“The goal of our summer program is to ultimately give our students the chance to experience a little bit of the college campus,” explains Kenton Short, Construction Academy Program coordinator. “Students get the opportunity to get hands on training in various trades, giving them the opportunity to make informed choices, so that they can steer their own futures.”

The students were admitted into Honolulu CC for the four-week summer program. First-time students were exposed to four different career industries (carpentry, welding, sheet metal, and architectural, engineering and CAD technologies). Sixteen students are returning for their second, and in some cases, third summer with the program. These students participated in an advanced curriculum featuring carpentry and welding.

The Construction Academy Summer Program started with 12 students in 2008 and has grown over its seven-year existence. The summer experience is an extension of the Construction Academy that is in approximately 16 high schools across the state during the academic year filling the gap of industrial education in the public schools. The program was established through a grant funded by the and continues to operate solely on legislative funding.

“With the future workforce projection in the construction industry, we are able to provide career exploration that will eventually lead students to Honolulu CC to obtain a certificate or degree in a specific career or technical program eventually providing an entry point into the workforce,” Short shares.

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—By Billie Lueder

On Tuesday July 2, four student teams tested their boat building skills as participants in Honolulu Community College’s summer program. They raced their newly constructed 7-foot boats in the Kalihi channel.

Fifty-two high school students entering grades 10–12 and recent 2013 graduates from 16 Oʻahu high schools were admitted to for the five-week summer program. First-time students were exposed to different trades—carpentry, welding, sheet metal, plumbing, electrical—as well as architectural, engineering and CAD technologies.

Returning summer program students had a chance to apply their previously learned skills in the .

“Many young people don’t have opportunities to work with their hands,” said Mark Keala Kimura, small vessel fabrication instructor. “These students learned about fiberglass composites, composite boat construction, marine woodworking and joinery, boatyard operation skills and the component systems found on most boats.”

The Construction Academy summer program started with 12 students in 2008 and has grown over its seven-year existence. The summer experience is an extension of the Construction Academy that is in approximately 30 high schools across the state during the academic year filling the gap of industrial education in the public schools.

“These students learned how to work as a team to properly handle tools and operate heavy machinery to construct a boat in five weeks out of two sheets of plywood, some lumber and a blue print,” Kimura said. “They should feel very proud of their final product.”

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and the Department of Transportation put on the 2011 �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ�� Construction Career Days, October 20–21 at the Honolulu campus. Approximately 1,200 high school students participated in hands-on activities, interactive educational exhibits and trade demonstrations to learn about careers in the construction industry.