As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to extend my sincere appreciation for everything you do. Your individual efforts, professionalism, and commitment to delivering excellence continue to elevate our division and set us up for an exciting future.
I’m also proud to introduce the first issue of our Hawai‘i Quarterly Newsletter. This will be a new way for us to celebrate wins, share updates, highlight excellence, and stay connected across our team and islands.
Thank you for showing up every day with heart, integrity, and the spirit of collaboration that defines our culture here in Hawai‘i. I’m grateful for each of you, and I look forward to continuing to build a stronger future together.
Mahalo,
Aaron Yamasaki Vice President & Division Manager
Current Backlog Trend
Trailing 6 Months
Hawaii is celebrating a record sales year! This year we’ve been able to achieve outstanding project pursuit hit rates.
A record year in sales and pursuit performance:
• 48% hit rate by volume
• 38% hit rate by count
These figures reflect the strength of our teams, client relationships, and execution excellence across
Current Backlog
Swinerton’s Hawaii office currently holds $639M of Job-In-Progress backlog, which amounts to 31.2 months project backlog.
Farewell Celebration Shine on, Darlene!
REMINDER
On November 21, we gathered to surprise and celebrate Darlene Cho as she heads into retirement after an incredible 40-year career — with 21 of those years here at Swinerton. The night was full of laughter, great stories, and plenty of sparkle to match Darlene’s love for all things purple and gem-inspired.
Friends and coworkers from over the years shared memories and sent video messages, reminding all of us how much Darlene has impacted our teams and our culture. The slideshow walked us through her journey, her dedication, and the many relationships she’s built along the way.
It was a heartfelt sendoff for someone who has brought so much warmth and positivity to our organization. Cheers to Darlene as she begins her next adventure.
2026 Best Places to Work Survey
We need your voice in the 2026 Best Places to Work in Hawaii survey. The email came from Surveys@ WorkforceRG.com with the subject “Employee Survey: Best Places to Work.” If you haven’t seen it, please check your spam or junk folder.
Deadline to participate: December 5, 2025
The survey is confidential, your link is unique, and every response helps us make our workplace better.
Everyone who completes it will be entered into a prize drawing—so don’t miss out!
Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your feedback and for helping us make Swinerton an even better place to work.
Recent Wins & Project Milestones
Hawai‘i continues a strong performance year with several exciting new awards:
Outrigger Waikiki Beach – Guestroom Renovation
• $28.5M - 524 guestrooms and corridorsStarts January 2026
Hawai‘i Convention Center – Rooftop Deck Repairs
• $87.5M - Roof replacement, deck repairs, and new 38,000 SF tensile shade canopy - Starts January 2026
Outrigger Kā‘anapali Beach Public Areas
• $38.5M - Porte-cochere, lobby, meeting rooms, new pools, and landscape upgrades - Starts January 2026
Liliha Professional Building – Fire Alarm Upgrade
• $726K - Medical office building fire alarm system upgrade
Nordstrom Ala Moana – Ruscello Renovation
• $516K - Interior restaurant remodel at Ala Moana Center
Maui Lani Fresenius Dialysis Center Renovation
• $300K - Interior refresh for the dialysis center at Maui Lani
Hawaii Convention Center
Outrigger Kaanapali
Outrigger Waikiki
Employee Excellence
Wayne Sanchez recently demonstrated what our one-team safety culture looks like in action. On a jobsite, he noticed that one of our concrete foremen’s hard hats didn’t fit properly. Instead of overlooking it, Wayne reached out to Tehani to find a better-fitting helmet — even though the foreman wasn’t part of his crew. As Wayne put it, “I saw something that needed fixing for a fellow employee.”
Wayne’s actions speak volumes about his commitment to keeping everyone safe, not just his own team.
James Yamasaki showed strong proactive preplanning on ADA units at our Rainbow Tower project — guiding VD&C, our design partners, and the Owner through constructability issues, ensuring QC compliance, and supporting smooth execution. The result? Level 17 ADA buildouts were delivered on schedule with zero issues, earning praise from the ADA consultant, who noted she had “never verified a fully compliant ADA bathroom in her career before today.”
James brings together technical rigor and collaborative leadership, addressing challenges constructively and holding high standards. His ability to anticipate issues, communicate clearly, and support the growth of others makes him indispensable to project success.
Cat Souza went above and beyond to support the UH Mixed-Use project. As the completion schedule grew tight, Cat made it a point to step outside her usual Field Admin duties — cleaning windows in advance and directing traffic during the grand opening event.
Cat exemplifies true teamwork, consistently putting the needs of the project and the team first. Her willingness to take initiative beyond her role reflects her commitment to excellence and collaboration.
Hawaii Holiday Party
Get ready, agents — our “Build Another Day: A Holiday Mission in Paradise” party is almost here! Join us on December 13 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm in Waikīkī for a night filled with Bond-style adventure and island holiday fun. Expect live music, tropical cocktails inspired by 007, great food, dancing under the palms, and a few undercover challenges throughout the evening.
This is your chance to unwind, celebrate the season with your team, and enjoy a memorable night in paradise.
Please remember to RSVP through the Splashthat page so we can plan accordingly.
Scan/click here to RSVP for the party!
STAY TUNED
for our next quarterly update in Q1 2026.
Thank You, Hawai‘i Team!
We are grateful for your dedication, craftsmanship, and commitment to excellence. As we celebrate Thanksgiving and look ahead to 2026, we remain proud of the incredible work happening across our islands and the future we’re building together.
Swinerton Hawai‘i Division • Honolulu, HI • Maui, HI
