hawaii renovation 17 april 2011

Serving Hawaii Since 1981

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Hawaii Home Expo will donate 10% of profit on all TOTO products for the month of April toAmerican Red Cross to aid Japan in their recent earthquake and tsunami relief efforts. In addition,we will offer a 15% discount on in stock TOTO products, excluding Washlets and Neorests.

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AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC.

HAW

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APRIL 17, 2011

Hawaii’s largest inventory of solid wood kitchen and bath cabinetry can be found at Golden Cabinets. See page 3

INSIDE: BIG DESIGNS FOR LITTLE KITCHENS • TIPS FOR TACKLING HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

SimplyGolden

When it comes to kitchens, biggerisn’t necessarily better. A proper-ly designed small kitchen can be

just as functional and stylish as a larger one.I proved this during a recent kitchen

facelift for clients Evelyn and Armel. Thecouple had a tiny 1960s kitchen that hadseen better days. Besides being cramped,its dingy linoleum, archaic appliances andlack of storage made it a recipe for disaster.With a baby on the way, and a thousand

things to do, the couple didn’t have theenergy to fix things themselves. So, withdozens of delectable design ideas simmer-ing in my brain, I geared up to create a littlekitchen that was big on flavor.Working with a small space can be a

huge challenge for a designer. And thisparticular job was extra tricky because Icouldn’t knock down any walls. Thismeant I had to rely on color, texture andstorage to make the room seem larger.The L-shaped room consisted of a tiny

galley kitchen and a small eating area.

Since nothing was working in either area, Ikicked things off by getting rid of every-thing — appliances, countertops, sinks —you name it. The only thing left intact wasthe wood cabinetry.I then decided on color — a big factor in

making a space look larger. I wanted tokeep the room light and airy, and keep thecontrast low between the cabinets and thefloor. I bathed the walls in a wispy gray,gave the cabinets a fresh coat of whitepaint and put down gray- and linen-col-

ored floor tiles in a diagonalcheckerboard pattern togive the illusion of space.Along one of the galley

walls, I installed a newstainless-steel stove with a matchingmicrowave/hood vent above it. I thenbrought in new white cabinetry that per-fectly matches the old and extended therun of cabinets into the eating area.Into this storage mix, I added two mir-

rored-back display units that contain glassshelves and under-cabinet lighting. That’sone of my oldest tricks: taking ordinary cab-inets, removing the doors and backing themwith mirror to give the illusion of depth.On the opposite galley wall, I worked in

a deep stainless-steel fridge, a double sinkand a built-in dishwasher. I then gave bothwalls a delicious new bead-board back-splash and installed fresh, light quartzcountertops.I wanted to make the eating area a light,

bright space so I positioned an L-shapedbanquette by the room’s one window andtopped it with a brown-gray bench with atufted backrest.By maximizing the space and properly

implementing color, texture and storage, Iproved that it’s not the size of the kitchenthat matters — it’s what you do with it.

Interior decorator Candice Olson is hostof HGTV’s “Candice Tells All.'”

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2 | HAWAII RENOVATION | APRIL 17, 2011 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

HAWAIIRENOVATION

for

Cooking upbig design ideas

little kitchens

The highest qualityhardwood cabinets— solid cherry

wood, maple and oak —are always available andaffordably priced atGolden Cabinets, home ofHawaii’s largest invento-ry of fine solid woodkitchen and bath cabi-netry. Wide selections of fine-

ly crafted designs, stylesand finishes are featuredat the two GoldenCabinets Inc. showrooms,located at 500 AlakawaSt. and 2959 Koapaka St.Cabinets, shelves,

moldings and drawers areall available in rich cher-ry wood, warm maple,classic oak and white fin-ishes. No particle board,plastic or laminates areincorporated into thesesolidly built natural woodproducts. All are fittedwith handsome, heavy-duty, stainless steel fix-tures and precisionhinges. The cabinet doors

come in a variety ofstyles, including solidwood and wood withframed glass insets toshow off your fine crystaland dinnerware. There isalso a choice of glass pan-els — clear, frosted andetched. A variety ofdesigns to accommodateall kitchen layouts, suchas corner cabinets withfold-out doors and lazysusans, and cabinets withroll-out shelves, plus van-ities and vanity acces-sories for the bath, can beviewed in the showrooms.

“Cabinets are the firstthing you see when youwalk into a kitchen, sowhether you are buildingnew or remodeling, youwant to be sure you aremaking the right choice,”said Golden Cabinetsowner Wen Wen Cao. “And there’s no long

wait between orderingand installation. Oneweek after you placeyour order, the cabinetsof your choice will bedelivered or can bepicked up by your con-tractor.“We also offer free

assembly and designservices ... just providethe rough dimensions ofthe room and we can layout a cabinet design andconfiguration for you onthe computer in a matterof minutes. Then, if youapprove of the basic lay-out and estimate, we willgo to the job site andmake the final measure-ments.“Because we specialize

in cabinets, we have theexpertise to help you cre-ate a more beautiful andfunctional kitchen ... at aprice you can afford.”For information and

directions to the show-rooms, which are openfrom 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Monday through Saturday,call Golden Cabinets at836-8181 (Koapaka) or 853-2088 (Alakawa).

GOLDENCA B I N E T S

TheGolden AgeHAWAIIRENOVATION

APRIL 17, 2011 | HAWAII RENOVATION | 3

Bored with your bath?While remodelinghigh-profile items,

such as flooring, a vanityand the tub/shower, willmake a big visual update,these projects also comewith a hefty budget. And, ifyou’re like most home-owners, you may not havethe time, knowledge orbudget for a major over-haul.

Luckily, in a smallspace, “remodeling lite,”or making tiny tweaks, canmake a big difference inthe style and functionalityof your bath. Here are afew ideas that anyone cando within a few hours (oreven minutes) — and withminimal budget — thatwill make the space more

usable and stylish.

Unique accessoriesIf your bathroom is like

most, you have builder-basic, chrome towel bars.To start your update, addnew accessories.

“For less than $100 andan hour’s time, you canrefresh your bath withnew accessories,” saysTim Bitterman, groupmarketing manager atCreative SpecialtiesInternational, the bathaccessories division ofMoen. “And, today’s acces-sories add flair to function— allowing you to alsoalleviate some of the mostcommon bathroom petpeeves while you'reremodeling.”

Not replacing the toiletpaper is the No. 1 petpeeve among men andwomen, according to a pollconducted by Moen. Whynot make everyone happyin the bath by eliminatingthis pet peeve with Moen’spivoting paper holder?This innovative, “why did-n’t anyone think of thisbefore” holder enablesusers to change the roll bysimply lifting the bar — nounwieldy spring needed.And if you’re seeking aspecific style, look no fur-ther than the Bradshaw,Vale or Iso collections tocoordinate with yourdecor.

Mirror makeoverMirrors tend to take up

the majority of real estatein the bathroom, yetthey’re often unattractiveand plain. Uniquelyshaped, decorative mirrorsare an ideal solution.However they mayinvolve a bit of wall touch-

up from the removal ofyour current mirror.Another option is to add adecorative frame aroundyour current plate-glassmirror. You can measureand create a frame your-self, or simply purchase a

kit, such as MirrorscapesMirror Frames. Thisunique system, which isavailable in five differentstyles and a variety ofmetallic and wood-tonefinishes, features a

22 YEARSin business!

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SEE PAGE 13


HAWAIIRENOVATION

yieldTiny tweaksbig results

in bathroom remodeling

BY KAREN NAKAMURA

You’ve made the deci-sion to finally remodel theoutdated kitchen and livingroom of your home. But ifyou live in a house builtbefore 1978, a new federallaw regulating the removalof lead paint will affect yourhome remodeling project. In 1978, the use of lead

paint was officially bannedfrom residential construc-tion. Before that, however,lead paint was used in morethan 38 million homes,according to the U.S.Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA). Today, contractors hired

to do renovation, repair andpainting projects that will

involve at least 6 squarefeet of lead-based paint inhomes built before 1978must be EPA Lead-Safe cer-tified and must follow spe-cific work practices to pre-vent lead contamination.

The Dangers of LeadPaintFor young children, lead

poisoning can cause learn-ing disabilities, hearing lossand behavior problems. Inadults, lead poisoning canlead to hypertension andhigh blood pressure.Pregnant women run therisk of passing the poisonon to their unborn child.It is important that you

find a remodeler who istrained in lead-safe work

practices rather than try todo the work yourself. Notonly that, but it’s the law:Contractors working inpre-1978 homes must belead-paint certified andmust follow these lead-safepractices whether or notthere are children in thehome — unless the home-owner can certify that thehouse is lead-paint free.

What are Lead-SafeWork Practices? The EPA has a free

brochure on its website(www.leadfreekids.org)called “Renovate Right”that provides guidance tohomeowners and contrac-tors about remodeling safe-ly to minimize lead dust

exposure. EPA Lead-SafeCertified Renovators havebeen equipped to use leadtest kits, educate con-sumers about the dangersof lead, and use prescribedlead-safe work practices.Your certified contractorshould also give you abrochure to familiarize youwith specific work prac-tices, including these pro-cedures:

1. Containing the workarea so that dust and debrisdo not escape. Warningsigns will be posted to keepvisitors away from the area,and heavy-duty plastic andtape are used to seal offdoors and heating and cool-ing system vents and to

cover the floors andany furniture thatcannot be moved.

2. Minimizingdust. There is noway to eliminate it,but some paintremoval methodscreate less dustthan others.

3. Cleaning upthoroughly. When all thework is done, and beforetaking down any plastic thatisolates the work area fromthe rest of the home, thearea will be cleaned with aHEPA vacuum to removedust and debris on all sur-faces, followed by wet mop-ping with plenty of water.

To find a Lead-SafeCertified Renovator or firmnear you, visit www.epa.gov/lead.

Karen Nakamura isexecutive vice presi-dent/CEO of BuildingIndustry Association ofHawaii.

ServcoRaynor.comOVERHEAD DOORS 676-DOOR (676-3667)

2841 Pukoloa Street in MapunapunaShowroom Hrs: M-F 10am-6pm; SAT by Appointment

Visit our new showroom:

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Whether you’re looking to replace, upgrade or add a new garage door, fence or gateto your home, choose Raynor Overhead Doors. From modern styles to classic facades,Raynor StyleView aluminum or BuildMark steel pan and insulated garage doors are thechoice for achieving a contemporary look or accentuating the design of an older resi-dence. Our gates and fences are not only stylish, they come equipped with heavy-dutycommercial-grade hardware, offering the perfect combination of beauty and reliability.

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BIA-HawaiiRemodelers

HAWAIIRENOVATION

Update Your Home Safely with aLead-Safe Certified Renovator

Call for a Free Consultation 630-6741 or 285-3663

Lic. #ABC25837Over 35 Years of Experience - Your Full Service Building Provider

New Home, Multi-Family, Additions, & RenovationSeminar for Homeowners!

“Building To Your Lifestyle”• Have your questions answered!• We’ll show you the ABC’s of Design Building!• FREE onsite property evaluation!

Fri., Apr. 22, 2011@ Ward Warehouse6:00pm – 8:00pm

Thur., Apr. 21, 2011@ Pearl Country Club – Pearl II

6:00pm – 8:00pm

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HK Construction,CorpFor FREE estimate call 841-1800

For seminar reservations please, Call 753-5643

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If you have a drippingfaucet or are experienc-ing long delays for hot

water while showering,chances are you have alimescale problem.Or as Harald von Sydow,

director of Nano Tek-On,the authorized distributorof HydroFlow, puts it, “Youcould be wasting moneyand water without evenknowing it.”Scaling, also referred to

as limescale, is an accumu-lation of mineral depositsand corrosion in pipes andwater-using appliances. Leftunchecked, these depositsreduce the efficiency andlifespan of solar and electricwater heaters, dishwashers,washing machines, pool fil-ters, ponds and spas.

HydroFlow technologyprevents mineral build-upand, in most cases, breaksdown 95 percent of existingdeposits within threemonths by emitting ran-domly varying radio fieldsthroughout the system. Theradio current “suspends”the minerals in the water, sothey simply wash away. When used for salt and

fresh-water pools and spas,HydroFlow reduces bacte-ria and algae, so theyrequire approximately 60percent less chlorine,resulting in improved waterclarity and less chlorinesmell. “Hawaii homeowners

insist on environmentallysafe solutions,” says vonSydow. “HydroFlow doesn’t

use chemicals, so the waterretains its natural taste andis safe to drink.” For commercial opera-

tions, HydroFlow increasesthe efficiency of pool filters,spas, steam rooms, coolingsystems and restaurantdishwashers. One HydroFlow unit can

protect an entire home, issafe for all pipes, and can beinstalled by a homeowner ina matter of minutes withoutcutting the pipework. NanoTek-On specializes in envi-ronmentally friendly sur-face treatments includingsealants for glass and natu-ral stone, antimicrobialcoatings and self-cleaningsurfaces. Call 395-2996 or visit

www.nanotekonhi.com.


HAWAIIRENOVATION

GOwithHydroFlow

Why you should

NANO T E K - O N

Create a stunning newspace with GranicreteHawaii’s concrete

flooring overlays, which arebecoming increasinglypopu-lar because of theirunmatched versatility andaffordability. Resurfacedriveways, pool decks,patios, walkways, kitchens,living spaces and bath-rooms. It’s also excellent onvertical surfaces, creatingcustom bars, barbecues,fireplaces, walls and back-splashes.

Granicrete flooring isdesigned to resurface,rather than replace con-crete, tile and wood.Installers clean and pre-pare the surfaces, allowingthe base layer to adhere tothem, leaving no air gap,and preventing peeling

and lifting. The Granicreteproduct line is used fromstart to finish; formulatedto endure the wear ofhigh-traffic areas, all typesof weather, and tested toperform with about threetimes the strength of con-crete.

Unlimited design,color and texture possi-bilities allow customersto design a custom look,tailored to suit theirneeds and budget.Certified installers care-fully craft flooring over-lays, applying a polymer-modified concrete atabout 1/8- and 1/4-inchthickness and coloringby hand. Stained con-

crete finishes or naturalstone looks like flag-stone, slate and traver-tine are achieved at afraction of the cost.

Granicrete flooring iseasy to maintain as seal-ers resist stains and mois-ture. Simply sweep, mop

and pressure wash withlow PSI (on exteriorflooring). Re-sealingabout every 2 years main-tains the integrity of thecolor and finish.

Granicrete Internationalwas founded in April 2006and has grown to become

the nation’s largest decora-tive finishes network.Granicrete Hawaii distrib-utes the Granicrete prod-uct line in Hawaii andoffers training to certifyprofessionals and do-it-yourselfers to installGranicrete systems.

Visit the GranicreteHawaii showroom at 94-1388 Moaniani St., #302 inthe Waipio Business Centeror GranicreteHawaii.comfor more information aboutproducts and classes. Call626-5418 to schedule yourfree estimate.

GRANICRETE

withTransform Your Space

DecorativeConcrete Overlays

HAWAIIRENOVATION

Many Selections of Granite Countertops to choose from3 Styles of Cabinetry In Stock

Competitive Pricing � Free EstimatesInstallation Available � Special Orders Available

COME AND VISIT OUR SHOWROOM TODAY!847-3288 � 2006 REPUBLICAN ST �HONOLULU

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Easy to Install • Durable • Realistic Wood VisualsBest Industry Warranties (up to Lifetime Warranty)

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Best Prices GuaranteedWith Installation of the Same Equipment

Over 30 Years Track Record • Free Estimates on Split Systems• We Sell, Service, Install & Repair

We also sell Portable A/C’s, Split Systems, Window & Thru the Wall A/C’s, Flush Mount A/C’s

Before you buy a split system, make sure you’re buying the highest energy savings available. The higher the EER the more you save.

Visit us at: www.aireconditionershoppe.com#410Gas

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e-mail: cjpetersonservices@cjpetersonservices.comwww.cjpetersonservices.net

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Specializing In:• Heliodyne Solar Hot Water Systems • Sanyo & Enphase PV Systems • Attic Breeze - Solar Fan

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From design build and full remodeling to complete construction, Hawaii’s Interior Design Center has everything you need to build your home or business.

DESIGN. BUILD.

• Cabinets & Countertops• Hardwood & Laminate Floors• Marble, Stone and Tile

• Doors• Vinyl• Carpet

C# 17021

Updating your homeor building a newone is about to get a

whole lot easier.Oahu homeowners and

landlords can get answersto all of their renovationquestions at either of two“Building to Your Lifestyle”seminars being presentedby HK Construction.“These informative semi-

nars are free, fun and opento the public,” says compa-ny vice president AlanTwu. “If you’re thinking of

building or remodeling forthe first time, this seminarwill help you understandthe process a homeownerwill go through from startto finish.”The “Building to Your

Lifestyle” seminars willtake place this week atPearl Country Club —Thursday, April 21 from 6to 8 p.m., and at Ward

Warehouse Friday, April 22from 6 to 8 p.m.A bank representative

will be on hand to giveoptions and answer anyfinancing questions.“Most of all, we get peo-

ple one step closer to hav-ing the home they’vealways dreamed of for theirfamily,” says Twu.At the end of the seminar,

participants will be invitedto meet one-on-one withHK Construction designconsultants for advice.“HK Construction is a

kamaaina company that hasbuilt hundreds of qualityhomes and home improve-ments throughout Oahu,”says Twu. “We have morethan 35 years of experiencein the construction indus-try. Our staff offers a fullrange of services with the

knowledge and designingcapabilities to build to yourunique lifestyle.”“As a local company, we

want to give our clients a“One-stop Shop” that youdon’t often see anymorebecause many companiesbecome very specialized,”Micah Keoho says. “We areable to offer a wide array ofservices, and are able tocontrol costs and offer bet-ter quality because we keepit in-house.”“Although some contrac-

tors dread the thought ofwarranties, I can tell you

with full confidence thatHK Construction is notafraid of warranties. Weback our work 100 percentand are not happy until ourcustomers are happy,” saysTwu, who represents thefourth generation ofbuilders in his family.HK Construction tackles

projects ranging from newhome construction andmajor additions to com-plete interior renovations.Team members guide andinspire homeownersthroughout the design andbuilding process.

“They were very profes-sional and efficient in pro-viding their services, andwere very knowledgeableas well as friendly, whichmade me very comfortablewith them,” says CynthiaLai, a recent customer. “Iwould highly recommendthem to anyone who needswork done to their homes.”For a free estimate or to

reserve a spot at this week’sfree “Build to YourLifestyle” seminars, call753-5643. Or, to learn moreabout the company, log onto www.hkchawaii.com.

Seminars OfferBuilding Tips


HAWAIIRENOVATION

HK C O N S T R U C T I O N

Homeowners have

known for years

that remodeling a

kitchen or bathroom can

recoup as much or more

than the cost of the job.

Recent studies in Honolulu

have shown that replacement

of an old and worn garage

door can recoup the home-

owner between 120 percent

and 180 percent of the job

cost, depending on the qual-

ity and features of the

garage door. This is due to

the enhanced curb appeal

of the property with a new

and attractive garage door.

The garage door is the

largest moving part of the

house and for most prop-

erties is the first or second

part of the house one sees

from the street.

Garage doors are available

in galvanized steel, vinyl,

fiberglass, aluminum and

wood. Most doors are avail-

able one-sided, insulated

and two-sided with insula-

tion. Even a modest new

one-sided garage door will

allow the homeowner to

recoup well above the door

cost in added resale value

to the house. Higher-priced

specialty aluminum and

wood doors will add a

modest amount to the house

value above the cost of the

door and well in excess of

the cost recouped by other

home renovation projects.

Servco Raynor offers a

wide variety of door styles

and sizes in all materials.

Wood door construction for

the Arbor Shore product

line utilizes vertical grain

lumber, fully matured Alaskan

Western Red Cedar, and

uniform wood-tone consis-

tency, all with lead times as

short as four weeks. No

other manufacturer can deliv-

er this level of quality like

Raynor can.

ArborShore offers a wide

variety of options in both

Swing-Out and Bi-Fold

designs, as well as several

hardware and glass options.

The ArborShore door sec-

tions are warranted for five

years to the original pur-

chaser. Doors ordered with

the Deluxe Stain Option,

featuring a second clear top

coat, receive an additional

year, for a total of six years.

Eight different stain options

are available.

All other Servco Raynor

doors have limited lifetime

warranties for as long as the

original purchaser owns the

home. A wide variety of oper-

ators and accessories are avail-

able for all of these doors,

including battery back-up.

All Raynor garage doors

are installed and serviced

by experienced and qualified

Servco Raynor technicians.

Visit Servco Raynor

Overhead Doors’ showroom

at 2841 Pukoloa St. in

Mapunapuna or visit the

company online at

www.servcoraynor.com. The

showroom is open Monday

through Friday 10 a.m. – 6

p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.

– 3 p.m. by appointment.

Free Seminar• How and Where to Start • Find a Reputable Builder • Financing Options

• Design for Comfort & Savings; Accessible & Multigeneration Living

Sat., April 239-11 A.M.

Honolulu Country Club

Call: 593-2808or register online at:

www.grahambuilders.com

BC-16446

Before

After

• Tubs, Showers, Counters, Vanities, any type of Wall Surrounds

• Rust, Fiberglass, Tile Crack Repair and Refinishing

• The thickest tub liners available on the market

• Specialist in Cost Effective Alternatives for property managers, realtors, hotels,homeowners & senior citizens

• Walk through tub cut for Seniorsor disabled

• Complete remodeling consultation

All Island BathCall for a Free Estimate 358-7780 • www.allislandbath.com

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Visit for coupon & specials @ www.partshawaii.com www.reliableparts.comRepairing is Recycling


HAWAIIRENOVATION

SERVCO RAYNORO V E R H E A D D O O R S

and

forAn open shut case

new garage doors

It’s always a wonder-ful feeling to reno-vate and install

something brand new.There’s a sense ofaccomplishment and anappreciation of aestheticsand beauty that comesalong with completing ajob that you’ve alwayswanted done. Sometimes, however,

there may not actually beanything really wrong withyour home. Sometimesyour kitchen counter tops,your shower surround, or your stonefloors are perfectly fine, but over theyears they just don’t look the same.Without proper maintenance, themost beautiful tiles or stone starts tofeel drab as dirt and grime penetrateinto improperly sealed materials orthe grout lines darken through yearsof accumulated dust. In some cases

people have to deal with efflores-cence coming up through the bottomof the stone. One of the specialties at Hawaii

Home Expo is to refresh your home,to get your beautiful stone clean tothe point where you can be proud ofit again. Our teams of Dry TreatAccredited Applicators are trained touse our alkali cleaners in conjunction

with a high-pressure vaporizer to takeback the look that time has eroded.And for the grout lines that arebeyond even our ability to restore, thepenetrating grout color system canbreathe life back into any tarnishedfloor or counter. Lastly, the applica-tors will seal everything properlybacked by a 15-year Dry Treat manu-facturer’s warranty. The moleculesin the sealant bond permanently inthe pores of any stone, tile or grout toprevent problems with efflorescenceand to stop mold and dirt from pene-trating your restored home. You cantake back the beauty and luster ofyour home that time has tried to takeaway and we can help.Call Hawaii Home Expo at 695-

EXPO or visit the company show-room at 2933 Koapaka St. in Honolulu.

Earth Day is a time for us to reflect on the state of our environment and to raise awareness on ways we can create a sustainable future for our world.

RevoluSun is committed to spreading the value of solar power and bringing a cleaner, smarter energy solution to our communities, one rooftop at a time.

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Graham Builders, Hawaii’spremier design and buildfirm, has seen many

trends in the home buildingindustry throughout its 20-yearhistory. One recent designtrend, in fact, is utilizing rainscreens — a system for installinga wide variety of exterior sidingmaterials that creates airspacebetween the siding and the exte-rior surface of the wall frame.Rain screens perform doubleduty as a contemporary designelement and provide a sleek,modern look to Hawaii homes,as well as enhance the comfortand longevity of the home.“One exciting development

we’re seeing at GrahamBuilders is installing exteriorsidings such as rain screens,which gives our designers more

versatility in how standardmaterials can be applied to ahome’s exterior wall,” saidEvan Fujimoto, GrahamBuilders president. “Whetherwe’re using traditional woodsidings, products such asHardiplank, Hardipanel orother phenolic or aluminumwall-cladding systems, thisinstallation method liberatesour designers to create innova-tive patterns and shapes.Essentially, siding elements

are attached to vertical or hori-zontal battens with a quarter-inch or wider gaps betweeneach piece of siding material.

The entire siding assembly isseparated from the exteriorwall a minimum of three-quar-ter inches, which allows thewall to breathe according toFujimoto. “You will start to see more

use of these systems in bothcommercial and residentialprojects here in Hawaii. From acommercial perspective, youcan see such a system at theHonolulu Design Center build-ing,” he said. “Its metallicorange and silver panels areactually a rain screen whichprovides protection from therain and sun in a strikinglymodern grid pattern.”There are several benefits to

using this type of system. First,the gap between the siding andthe wall prevents moisture and

mold accumulation within wallcavities or between wall layers.Constant airflow behind thesiding and wall helps to dry outmoisture that would ordinarilybecome trapped and begindeteriorating the wall’s compo-nents. Second, the air gap min-imizes heat transfer from thesiding to wall and into thehome’s interior. Third, rain screen systems

provide Graham Buildersdesigners with a freshapproach to enliven the exteri-or elevations of homes — away of achieving a modern aes-thetic as an alternative to sid-ings installed the traditionalway. Walls with a variety ofgrid patterns or tightly spaced

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GRAHAMB U I L D E R S

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HAWAIIRENOVATION

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To ensure cabinetquality, Bekin ordershigh-quality, solidwood directly fromNorth America, and allthe construction ismade of 3/4-inch thicksolid plywood. Allthese elements com-bine to make it possiblefor all our cabinets tolast 10 years longerthan your typical stan-dard or the cheap-gradecabinets.

“I want to thank allmy customers for theirloyalty. Because ofthem, most of my newbusiness comes fromreferrals,” says JoshChen, kitchen designerfor Bekin Cabinets. “Wehave more and moreprojects that are recog-nized by the kitchenand bath industry, aswell as the community.”A one-stop shop for

kitchen and bath remod-eling needs, Bekin hasprovided products andservices to more than600 families over thepast three years.

“As of April, weexpanded our ware-house and showroom by50 percent. We areinvesting more tostrengthen our signa-ture Bekin One StopService,” Chen says.“Ultimately, my goal isno different than yourgoal — One-StopService and helping youto save money withoutsacrificing style andquality.”Visit the company’s

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Simplify storageThe bathroom is host to

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shelves and decorativejars, can add some sanityand style to your bath, andluckily many solutions areextremely inexpensive. Both men and women

ranked leaving clothes ortowels on the floor as theirsecond biggest pet peevein the Moen survey, andthis percentage increaseswhen the bathroom is alsoshared with children.

Hooks are an ideal solu-tion to keep items, fromtowels to robes, close athand, yet off the floor.Most accessory collectionsoffer matching robe hooks— or for a tool-free instal-lation, try a new towel baror shower rod hook, an S-shaped hook that fits rightonto your current towelbar or shower rod. And, since 20 percent of

men think that leaving toi-letries on the counter is anannoyance, adding a shelfnear the sink can be help-ful to keep the vanity neatand clean. To also main-tain a stylish look, use dec-orative jars on the shelf toconceal items rangingfrom cotton balls to tooth-brushes.

Green with envyWhen tackling your

remodeling project, followthe lead of the experts at theNational Kitchen and BathAssociation. Their mostrecent report states thatgreen tones are the hottestnew trend, increasing inpopularity from 14 to 24percent of bathroomremodels in the last year.

So, whether you add asplash of green to yourwalls or a hint with bathtowels — your new stylishbath will surely be the envyof your guests.With minimal investment

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HAWAIIRENOVATION

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It’s that time of year whenhomeowners look aroundtheir property and start

mentally creating a list of to-doprojects. Sometimes these proj-ects are minor, like changingout accents in the bathroom.Other times the project can endup being a complete remodelthat requires the right tools andstrategy.

If you’ve taken that brave stepto committing yourself to ahome improvement project,congratulations — you’ve wonhalf the battle. The next hurdleto overcome is successfullypreparing yourself for the taskat hand. Minor adjustments cansave you time and money downthe road so it’s important that

you do yourhomework inadvance. Beforegetting started,consider the tipsbelow. Thesehandy hints canhelp you maxi-mize projectresults andavoid unneces-sary stress.

• Prioritize. Put simply, don’tbite off more than you canchew. When taking on homeprojects, remember to considerquality over quantity. There isno sense in rushing throughone project just to cross it offthe list. Decide what upgrades

are most important and paythem their due diligence.Identify what requires yourimmediate attention, and whatcan wait. More importantly,recognize when you're in overyour head and don’t be afraidto enlist professional help.

• Update your tool box.We create more work forourselves by not investingin quality tools thataddress multiple projectneeds. The right tool cangive you professional-looking results while dra-matically reducing frustra-tion. The new RotoZipZipSaw is outfitted to han-dle applications in a vari-

ety of materials,including tile, woodand metal. Frominstalling new floor-ing to removing oldbathroom grout, thispowerful cuttingtool combines thebest features of anglegrinders and jambsaws to tacklestraight, curved,notched and flushcuts with ease.

• Plan a budget.Identify how muchyou’re able to spendand stick to it. No

sense in taking on debt or refi-nancing your home just to keepup with the Joneses. If youcan’t afford the kitchen remod-el this year, consider investingin smaller updates that won'tgo unnoticed. You’d be sur-prised how updated appliances

or a simple paint job can addnew life to your home. There isalways the risk of unforeseencosts; research common proj-ect pitfalls and try to eliminatethose possibilities. Don’t forgetto incorporate the cost of toolsif you're not hiring help.

• Set regular goals. Thehome improvement processcan be overwhelming, so it’simportant to set goals foreach portion of the project.These ongoing check pointsare rewarding and can helpmotivate you to keep going.Remember to use these inter-vals to take a break and clearyour head. The time offallows you to come at the nextstep fresh, ultimately mini-mizing fatigue and frustra-tion. Regular breaks alsoenable you to monitor yourproject supplies and stock upas needed.

Don’t let project logisticsintimidate you to push offhome updates yet another sea-son. Home improvement is amarathon, not a sprint. Takeyour time and trust that the endresult will be well-worth youreffort. With the right tools andproper preparation, you canavoid costly mistakes and tack-le that to-do list like a pro.


for tackling home improvement projectswith ease

TipsHAWAIIRENOVATION

horizontal or vertical battens in a wide array of sizes,patterns and colors opens up a whole new universe ofideas.“Graham Builders is currently designing this sys-

tem for a new home in Waimanalo,” said Fujimoto.“Standard four-by-eight Hardipanel siding will beoriented horizontally and affixed to vertical battensthat are attached to the exterior wall frame. Two-by-three horizontal wood battens will be installed inrows every 12 inches on the outer surface of the sid-ing, giving this home a dramatic exterior wall eleva-tion. It’s a contemporary play on the traditional ver-tical board and batten siding you typically see inplantation-style homes. The design looks beautifuland it will keep the house cooler installed as a rainscreen system.”For those interested in learning more about the

rain screen siding system, Graham Builders will hostits “Building Your Home For Life” seminar Saturday,April 23, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Honolulu Country Club.The seminar is free, but reservations are required. For a full list of 2011 seminars or to register, visit

www.grahambuilders.com.

As the negative effects ofhuman impact on theenvironment become

more evident, a strong pushtoward global conservationcontinues to grow and gathersteam. Scores of corporationshave committed to becomingmore "green" in recent years,and countless environment-focused initiatives and organi-zations have popped up aroundthe world. But even on an indi-vidual level, some smallchanges to your lifestyle canmake a big difference in pre-

serving the Earth for futuregenerations.

RecycleThough the Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) hasbeen encouraging Americans torecycle for decades, a recentstudy found that less than 34percent of the nation's wastewas recovered or recycled in2009, while 12 percent wasburned at combustion facilitiesand the remaining 54 percentwent to landfills. Recycling andcomposting saved 82 million

tons of materi-al from beingdumped orburned in2009, preserv-ing the coun-try's air andland immense-

ly. To find out more about recy-cling, composting and how yourfamily can help preserve theenvironment, visitwww.epa.gov/epawaste.

Fume-freeWith vehicles constantly

emitting harmful chemicals intothe atmosphere, it is importantto avoid products that put offhazardous components when-ever possible. In some situa-tions, this is simply a matter ofchoosing an environmentallyresponsible brand over another.

For instance, when paintingyour home, make sure to use abrand that offers a formula withlittle or no volatile organiccompounds (VOCs). Pratt &Lambert RedSeal Zero paintoffers optimal coverage and aprofessional finish in a zero-VOC base (some colors maynot be zero-VOC after tintingwith conventional colorants).And with one of the largestcolor libraries in the industry,Pratt & Lambert will pleaseboth your inner designer andenvironmentalist.

Boycott bottles.Although plastic bottles are

recyclable, more than 80 per-cent are thrown out, creatingmore than1.5 milliontons of

waste each year. Add this to thefact that tap water costs an esti-mated .002 cents per gallonwhile many Americans paymore than $1 per bottle, and bot-tled water is taking a huge tollon the U.S. landfills and wallets.Purchase a water filter for yourhome and fill a reusable waterbottle from the filtered tap;you'll be saving the environ-ment as well as your bankaccount, and your taste budswon't know the difference.

By making small adjust-ments to your lifestyle, youcan make a lasting impact onthe environment and keep theworld safe and beautiful forgenerations to come.

FROM PAGE 11

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BACKPAGECOVERSTORY

The secret to cost-effective kitchenand bath improve-

ments, according to GeraldPeters, general manager ofHPS Construction Services,is to reject notions that youhave to move drains andother plumbing or electri-cal wiring to accomplishsuch tasks. Neither do youhave to suffer throughdrafting/plans and permittime and engineeringreview agony and frustra-tion, he adds, to get a reallynice-looking, modern andfunctional kitchen and bath— and all at a low price.

Peters says dependingon the level of change,and whether there iscurrent water or otherdamage, these upgradescan be had for $3,500-$8,500 for baths, includ-ing tub-to-shower con-versions. The “plug-in”approach, Peters adds,also is perfect to savebig on kitchen remod-els. He says that the$9,000-$15,000 pricerange for kitchens cansave you up to 40 per-cent over the oldapproach of tear-it-out-and-start-anew.

There are many right-off-the-shelf availableand cost-effective choic-es for tile, readymadevanities, countertops,faucets and shower fix-tures, shower kits, medi-

cine chests and framedmirrors, sliding andswing shower doors,handicap and assist grabbars, built-in soap andshampoo niches, towelbars and rings.

Furthermore, choos-ing the contractor whois open to helping youplan your budget andhelp you find and evalu-ate the finish-productchoices, will result ingetting the nicest fix-tures at the right budg-et. For example, youdon’t have to argue withyour contractor aboutwhy they installed a $49faucet, which lookscrummy, when so manywonderful choices areavailable for under$100.

Also, a major area ofconcern on choosing theright bid, is to determinehow detailed the pro-posal is, and whether itaddresses potentialunforeseen problems,such as termite andwater damage.

Another warning onupgrades, remodels,repairs and bigger proj-ects is to watch out forlow-ball base pricing

to get you hooked, butthen you get add-onsand more add-ons forthings you thought wereincluded, Peters says.Unforeseen damage,clearly spelled out inadvance, is a legitimateadd-on, but only when itis really necessary. Onthe other hand, keep inmind that you, as aclient, cannot add thingsin that weren’t dis-cussed.

Peters says thatassuming a handyman orso-called contractor(one without a license)knows everything aboutthe project or jobs youhave for them is a mis-take. A state GeneralExcise Tax license is nota contracting license, headds.

Check and doublecheck whom you chooseto do business with. HPSoffers licensed handy-man services in additionto kitchen and bathupgrades and remodels.The company also spe-cializes in general con-tracting services, as wellas hurricane protectionfor nearly 20 years.

An important thing

not to overlook is that asa large segment of theHawaii populationenters its golden years,one-bathroom homesshould be converted toinclude a walk-in show-er with assist bars on thewalls, Peters says.

Taking out and replacingone of your tubs with a lowor flat threshold walk-inshower is much moreusable than ordering one ofthe so-called walk-in tubs,which usually cost morefor the tub and shippingalone than the entire job toconvert from tub-to-walk-in shower. Furthermore,beyond unaffordable pric-ing, these tubs areextremely problematic rel-ative to the swing-in hatch-es developing leaks.

You can install a built-in bench in the walk-inshower and also a con-venient sliding,adjustable shower head.This enables you to takecomfortable, water-sav-ing showers and save

thousands of gallons ofwater. Most important,the renovated shower issafer than a tub androomier also. That’sbecause tubs have aninward slope that takesup space.

Opting to merely cutout a slice of your tuband use a shower curtainis a heartache waiting tohappen. Not only dothese showers lookawful, but the open sec-tions allow water to rotthe floors, rust the tubs,or create large amountsof mold. But for a couplethousand dollars more,you can get it right andenhance your daily liv-ing experience and theresale value of yourhome or condo.

HPS and Peters can bereached at 847-4400 orby email at [email protected]. The companyalso can be contactedonline at hpsconstruc-tionser vices.com andhurricaneprotect.com.

You, too, can have a quality bathroom upgrade/remodel, a tub-to-shower conversion, and even a new kitchen for less than you think

GettingPlugged In

HPS C O N S T R U C T I O NS E R V I C E S

hawaii renovation 17 april 2011

Documents

small space

illusion of space

small eating area

bright space

room light

tinygalley kitchen

s kitchen

golden cabinets