vol. 44 no. 12 serving 2000 engineers & land surveyors

VOL. 44 NO. 12 SERVING 2000 ENGINEERS & LAND SURVEYORS FEBRUARY, 2009

(continued on page 10)

2009 HCES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTAWARD WINNERDr. Alfred A. Yee

In 1997, the Hawaii Council Of EngineeringSocieties instituted the “HCES Lifetime AchievementAward” which is designed to recognize the lifetimeachievements of a deserving engineer. This annualrecognition is given to an individual who has con-tributed significantly to the development of engineer-ing in the State of Hawaii and who has made a note-worthy impact on the local engineering community.The award is presented annually during the HawaiiEngineers’ Week Banquet to be held this year on February 21, 2009.

It is a great honor to announce the winner of this year’s 2009 HawaiiCouncil of Engineering Societies Lifetime Achievement Award - Dr. Alfred A.Yee.

Dr. Yee has been a Hawaii-registered structural engineer since 1955. Heis also a registered professional engineer in California, Guam, Texas, andSingapore. Dr. Yee served as the Structural Engineers Association ofHawaii’s first president in 1970. He is the holder of numerous patents, engi-neering awards and recognitions.

A number of Honolulu’s most recognizable structures have been designedby Alfred A. Yee and Associates. These include: The Arizona Memorial,Kahala Hilton, Ilikai Hotel, Ala Moana Hotel, IBM Building, Honolulu MunicipalOffice Building and the Amfac Towers. Many of these projects have beenrecognized for his pioneering and innovative use of precast/prestressed con-crete.

2009 ENGINEER OF THE YEARDr. Dennis I. Hirota, P.E., L.P.L.S.

The Hawaii Society of Professional Engineers isproud to recognize Dr. Dennis I. Hirota, P.E., L.P.L.S.,as the recipient of the 2009 Engineer of the Year. Dr.Hirota was nominated by the Hawaii Land SurveyorsAssociation and Robert Akinaka, P.E., Chairman ofAkinaka & Associates, Ltd.

Dr. Hirota is one of the most experienced civil engi-neers in the application of automation technology forthe improvement of the design engineering profes-sion. Dr. Hirota is currently President of Sam O.Hirota, Inc. and has designed many of the built landmarks of Hawaii, whiletrying to research and improve the design process.

A graduate of Punahou School, Dr. Hirota obtained his BSCE, MSE, andPhD degrees in civil and sanitary engineering from the University of Michiganand is a member of Chi Epsilon. After attending the University of Michigan,Dr. Hirota served in the United States Air Force and achieved the rank of cap-tain while serving as a research environmental engineer at Air ForceWeapons Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico as well as anadjunct professor at the University of New Mexico teaching graduate levelcivil engineering.

In 1971, Dr. Hirota returned to Hawaii and joined Sam O. Hirota, Inc., athird-generation family operated civil engineering and surveying consultingcompany founded by his father 45 years ago that currently includes a staffof 23 employees including professional engineers and land surveyors. Thefirm specializes in design/build military projects, resort residential projects,

(continued on page 10

2009 YOUNG ENGINEER OF THE YEARJeoffrey S. Cudiamat, P.E.

On behalf of the Hawaii Council of EngineeringSocieties, the Filipino American League of Engineersand Architects is proud to announce Mr. Jeoffrey S.Cudiamat as the recipient of the 2009 YoungEngineer of the Year Award. Mr. Cudiamat wasnominated by the Cold-Formed Steel EngineersInstitute (CFSEI) and the Filipino-American League ofEngineers and Architects (FALEA) for his outstandingachievements and contributions to his professionand community.

Throughout his educational and professional careers, Mr. JeoffreyCudiamat has been a high achiever. After graduating as valedictorian atPearl City High School, he attended the University of Southern California(USC) under a Dean’s Scholarship. Cudiamat graduated with high honorsobtaining a Bachelors of Science degree in civil engineering under the archi-tectural-engineering program. Actively involved in numerous student organi-zations, he continuously contributed his talents to American Society of CivilEngineers (ASCE), JEP mentoring program, Hawaii Club, Troy Philippines,USC Lacrosse team and various other groups. He was bestowed member-ship into Chi Epsilon National Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi National HonorSociety, and Golden Key National Honor Society. His legacy as a USCTrojan is remembered as being one of the founding fathers for Zeta Phi Rhofraternity, whose philanthropy is Habit for Humanity. Jeoffrey Cudiamatattended University of Hawaii at Manoa for a Masters Degree in structuralengineering; and his research involves testing of carbon fiber pins to increasethe shear capacity when retrofitting existing flat slab concrete construction.

Early in his career, the majority of Jeoffrey Cudiamat’s structural and civil


2009 STUDENT ENGINEER OF THE YEARReece Iwami

Reece Iwami was one of only 20 studentsstatewide to receive a UH Regents Scholarship as agraduating high school senior. Upon enrolling in theDepartment of Electrical Engineering at theUniversity of Hawaii, Reece joined the UH CubeSatProgram in his freshman year, and he has been anintegral part of the team ever since. Reece has notonly been a motivated and productive team member,but has taken on a leadership role.

Since his junior year, he has led a team of 10 stu-dents ranging from freshmen through graduate students. The team isfocused on developing a standardized bus – something that CubeSat pro-grams nationwide have seen striving toward. Reece’s team’s bus ideas havebeen used in recent proposals to the Air Force of Scientific Research and theNational Science Foundation. Reece assisted in writing an Air Force Office ofScientific Research proposal, and should it get funded, he will serve as thestudent lead for the project. His work on the CubeSat program has also ledto three co-authored publications, with one more in preparation.

Reece was awarded a NASA Space Grant Traineeship and Fellowship,which helped fund his work on mobile ground station development and pla-nar antennas. His video on the mobile ground station was viewed by NASASpace Grant Consortium Directors across the nation, and received favorablereviews, including an invitation from the AIAA to write a book chapter on it.Reece is a co-author on that chapter now undergoing review.

In addition to his work on small satellites, Reece was also recognized witha national $10,000 scholarship this academic year. He was one of only ~20undergraduates to be recognized as a National Consortium for MASINT


Wiliki_Feb09REV:Wiliki Sept06 1/21/09 3:54 PM

Published monthly by:

HAWAII COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING SOCIETIES

SERVICE PRINTERS, INC.1829 Dillingham Boulevard • Honolulu, HI 96819

Telephone: (808) 841-7644 • Fax: (808) 847-1487ADDRESS ARTICLES FOR PUBLICATION TO:

WARREN YAMAMOTO1526-C Pukele Avenue • Honolulu, HI 96816

Telephone: 768-3725

WILIKI MAILING LISTAdditions and/or corrections to the

Wiliki mailing list should indicate the prop-er society, institution or association.Corrections to email addresses should besubmitted to your society coordinator.

Laverne HigaDepartment of Design and Construction650 S. King Street, 11th FloorHonolulu, Hawaii 96825Work: 808-768-8442Fax: 523-4567Email: [email protected]

HAWAII COUNCILof

ENGINEERING SOCIETIES

P.O. Box 2873HONOLULU, HAWAII 96802

HOME PAGE: http://hces.us

2008-2009 OFFICERSChair: Walter Billingsley 846-3232Vice Chair: Dr. Song ChoiSecretary: Grant Torigoe Treasurer: Samuel Dannaway

SOC Representative AlternateAACE M. Uyehara T. TaamASHRAE J. TingASCE R. Iwamoto L. FongASME D. Kam J. AhernCFSEI W. WongEAH M. McMorrow G. YamamotoFALEA S. AgraanHLSA E. Hee D. HirotaHSPEIEEE G. Torigoe O. LibedITESAME T. BarnesSEAOH D. DoiSFPE S. DannawayUH(assoc) S. Choi

The Society of

FIREPROTECTIONENGINEERS

www.sfpehawaii.org

OFFICERSPresident Melvin K. Harano, P.E. 848-6966

[email protected] Robert T. Bigtas, P.E. 526-9019

[email protected] Derick Kam 848-6966

[email protected] Samuel S. Dannaway, P.E. 526-9019

[email protected]

2009 Engineers Week BanquetSaturday, February 21, 2009Hale Ikena, Fort Shafter Golf Course(Admission to Fort Shafter will be arranged for registered attendees)

5:30 p.m. Cocktails6:30 p.m. Dinner7:15 p.m. Program:

• Presentation of Engineers Week Exhibit Awards.• Presentation of Engineer of the Year, Young Engineer of the Year, HCES

Lifetime Achievement and Student Engineer of the Year Awards.• Guest Speaker – Mr. Wally Amos, Motivational Speaker, father of the gourmet

cookie industry, author of “The Cookie Never Crumbles, Inspirational Recipesfor Everyday Living,” host and teacher of 50 adult basic learning programs onPBS, and former talent agent for The Supremes and Marvin Gaye.

• Installation of 2009 HCES officers.

Contact Person/Organization ____________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________

Telephone___________________________ e-mail___________________________________

Special guests have been invited to attend the banquet. These guests may include theGovernor, mayors of each county and key engineers in their cabinets.Would you like to sponsor an invited guest to sit at your table? Please circle one: Y NIf yes, we will contact you to link you with available invited guests.

Tables seat 10 people.

Rates are $40.00 for registration(s) postmarked on or before February 10, 2009, $50 forregistration(s) postmarked after February 10 and $30.00 for students. Please type or printthe name and company/organization affiliation of each attendee. Keep two seats open ifyou have elected to sponsor an invited guest.

Name Company or Organization

1. ________________________________ ______________________________________

2. ________________________________ ______________________________________

3. ________________________________ ______________________________________

4. ________________________________ ______________________________________

5. ________________________________ ______________________________________

6. ________________________________ ______________________________________

7. ________________________________ ______________________________________

8. ________________________________ ______________________________________

9. ________________________________ ______________________________________

10. ________________________________ ______________________________________

Number of people attending (except students): _________ x $40.00 or $50.00 = _________

Number of students attending: _________ x $30.00 = _________

Sponsored Guest (2 x $40.00 = $80.00) = _________

TOTAL AMOUNT REMITTED _________

Make checks payable to “HCES” and mail with completed reservation form to:2009 Engineers Week Banquetc/o Samuel S. Dannaway, P.E.HCES TreasurerS.S. Dannaway Associates, Inc.720 Iwilei Road, Suite 412Honolulu, HI 96817-5316Telephone: 808-526-9019

If you have any questions, please contact HCES Chair Walter Billingsley at [email protected], telephone 846-3232 or HCES Vice Chair Dr. Song Choi at [email protected],telephone 956-8408 / 7727.

Wiliki_Feb09REV:Wiliki Sept06 1/21/09 3:54 PM Page 2

“Creating Slide Shows &Presentations” at his vaca-tion house in Ewa Beach. Itis free to members ofFALEA and a nominalcharge for others. Juny isalso HCES’ WebsiteAdministrator - and hedoes this with a passionthat is reflected in his ownwebsite, the Hawaiian-Webmaster. Check it out.

Thanks to Joey for hisongoing updates of ourWebsite. Check it for infoabout upcoming activitiesincluding our FE Reviewschedule which should bestarting later this Month.We need everyone’s coop-eration. Individuals areassigned certain “hosting”duties on various dates.The location will be atJeoffrey’s office inAiea. Thanks.

Folks, the Year of theCarabao has just begun,and more activities are inthe offing. For one, theFilipino Fiesta Parade isjust around the corner(May 9th) and if we cangenerate an overwhelminginterest, it would be a goodactivity to be involved in torevitalize FALEA’s participa-tion in this event. HAPPYNEW YEAR TO ALL!

www.FBIjobs.gov

Become an FBI Special Agent.We are currently seeking Special Agentcandidates in the following critical skill areas:Intelligence experience • Computer Science or IT • Engineering • Physical Science • Accounting/Finance • Law • LawEnforcement or other Investigative experience • Militaryexperience • or Foreign Language (Arabic, Chinese – all dialects,Korean, Urdu, Farsi, Dari, Russian, Albanian, Indonesian, Hebrew,Swahili, Spanish, Punjabi, Tamil, Pashto, Hindi, and Turkish) • and many other disciplines.

To qualify for the position of FBI Special Agent, you must possess a four-year college degree plus three years of professional workexperience; be available for assignment anywhere in the FBI’sjurisdiction; be between the ages of 23 and 36; and be inexcellent physical condition with the ability to pass a rigorousphysical fitness test.rigorous physical fitness test.

Professional Staff opportunities exist in the following areas:• Management • Human Resources • Technical • Trade &Maintenance • Administrative • Budget/Finance • PoliceOfficers/Security • Facilities • Investigative Specialties • and many more.

To apply, visit: www.FBIjobs.govThe FBI is an equal opportunity employer.

Society of American Military Engineers, Honolulu Postand

Hawaii Council of Engineering Societiesinvite you to participate in the

2009 ENGINEER’S WEEK KICK-OFF LUNCHEONPresentation: Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative

Speaker: Theodore A. PeckAdministrator, Strategic Industries Division, DBED&T

Hale Koa Hotel, Banyan Tree ShowroomTuesday, February 17, 2009 at 11:30 AM

Luncheon Cost: $27.50**$13.75 for Students

RSVP by: Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Send this form and payment to:Society of American Military Engineers, Honolulu Post

c/o William Greenough Booz Allen Hamilton

733 Bishop Street, Suite 3000Honolulu, HI 96813

(Make checks payable to Society of American Military Engineers)

Name: _____________________________________________________________________________

Organization*: _______________________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ________________________ Email: ___________________________________________

Number in Party: ______ x $27.50 (or $13.75 for students) = Total $ ________________________

Receipt required: No ______ Yes ______

LUNCH: Warrior Buffet*Students please indicate school and program

P.O. Box 4135, Honolulu, Hawaii 96812Website: http://www.falea.org

2008-2010 Officers and BoDirectors President: John C. RamosVice Pres/Pres Elect: Elvi B. PinedaSecretary: Zosima S. AgraanTreasurer: Marisol TaconAsst. Treasurer: Nicolo A. OrenseAuditor: William A. RapisuraBusiness Manager: Angelie L. LegaspiPublic Relations Officer: Joey G. ResurreccionPast President: Napoleon Q. Agraan

HIGHLIGHTS - BOARD MEETING JANUARY2, 2009

Elvi Pineda has been busy with the upcomingFALEA Foundation Golf TournamentScholarship Fundraiser. The Committee hasbeen meeting at the Kapolei Golf Course. Thework is just starting and we need all the help wecan get. If you have any inputs or suggestions,please contact Elvi. Continue your solicitations.We need more sponsors and/or participants.Again the date is March 27th at Kapolei GolfCourse.

Jeoffrey S. Cudiamat, as you already know isgoing to be the HCES’ Young Engineer of theYear for 2009. The HCES Banquet is February21st at Hale Ikena (Fort Shafter). Mark your cal-endars - it’s a dinner event. Besides the YoungEngineer’s Award there will also be the Engineerof the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awardspresented at that time. Also as mentioned in aseparate e-mail, Jeoffrey is the new appointee inMayor Mufi’s cabinet as the Chief Engineer andDirector of Facilities Maintenance for the C&C ofHonolulu. Another appointee is Manny S.Lanuevo as Deputy Director for EnvironmentalServices.

Elvi has already started distributing FALEA’sformal invitation to our Valentine’sDinner/Banquet at the Ala Moana Hotel onFebruary 14. All BoD Members are expected tohelp out in soliciting and passing the word out forattendance commitments. The maximum capac-ity of the room is only 130 people – so seating ison a first come, first serve basis. So, reserveASAP. FALEA dancers, heads up and get yourdancing shoes ready as we’ll be a part of theevening’s line dance entertainment. More on thislater. Any other talents that you may want toshare on this occasion, let Elvi know.

Juny Laputt is also continuing his regular Mini-Seminars on “Creating a Website,” as well as

HONOLULU POST

SOCIETY OF AMERICANMILITARY ENGINEERSEstablished 1920 --Dedicated to the National Defense

P.O. Box 31218, Honolulu, HI 96817Web page: http://posts.same.org/honolulu/

Honolulu 2008 Post OfficersPresident Todd Barnes1st VP (Programs) Bryan Zachmeier2nd VP(Sustaining Members) Will Boudra3rd VP (Membership) Jerry MatsudaSecretary MAJ Jon HendersenTreasurer LTC Robert Kroning, USA


Hawaii SectionThe AmericanSociety of

Mechanical Engineers

Website: www.sections.asme.org/hawaiiASME-HI 2008-2009 OfficersChairperson Edmund Chang 543-4227

[email protected] Derick Kam 848-6966

[email protected] Ronald Flegal 455-0265

[email protected] Kevin Dang 737-1708

[email protected] 2 yr Chester Kaitoku 768-8243

[email protected] 1 yr James Grogan 254-2947

[email protected] Raymond Liu 497-1395

[email protected] Rep Derick KamAlternate John Ahern

ASHRAEAmerican Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-ConditioningEngineers, Inc. Hawaii Chapter

P.O. BOX 1236 HONOLULU, HAWAII 96807

2008-09 OFFICERSPresident Joseph K. Ting, P.E.Pres.-Elect Albert Hahn, P.E.Vice Pres. Dicson AggabaoSecretary Tyson Toyama, P.E.Treasurer Michael Chang


February 09 Meetings Programs and Speakers are also announced on EAH WEB site http://eahawaii.google-pages.com/home and via weekly email notices.If you want to receive a weekly email meetingannouncement or want program details ContactSam Gillie ([email protected] 543-4739)

EAH Special AnnouncementAfter 65 years of meeting at the Richard Street

YWCA, the Engineers and Architects of Hawaiiwill be changing the location of the weekly EAHFriday Meetings. For the last number of yearsthe room rent has been increasing and EAH hasbeen subsidizing the members cost for the meet-ings. With the start of 2009 and the reopeningof the restaurant, the YWCA rent wasincreased beyond what EAH can afford.

Ralph Dobson found a downtown location inthe AMFAC Center (Ewa corner of Bishop andNimitz), which will provide a meeting room andvalidated parking included in the cost of thelunch. The EAH Board has approved this loca-tion and the next EAH Friday meeting (January23rd) will be held there.

The new location is at the Fort Street Grill in theTapa Tower in the AMFAC Center (this is the Ewatower on Fort Street). $2 validated parking will beavailable in the AMFAC parking (enter fromNimitz). The Fort Street Grill has been providingthe lunch at EAH for the last 9 months.

The WEB site will be updated to provide direc-tions and a Map. If you have questions pleasecall Sam Gillie (543-4739).

February 2009 meeting dates as follows:February 6, Speaker: Galen Coffman Esq.,

Docent, HIMB Coconut Island. Title: The Historyof Coconut Island. Description: An interestingand humorous account of the many charactersthat lived, visited or worked on the island.

February 13 – No Meeting – Holiday –President’s Day

February 20, Speaker: Bill Leary P.E. USNavy Consultant for Drydocks. Title: Changesin Modern Shipbuilding and LaunchingTechnology. Description: Alan Lloyd’s son-in-law, Bill will discuss the changes in shipbuildingfrom Rosie the Riveter up through and includingthe 1st decade of this millennium.

February 27, Speaker: David CoxPCSU/RCUH Senior Cultural ResourcesSpecialist US Army Garrison, Hawaii.Title: Schofield Barracks, Yesterday andToday. Description: A historical discussion ofSchofield.

Meeting notes: October 3rd, 2008 A Motion was made by Sam Gillie and

engineers andarchitects ofhawaii

founded 1902

po box 4353, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813An association for Hawaii’s Engineers and ArchitectsWEB address: http://eahawaii.googlepages.com/home

2008 – 2009 OfficersPresident Michael Albright 848-07511st VP Tina Sprague 531-30172nd VP C. S. Papacostas 956-6538Treasurer Tit Mun Chun Secretary Gary Yamamoto 485-2777Director Andy Keane 531-3017Director Aaron Erickson 591-2728Director Andy Keith 543-4523Director Howard Wiig 587-3811Past Pres Ardalan Nikou 523-8874

2009 TECHNICAL SEMINAR & PRODUCTSHOWFebruary 27, 2009East West CenterHawaii Imin InternationalUniversity of Hawaii, Manoa Campus1777 East West Road Honolulu, HI 96822Hosted by:ASHRAE HAWAII CHAPTERResearch Promotion CommitteePO Box 3916Honolulu, HI 96822-3916www.hawaii.ashraechapters.org

NEXT ASME-HAWAII SECTION GENERALMEETINGDate: March 24, 2008Time: 5:30 pm to 7:00 pmPlace: Hawaiian Electric Ward Avenue

CafeteriaAgenda: Visit our website for the program.

The March meeting was changed to the fourthTuesday due to several Executive Committeemembers not available the regular secondTuesday. There will be lots of pizza and softdrinks as usual. Please contact Ed Chang fordirections and for more information, such asparking.

JANUARY 13, 2009 MEETING SUMMARY• Our Section is sponsoring 5 ASME student

members for the Engineers Week banquet andwill have at least one table.

• Anna Tomalik, Student Section Chair, present-ed an overview of her group. A joint Student-Senior Section tour is being planned.

• Dr. Mehrdad Ghasemi-Nejhad, ASME Fellow,reported that the Department of MechanicalEngineering (DME) has four new faculties. TheDME ABET review is scheduled for November.An Industry Advisory Board meeting is plannedfor late February or early March. The Francis R.Montgomery Design Competition is scheduledfor May 9.

• ASME-HI is participating in the January 29Kaimuki HS Career Fair and a February 6Kawananakoa Middle School Career Shadow.

• Volunteers are needed for the MATHCOUNTSMarch 7 State Competition. The Student willtry to get 5 volunteers.

• The 2009 Ballot & Survey will be sent outshortly. The 2009 nominees are Chairman: EdChang, Vice-Chair: Derick Kam, Treasurer:Kevin Dang, Secretary: Derek Sato, Director 2-yrs: James Grogan. Members will respond bySurveyMonkey.com or by paper via USPS oremail.

• The 2009 Leadership Training Conference inLos Angeles 3/5-3/8/09: No Hawaii Sectionmember attending.

• Future meeting programs: Dr. Nejhad is plan-ning a presentation on Nanotechnology on July14. Derek Sato will give a general overview ofHECO’s fuel infrastructure system, but the datehas not been set yet.

RECEPTION FOR NORTH PUGET SOUNDSECTION CHAIRPERSON

On December 21, 2008, our Section hostedMarcia Smith and her husband Andy at theSeafood Village Restaurant for lunch. Smith is thecurrent chairperson of the North Puget SoundSection, which is also part of Division D. Current

practices were compared and ideas wereexchanged.

FREE ASME E-LIBRARY TUTORIAL WEBINARSIn tough economic times like these, companies

are often tempted to cut employee training andprofessional development programs. But a closerlook at its value reveals that professional develop-ment might be more worthwhile than they think.

The obvious argument for continuing to investin professional development is that well-trained,skilled employees are important to an organiza-tion’s long-term success. This is because profes-sional development results in more productive,quality focused, and committed employees whowill remain with the company once the economyrebounds and the competition starts recruitingagain.

ASME’s e-Library powered by Knovel can helpyou develop these skills. ASME members areinvited to join the online demonstration of ASME’scontent and unique technology. All you need is atelephone and an Internet connection and youare on your way!

The ASME e-Library Webinar session takesapproximately 30 minutes although there will besomeone on longer to answer any questions.During the session, you will learn how to use thefeatures that transform ASME’s e-Library from asimple E-book service to a workflow and produc-tivity tool that can save you a great deal of timeand effort in your research. The bottom line:ASME helps scientists and engineers do theirjobs cheaper and faster while improving the qual-ity and quantity of the work they produce.

To register and activate your FREE access tothe 75 books just go to ASME E-Library Poweredby Knovel at the ASME website. Once registered,please click the links below to register for anupcoming ASME e-Library demonstration:– Monday, February 16, 2009 – 2PM EST – Friday, March 20, 2009 – 11AM EST

CALL FOR MENTORS! EMENTORINGOPPORTUNITIES FOR EARLY CAREERENGINEERS.

Mentors are a great way to gain knowledgeand learn from the experiences of experts in your field. ASME offers an e-mentoring serviceright at your fingers! To learn more and sign upfor mentors, or to register to become a mentor,log onto http://www.asme.org/jobs/mentoring/Ementoring_Early_Career.cfm or contact NoelNetel at [email protected].


• General Engineering• New Construction• Relevel Foundations• Compaction Grounding

• Soil Nails / Shoring• Micro & Pin Piles• Rock / Soil Anchors• Clay Stabilization

IN HAWAII FOR 21 YEARSCall 845-2474www.ssihawaii.com

0203

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Lic. AC-13555IN HAWAII FOR 23 YEARS

S T R U C T U R A LE N G I N E E R S

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PO BOX 3348, HONOLULU, HI 96801Web Page URL http://www.seaoh.org

2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS &DIRECTORSPosition Officer PhonePresident Myles Shimokawa 593-0933

[email protected] Pres. Ron Iwamoto 486-5202

[email protected] Jeffrey Hanyu 536-2108

[email protected] Jason Emoto 942-9100

[email protected] Phil Gerwien 531-4627

[email protected] Tim Waite 479-1216

[email protected] John Cheung 848-2032

[email protected] Stephanie Doan 531-7094

[email protected] Pres Ian Robertson 956-6536

[email protected]

HIGHLIGHTS OF BOD MEETINGJanuary 7, 2009Committee Reports:

General Membership Meetings/TechnicalSeminars/Events:– The 2009 SEAOH Installation Banquet was

held at the Pacific Club on January 16, 2009.SEAOH celebrated its 40th Anniversary withkeynote speaker Lt. Governor Duke Aiona.

– CCPI and SEAOH will be sponsoring a rebarseminar by CRSI on February 26, 2009 at thePagoda hotel. SEAOH will also be conductingits first General Membership Meeting for theyear in conjunction with the workshop.

– A PCI workshop/seminar sponsored by GracePacific Rocky Mountain Prestress is tentativelyscheduled for February 2009. Additional infor-mation will be forthcoming.

– The Engineer’s Week luncheon is scheduledfor February 17, 2009 and the banquet will beheld on February 21, 2009 at Fort Shafter’sHale Ikena.

– The following seminars are anticipated to bepresented in early 2009:– ASCE 24 Flood Hazard Design– Final 2006 IBC State Building Code – Hawaii

State Amendments briefing by Gary Chock– The next SEAOH Board of Directors and

Officers meeting will be held on Wednesday,February 18, 2009, at the University of Hawaii,Holmes Hall. Contact SEAOH President-electMyles Shimokawa (593-0933,[email protected]) for more information.

2009 China Educational Trip:In addition to hosting its annual convention at

a local venue in 2009, SEAOH is offering an edu-cational China trip May 9-18, 2009. An itineraryfor the “Chinese Architecture – Old and New” tripincludes visiting the cities of Beijing, Yichang,Xian and Shanghai with a 3-day extension optionwhich includes the city of Guilin. The tripbrochure is available for download at seaoh.org.The initial registration and deposit deadline isFebruary 1, 2009. Please contact Gary Chock [email protected] if interested or if youneed additional information.

2009 Board of Directors:Congratulations and good luck to the mem-

bers of the 2009 SEAOH Board of Directors list-ed above. Many thanks to the Outgoing officersincluding Past President Gary Chock, SecretaryAlbert Fobel, Treasurer Lee Takushi and DirectorsKylie Yamatsuka and Brian Awakuni. The hand-over of duties and responsibilities were dis-cussed at the January Board meeting.

Disaster Response Committee:The final draft of SEAOH’s internal guidelines

for response to disasters has been completedand will be made available on the SEAOH web-site for review and comment by the membership.

Other Business:SEAOH is proud to have two of its own win-

ning the prestigious 2009 HCES LifetimeAchievement award and the Young Engineer ofthe Year award. Dr. Al Yee, who is a long timemember and the first President of SEAOH, wasrecently announced as the recipient of theLifetime Achievement award. Also, memberJeoffrey Cudiamat was named the 2009 HCESYoung Engineer of the Year. Congratulations toboth for this fine achievement.

Research (NCMR) Scholar. As part of his schol-arship, he is developing advanced antenna solu-tions for the intelligence community. The ChiefScientist of the Defense Intelligence Agency him-self visited UH two months ago to monitorprogress on this project, and wrote UH PresidentMcClain a letter explaining the prestige ofReece’s award.

Many UH students are members of the UHStudent Branch of IEEE, but Reece is also one ofthe founding student members of Hawaii Chapterof the Microwave Theory and TechniquesSociety. Reece has also provided service to IEEEat the international level. He was a SteeringCommittee member of the 2007 IEEEInternational Microwave Symposium, Hawaii’slargest conference last year that attracted 7000attendees and brought over $33 million to theState. Reece was only a junior, but was entrust-ed with an $8000 budget to create various multi-media collateral and interface with the vendors.

As one of the top students in his junior classlast year, Reece was invited to pledge for theelectrical engineering honor society HKN. At theend of the last academic year, he was elected byhis peers to serve as the AY2008-09 HKNPresident. He has been a proactive President inthe first three months of his term, most notablyrecruiting a record 18 pledges. He has organizedfundraising, service, and social activities and hasvery effectively included pledges in the team-building process. Upon graduating with his BS inSpring 2009, Reece plans to pursue his MSdegree. He had already decided on this route inhis junior year, so he has already demonstratedthat he’s the type of person who has a clearvision of the path he will take. Vision, dedication,and leadership are just a few of the outstandingtraits shown by Reece over the past four years.

Student Engineer of the Year, from page 1

New Member Applications:New member application for Membership for

George Gutierrez, Jr. (Nagamine OkawaEngineers, Inc.) was received and is open forcomments from the membership. His applicationwill be voted on at the March 2009 board meet-ing. Please notify any SEAOH Officer prior to theMarch 2009 board meeting if you wish to com-ment on this prospective member.


The January 2009 Wiliki featured an article on the American Council of Engineering Companies of HawaiiEngineering Excellence Awards Banquet. Space limitations did not permit including pictures of the award win-ning projects. Which are shown at this time.

Yogi, Kwong Engineers, LLC, earned the Grand Conceptor Awardfor the Emergency Water Tunnel Intake Repair Project, working forthe State of Hawaii, Dept. of Agriculture.

Wilson Okamoto and Associates earned an Honor Award for the P-431 Alpha and Bravo Wharf Improvements working for the client BlackConstruction Company and owner Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific.

The Glosten Associates and KPFF Consulting Engineers, earned an honor award for the Design Build Barges and Vehicle Ramps Project.The client was Healy Tibbitts Builders and owner the State of Hawaii, Dept. of Transportation, Harbors Division.

Belt Collins Hawaii, in conjunction with Earth Tech AECOM,Parsons Brinckerhoff, and R.M. Towill Corporation, earned theExcellence Award for the Palau Compact Road Project. Client wasthe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pacific Ocean Division and theowner the Republic of Palau, Ministry of Resource andDevelopment.


Earth Tech AECOM earned an honor award for the Kailua Road Rockfall and Landslide Mitigation, working for their client State of Hawaii,Dept. of Transportation, Highways Division.

Earth Tech AECOM earned an honor award for the Emergency Slope Repair on Round Top Drive working for the State of Hawaii, Dept. ofLand and Natural Resources, Engineering Division.

M&E Pacific/AECOM earned an honoraward for their NPDES Municipal StormWater Project with the City & County ofHonolulu.

P.O. Box 88840Honolulu, HI 96830Website: www.acechawaii.org

Officers For 2008 – 2009President Norman KawachikaPres.-Elect John KatahiraTreasurer Sheryl NojimaSecretary Douglas LeeDirector Terrance ArashiroDirector Beverly Ishii-NakayamaDirector Joel YuenPast Pres. Jon NishimuraNat. Dir. Janice MarstersPAC Champion David Bills

Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute

HAWAII CHAPTER98-029 Hekaha St. Unit 23, Aiea, Hawaii 96701Phone: (808) 485-1400 Fax: (808) 485-1500Web Page: www.cfsei.org

OFFICERS Phone FAXPresident Marvin Mestanza 221-1534 no fax

[email protected] Pres Jeoffrey Cudiamat 488-5000 488-5099

[email protected] Alison Agapay 536-2626 536-3926

[email protected] Jason Emoto 942-9100 942-1899

[email protected] Albert Fobel 521-6958 533-6701

[email protected] Akira Usami 683-5747 682-2928

[email protected] Paul Silen 735-3211 735-3280

[email protected] Pres Brian Enomoto 486-5202 486-5206

[email protected]

http://www.HLSA-hawaii.org

Officers for 2008President: Dan HirotaVice Pres: Arthur SevignySecretary: Gavin HiranoTreasurer: Ron WagnerDirector: Ryan SuzukiDirector: Chris GuerinNSPS Gov: Kevin Kea

Next Deadline for

Wilikiis February 15th

HAWAII SECTION OFFICERS FOR 2008President: Don HamadaVice Pres.: Steven YoshidaTreasurer: Robert NehmadSecretary: Honglong Li


2008-2009 OFFICERSOffice Name PhonePresident Michael Hunnemann 791-3980

email: [email protected] Jeff Kalani 596-2928

email: [email protected] Roger Babcock 956-7298

email: [email protected] Dawn Barsana 943-1133

email: [email protected] Ian Arakaki 596-7790

email: [email protected] President Ron Iwamoto 486-5202

email: [email protected] 8 Chair Westley Chun 943-1133

email: [email protected]

Hawaii Section — Younger Member ForumWeb site: http://www.ascehawaii.org/ymf.html

2008-2009 YMF Officers

PhonePresident: Aaron Erickson 591-2728

[email protected]: Eric Arakawa 258-5770

[email protected]: Karen Chongue 779-4106

[email protected]: Troy Ching 440-4548

[email protected] President: Lisa Takushi 531-4252

[email protected] ext14


EAH, from page 4

Seconded by Ralph Dobson, that EAH shouldsupport a Yes vote on Honolulu City &County Charter Amendment #4: Shall thepowers, duties and functions of the city, throughits director of transportation services, includeestablishment of a steel wheel on steel rail transitsystem? The vote was 12 in favor, 4 opposedand 1 abstention. The Motion passed.

Speaker: Kim Kido - An EarthwatchVolunteer

Subject: “Traveling to Kenya forMangrove Forest Restoration”

Ms. Kido gave a very interesting presentationon her trip to Kenya, where she helped localresearchers survey the existing conditions of theMangrove forests. She wouldn’t have gone if shehadn’t seen an add in a Sierra Club magazine byTravelocity, which has a program where they willgive $5,000 for travel for selected volunteer orga-nizations. One of the organizations wasEarthwatch, who focus on Research, Educationand Conservation. She chose the project inKenya because they would be living in a local vil-lage, the project was about the environmentwhere things grow in very saline environments,the project had economic, social and environ-mental goals and it was in Africa. She flew intoNairobi and on to Mombasa on the Coast. Shetalked about her adventures and the sights asshe traveled by local transport to Giza village.When they arrived they first took a long walkaround the mangrove forest, which meant walk-ing through knee deep black mud. She explainedthe mud is black because oxygen deficiency andit had real strange smell. Some mangrovespecies have developed roots that actually growout of the soil and absorb oxygen from the air. Dr.James Kiaro is one of the local project leaders.The mangrove tree is important in the construc-tion of homes for the local people, for burning forheating and to support the ecosystem. Shetalked about the density plots they planted andthe soil samples they took to research for carbonsequestration. When Kim left, she elected to takethe train from Mombasa to Nairobi and talkedabout the 17 hour trip, which included a delaybecause someone had stolen some of the rail-way tracks. Kim’s most interesting talk is avail-able on the EAH WEB page.

Meeting notes: December 5th, 2008Congratulations to EAH’s Director Aaron

Erickson for receiving the Younger MemberForum Award from ASCE, read more about thisin this month’s Wiliki now at the EAH WEB site.

Speaker: Professor Kwok Fai Cheung,Dept of Ocean and Resources Engineering UHM

Subject: “Tsunami Hazards in Hawaii -From Computer Modeling to Mitigation”

Professor Cheung gave an excellent pro-gram on how they did computer modeling forfuture Tsunami’s that could impact Hawaii. Usinghistorical records of past Tsunami’s that have hitHawaii combined with maps generated by aerialphotos and surveys, they predicted impacts forfuture Tsunami’s originating from other locationfrom the Rim of Fire around the Pacific. Heshowed computer generated videos howTsunami’s impact and move from island to islandand round an island. He explained the reasonTsunami warning maps in the telephone booksseem to end or stop on streets, is because peo-ple need landmarks they can easily find or identi-fy. Tsunami waves are not like the ocean wavesthat impact Hawaii beaches. Tsunami waveshave large amplitudes that essentially can befrom the ocean bottom to the surface, but that

Next YMF General MeetingThe next two YMF general meetings are

scheduled for Wednesday, February 4th, 5:30p.m. at Sam Choy’s, 545-7979 and Wednesday,March 4th, 5:30 p.m. at Hukilau, 523-3460. Ifyou are interested in attending to find out whatthe YMF is all about, please contact AaronErickson at (808)591-2728 or [email protected].

FEBRUARY DINNER MEETINGThere will be no dinner meeting in February.

Please attend the Engineers Week KickoffLuncheon on Tuesday February 17th at 11:30AM at the Hale Koa Hotel, Banyan TreeShowroom and the Engineers Week Banquet onSaturday February 21st at 6:30 PM at Hale Ikena,Fort Shafter Golf Course (see January Wiliki forcomplete registration information; deadline forKickoff Luncheon is February 11th, and deadlinefor Banquet is February 10th).

PALAU COMPACT ROAD SELECTED ASASCE REGION 8 OUTSTANDING MAJORPROJECT OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to the Army Corps ofEngineers, Honolulu District (Owner) and BeltCollins Hawaii (Designer) for being chosen forsuch a prestigious award!

HDR-HONOLULU OFFICE AND WISS JAN-NEY ELSTNER ASSOCIATES RECEIVE2008EMPLOYER RECOGNITION AWARDS

The Employer Recognition Program is a resultof the ASCE Strategic Plan which called for theestablishment of a program to recognize andacknowledge employers who support YoungerMember participation in ASCE activities. Basedon information supplied through nominationforms completed by Troy Ching and AaronErickson, the CYM felt that HDR-Honolulu officeand Wiss Janney Elstner Associates weredeserving of recognition for its encouragementand exemplary support of Younger Memberinvolvement in ASCE activities.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGLast held: January 6, 2009Next Meeting: February 9, 2009

CONTINUING EDUCATIONASCE National holds more than 275 seminars

and computer workshops each year on a widevariety of technical, management, and regulatorytopics. These seminars are held in more than 45cities across the U.S. In addition, ASCE offerscustomized on-site training and many distancelearning programs, including live interactiveweb/teleconference seminars, online coursesand courses on CD, videotape, and audiotape.Please visit www.asce.org/conted/ for completedetails.

ASCE HAWAII SECTION STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Please help us increase our scholarshipendowment so that we can recognize those

deserving students. We continue to accepttax-deductible donations with the goal ofincreasing the annual scholarships. Make yourcheck payable to ‘ASCE Hawaii Section’ andmail to ASCE Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box917, Honolulu, HI 96808. If you have any ques-tions, please contact Ron Iwamoto at 486-5202,or [email protected].

ASCE JOB LISTINGSThe following employers have openings they

would like to fill:• Austin Tsutsumi & Associates, Inc. (positions

available: Civil Engineer - Honolulu andWailuku, Land Surveyor - Honolulu)

• Bills Engineering Inc. (Civil Engineer,Engineering Assistant, & CADD Technician)

• Bow Engineering & Development Inc. (ProjectManager & Project Engineer)

• CH2MHILL (Transportation/Traffic Engineer –Honolulu Office)

• Fewell Geotechnical Engineering (GeotechnicalEngineer - Honolulu)

• Fukunaga & Associates (Civil &Environmental/Sanitary Engineers - Honolulu)

• Moffatt & Nichol, Hawaii (Civil Engineers –Honolulu)

• Warren S. Unemori Engineering (ProjectEngineer & Civil Engineer - Wailuku)For more information on these job listings,

please visit the ASCE Hawaii Section website athttp://jobs.ascehawaii.org/jobs/jobs.html.

ASCE HAWAII SECTION’S WEBMAIL LIST –SIGN-UP AND/OR UPDATE

If you would like to receive e-mail notices ofupcoming meetings or activities, please sign-upfor the ASCE Hawaii Section’s webmail list athttp://www.ascehawaii.org/emailform.html. Youmay also update your email address on thatsame webpage. Please consider helping theHawaii Section reduce operating costs by receiv-ing your monthly issue of Wiliki via email. If youhave any questions, please contact WebmasterJoanna Seto at 586-4317 or [email protected].


Hawaii Society ofProfessional Engineers

A state society of the National Society of Professional Engineers

P.O. BOX 3774 HONOLULU, HAWAII 96812

WEB SITE www.eng.hawaii.edu/~hspe

2008-2009 HSPE State OfficersPresident Manny Lanuevo, P.E.

[email protected] Elect Majella Stevenson, P.E.

[email protected] President Florence Ching, P.E.

[email protected] Kurt Kunimune, P.E.

[email protected] Nathan Yuen, P.E.

[email protected] President Barry Nakamoto, P.E.

[email protected] Honolulu Chapter Enrique Che, P.E.Director enrique.che”@heco.com Maui Chapter Darren Okimoto, P.E.Director [email protected] Island Galen Kuba, P.E.Chapter Director [email protected] Marc Botticelli, P.E.Chapter Director [email protected]

KNOW YOUR ASCE HISTORYby C.S. Papacostas

CONSTRUCTION AGAIN HALTEDIn the summer of 1913, Navy Secretary

Josephus Daniel engaged Alfred Noble, pastASCE President, to investigate the availableoptions associated with completing the con-struction of Drydock No. 1 at Pearl Harbor, fol-lowing a disastrous collapse on February 17 ofthat year.

In the confusion that followed some residentsfeared that an “inferior” floating drydock would besubstituted for the graving design, and an “auc-tioneer and real estate man” by the name of O. A.Steven circulated the rumor that the Navyplanned to transfer its station from Pearl Harborto Hilo. Several accounts of conciliatory cere-monies to appease the shark-god, the `aumakuawhose domain the structure desecrated, werealso afoot.

Apparently, contract disputes persisteddespite the engagement of several experts, theactive involvement of H. R. Stanford, Chief of theBureau of Yards and Docks, and the conveningof a special investigative board headed by thechief engineer at the naval station E. R. Gayler(alternatively spelled “Gaylor” in several docu-ments).

A full six months after the collapse, Noblespent 10 days in Honolulu. After he returned toWashington, the Navy Department issued astatement that said in part, “Mr. Noble hasadvised the secretary of the navy that in his opin-ion the construction of a graving dock upon thepresent site is feasible... Noble proceeded atonce to New York, where he took up the formu-lation of a detailed written report.”

Locally, the Pacific Commercial Advertiser saidthat Noble concluded, “the construction of thePearl Harbor drydock on the present site is feasi-ble and practicable, and that it can be builtaccording to the original plans and specifications[PCA, 9/9/1913].” The Star Bulletin (SB), howev-er, clarified that although “Noble finds nothingamiss with the original specifications” he, never-theless, “will recommend a modification of theoriginal plan and this view is taken also by thecontractor.” The recurring concern about usingthe original plans arose because “whether thedock is built as originally planned, or whether thespecifications are materially altered, will make anenormous difference to the contractors as to thefinal adjustment of the financial loss incurred bythe disaster of last spring [SB, 9/8/1913].”

According to the subsequent ASCE paper onthe subject by Stanford that I mentioned lastmonth (JAN 2009), Noble submitted his report onOctober 20, 1913. He presented his preferredand a similar alternate option, both involving “thesectional floating caisson” or the “sectional boat”method of transferring precast reinforced con-crete blocks to their final positions within the dry-dock structure [ASCE, 1915].

In reporting the event, the PCA describedNoble’s proposal as being similar to one made byFrancis “Drydock” Smith, the contractor’s engi-neer on the project [PCA, 10/24/1913]. On top ofthis, in his discussion of Stanford’s paper,Frederick R. Harris, a consulting engineer on thejob, presented evidence that the basic methodwas his own invention, that Noble had access tohis earlier reports to the Navy, and that “Mr.Noble never claimed that his recommendation,that the sectional floating caisson plan of con-struction be used at Pearl Harbor, was other thanan elaboration and development of the recom-mendation of the writer [viz. Harris].” He alsogave his account of the idea’s genesis in earlierbridge pier construction practices by others and

emphasized that he had, in fact, secured apatent for this method, saying “the writer truststhat he may be pardoned for reference in this dis-cussion to the patent granted to him. It was nottaken out with any mercenary motive, nor with aview of any monetary return.” He went on recordto state that the Government was to be grantedfree use of the method.

Curiously, Harris attributed to Leonard M. Cox,another consulting engineer he had collaboratedwith on the project, a similar idea that Cox hadreportedly conceived in 1911 and had offered to“Drydock” Smith. In his own discussion ofStanford’s paper, Cox dismissed his siring of themethod “as it never progressed beyond thesketch stage either in design or in method ofconstruction [ASCE, 1915],” but a proposalmade by engineer Gayler immediately after thecollapse could also be traced to Cox! Who’s tojudge?

It was not until April 1914 when, under theheadline PEARL HARBOR CONSTRUCTIONAGAIN HALTED, the SB reported, “SecretaryDaniels does not propose now to allow the origi-nal contract to be carried out, [although] a shorttime ago an order was issued directing the con-tractors to proceed with the work along the orig-inal plans.” Instead, “negotiations are under wayfor the completion of the drydock upon one of sixnew sets of plans and specifications, one ofwhich sets was prepared by Alfred Noble [SB,4/18/1914].”

Why the insistence by the Navy on the originalplans, you may ask. Stanford’s ASCE paper andits discussants provide some clues. He says thata Supplemental Agreement entered into on Jan.2, 1913, contained a special provision “to placefull responsibility more definitely on the contractorfor the completion of the dock, and also becauseof the relation which this condition createdbetween the contractor and the Government’sengineer in charge [viz. Gayler] at the time of thecollapse of the work on February 17th, 1913 andfurther because of its bearing on the negotiationspreliminary to resuming work on radicallychanged plans subsequent to the collapse[ASCE, 1915].”

In essence, Stanford claimed that “in order toavoid interference with the operations of the con-tractors,” the Navy gave them, subject to onlyapproval, the greatest possible latitude in execut-ing the work to expedite the job on time andwithin the allocated budget.

The reason why the government hesitated toinitiate significant change orders was to protectthe agreed upon risk assignment. Thus, theGovernment claimed that the collapse was thecontractors’ responsibility, whereas the contrac-tor countered that “it was the plans which wereat fault, and the Government was responsible forthe plans [ASCE, 1915].” In January 1914, theU.S. Attorney General, upon reviewing the con-tract, said in part “of many building contracts, Ihave never seen one so persistently declared forfull responsibility on the contractor.”

On the other hand, in his discussion of theASCE paper, the contractors’ legal advisor,Walter Francis Frear (who had served as territor-ial Governor from 1907 to 1913) added that “areading of the entire opinion, and not merely thequoted extract from it, would show that theAttorney General held that the contractor wasbound to complete the structure according to theplans and specifications, but not bound to pro-duce a stable and satisfactory drydock.”

A new agreement was signed on November19, 1914.

Do you know of a civil engineering accom-plishment or event that your fellow ASCE mem-

bers might find interesting? Please send a briefdescription to C.S. Papacostas (fax 956-5014,email [email protected]). Previous arti-cles in the series may be found at the Section’sweb site. Just point your browser tohttp://www.ascehawaii.org.

On behalf of Warren S. Unemori Engineering,Inc. and the Unemori family, HSPE is sad to notethe passing of Warren S. Unemori.

Warren S. Unemori was one of the pioneers ofprofessional engineering in the State of Hawaii.During his nearly 50-year engineering career, heplayed an integral role in numerous projects thathave benefited the community, and contributedsignificantly to the advancement of the profes-sion on Maui.

He served in the U.S. Army during the KoreanWar, and trained fellow soldiers at SchofieldBarracks. He subsequently enrolled at theUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa on the G. I. Bill andgraduated as a Civil Engineer in 1959.

He served for 10 years in the Maui DistrictOffice of the Hawaii Department ofTransportation, Highways Division, and earnedhis licenses as a Professional Civil Engineer, LandSurveyor and Structural Engineer. One of hisresponsibilities during his tenure at the HDOTwas to help design Haleakala Highway.

In 1969, he founded his own firm. Over thenext 40 years, his company grew into the largestengineering firm on the island, and worked on awide range of planning, design and constructionprojects including many of Maui’s roadways,water systems, and commercial and residentialsubdivisions. Some of his more notable projectsand contributions to the community include theNisei Veterans Memorial Center, the MauiResearch & Technology Park, and the Maui Arts& Cultural Center.

He served as a board member, and subse-quently as President, of the Board of Registrationfor Professional Engineers, Architects and LandSurveyors, and helped train and mentor a num-ber of Maui’s professional engineers, includingmany young college graduates who started theircareers at Unemori Engineering and continuedon to become prominent professionals them-selves in the Maui community.

His firm continues to be involved in variousprojects for the community.


Dr. Yee is one of the few Hawaii engineerselected to the prestigious National Academy ofEngineering. This honor, bestowed in 1976, high-lights the major contribution that Dr. Yee hadmade to structural engineering and constructionin the US. His pre-eminence in the field of struc-tural engineering has only grown in the decadessince, as he continued to apply his innovativeand creative concepts to all aspects of structuraldesign and construction.

Based on his lifetime of dedication and serviceto the structural engineering community, webelieve that Dr. Yee is an outstanding candidatefor this honor.

Dr. Yee completed work for his Master’s ofEngineering degree in Structural Engineeringunder the guidance of Professor Hardy Cross atYale University, New Haven, Connecticut. Theyear before he had just received his Bachelor ofScience degree in Civil Engineering from theRose-Hulman Institute of Technology in TerreHaute, Indiana. In recognition for his work in con-crete technology and proven concepts for bothland and sea structures, particularly in the field ofprecast and prestressed concrete construction,Dr. Yee was awarded an Honorary Doctor ofEngineering degree from Rose-Hulman Instituteof Technology in May 1976.

In 1976, Dr. Yee was also elected to the pres-tigious National Academy of Engineering (USA), abranch of the National Academy of Sciencewhich was originally founded by PresidentAbraham Lincoln in 1863 for the purpose ofassembling a group of scientific advisors to thePresident and the Congress of the United Statesof America. Being elected to the NAE is amongthe highest professional distinctions accorded toan engineer. Academy membership honors thosewho have made important contributions to engi-neering theory and practice and who havedemonstrated unusual accomplishment in thepioneering of new and developing fields of tech-nology.

Dr. Yee participated in introducing the first pre-cast, prestressed concrete mass productionfacility in the Hawaiian Islands in 1955. Dr. Yeepersonally designed the prestressing beds, con-crete forms, and developed innovative structuralconcepts and construction techniques utilizingprestressed, precast concrete units for the con-struction of both low- and high-rise buildings. Inthe field of marine concrete vessels, Dr. Yeedesigned and supervised the construction of theworld’s first pretensioned, prestressed concreteoceangoing barges in 1964. A total of 19 bargeswere constructed in this program and used suc-cessfully to transport ammunition, food, fuel andother supplies between the Philippines andVietnam during the war. The last of these bargeswere decommissioned after 33 years of continu-ous service.

Dr. Yee also developed and patented a novelstructural concept for marine structures. Thissystem utilizes reinforced concrete in the form ofan integrated cylindrical cell honeycomb core incomposite action with prestressed top and bot-tom slabs and side walls which can produce astructure with maximum strength and rigidity withthe least amount of construction material. Theprestressed honeycomb system was utilizedcommercially for the first time on the award win-ning ROFOMEX I, a floating platform designed tosupport a large phosphate processing plant.ROFOMEX I, which measures 260 feet long x110 feet wide x 24 feet deep, was constructed inSingapore, launched and towed 10,000 milesacross the Pacific Ocean to Baja, Californiawhere it was outfitted for use as a floating plat-

form supporting a mobile phosphate processingfacility.

Due to the inherent strength of the concretehoneycomb, this system was incorporated intothe first mobile concrete island drilling system(SUPER CIDS) used for offshore oil explorationon the North slope of Alaska. This mobile plat-form facility has proven itself by continuous ser-vice for nearly two decades without any sign ofdamage, wear or deterioration and has devel-oped a reputation of being the most economicalmethod of oil exploration in Arctic offshore envi-ronment.

Dr. Yee has invented unique systems for splic-ing and joining precast components which arewidely utilized throughout the world on manyhigh-rise and civil engineering structures. In addi-tion, he has developed numerous original con-cepts in mechanical equipment design to trans-port and erect heavy long span prestressed con-crete beams in the construction of high-risebuildings.

Over the years, he has served on technicalcommittees of various national engineering soci-eties such as the American Concrete Institute,Prestressed Concrete Institute, American Societyof Civil Engineers, and the American Bureau ofShipping. In recognition of his technical contribu-tions towards the advancement of engineering,he was awarded honorary memberships in theAmerican Concrete Institute and the AmericanSociety of Civil Engineers, the highest recognitionaccorded to any member of these societies.

For seven consecutive three-year terms, hehas served as honorary structural consultant tothe Singapore Housing Development Board(HDB) to assist in the initiation and direction of amajor program for industrializing high-rise build-ing methods. This program involved introductionof construction systems utilizing mass-producedprefabricated concrete components to acceler-ate housing construction in Singapore. Dr. Yeeassisted in the development of design and con-struction criteria and in the training of structuralengineers and technicians for this program. Thetraining program also involved methods ofdesign, construction, quality control, materialsresearch, precast concrete plant production andfield erection. To date, the HDB has built thou-sands of high-rise housing blocks utilizing pre-cast concrete technology.

The Prestressed/Precast Concrete Instituteawarded Dr. Yee the Medal of Honor in 1997 forhis extraordinary contribution to the industry. In2004, Dr. Yee was named a Titan of thePrecast/Prestressed Concrete Industry in recog-nition of his outstanding contributions to theIndustry; for prominence in industry innovationand change; for positive leadership in industry-altering development and expansion; and foradvancing and accelerating the growth of theNorth American Precast and Prestressed con-crete industry.

In 2007, Dr. Yee was appointed to theInternational Panel of Experts by the Building andConstruction Authority (BCA) of Singapore toassist in the effort to review and strengthen itsregulatory framework.

Presently, Dr. Alfred A. Yee is the President ofApplied Technology Corporation in Honolulu,Hawaii, and Director of Precast DesignConsultants Pte. Ltd., in Singapore, both spe-cializing in precast prestressed concrete designwith projects in the United States, Singapore,India, and the Middle East.

Dr. Alfred A. Yee certainly serves as a rolemodel to all engineers. Congratulations to Dr.Alfred A. Yee, the HCES 2009 LifetimeAchievement Award winner.

AL YEE, from page 1

land surveying and 3D laser scanning, and spher-ical photographic imaging.

The first five years on returning to Hawaii, Dr.Hirota promoted the use of the overlay processthat was used at the Weapons Laboratory for theproduction of design documents and the elec-tronic automation in civil engineering, land sur-veying and architecture. The firm’s staff wastrained and they worked with other design firmsand the reproduction profession to improve theunderstanding of the information layeringprocess, which is used today in computer aideddesign and drafting. Sam O. Hirota, Inc. was thefirst firm in Hawaii to acquire a high speed digitalelectronic plotting and computational capabilityfor in-house use.

Hawaii’s economy in the 1980’s attractedmany large Japanese contractors, who were pri-marily design builders. Dr. Hirota was fortunate towork with almost all of them in building many ofthe projects completed during this period. Thelessons learned by those experiences have beentransferred not only internally to the staff at SamO. Hirota, Inc. but to other firms that have part-nered with them. This has led to Dr. Hirota form-ing affiliated teams including architects, engi-neers and contractors to pursue design/buildprojects in Hawaii.

Dr. Hirota served as a member of the AmericanConsulting Engineers Council ManagementPractices Committee for five years in the 1990’s,which provided practice guidelines in the areas ofcomputer automation hardware and software byconducting seminars for the 5,000 memberfirms.

Recently, Dr. Hirota has used his affiliationswith companies based in Europe to research anduse 3D laser scanning and spherical imaging inthe design and construction industry. He isknown throughout the industry for his practicaland innovative approach to everything heaccomplishes. He has attracted internationalinterest by participating in the planning of docu-menting the world’s 500 most significant culturalsites by CyArk. CyArk is a non-profit entity whosemission is to digitally preserve cultural heritagesites through collecting, archiving and providingopen access to data created by laser scanning,digital modeling, and other state-of-the-art tech-nologies.

While earning the respect of colleagues locally,nationally, and internationally throughout theyears, Dr. Hirota has also been actively involvedin civic and community service. Since 1980, hehas served as a director of Central Pacific Bankand the bank’s parent company, Central PacificFinancial, one of only a handful of Hawaii compa-nies registered on the New York StockExchange. As a Trustee at Le Jardin Academyfor 25 years, during the period of the new cam-pus acquisition, expansion, design and develop-ment, he has had a strong interest in education.He has been a Lecturer in Computer Applicationsat the University of Hawaii, School ofArchitecture. He is on the UH College ofEngineering Dean’s Advisory Council and theDepartment of Civil Engineering/private sectorliaison committee. He currently is a University ofHawaii Regent, serving as Chair of the Public/pri-vate partnership Task Group and a member ofthe Budget, Long Range Planning, Finance andFacilities Committee. As a Regent, Dr. Hirota hasfocused on the changes to the language forindemnification on University of Hawaii contractsfor A/E consultants in order that their projects arecovered by Errors and Omissions insurance.

Dr. Hirota has recognized that educational

Engineer of the Year, from page 1



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means the ocean level only rise or lowers byinches as the waves travel across the ocean atabout 600 mph. As the wave approaches landthe wave has a uniform velocity or direction. Thatis the full height of the wave is moving in onedirection without the circular motions of the typi-cal ocean waves. Prof Cheung’s complete talkcan be heard at the EAH WEB site.

Meeting notes: December 12th, 2008Guest: Larry Young – Planning a possible PVventure.

Speaker: Frank Vargo, OperationsEngineer, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc

Subject: “Hawaiian Electric’s NewDispatch Center”

Frank Vargo started by showing pictures ofHECO’s old dispatch center, where the systemstatus board was manually interactive, that is thestatus of equipment and switches were updateddirectly by the operators. The new dispatch iscomputer driven and the status board is now awall of 52” wide flat HD TV screens that operateas one giant computer screen with individualWindow for the various equipment and systemdisplays. Typically each 52” screen is one win-dow, but operators have the option to increasethe size of any window to highlight parts of thesystem needing attentions. Since 911, onescreen has been tuned to CNN. Also, the weath-er channels are monitored via the internet to getthe lasted weather information. Everything onthe status board is now real time and updatedautomatically via the system computers. Thetrouble desk has a separate HD TV statusscreen. He also explained the dispatch opera-tors typically are people who started with thecompany as apprentices and worked their wayup to being dispatch operators. This meant thatperson, trained on the equipment, then repairedthe equipment, then installed the equipment,then planned installation of equipment and thenoperated the equipment, so the dispatch opera-tors had spent many years learning the systemtop to bottom. Frank’s complete talk can beheard at the EAH WEB site.

EAH, from page 8

opportunities are important in shaping the com-munity as a whole and has helped the engineer-ing community develop Hawaii’s next generationof local engineers by establishing several fundingsources for local Hawaii students, which includesestablishing the Sam & Yukino Hirota Scholarshipin Civil Engineering at the University of Hawaii,funding as an event title sponsor for the 2009University of Hawaii Student Chapter PacificSouthwest Regional Conference to be held inHonolulu, and funding as a corporate sponsorthe Punahou School Robotics Teams in 2008,2009, and 2010.

Professional affiliations include the AmericanCouncil of Engineering Companies of Hawaii(ACECH) and the Hawaii Land SurveyorsAssociation. Dr. Hirota has served as pastnational director and president of ACECH and iscurrently the corporate representative to HawaiiLeeward Planning Conference.

Dr. Hirota is an accomplished engineer, who iswell recognized and respected for his profession-al, civic, and community contributions. It is anhonor and privilege to have Dr. Hirota representthe engineering community. Congratulations toDr. Dennis Hirota, P.E., L.P.L.S, as the Engineer ofthe Year for 2009.

Engineer of the Year, from page 10

engineering experience was gained as a projectengineer at PAMCO Contracting, SSFMInternational, Inc., and Navy Public Works Center(PWC). Some of his early major projects includethe $150 million Whole Barracks Renewal projectat Schofield Barracks, the 85km road for PalauCompact Roads in the Republic of Palau, andthe industrial facility Pearl City Bus Facility in PearlCity. His background in structural and civil engi-neer design has been diverse- engineeringbridges, various types of buildings, roads, utili-ties, and subdivisions. As a duly licensed profes-sional engineer practicing both civil and structur-al engineering in the State of Hawaii, JeoffreyCudiamat started a design and engineering com-pany, Structural Hawaii, Inc. (SHI), an architectur-al-engineering firm that specializes in residential,industrial, and light commercial projects. As afull-service professional design firm, SHI offersarchitectural design, both civil and structuralengineering, in-house permit-processing, con-struction administration, inspections, forensicengineering, and construction financing options.In 2006, Mr. Cudiamat also started another com-pany, Cudiamat Design and Engineering Services

(CDES), which is internationally based overseasin the Philippines. This outsourcing companyprovides architectural design, drafting, structuralengineering, and civil engineering services glob-ally. With an aggressive and innovative approachto problem solving, his businesses has showncontinuous annual growth both in number ofemployees and projects; and SHI has completedover 1500 projects in the past few years.

In his 14 years of professional engineeringexperience, Mr. Cudiamat had been bestowedvarious recognitions. In his brief 2-year tenure atPWC, Mr. Cudiamat was commended twice forSuperior Achievement. He had been nominatedfor Pacific Business News’ Top 40 under 40.Recently, Jeoffrey Cudiamat was named “2008Young Entrepreneur of the Year” by the FilipinoChamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) andwas honored as the “2008 Engineer of the Year”by FALEA. Jeoffrey Cudiamat has been a con-tributing member to the community through vol-unteerism as a member of Pearl City Lions, past-president and board member of the Jaycees,board of directors at Leeward YMCA, and con-tributor to several non-profit organizations. Inthe past, he volunteered for several years as acoach in youth sports for volleyball, basketball,and softball. Last year, because of the suddenclosure of St. Timothy preschool that enrolledover 100 students and employed 19 faculties,Cudiamat and his wife opened Keiki Care Centerof Hawaii preschool to aid the displaced studentsand faculty who lost their job.

In his engineering profession, Mr. Cudiamat willserve as the president for CFSEI and as a Boardof Director for FALEA in 2009. He has been onthe board for the Structural EngineersAssociation of Hawaii (SEAOH) and he is also amember of ASCE (National and Hawaii). Heholds membership in Chamber of Commerce ofHawaii, Aiea-Pearl City Business Association,FCCH, Hawaii Steel Framing Alliance, Chi EpsilonAlumni Association, and BBB. As a certifiedinspector for safety of a building after a naturaldisaster, he volunteered to inspect buildings andhomes after the Kiholo Bay Earthquake on theBig Island in 2006. Jeoffrey Cudiamat continuesto promote a career in the engineering professionby speaking to high school students at careerdays and career shadowing events. He has vol-unteered as a grader for Math Counts.Furthermore, he spearheads the program forFundamentals of Engineer exam review classesfor FALEA.

As an active member of the Filipino communi-ty, Jeoffrey Cudiamat has been featured in vari-ous newspaper articles and was one of three keypeople to speak at the kickoff event to theCentennial Celebration of Filipinos in Hawaii.

Young Engineer of the Year, from page 1

Earlier this year, Mr. Cudiamat was appointedby Mayor Mufi Hannemann to serve in his cabinetas Chief Engineer and Director of Facilities &Maintenance for the City & County of Honolulu.

Mr. Cudiamat demonstrates versatility in hisengineering skills and compassion for the com-munity. We are indeed fortunate to have Mr.Cudiamat representing us in the engineeringcommunity.

Congratulations to Mr. Jeoffrey S. Cudiamat,P.E., as the Young Engineer of the Year for 2009.


HIDA, OKAMOTO & ASSOCIATES, INC.CONSULTING CIVIL ENGINEERS

PACIFIC GUARDIAN TOWER 1440 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1120Honolulu, Hawaii 96814Phone: (808) 942-0066Fax: (808) 947-7546

FUKUNAGA & ASSOCIATES, INC.1388 Kapiolani Blvd.Honolulu, HI 96814Phone: 944-1821Email: [email protected]: www.fainc.org

BILLS ENGINEERING INC.Civil Environmental Engineering

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Professional Directory

Y. Ebisu & AssociatesAcoustical and Electronic Engineers

1126 12th Avenue, Room 305Honolulu, Hawaii 96816

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HAWAII COUNCIL OFENGINEERING SOCIETIESP.O. Box 2873Honolulu, Hawaii 96802

PresortedStandard

U.S. Postage PaidHonolulu, HawaiiPermit No. 1400

BROWN AND CALDWELLEnvironmental Engineering And Consulting • Analytical Services

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Akira Usami, P.E.Territory Sales Manager, Kapolei facility91-300 Hanua StreetPhone: (808) 682-5747Fax: (808) 682-2928www.dietrichmetalframing.comwww.dietrichsteeljoist.com

Engineering Concepts, Inc.Civil /Environmental /Sanitary Engineers

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Email: [email protected]

Cost and Project Management Services(808) 947-4525

www.cummingcorporation.com

��

91-059 Hanua StreetKapolei, Hawaii 96707Office: (808) 673-2310Fax: (808) 673-3355

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Sato & Associates, Inc.HONOLULU MAUI2046 South King Street 2115 Wells StreetHonolulu, HI 96826 Wailuku, HI 96793Tel: (808) 955-4441 Tel: (808) 244-9265Fax: (808) 942-2027 Fax: (808) 244-5303

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Engineers, Surveyors, Planners

Pacific GeotechnicalEngineers, Inc.

Soils & Foundation Engineering Consultants94-417 Akoki Street

Waipahu, Hawaii 96797(808) 678-8024 FAX (808) 678-8722E-mail: [email protected]

NEWCOMER - LEELAND SURVEYORS, INC.

1498 Lower Main Street, Suite “D”Wailuku, HI 96793-1937

Tel: (808) 244-8889Fax: (808) 244-8422

NAKAMURA, OYAMA

and ASSOCIATES, INC.

CONSULTING ENGINEERSELECTRICAL/TELECOMMUNICATIONS/FIRE PROTECTION

1314 South King St., Suite 401Honolulu, Hawaii 96814-1939

Telephone (808) 591-8887 Fax (808) 596-2383

NAGAMINE OKAWA ENGINEERS INC.7CONSULTING STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS

1003 Bishop Street • Suite 2025Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Phone: (808) 536-2626 • FAX: (808) 536-3926

SurveyingCivil Engineering & DesignEnvironmental EngineeringWater Treatment & SupplyConstruction ManagementWastewater Collection & Treatment

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INABA ENGINEERING, INC.273 WAIANUENUE AVENUEHILO, HAWAII 96720

Phone: (808) 961-3727 / Fax: (808) 935-8033Civil Engineering • Structural Engineering

Land Surveying

SAM O. HIROTA, INC.Engineers & Surveyors

864 S. Beretania StreetHonolulu, Hawaii 96813

Telephone: 537-9971

ERNEST K. HIRATA &ASSOCIATES, INC.

Soils and Foundation Engineering99-1433 Koaha Place • Aiea, Hawaii 96701

Fax (808) 486-0870 • Phone (808) 486-0787

CIVIL ENGINEERING AND PLANNING WASTEWATER AND WATER TREATMENTCONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Hawaii Pacific Engineers, Inc.1132 Bishop Street • Suite 1003

Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-2830Phone: (808) 524-3771 • Fax: (808) 538-0445

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GEOLABS, INC.Geotechnical Engineering and Drilling Services

2006 Kalihi StreetHonolulu, Hawaii 96819

Phone: 841-5064 Fax: 847-1749

ENVIRONMENTAL • GEOTECHNICAL • HYDROGEOLOGICALCONSULTANTS

98-021 Kamehameha Highway, Suite 337Aiea, Hawaii 96701-4914Phone 808 484-5366 • Fax 808 484-0007

MASA FUJIOKA & ASSOC.A PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIP

MFA

FewellGeotechnical

Engineering, ltd.OAHU: 96-1416 Waihona Place • Pearl City, Hawaii 96782-1973

(808) 455-6569 • FAX (808) 456-7062MAUI: (808) 873-0110 FAX (808) 873-0906

Esaki Surveying and Mapping, Inc.Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii

Ph. (808) 246-0625 • Fax (808) [email protected]

ENGINEERS • SURVEYORSEstablished 1979

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ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, INC. Our Name, Our Mission for a Sustainable Environment

841 Bishop Street, Suite 500Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Tel: 523-8874 • Fax: 523-8950


vol. 44 no. 12 serving 2000 engineers & land surveyors

Documents