Hale Aloha Modernization of Towers by Nan, Inc

The University of Hawaii at Manoa is Hawaii’s premier research university. Because it is a public university, many of its buildings have been built in different eras and this is showcased in its buildings’ facades. While not each building is architecturally significant, many of them are indeed strikingly unique. Among these interestingly shaped buildings are the dormitory buildings named Hale Aloha Towers.

Nan, Inc. completed a much needed update to the iconic Hale Aloha towers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The four 13-story cylinder shaped dormitories are architectural standouts in the state. Named after flowers, Lehu, ‘Ilima, and Mokihana house freshman while Lokelani houses lower and upper classmen. Furthermore, within the complex is the Hale Aloha Cafeteria. 

Improvements were initially made by replacing all of the windows in Hale Ilima and Hale Mokihana to meet current building and hurricane codes. The second round of renovations were made to Hale Lehua and Hale Lokelani, which included a complete replacement of the plumbing, electrical, and fire protection systems as well as renovation of the lounges; and replacement of the windows.

Similar link : Nan Chul Shin: He’s Not Just A Hawaii General Contractor!

This project took two years to complete and will be a new and warm space to welcome incoming freshman who are living away from their families for the first time in their lives. It was a common complaint that the UH dorms were not up to par with mainland colleges. But with these renovations, UH dorms leave no room for complaints. 

Helping to create a public institution like the University of Hawaii at Manoa a more positive living and learning environment is what Nan Chul Shin, the founder of Nan, Inc., also known as Patrick Shin, strives to do with his company. And this was accomplished in the renovation of these towers.

The Nan Inc Initiative: Success Story Of Airport Section Utilities Project

It was the constancy and resoluteness of Patrick Nan Shin that guided his journey through rags to riches. Now the owner of Nan Inc, which is one of the top 25 building contractors, is beaming high with all the positivity and high spirits. His building acumen and deep-rooted principles and commitment to integrity, safety, quality and unswerving dedication to customer service bagged him the Airport Section Utilities Project Contract on August 2014 for $28 million. This construction project on Honolulu’s Rail Transit System was one of the sectors that Nan Inc had recently entered at that time. The project started in January 2015 and is about relocating the utilities in preparation for the new guide way for the airport section. 

The project is very well undertaken by the Nan Inc under the expert guidance of Nan Chul Shin and the team. They have to relocate 7700 linear feet (LF) of wet utilities and 5750 LF of communication, street lighting, and power duct banks through Navy, State DOT Highways, State DOT Airports, City & County of Honolulu Parks & Recreations, HART, and other Private Right of Ways. No doubt, it is a complex project that requires a great deal of understanding and patience. And, the company Nan Inc has left no stone unturned to make it a successful venture.

The most challenging part of this project is the sewer line that requires deep excavations of 5’ to 20’ on Kamehameha Highway. This will involve replacing a manhole that collects the flows from 3 separate lines and is 20 feet deep. For construction, 24 hours bypassing of these lines is required which has to be handled very carefully as it covers the major communication and power channels of Hawaii. It is a daunting process that requires a significant amount of work and coordination and is being handled very intelligently by Nan Inc.

Similar Link : Patrick Nan Shin: A Builder Like No Other!

Since the majority of this project is along Kamehameha Highway from Arizona Place to Center Drive so one of the biggest challenges in the way is the limited lane closure hours due to traffic considerations. Even, this was worked out by Nan Inc with HART by providing workable traffic control plans and getting reasonable working hours and space in return. Next on the list was the challenge of differing site conditions as each of them required a different level of understanding. Somewhere it was soft soil and at some places, there were unforeseen utility crossings. Nan Inc has been working cooperatively with HART and the Navy to overcome these conditions and continue the work with ease and perfection.

Furthermore, the tunnel had been already dug to install all the utilities properly with safety as their utmost priority. The project team of Nan Inc is working hard in collaboration with HART to ensure safe project. This Nan Inc initiative is already done with its 75% of the work and that too with no loss time accidents and is expected to complete this project by September 2016.