Hawaii Island Contractors Held First FORGE Awards
The Hawaii Island Contractors Association recognized outstanding local skilled labor at an event in Hilo.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Jobs — General
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The Hawaii Island Contractors Association hosted the inaugural FORGE Awards on September 17, 2026, at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. The ceremony honored significant contributions to the local construction and infrastructure sector.
Why it matters
These awards were established to celebrate the skilled workers and businesses essential to building infrastructure and fostering local commerce in Hawaii. Recognizing these efforts highlights the critical role of manual labor in the regional economy.
Isemoto Contracting LTD, which received the Outstanding Skilled-labor Company of the Year award, has provided services across Hawaii for 100 years. This century of operation reflects the firm's long-standing footprint in the regional construction industry.
The players
Mark Damaso
He is a representative of Takamine Construction who was honored as the Outstanding Skilled-labor Employee of the Year.
Isemoto Contracting LTD
This construction firm has served the Hawaiian Islands for 100 years and earned the Outstanding Skilled-labor Company of the Year award.
Leslie Isemoto
He serves as the president of Isemoto Contracting LTD.
Hawaii Island Contractors Association
This organization represents local contractors and serves as a primary host for regional industry initiatives.
The details
Mark Damaso of Takamine Construction was named Outstanding Skilled-labor Employee of the Year during the Capital Improvement Project dinner. The event was presented through a partnership between the Hawaii Island Contractors Association, the Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council, HPM Building Supply, and HFS Federal Credit Union.
Timeline
The inaugural FORGE Awards ceremony took place on September 17, 2026, at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.
Applications for the next annual FORGE Awards cycle are scheduled to open in June 2027.
The application period for the following year of awards will conclude in August 2027.
Market Landscape
The inaugural FORGE Awards formalize the recognition of labor contributions within a competitive regional construction market. This move positions the Hawaii Island Contractors Association to strengthen industry standards and brand loyalty among local contracting firms.
The recognition of these firms and employees highlights the businesses that manage essential infrastructure projects in the local area. This emphasis on skilled labor may encourage greater transparency and quality standards for residents engaging contractors for future construction needs.
The takeaway
Celebrating skilled labor helps ensure that the importance of high-quality craftsmanship remains a priority in regional development. Businesses and workers looking to be recognized in the future should prepare for the upcoming application window in 2027.
What happens next
The Hawaii Island Contractors Association will open the application process for the next cycle of FORGE Awards in June 2027, with the submission window remaining open until August 2027.
Further reading
For more information on the regional employment sector, visit the Jobs — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Big Island Video News.
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