Gene Hennen, Owner and General Contractor
Gene Hennen brings over 37 years of professional general contracting experience to every project he takes.
“My guiding principles for approaching a project are to be completely honest and forthright; to discover what is really important to the client; and to identify the key difficulties and make a plan to overcome them.”
Gene grew up in Madison Wisconsin surrounded by the energy and creativity of building. His father, who was a doctor, had a woodworking hobby. He remodeled their house, made furniture and cabinets, boat ramps, and swings. “I was his helper, whenever he could catch me. Also, he helped me buy a house in Madison when I was 19 that I lived in and worked on. I lived in one room and rented out the rest. My uncle, who was a contractor, helped build the first house our family had. My first memory at age three was riding in the back of my uncle’s pickup eating Ritz Crackers.”
At University of Wisconsin, Madison Gene studied the humanities, majoring in history and philosophy. After graduating from UW Madison he moved to California to attend graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley in Latin American History, but dropped out due to a dislike for academia. “I then attended Laney College with classes in carpentry and cabinet making, met two architects who were also builders, became a partner with one of them and began building houses.”
“I love this work because the inevitable hassles are easily overwhelmed by the satisfaction and pride in the finished product. Also, every project is different from the previous one and challenging, so it is possible to learn something from everyone.”
Gene lived and worked in California for 17 years. Then in 1993, he and his wife, Kathy, were looking for a change. “Kathy had lived on O‘ahu and had good memories, so we visited the Big Island a few times, liked the family feeling and friendly people, and made the move. I feel committed to friends and community, love the raw nature that is so close us at all times, and am committed to doing something positive here.”
Strong Partnerships
Over the years, Hennen Building Company has established strong partnerships with some of the finest subcontractors on Hawai‘i Island. This commitment to working with the best in the industry ensures that the end product will be of the highest quality and done with honesty and integrity.
Inouye Electric, LLC
Inouye Electric, LLC is a full service electrical contractor serving Hawai‘i Island. They have earned a reputation for quality workmanship, reliability and cost effective service. Inouye Electric offers the highest quality service on all types of electrical work and installation of grid-tie photovoltaic/solar systems. They are committed to reliable, high quality work at a fair price.
Shawn Kellum,
Tile Work
Shawn Kellum got his start in the tile setting trade in 1991 when he became a member of the Tilesetters International Union Local #1 shortly after finishing his education with the Hawai‘i Community College Carpentry Program. Since then he has worked on some major projects like the Ritz Carlton (now the Orchid) in Kohala, the Hilton at Ka‘anapali, the Kea Lani at Wailea on Maui, the Hyatt Wailea Spa, the Duty Free Shop in Waikīkī and the Sheraton at Ka‘anapali. Since 2000, Shawn has been on his own focussing primarily on residential and some commercial projects like the Prince Kūhiō Theater and the Hilo Surgical Center.
Keith Shigehara,
Shigehara Plumbing Service
Samson Kamakea, Q-IC
First licensed in August 1990, Keith Shigehara and son, Mark, lead a team that provides solar water systems as a specialty, along with general plumbing.
Q-IC, License #CT30095, began business in 2009, and has since worked on many large projects, including the new County court house. Samson holds licenses for cabinet and millwork, drywall, and painting
Valerie C. Simpson, Architect
Louis Nobriga,
Double D Services
Valerie C. Simpson Architect and Associates provides complete architectural and engineering services for custom residential and commercial projects. Specializations include custom residential, community-oriented commercial projects, schools, and ADA improvements, with an emphasis on environmentally sustainable building practices.
Ms. Simpson is a certified, licensed architect practicing in Hawaii since 1992. While earning a BArch degree at Cal Poly, she started work in 1982 as the sole assistant for a local architect in Pasadena, CA, learning the fundamental skills of running a small architectural practice. After completing her final year of the Cal Poly architectural program in Florence, Italy and graduating in 1986, she worked in two internationally known architectural firms in Italy and Austria, performing design and presentation work on a wide range of projects and competitions. Returning to Southern California in 1989, she opened her private practice in Venice, and then in Sebastopol, in the Northern California coastal area of Sonoma County. In 1992 she made her move to Hawaii. In addition to providing conventional architectural services, Ms. Simpson devotes time each year to community involvement and the research and development of locally available alternative building materials and methods. She has teamed up with local groups to organize workshops and seminars on bamboo construction, featuring visiting experts from around the world. Recently she has taken a position as a visiting lecturer at Hawaii Community College, teaching an introductory course in the Architecture and Engineering CAD Technologies program.
Located in Laupahoehoe, and licensed since 1987, Double D Services provides trucking as well as excavating services. Louis has established himself with excellent employees over a range of projects, and has done the site work and grading for many Hennen Homes.
