Meet the Akinaka & Associates Team

Ken C. Kawahara, P.E.
President

​Ken has over 27 years of civil engineering experience.  Prior to joining Akinaka & Associates, Ken served as Deputy Director for the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Commission on Water Resource Management.  He implemented the State Water code statue, rules and directives of the Commission to protect and manage the groundwater and surface water resources for all the Hawaiian islands.

His professional experience in both the private and public sectors includes planning, design, contracting, construction, construction management, regulatory compliance and environmental quality monitoring.  

In his spare time, Ken enjoys being outdoors and helping others. Ken coaches and plays sports, and loves the ocean.

Interesting facts about Ken:
What made you become an engineer?
I wanted to be a problem solver. My late Uncle Alfred Yee was my major inspiration. Although he was a well accomplished structural engineer and a pioneer in precast concrete, he never forgot where he came from. He was always humble, thoughtful and took time to talk with others.

Favorite movie? The Magnificent Seven

What would your super power be? 
​The ability to heal others.

Favorite comfort food? Anything from the ocean. I love seafood!

Favorite subject in school? Physics. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Sounds a lot like life.

​Robert Y. Akinaka, P.E.
​Chairman

Robert (Bob) started his engineering career over 50 years ago.  He started working at Akinaka & Associates as a civil engineer and eventually served as the firm's president from 1984 to 2003.  Currently he is the chairman of the company and is involved with the marketing and strategic planning for the firm.

Bob is involved in many community organizations such as the Kalihi YMCA, Stanford University Alumni Association, Stanford Club of Hawaii, Punahou Alumni Association, U.H. No Koa Football Booster Club, and Mayor's Cup Committee Hawaii Island United Way.

Over the years Bob has received many awards & honors including:

• George Warren Fuller Award, AWWA Hawaii Section

 

• Honorary Member, AWWA National Section

 

• Chapter Honorary Member, Chi Epsilon Fraternity

 

• Hawaii Society of Professional Engineers, Engineer of the Year

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• Punahou School Alumni Association, "O" in Life Award

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• University of Hawaii College of Engineering, Outstanding Service

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• Hawaii Council of Engineering Societies, Lifetime Achievement Award

Benjamin M. Ganal, L.P.L.S.
​Senior Designer

Ben has been working in the engineering field for 50 years.  He is a licensed surveyor and as a Senior Designer he leads the production of reports, exhibits and permits.  He is experienced in subdivision design and land mapping.

Interesting facts about Ben:
What made you become an engineer? Math and Mechanical drawing were my favorite subjects in high school

Favorite movie? Sneakers (1992) staring Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, and Sidney Poitier

What would your super power be?
​Being able to retain and process information at super speeds to solve problems

Favorite comfort food? Depends on what I crave at that time .... Korean, Japanese, Filipino or Vietnamese, Hawaiian.  In other words, I'm not particular.

Favorite subject in school?
Hydraulics and Surveying

​Scott A. Kunioka, P.E.
Project Manager

Scott has over 35 years of experience in civil engineering.  He is experienced in water developments, drainage, parks, and roadways.  He has provided infrastructure support for many projects throughout the State including the Hawaii Convention Center.

​In his spare time he likes to play softball & golf, go fishing and drink good wine and beer.

Interesting facts about Scott:
What made you become an engineer? 
My dad suggested it

Favorite movie? 
The Natural

What would your super power be?
Predicting the future

Favorite comfort food? 
​Pho

Favorite subject in school?
​Lunch, then Math

​Gregg H. Kuwahara, P.E.
​Project Manager

Gregg has 11 years of experience in civil engineering.  He is experienced in water development, water design and permitting.

In his spare time, Gregg likes to spend time with his family and friends, travel, play and watch sports.

Interesting facts about Gregg:
What made you become an engineer?
I felt like I was good at math and science in school

Favorite movie?
Transformers

What would your super power be?
Telekinesis

Favorite comfort food?
Pizza

Favorite subject in school?
Math

​Gavin M. Ganal, P.E.
​Project Engineer

Gavin has been working with Akinaka & Associates for the past 19 years, starting his career as an intern.  Gavin is experienced in subdivision design and drainage design.  In his spare time, he likes to spend time with family and friends.

Interesting facts about Gavin:
What made you become an engineer? 
​My professional sports career fell through so I had to go with my second option.
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Favorite movie? 
No specific movie, but really love Game of Thrones

What would your super power be? 
Breathing under water

Favorite comfort food? 
​Ramen or Pho. Or pie from Hawaiian Pie Company. Or any pie, so pizza too.  Any good burger. Donuts. Root beer floats.

Favorite subject in school? 
​​Physics

Shane A. Sasaki
​Junior Engineer

Shane is a Junior Engineer with Akinaka & Associates.  In his spare time, he likes to listen to music, go to the gym, and spend time with friends.

Interesting facts about Shane:
What made you become an engineer? 
​I consider myself a deep thinker and have always enjoyed learning math & science. My grandfather and role model Fred Takakawa, who made a career as a civil engineer with the HDOT Highways Division, had a great influence in my becoming an engineer as well.
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Favorite movie? 
The Star Wars Prequel Trilogy

What would your super power be? 
To eat as much as I want with no consequences

Favorite comfort food? 
​Chicken Katsu Curry

Alika K. Kaha'ulelio
​Junior Engineer

Alika graduated from ONU in Chicago and has started his engineering career with Akinaka & Associates.  In his spare time, he enjoys body boarding at Sandy's, hiking, going to the gym, binge watching TV shows and hanging out with his family and friends.

Interesting facts about Alika:
What made you become an engineer? 
Since childhood, I was always observing God's creations and my surroundings such as buildings and mother nature.  Taking a step back, my first name means protector of man; so I've always had this calling to make the world a better place by using this sort of imagination and strive for knowledge.
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Favorite movie? 
Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace

What would your super power be? 
Intangibility: Ability to "go through walls"

Favorite comfort food? 
​Hawaiian, Korean, Mexican, and Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream

Favorite subject in school? 
​​Math, although not every grade reflected how much fun I had

Austin K. Inouye
​Geologist/Junior Engineer

Austin graduated from the University of Hawaii in Hilo with a bachelors degree in Geology.  In his spare time he likes to surf, fish, hike, golf, coach baseball, and spend time with family and friends.

Interesting facts about Austin:
What made you become an engineer?
I used to spend my summers working in a lo'i and learned a lot about the importance of sustainability and stewardship of our island's resources. This fueled my passion to become a Geologist/Engineer and ensure that the generations after us can grow up in the same Hawaii that we've all grown up in.

Favorite movie?
Remember the Titans

What would your super power be?
Time travel

Favorite comfort food?
Saimin and grilled cheese

Favorite subject in school?
Field Studies

Joseph S. Keane Jr.
​IT Specialist/Senior Drafter

Naomi S. Shibahara
Accounting

Darnelle J. Chung
​Administration & Human Resources

Joe has provided IT management to the firm for over 37 years.  In his spare time, he likes to surf.  Quote: "I'm no Kelly Slater but I stayed at the Holiday Inn once."

Interesting facts about Joe:
Favorite movie?
Deadpool

What would your super power be?
Flying

Favorite comfort food?
Furikake Chex Mix

Favorite subject in school?
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays

Naomi oversees all the accounting for the company.  In her spare time, she likes to go hiking.

Interesting facts about Naomi:
Favorite movie?
The Notebook

What would your super power be?
The ability to heal others

Favorite comfort food?
Cheese

​Favorite subject in school?
Family and Consumer Sciences

Darnelle takes care of all the administrative duties in the office including developing marketing materials, SOQ Submittals and all tasks that no one else in the office wants to do. 

In her spare time, she likes to bake, watch movies, spending time with her family, going to her kids baseball, volleyball and basketball games, and listening to band geeks from KMS play music.

Interesting facts about Darnelle:
Favorite movie? Grease

What would your super power be?
All encompassing genie powers similar to I Dream of Jeannie

Favorite comfort food? ​Bacon and movie theater popcorn with butter
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Favorite subject in school? Math