Meet the Akinaka & Associates Team

Ken C. Kawahara, P.E.
President

​Ken has over 29 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

W. Roy Hardy, P.E.
Senior ​Project Engineer

Roy has 33 years of experience in civil engineering specializing in water resource engineering and management. He helped establish sustainable yields, developing the Hawaii Well Construction and Pump Installation Standards, implementing regulatory well construction, pump installation, and ground water use permitting, and organizing data reporting for the production and long-term monitoring wells in the State.

In his spare time he likes to spend time with family and friends, exercise, coach, play and listen to music

Interesting facts about Roy:
What made you become an engineer?
Working with my father (contractor) and grandfather (engineer) and I enjoy knowing how to make things work

Favorite movie?
Alien

What would your super power be?
Healing people

Favorite comfort food?
Mexican

Favorite subject in school?
Science

​Gavin M. Ganal, P.E.
​Senior 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

Austin K. Inouye
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

Kevin J. Meagher
Engineer

Kevin graduated from UCLA with a bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering. In his spare time he likes to travel, go on hikes, and homebrew beer and cider.

Interesting facts about Kevin:
What made you become an engineer?
I have always been fascinated by the physical sciences and how we try to describe the world around us with math and equations. My dad also got a degree in engineering and I have always looked up to him and wanted to follow in his footsteps.

Favorite movie?
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

What would your super power be?
The ability to speak every language

Favorite comfort food?
Anything Thai, the spicier the better!

Favorite subject in school?
Chemistry, especially the classes with labs

Bryson T. Tamaye
​Junior Engineer

Bryson graduated with a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Portland.

Interesting facts about Bryson:
What made you become an engineer?
Money

Favorite movie?
Gintama: The Final

What would your super power be?
Multiple clones of himself

Favorite comfort food?
Katsu curry moco from Hamada's General Store

Favorite subject in school?
Japanese

Reid I. Takasaki
Junior Engineer

Reid earned his bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering from Arizona State University.

Interesting facts about Reid:
What made you become an engineer? 
I wanted to see my work affect the world around me. Also, money.
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Favorite movie? 
Scooby Doo on Zombie Island

What would your super power be? 
The ability to not require sleep or rest.

Favorite comfort food? 
Birria Tacos

Favorite subject in school? 
Physics

Andrew H. Chen
​Junior Engineer

Andrew earned his bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California Berkeley and Masters in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University.
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Interesting facts about Andrew:
What made you become an engineer? 
I liked Legos and physics when I was graduating high school, so I picked Civil Engineering as a major. I didn't know much about it back then, and thankfully it was something I ended up enjoying a lot.
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Favorite movie? 
The Spiderman Spider-Verse Movies

What would your super power be? 
Teleporting

Favorite comfort food? 
​Strawberries

Favorite subject in school? 
Physics

Ryden G. Quitoriano
Junior Engineer

Ryden recently graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering.
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Interesting facts about Ryden:
What made you become an engineer? 
My father and grandfather were big inspirations to me as they were both in the engineering field and introduced me to the world of engineering. I enjoy learning new things and challenging myself to solve different types of problems. I have also always wanted to give back to my community that has supported me by helping build the future.
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Favorite movie? 
Star Wars

What would your super power be? 
The Force

Favorite comfort food? 
​Anything seafood

Favorite subject in school? 
Shop Class

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

Naomi S. Shibahara
Accounting

Darnelle J. Chung
Operations Analyst/HR

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, Human Resources and all tasks that no one else in the office wants to do and doesn't require an engineering license.

In her spare time, she likes to bake, watch movies, spending time with her family, going to her sons baseball games and listening to band geeks from KS 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