The construction industry is in the middle of an AI moment, and most contractors are still catching up. Nearly 90 percent of digital marketers actively use AI tools daily for content, analytics, and personalization. Construction adoption? Still in single digits for advanced applications. That gap creates a window—contractors who act now on AI, data management, and cybersecurity can gain roughly a two-year edge in productivity, bid success, and risk control over those who wait.
For ABC Hawaii members—merit-shop contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and training partners—this matters directly. Tighter margins and more complex project demands are already here. The merit shop philosophy promotes free enterprise and open competition, ensuring that contracts are awarded based on qualifications, performance, and value rather than union affiliation. The 2026 ABC Hawaii Annual Meeting is designed as a working day focused on how to compete and win in this environment, not a ceremonial membership check-in.
Hawaii hosts some of the largest federal and military construction projects in the country: Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, undergoing $2.5 billion in modernization, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam with $1.8 billion in annual construction spend, Schofield Barracks with $500 million in Army garrison upgrades, and Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kāne’ohe Bay featuring $300 million in infrastructure resilience projects.
Department of Defense work touching these bases increasingly requires CMMC Level 1 or Level 2 cybersecurity compliance on active contracts today—not at some future date. In contractor-friendly terms, CMMC means protecting controlled unclassified information, maintaining basic cyber hygiene, and having incident response protocols in place. GAO reports show that 70 percent of subcontractors lack CMMC readiness, disqualifying them from prime contracts on major projects.
Even lower-tier subcontractors and suppliers face flow-down clauses requiring cyber readiness. Advocacy for merit shop principles is crucial for maintaining a level playing field in the construction industry, as it helps combat unfair labor practices and promotes fair competition. The Construction Technology Leadership Forum Hawaii will unpack this full issue—AI, data, and CMMC—in one place specifically for Hawaii’s construction market.
The September 10, 2026, schedule merges two flagship events into a single agenda: the ABC Hawaii Annual Meeting and the Construction Technology Leadership Forum. The morning block covers formal Annual Meeting essentials—chapter updates from directors and board member reports, advocacy and legislative priorities shaped by ABC’s Legislative Conference (LegCon), apprenticeship and workforce development progress, and safety and training metrics, including STEP Safety Management System results and OSHA compliance updates.
Annual meetings of the ABC Hawaii Chapter serve as a forum for builders to connect and address economic and regulatory challenges in Hawaii’s construction landscape. Panels provide insights into the local Hawaii economy and housing trends, essential for understanding the construction industry’s future. The Excellence in Construction Awards honor outstanding projects based on complexity, safety, and innovation.
The rest of the day shifts into the technology and leadership track—AI adoption, cybersecurity, data readiness, and field-level productivity tools relevant to Hawaii contractors. Networking breaks and informal roundtables will connect local contractors with national technology leaders for direct questions.
Paul Doherty serves as President and CEO of The Digit Group, bringing a career at the intersection of architecture, technology, and the future of the built environment. He has advised governments, city authorities, and construction industries around the world on smart cities, digital twins, and technology-driven project delivery—including coastal defense projects that mirror Hawaii’s resilience challenges.
His keynote, “Building in Paradise Under Pressure,” addresses what climate change, supply chain shifts, and technological change mean for Hawaii’s vertical and horizontal construction markets. Doherty brings experience in dense island and coastal environments, infrastructure resilience, and the integration of technology without sacrificing constructability. This is not a futurist speaking in abstractions—he works with builders, designers, and owners to implement systems on real projects.
Matt Abeles serves as Vice President of Construction Technology and Innovation at ABC National and leads the ABC Tech Alliance—a consortium of 50+ technology vendors piloting tools with contractors across the USA. He sits at the table with companies actively changing how contractors estimate, schedule, document, secure data, and protect their workforce.
His session connects Hawaii members directly to this national ecosystem: which tools are gaining traction, which are hyped, and what early adopters are learning across mainland markets. ABC Hawaii explores the role of technology and innovation, including AI in project execution and new construction technologies. Abeles will translate national best practices into Hawaii-scale realities—small and mid-size firms, design-build teams, and federal/military projects with strict requirements.
Additional ABC Tech Alliance members will join him on panels covering AI on jobsites, safety technology, business intelligence dashboards, and workforce technology for training and retention.
Kevin Soohoo leads the Global AEC Practice at Egnyte and has become one of the clearest voices in the industry on AI readiness, secure collaboration, and CMMC compliance for contractors. His session, “Data Readiness for the Modern Contractor,” walks attendees through concrete steps to securely organize files, drawings, RFIs, photos, and project records to support AI tools and meet federal cyber expectations.
He will address specific issues Hawaii firms face: remote teams across islands, intermittent connectivity, coordinating with mainland partners, and protecting sensitive military project data. Each attendee will build and keep a LEGO set during the session, using the exercise to visualize data structure, workflows, and risk points in a tangible way. Attendees leave with a simple action plan to prepare for CMMC Level 1 or Level 2 readiness.
Additional members of the ABC National Tech Alliance will be on site, creating a true Hawaii construction conference 2026 focused on technology and performance. Core expertise areas include:
Breakout discussions and demos will center on Hawaii use cases: smaller crews, remote jobsites, military compliance, and integration with apprenticeship and safety programs. The construction industry offers apprenticeship opportunities in various trades, including carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, painting, and roofing. ABC Hawaii will release the full speaker and partner list in the weeks ahead—visit abchawaii.org for updates.
This is not a theory conference. It is a one-day, contractor-to-contractor working session on staying competitive in Hawaii’s changing market. Discussions frequently focus on fair and open competition, project labor agreements, and local infrastructure investment. Legislative advocacy discussions often center on Project Labor Agreements (PLAs), fair competition, and tax policies.
Attendees can expect:
Workforce development initiatives in the construction industry emphasize training programs that do not require individuals to incur debt, making skilled trades more accessible. Apprenticeship programs combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction, allowing individuals to earn while they learn. Participation leads to industry-recognized credentials, enhancing job prospects and career advancement. The 2026 ABC Apprentice Graduation celebrates the next generation of Hawaii’s construction workforce.
Safety initiatives discussed include the STEP Safety Management System and mental health awareness. OSHA training remains essential for ensuring workplace safety, focusing on hazard recognition and prevention. Emergency response training equips workers to handle accidents effectively on construction sites. Safety training programs include both theoretical knowledge and practical exercises.
The ABC Hawaii Chapter focuses on empowering merit-shop contractors through industry insights, safety leadership, and legislative advocacy. Merit shop contracting allows all qualified contractors to compete fairly for work, fostering a dynamic marketplace that drives innovation and efficiency. ABC advocates for fair and open competition in the construction industry, emphasizing that contracts should be awarded based on qualifications and performance rather than restrictive mandates.
Networking value includes direct access to national experts, ABC Hawaii leadership, federal work primes, and peers already experimenting with new tools. This event aligns with ABC Hawaii’s core mission: supporting merit-shop contractors with excellence in training, safety, workforce development, and advocacy grounded in free enterprise. Attendance is a business decision about protecting backlog, margins, and people—not a calendar courtesy.
Hold Thursday, September 10, 2026, for the ABC Hawaii Annual Meeting and Construction Technology Leadership Forum Hawaii. The event will be a full-day, in-person program held in Honolulu, O’ahu. Book your schedule now and prepare to advance your leadership team.
The full agenda, registration link, pricing, and sponsorship package details will be released over the coming weeks via email, social media, and abchawaii.org. Click through to the events page to share with colleagues and identify who from your team should attend.
Sponsorship and partnership inquiries are welcome. Contact the ABC Hawaii chapter office at 808-845-4887 or visit abchawaii.org for early visibility opportunities. Connect with the association to meet your goals for the year.
LegCon serves as a platform for members to engage directly with lawmakers about issues affecting the merit shop construction industry, including workforce development and regulatory reform. The collective advocacy efforts at LegCon amplify the voices of merit shop contractors, demonstrating widespread concern and support for key issues among industry members. Many organizations advocate for funding and support for apprenticeship programs that allow individuals to gain skills without the burden of student loans.
ABC Hawaii meetings also cover the infrastructure’s role in the economy and ongoing local construction projects, including the Maui rebuild initiative. Briefings from industry experts on construction input prices, backlogs, and economic outlook data provide depth and context for business planning.
