Leslie Isemoto, president and chief operating officer of Isemoto Contracting Co., recently was named the 2015 Outstanding Union Builder of the Year by the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters.
Leslie Isemoto, president and chief operating officer of Isemoto Contracting Co., recently was named the 2015 Outstanding Union Builder of the Year by the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters.
Isemoto was honored April 1 at a reception hosted by Pacific Resource Partnership.
The award is presented annually to a contractor who has made exceptional contributions to the construction industry and the community, taken a cooperative approach to labor-management relations and demonstrated strong support of union construction.
“Isemoto Contracting Company was built on family values and a commitment to quality craftsmanship, workplace safety and innovation,” said Ron Taketa, executive secretary-treasurer of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters.
“Les continues to build on his family’s legacy, leading a company that is regarded as a leader in civil construction, commercial and retail development and the construction of advanced scientific research installations.”
Isemoto is the third generation to lead the 88-year-old family business based on the Big Island.
After attending the University of Hawaii’s business management program and working for several years on Oahu, Isemoto returned to the Big Island and rejoined his family’s company.
In the mid-1990s, he worked as a project manager on Kauai until he was named president and chief operating officer in 1997.
“My family and I are honored to receive this award,” Isemoto said.
Isemoto Contracting has built many of the Big Island’s largest projects, including facilities at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo International Airport, Wailuku Bridge and Edith Kanakaole Multipurpose Stadium.