HR 051913 Opt

AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC.

AN EDITION OF

Hawaii Home Expo owner Bruce Okimotounderstands that finding the perfect countertopsis essential to your home design. That’s why hisshowroom is packed with a solid selection ofeverything from granite to marble, and more. See page 3

Take a Long,Hard Look

READ UP ON THE LATEST KITCHEN DESIGN TRENDS. See 4

MAY 19, 2013 | HAWAIIRENOVATION.STARADVERTISER.COM

Nathalie Walker photo

Serving Hawaii Since 1981

There’s Only One

Purchase a JacuzziHot Tub from Hawaii Home Expo between

now and Father’s Day and receive

a $200 D.K SteakHouseor Sansei Gift Certifi cate

My neighbor Carole sent me anemail last month with ways tomake my groceries last as long as

possible. I’m not sure if she knew, but theseare some of my favorites types of emails toget. Earlier this year, my mom sent one witha list of “life hacks.”

The thing I like most about lists like theseis they make sense. They give me that “aha”moment again and again. They are alwayscompletely random, yet I always find atleast a few things I can use. I’ve been keep-ing mental and written lists of my favoritesfor years. Here are some suggestions:

• Hold a nail in place with a clothespin toavoid hammering your fingers.

• Cut out the foot section of a pair ofnylons and fill with dried flower heads. Tiethe end and use as a floral sachet in draw-ers or in your car.

• Iron button-up shirts inside-out to getaround buttons easily.

• Place your iPhone in a glass to amplifythe speaker sound.

• Dry out wet shoesby stuffing them withnewspaper. The paper willhelp them dry faster andalso absorb any unwanted odor.The same holds true for refrigerator

drawers. Line themwith newspaper tokeep them dry andodor-free.

• Create portablefirst aid, battery andsewing kits using plas-tic shoe bins.

• Cut plenty of grapetomatoes at onceusing two plastic-con-tainer takeout lids.Place the tomatoes inbetween the lids, withthe rimmed sidestouching. Press down on the top lid, andcut with a serrated knife in between.

• Keep the cut side of cheese from dryingout by applying a bit of butter to it.

• Microwave a bowl of waterfor three min-

utes, then use thehot water to clean

the inside of the

microwave. Use caution, the water will bevery hot.

• Remove stains from your wooden cuttingboard by squeezing half of a lemon overthe top. Let the juice sit for half an hour,then rinse.

Showroom Hours Mon-Sun 8:30am - 5:00pm847-3288 2006 REPUBLICAN ST HONOLULU

Locally owned and family-run business.We’ll better any price promised!

We want to say…

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FREE GRANITEwith purchase of a set of kitchen cabinets.

Thank You for Your Support All These Years!

WHS Construction #BC19411

General Contractor ABC-30844

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2 • MAY 19, 2013 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

2 MAY 19 • 2013

Hawaii Renovation is a weekly advertising supplement published by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Send your comments and story ideas to [email protected]

SALES MANAGERDARWIN ROGERS

Phone: 529 - 4740 | [email protected]

JOANNE ROMERO

A few of my favorite things

W ith thousands of materials tochoose from, narrowing downyour choice for countertops can

be overwhelming. Which material is rightfor you? Before you hunt down the perfectchoice, make your life easier by evaluatinghow you are going to use the surface andwhat your options are. Ask yourself whatyou need from your countertop? Howoften do you cook? What do you cook?Are you a “free spirit” in the kitchen —meaning messy? Do you have kids, pets orany other critters that might require a littlebit more from your countertops?

Learning the basics will help narrowdown your options.

GraniteGranite is a natural stone comprised

mainly of quartz, mica and feldspar. Theword “granite” comes from the Latinword “granum,” meaning a grain, in refer-ence to its coarse-grained structure.Granite is a siliceous stone, meaning it’scomposed mainly of quartz-like particles.

Granite is a very durable stone and rela-tively easy to clean with mild soap andwater. Avoid harsh cleaners, sand, dirt andgrit build-up, as these will damage the finish.Granite also does not harbor bacteria.

Since granite is a natural stone, no twoare alike and there are literally thousands ofdifferent colors. Granite should be sealed

to increase the life of the finish. Sealing is arelatively easy process and should be doneannually unless you purchase a specialsealant that requires only one application.Pricing varies, but some colors can befound at affordable prices.

MarbleMarble is a calcareous stone made up of

largely calcium carbonate. Marble is techni-cally a limestone that has endured intenseheat and pressure. Marble is a porous

material, therefore it is susceptible to stain-ing. Use coasters, and protect marble fromthings that will stain it such as wine, coffee,etc. Marble is extremely sensitive to acidiccleaning products. Also, avoid placing hotitems directly onto its surface. Marbleshould be used in low-traffic areas, other-wise you’ll need to keep up the mainte-

nance to make its look last.Marble must be sealed on aregular basis and it is gorgeous,but labor intensive if you planon installing it in an area that isused often.

Solid surface (acrylic,quartz and polyester)

LG Hi-Macs, Viatera, Corian,Cambria, Avonite, Caesarstone,Silestone and Kerrock are all

types of engineered solid surfaces. Solidsurfaces are very durable, non-porous andpossess anti-microbial properties. Some,like Corian, can be installed seamlessly.

The acrylic-based solid surfaces canscratch, but typically can be buffed out orpartially replaced if needed. Color optionsare endless, from bright pink to solid white.Acrylic-based solid surfaces can be used toconvey many styles and aesthetics.

Polyester based solid surfaces allow for agreater depth of color ; however, they aremore brittle than their acrylic and quartzcounterparts.

Quartz solid surfaces mimic the look ofgranite, are incredibly durable and are low-maintenance. A quartz-based solid surfaceis about 90 percent quartz, making itextremely hard in addition to being beauti-ful. Solid surfaces are not cheap, but can bearound the same price as marbles andgranites.

Still have questions? Hawaii Home Expois an authority on countertops, and its staffis knowledgeable and friendly. HawaiiHome Expo is located at 2933 Koapaka St.and is open six days a week. Call the com-pany today at 695-3976 (EXPO).

HAWAII HOME EXPO

PHOTOS COURTESY OFHawaii HomeExpo

HR COVER STORY MAY 19 • 2013 3

MAY 19, 2013 • 3

HAWAII HOME EXPOON THE COVER

AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC.

AN EDITION OF

Hawaii Home Expo owner Bruce Okimotounderstands that finding the perfect countertopsis essential to your home design. That’s why hisshowroom is packed with a solid selection ofeverything from granite to marble, and more. See page 3

Take a Long,Hard Look

READ UP ON THE LATEST KITCHEN DESIGN TRENDS. See Page 14

MAY 19, 2013 | HAWAIIRENOVATION.STARADVERTISER.COM

Nathalie Walker photo

contact // 695-3976 (EXPO)address // 2933 Koapaka St.web // www.hawaiihomeexpo.com

Cover your bases withan array of countertops

Just as Thomas Jefferson noted, “Nooccupation is so delightful to me asthe culture of the earth, and no cul-

ture comparable to that of the garden,” car-ing for plants or growing your own flowersis very satisfying in so many ways. Couplethat with the soothing sounds of water andyou’ve instantly created a tranquil oasis foryour home.

Lilies, lotuses, and other water plantsprovide a calming beauty that turns anyspace into a tranquil retreat. Whetheryou have a backyard pond or a small lanai,anyone can enjoy the beauty of a watergarden. Water plants thrive in Hawaii,with the Islands’ year-round sunlight andmild climate. Contrary to what their stun-ning beauty might imply, they are fairlysimply to maintain for exper ts andnovices alike.

Geobunga’s staff members welcomethe public, including gardening aficionadosof all ages and skill levels, to join them thisSaturday, May 25, for a free public seminarentitled Water Lilies and Water Gardens,the seminar will be held at 9 a.m. in SaltLake (4299 Lawehana St. across from

Target) and at 2 p.m. in Waimanalo (41-829 Kakaina St).

The interactive workshop will teachattendees how to capture the living beautyof water lilies in a water garden and pro-vide tips on how to properly pot and fer-tilize a lily. A variety of water plants will beavailable, and you’ll learn how to pick the

right plant for your lifestyle. Within four toeight weeks, your lily will bloom, and withina year, the lily will generate another lily ortwo that you can then replant yourself.

“Water lilies are so simple to care for —I periodically snip off old flowers and fertil-ize monthly,” said Andrew Dedrick, execu-tive director of Geobunga. “Anyone can

enjoy the beauty of these plants, anywherethey have access to sunlight.”

Space for the free seminar is limited andreservations are highly recommended. Visitwww.geobunga.com to register, [email protected] or call 422-4567.

An outdoor space isn’t complete with-out the addition of beautiful pottery.Geobunga also has a wide range of deco-rative pots available for purchase, alongwith an unmatched selection of bambooaccents, river rock, statues, stone benchesand more.

Geobunga is Hawaii’s best resource forlandscapes and hardscapes. Providingunique garden elements from all over theworld and the best prices, selection andservice in the state, each visit brings some-thing new to discover. Turn the ordinaryinto the extraordinary at Geobunga.

FREE WATER LILIES AND WATER PLANTS SEMINAR - SATURDAY, MAY 25

9am at 4299 Lawehana St. in Salt Lake 422.4567 2pm at 41-829 Kakaina St. in Waimanalo 783.2571RSVP at geobunga.com OPEN DAILY 9am–5pm

Instantly create a tranquil oasis for your home! Learn about the many types of water lilies available, basic care tips, and how to pick the right plant for your lifestyle.

T e n i b a c“Fusing Custom Cabinets with Affordability”

www.tenibacdist.com

Kaka‘ako Showroom746 Ilaniwai St. 593-7870

#C27804

50,000 miles or FREE TICKET

www.discountwindowshawaii.comMon-Fri: 9 0 45-564 Kamehameha Hwy. Kaneohe

Must present coupon in our showroom to redeem discount. Cannot be used in conjunction with other coupons. Exp. 7/31/13.

“I guarantee to offer lower prices than any other Window & Door supplier in Hawaii, for a comparable product.” - J.M. Griffin, President

CALL 673-6656

Never clean your windows again! Just hose ‘em and forget ‘em!

MAY MANIA25%

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GEOBUNGA4 MAY 19 • 2013


GEOBUNGAcontact // 422-4567web // www.geobunga.com

Create a peaceful setting inany home with water plants

302 Sand Island Access Road • 447-2752 • Monday-Saturday: 9am.- 5pm. • Sunday: Closed

Contractor License #C-7137 Visit americancarpetone.com/adv

*Ends 5/25/13. Carpet Only. Cannot be combined with any other offer or previous sale. See Store for details. **On approved credit. Minimum 25% down payment and minimum monthly payments of 3.75% of the amount financed, but not less than $25 is required. No finance charges will be assessed as long as the minimum monthly

payments are made and the amount financed is paid in full by the end of the promotion period. See store for details. u ] q Welcome. Photo shown are for illustration only and does not necessarily represent actual product. See store for details.

Beautiful Flooring. Made Affordable.

• Locally owned & operated since 1974

• Member of Carpet One network with over 950 stores worldwide

• Tremendous buying power gives you lowest price on brand name flooring

• Huge selection of local stock ready for immediate delivery

• Authorized Stainmaster Flooring Center®

• Hawaii’s Largest selection of Stainmaster® carpets

• Professional flooring specialists

• Professional in-house installers

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• CFI certified carpet installers

• Healthier Living Installation

• Shop at home,call 447-2752

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Now you can own the carpet that’s as beautiful as it is practical. KARASTAN® is the world’s most admiredbroadloom carpet. The warmth and intimacy of KARASTAN® welcomes you into the room. With carefully chosen hues & textures that will endure for years & years. On sale this week!

New carpeting is a beautiful & comforting addition to your home. But to ensure that your investment offers a healthier environment for your family, you’ll want the Healthier Living™ Carpet Installation System. It minimizes allergens, dust, mold, mildew & more! Come in today or call 447-2752 for a FREE measure.

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Locally Owned & Operated Since 1974.

MAY 19, 2013 • 5

How to find the right contractorReferences are important when

selecting a contractor for yourhome building project. During the

process of choosing your contractor,meeting and talking to families that havebeen through the process of building willgive you a good indication of what toexpect for your own home project. It isideal to have a non-biased report fromsomeone whose shoes you will be wear-ing soon.

There are a few different ways toreceive this information. A majority ofcompanies follow the traditional way ofmaking it available to you. AtlasConstruction has found unique ways togive you the information that you needto make an informed decision.

There are different ways to get a ref-erence for a potential contractor. Themost common one would be a letterthat a person composes at the end of aproject, giving you a general idea of howthe contractor performed. Oftentimesthese letters tend to be very general,

with no details. The progress of Internetwebsites and streaming video capabilitiesallows Atlas Construction to have videotestimonies on its website, which youmay view to hear first-hand accountsfrom families whom the company hasdone work for.

Another less-common way of receiv-ing a reference is by actually speaking

with a previous client. Usually this is doneover the phone, which gives you theopportunity to ask specific questions thatyou have about the contractor and itswork. Atlas Construction gives you thisopportunity by allowing you to selectfrom a complete list of past clients whomthe contractor has done work for —with more than 100 families to choose

from. Still, another unique way AtlasConstruction helps you learn about con-tractors is by introducing you to familieswho have gone through the buildingprocess.

Atlas Construction offers you a way tomeet families and individuals, and speakwith them directly. Each month at a con-tractor’s open house, the families areavailable to greet you at their newly builthomes and share their experiences withyou. This allows you to hear firsthandwhat happens during a constructionproject and what you may expect onyour own home project. This unique wayof allowing potential families to accessreference information on the companybecomes a useful tool in choosing a con-tractor.

Call Atlas Construction at 951-9500or visit atlasconstruction808.com.

Hawaii’s #1 Building Seminar

FREEGAS CARD

to First 10Reservations

Bonded & Insured - LIC# BC 27277

FREE BUILDING SEMINAR

Call 951-9500 for reservation FREE PARKING

Tuesday, May 21 6:30 pm

Pearl Country ClubPearl Room II

Wednesday, May 226:30 pm

Neal S. Blaisdell CenterMaui Room

Limited Seating! Call now to make your reservation!

www.atlasconstruction808.com

ATLAS CONSTRUCTION6 MAY 19 • 2013


ATLAS CONSTRUCTIONcontact // 951-9500address // 1302 N. School St.web // atlasconstruction808.com

INSTANT REBATE ON ALL WINDOW JOBSAll whole house window jobs of 10 openings or more. Take an additional $99.00 on each window we replace. Applies only on Ali‘i Extreme line. Expires 5/25/13.

TRADE IN YOUR WINDOWS FOR

$99.00 EACH

LIC# C-30910

SHOWROOM HOURS:

MON-FRI: 10am to 6pmSAT: 10am - 3pm

2841 PUKOLOA ST.HONOLULU, HI 96819

Or Call 564-2493

ServcoAppliance.com

GE GeoSpringHybrid WaterHeaters AreAvailable Now!

CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL UTILITY FOR ENERGY REBATES FOR YOUR NEAREST DEALER VISIT OUR SHOWROOM

ENERGY STAR® QualifiedExceeds standards with a 2.4 energy factorrating, using up to 62% less energy than astandard electric 50-gallon water heaterVacation ModeWhile you’re away the system will drop tem-perature to save energy, then automaticallyheat the water the day before you returnRemote AccessOffers remote functionality to control modesand temperatures when connected to GE’sNucleus Energy Manager

Limited 10-Year WarrantyProvides peace of mind and dependabilitySame ConnectionsInstalls like a standard electric water heater withthe same water and electrical connections

g Made in the U.S.A

SERVCO HOME & APPLIANCE MAY 19 • 2013 7

MAY 19, 2013 • 7

G E’s innovative GeoSpring™ Hybrid Water Heater isone of the most energy-efficient 50-gallon electricwater heaters you can buy. With advanced heat

pump technology combined with traditional electric ele-ments, this new hybrid model has been designed with energyefficiency in mind and saves energy without sacrificing hotwater.

This remarkable product can reduce water heater expens-es by up to 62 percent compared to conventional 50-gallontank water heaters. It will save the average Oahu householdapproximately $975 per year (based on the average electric-ity cost of 32 cents/kwh as of January 2013). Your savings willvary based on your individual circumstances and will be high-er on Neighbor Islands). It exceeds ENERGY STAR® stan-dards with a 2.35 energy factor and qualifies for the $200Hawaii Energy Rebate and a $300 federal tax credit. Pleasecheck with your tax advisor to see how you qualify.

The GeoSpring hybrid electric heat pump model fits a sim-ilar footprint as a standard 50-gallon electric water heaterand uses existing water and electrical connections to makewater heater installation quick and easy. Ideal as a replace-ment water heater, the GeoSpring is designed for all commonindoor installations including closets, laundry rooms or

garages. Since the water heater draws in air from the roomto heat water, the room must be at least 10 feet by 10 feetby 7 feet (700 cf) or larger. If the room is smaller, there mustbe a louvered door in the opening.

The latest version of the GeoSpring is manufactured inLouisville, KY and is part of GE’s $1 billion initiative to bringmanufacturing back to the United States.

Ideal for Hawaii homeowners because of the state’s highenergy costs, the GeoSpring™ Hybrid Water Heater is per-fect for replacing your water heater today. It is also ideal forhomeowners considering a photovoltaic (PV) system, as itreduces the need for electricity and therefore lowers that costas well. Speak with your PV consultant for more information.

The GE GeoSpring™ is just one of the many Energy Starproducts Servco Home & Appliance Showroom has on dis-play. It also distributes Energy Star refrigerators; dishwashers;and clothes washers from GE, Bosch, Thermador, Gaggenauand U-Line. All of the products will save energy and moneywhen compared to a standard model.

Servco Home & Appliance Showroom is the display facilityfor Servco Home & Appliance Distribution, a wholesale dis-tributor of premier lines of kitchen appliances and bathaccessories.

SERVCO HOME & APPLIANCEcontact // 564-2493address // 2841 Pukoloa St.web // www.servcoappliance.com

Let the savings add up

The Cool Roof Store sells two verydifferent types of silicone roof coat-ings, which are competing fiercely in

the marketplace. The big winner in this fighthas been the consumer.

In the last three years we have seen theamazing growth of silicone roof coatings inHawaii’s marketplace, especially for flatroofs that have ponding water. The reasonfor this is no mystery: Silicone can with-stand ponding water for an indefinite peri-od of time without peeling. It also does notchalk or “sacrifice” as it ages — unlikewater-based acrylic coatings.

For that reason Gaco, the oldest andlargest manufacturer in the business, offersa 50 year product warranty — previouslyunheard of in the roof-coating industry.

However, there is also a commercialbrand of silicone roof coating that is verypopular. This “solvent-less” silicone is quitedifferent in its composition, and it comeswith a 50 year material warranty.

GacoRoof siliconeThe more well known consumer brand

is GacoRoof silicone. It has a solids contentof about 70 percent silicone and 30 per-cent solvents. This high-solvent contentmakes GacoRoof much easier to apply

because it dries slower and allows moretime for the homeowner to properly workthe coating into the roof surface.

GacoRoof also has a longer “shelf life,”which is the time you have to use up yourcoating before it skims over and becomesuseless. This is not a small virtue when youremember that a 5 gallon bucket of coat-ing costs more than $200. In short, it’s eas-ier to use and very forgiving. It is also lessexpensive per bucket. If you use the man-ufacturer’s suggested rate of 2 gallons per100 square feet over a smooth surface,

you will end up with 22 dry mils of curedsilicone. This is a tough coating that willstand the test of time.

NXT Silicone and Tropical SiliconeLet’s look at the professional grades that

are made by NXT Silicone and TropicalSilicone, as well as the commercial gradecoating that Gaco makes under the nameGacoFlex S-20. They are 96 percent solidsversus 70 percent for the residential market.When you use the same 2 gallons per 100square feet, you end up with a cured coating

of 40 mils. NXT and Gaco both warrant thematerial for 50 years, just as GacoRoof does.When these cure out, they are glossier andhave a slicker surface than GacoRoof. This canbe easier to clean if you have dirt or mildewbuilt up on your roof. On the other hand, ifyou climb up on your roof to pick mangoesor inspect your solar system, it can beextremely slippery when wet (caution isadvised).

These solvent-less coatings will cure quicklyon a hot day — sometimes too fast for noviceusers. However, when they are cured they willhave a tough silicone finish that will be about40 dry mils versus 22 dry mils for solvent-based coatings. They also can take unlimitedponding water without any damage.

The Cool Roof Store sells both coatingsand will be happy to show you all the tricksof the trade that can save you from makingan expensive mistake.

A tale of ‘two silicones’

SINCE 1917

985 DILLINGHAM BLVD, HONOLULU

(808) 843-2005WWW.TBSHI.COM

We Love MOM Sale!

COOL ROOF STORE8 MAY 19 • 2013


COOL ROOF STOREcontact // 591-1900address // 575 Cooke St.web // www.CoolRoofStore.net

LIC. # ABC 30244

X marks the spot onOahu’s ‘second city’If you look at a sunlight map to see

what areas on Oahu receive the mostsolar radiation, Kapolei is on the top of

the list. It’s no surprise that when you drivethrough Kapolei, you see hundreds ofhomes taking advantage of the sunshinewith a residential solar system. It’s safe tosay that Kapolei residents know solar. Infact, RevoluSun gives Kapolei homeownersan A+ when it comes to solar knowledge.

“One of the things we hear a lot fromfamilies in Kapolei is that they want highlyefficient panels to maximize every squarefoot of their roofs, to generate the mostsavings they can,” said Eric Carlson,RevoluSun principal. “They understand thatnot all PV panels are the same, so they callus. We carry a wide range of panels, includ-ing the high-efficiency X-Series made bythe solar technology company SunPower.”

SunPower, a global solar energy and tech-nology provider, recently introduced itsSunPower X-Series Solar Panels, a newproduct line for the residential market. TheX-Series delivers more energy, higher relia-bility and superior aesthetics than conven-tional solar panels. The new world-recordefficiency of this product line has receivedthird-party validation by the NationalRenewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Here are a few advantages of the X-Series line.

• More energy from less space. SunPowerX-Series solar panels deliver 44 percent

more power per panel, which means youcan create more power in smaller spaceswith fewer panels.

• More electricity. Simply put, SunPower X-Series panels produce more electricity thanconventional panels. They convert moresunlight to electricity, producing 75 percentmore energy per square foot over the first25 years.

• Peace of mind. More guaranteedpower. SunPower offers the best combinedpower and product warranty that covers25 years. And because they’re built on asolid copper foundation, SunPower solarcells deliver unmatched reliability over thelifetime of a solar energy system.

RevoluSun is a SunPower Elite Dealerand the only solar company to be award-ed SunPower’s Residential National TopProducer of the Year twice (2011 and2012).

“RevoluSun has installed SunPowerpanels in Kapolei since 2009 and has hun-dreds of residential installations to date inthe area,” Carlson said. “We have installedSunPower panels on a number of com-mercial systems as well, such as SeagullSchools, Ace Hardware and the Bank ofHawaii at the Kapolei Commons. AsKapolei grows, we look forward to help-ing the ‘second city’ become a greenercity.”

REVOLUSUN MAY 19 • 2013 9

REVOLUSUNcontact // 748-8888web // www.RevoluSun.com

MAY 19, 2013 • 9

Get the most out of yourhome construction projectWhy build or remodel now? Hawaii homeowners

have a unique opportunity at the moment: Withthe lowest mortgage rates in 50 years, the state’s

home values and equities are at an all-time high. With arecovering economy on the Mainland, interest rates aresure to climb in the coming years. HK Construction (HK)works with local banking institutions to help secure financ-ing for its clients’ projects. HK guides its clients through thedesign process from its inception to completion.

The company provides full contracting services and acomplete team of experienced design build consultantswho provide the comprehensive package and sourcingmaterials to build your dream home. The company has anextensive array of premier vendors for every aspect ofyour project. And if space is an issue, HK can move walls orincrease space with an addition.

This concept provides the homeowner with one point ofcontact throughout the project. The company is capable ofcost-engineering your project to fulfill your design andbudget needs.

During the design phase, an experienced designer willstart with a free consultation at your home for a site assess-ment. From there, a conceptual design is created and your

personal consultant will work with the in-house architectur-al draftsman to develop a full set of blueprints.

As a valued-added service, HK assigns a material-selec-tions officer to assist homeowners in shopping, selectingand coordinating all the detailed decisions from flooringand lighting to cabinetry and fixtures.

HK is a fourth-generation design build company. Sincethe beginning, it was founded on the principles of qualityconstruction, listening to the client and completing projectson time. It is a fully insured and bonded construction firm,making it capable of executing many projects such as newhomes, rebuilds, remodels, additions and kitchens.

HK Construction offers educational seminars monthly atlocations around the island. Subjects range from HomeBuilding and Remodeling to Kitchen & Bath Remodeling. Besure to attend one of the informative seminars this weekand have all your questions answered by a team of experts.Call 220-4714 to reserve a seat.

FREE SEMINARS

• Thursday, May 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Pearl Country Club

• Friday, May 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Ward Warehouse

• Saturday, May 25, 11a.m.-1 p.m., American Financial Services Center

Appointments for free estimates on projects, call our main offi ce at 808-841-1800

License: #BC25837 ACCREDITEDBUSINESS

www.hkchawaii.comOver 35 Years of Experience

FOR SEMINAR RESERVATIONS,CONTACT US

808-220-4714

FREE SEMINARSLearn the building process from start to fi nish.

FREE Consultation and on-site property evaluation

You are cordially invited to our…

Multi-Family, Tear Down/Rebuild, New Home, Additions,

Renovations, Kitchen & Baths.

“Building to Your Lifestyle”

Limited seating, Call Today!

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Waialae Ave

Kahala Mall

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Outside of Mall Shopping Center

THURS. MAY 23rdPearl Country Club

FRI. MAY 24thWard Warehouse

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HK CONSTRUCTION10 MAY 19 • 2013


HK CONSTRUCTIONcontact // 841-1800 • 220-4714 web // www.hkchawaii.com

Recognizing leaders inthe building industry

BY KAREN NAKAMURA

The BIA Renaissance Building andRemodeling Awards, established in1986, celebrates excellence in

design and construction of new andremodeled projects in Hawaii. This show-case recognizes competing categoriesincluding Details, Kitchen & Bath,Landscape & Outdoor Living, New &Remodeled Commercial Building, New &Remodeled Residential Building, PublicWorks, Hawaii BuiltGreen™, Historicaland Innovative Design & Construction.The 28th annual awards ceremony washeld May 8 and 38 entrants from Maui,Molokai and Oahu represented an excit-ing year of statewide participation.

The entries were judged on creativity, useof materials, environmental and sustainabili-ty, functionality, design principles, value, inte-rior space, overall quality and workmanship.

The highlight of the awards ceremonywas the recognition of the top fourOverall Grand Awards and the CarlReppun Award. Today’s column will fea-ture the winner of the Overall Grand

Award in the Residential Remodel divi-sion. The winner is Armstrong BuildersLLC and Peter Vincent Architects for“Subtle Elegance.”

This luxury remodel transformed adated, compartmentalized 60s home intoan open, modern space ideal for the flowof daily living, while showcasing the own-ers’ extensive art collection. The exteriorwas softened and warmed by replacingplywood siding with a new aluminum fas-cia, while the indoor/outdoor flow wasenhanced with a new lanai off the masterbedroom, travertine flooring and outdoorlandscaping features.

The removal of a structural load-bear-ing wall and dumbwaiter opened both theupper and lower levels. The new gourmetkitchen — previously sectioned off fromthe family and dining rooms — featuresan expansive island, ocean views and astunning custom hand-blown aqua chan-delier made of recycled glass. Theenlarged and opened Great Room fea-tures travertine flooring that continuesonto the lanai for seamless outdoor inte-gration. This renovation created a continu-

ity of harmonious living that incorporatednew mauka-makai views, natural ventila-tion and an enhanced ambiance.

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MAY 19, 2013 • 11

2013 BIA Renaissance Overall Grand Award winner in the Residential Remodel division,“Subtle Elegance” by Armstrong Builders LLC and Peter Vincent Architects

Wall-mounted sliding door‘reflects’ genius design ideaLike many couples

who share a bath-room, one Arizona

couple was frustrated bythe space that was com-promised by a swingingbathroom door. The opendoor swung into the bath-room vanity and took uptoo much space in a verytraditional bathroom.

The couple turned toBoard by Board, a kitchenand bath design company, togive their bathroom morespace and an updated, cleandesign. Board by Board cre-ated a design that wouldincorporate a sleek, con-temporary double mirroredsliding door with WallMount Hardware.

“The interior wall nextto the swinging door had abuilt-in vacuum systemthat prevented us fromusing a traditional pocketdoor,” said Christie Board,kitchen and bath designer.“I had seen wall-mounteddoors in magazines andhave always loved the ideaof incorporating this designinto a remodel project.”

One of the challenges ofusing wall mounted doorswas finding the “right”door. Since this was a mas-ter bathroom, the doorneeded to fit the cleandecor of the bathroomand the master bedroom.

After much searching,Board found a one paneldoor and took the door toa glass company to have thedoor fitted with double-sided, full-length mirrors.

Finding the right door waslike a puzzle and putting theright pieces together, notedBoard. And the result was adesign solution that lookedideal in both the bathroomand bedroom.

Board chose to use avalance for the door trackson the wall mount hard-ware because she believedthat the cleaner lookwould fit nicely with themaster bedroom.

To handle the doublesided mirrored slidingdoor, Board used 2610Fseries Wall Mount SlidingDoor Hardware. The mir-rored door brings a “cool”looking design element toeach room. The couple isthrilled that the bathroomdoor conflict is solved withsuch a beautiful design.

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK: I love books,and our home has many of them. I neverthought much about it until I started readingyour column, but as much as I love my books,I am feeling the need to lighten up and don’tknow where to start. What do you suggest?

A h! I love this question. Symbolizingknowledge, books can be a greatand wonderful support in the

home, as long as you know how to managethem. Too many books can feel “heavy”energetically, weighing down the home; butif organized, dust-free and strategicallyplaced on spacious shelves, they can alsowork as a grounding tool, especially ifplaced in an area where slowing down isthe intent — a reading room or readingnook. I will start by dispelling two mythsI’ve heard over the years.

Books in the bedroom are bad feng shui

Beware of absolute rules about whatconstitutes “good” or “bad” feng shui. Fengshui is about balance. Books in the bed-room are not “bad” per se, but you do notwant too many overtaking the space. Themain purpose of the bedroom is for sleepand intimacy, and too many books shift theenergy away from those two main activities.

The books in your bedroom should pro-mote a harmonious flow of nurturing andintimate energy, pulling you in, yet ignitingcalm passion. With that thought in mind,the type of books you keep in the bed-room is pivotal. Survey the books in termsof the “energetic messages” they convey.For example, How to Create More Love orHonoring Myself, is better in the bedroomthan Nightmare on Elm Street or Avoid DyingBroke. You get the idea.

Bookshelves have to be coveredSome say that uncovered bookshelves

housing hardcover books with sharp edges

create a cutting energy in the space. Toavoid this, use fabric to cover the shelves orcover them with doors. Personally, I like tosee my books. If you are like me, style abookshelf to become a room accessory,using your uncovered bookshelf to advan-tage.

From time to time, book lovers have toask themselves, “What do I do with allthese books?” Below is a downsizing ideathat will help you decide what to do withyour cherished books when the timecomes.

Go through every bookshelf or box ofbooks and count the number of books youhave. Then, set a goal, such as decreasingthe number of books you own by 20 per-cent.” Next, do the math. If you have 100books, you will have to let go of 20 ofthem. Picking out those 20 books is mucheasier than you think. I promise.

If you need parameters, ask yourself

these questions to help you decide whatto let go of.

• Have I read it? Will I ever read it again?Keep what you haven’t read.• Dispose of “expired” books, such asmedical reference and travel books youhave had over “x” number of years.• If you have cookbooks whose recipesyou have never used, you probably neverwill.• If you need an answer will you look forit in the particular book, or will you lookit up on the Internet?• Do you have the book on your elec-tronic reader?

Avoid packing books for storage. Youwill more than likely be moving clutterfrom one place to another, and it isunlikely that you will go through boxesjust to find that one book you want toread.

What can you do with these books?• Donate your books towww.books4cause.com or sell them towww.cash4books.net. Both cover shippingcosts. You can also donate them to the library,Goodwill, The Salvation Army or a school.Before donating old or unwanted readingmaterial, consider their condition. Generallyspeaking, only new, gently read or lightly usedbooks are accepted for donation. Magazinesare rarely accepted, but are usually recyclable.Schools will accept books if they are historicalor biographical or will be a good resource forthe school’s library.• If you have the time and energy, sell themon Amazon.com or eBay.

As far as good bookshelf feng shui goes,the better the books are situated, the morelikely you are to want to read them, so followthese guidelines:• Create a system. Organize the books bytitle, subject or author.• Dust them off. Dust accumulates aroundbooks, making them uninviting, hampering themental energy in the home, and impairingyour focus in life. • Leave space. Leave blocks of space on yourbookshelves for figurines, decorative book-ends, paperweights, or anything visually pleas-ing, turning your bookshelf into a decoration.

You will be amazed at how clearing outand dressing up just one bookcase willchange the energy of your home. Just like therippling water of a pond when a stone isskipped across it, positive energy is createdand will permeate your entire home.

Alice Inoue is a life guide at Alice Inoue LifeGuidance LLC, a company committed to assist-ing people in living empowered lives. Alice sharesher wisdom as a professional speaker and per-sonal consultant, and offers a series of instruc-tional DVDs on feng shui, as well as her award-winning books on feng shui, happiness and spir-itual life wisdom. Visit www.aliceinspired.com toread her blog, sign up for her newsletters anddownload useful feng shui tips.

MAY 19, 2013 • 13

withAlice Inoue

It’s Time to Hit the BooksCurling up with a good book is a great way to unwind. Just make sure you avoid bookdisorganization, which can weigh you down and sap your home of positive energy

ALICE INOUE MAY 19 • 2013 13

Keeping up withkitchen remodelsFeel the need to renovate? If so,

you’re not alone. Fifty-three percentof homeowners believe that now is

a good time to remodel, according to arecent survey by Houzz.com. When decid-ing on where the makeover begins, look nofurther than the kitchen. Kitchens are amajor selling point for homebuyers, so akitchen remodel is good for the home-sell-ing price. Even if you have no plans tomove, the kitchen gets more traffic thanany other area of a home and serves as thefamily hub, so it deserves the attention.

To ensure a successful project, keep inmind these kitchen-remodeling tips:

• Add color and light. Splashes of color andartwork can transform a kitchen from aworkspace to a fun, vibrant family-gather-ing spot. To show off those dazzling colors,choose window treatments that let thesunshine in, and take a look at the windowsthemselves. High-efficiency replacementwindows and patio doors can not onlysave you money over their less-efficientpredecessors from the second they areinstalled, but they often retain most of theirvalue should the home be sold, accordingto industry statistics. Simonton Windowsoffers a variety of types, sizes and stylesacross a number of collections, and canhelp you find the right windows for yourremodeling needs. For detailed windowoptions, visit www.simonton.com.

• Add appeal and ease. Stainless steel con-tinues to be the most popular finish forkitchen appliances, sinks and fixtures.Besides its modern, sleek appearance,

stainless steel cleans easily andresists wear and tear. That is espe-cially true for kitchen sinks, whichreceive the brunt of abuse. Newlines of stainless-steel sinks, in avariety of styles, configurations andsizes, are available from Moen. Toease renovation, the new stylesfeature an updated drop-in deckdesign. These drop-in sinks includeMoen’s refreshed sink-deck design,

a minimal, transitional style that coordi-nates with a variety of decor and faucetdesigns. The new recessed deck allowssponges or other wet items placed on the

deck’s inner ledge to drain back into thesink, and not onto the countertop. Thesinks’ wear-resistant, uniform, brushed finishoffers durability and resistance to chipping,cracking, staining or peeling.

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and lifestyle. For more on cabinetry prod-ucts from MasterBrand, visit www.masterbrand.com.

• Freshen the flooring. While design, colorand surface appeal are important consider-ations, you’ll also want kitchen flooring thatcan live up to your lifestyle and provide thecomfort and durability you need, accordingto bobvila.com. Natural stone and ceramictile are high-end products that ooze taste

and elegance. If selecting these hard sur-faces, also invest in mats for areas whereyou’ll be standing for longer periods oftime. Linoleum and vinyl offer the look oftile or wood in a more economical, easy-to-clean package. Hardwood has made greatstrides as a flooring option for kitchens, dueto improved product quality and sealingtechnology.

This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.

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MAY 19, 2013 • 15

For topping off a kitchen-remodel-ing project, nothing beats boldand functional fixtures.

The new STo collection of stylish,modern faucets from Moen encom-passes a slim, sleek design, includingthe innovative, integrated pulldownwand which neatly docks inside of thespout. The rounded, high-arc spout ofthe STo faucet features a tubulardesign that unites with a cube-shapedbase. Adding the finishing touch is arectangular lever handle. Available inboth single-handle pulldown kitchenand bar/prep pulldown models, STofaucets also feature Moen’s Reflex sys-tem, which offers self-retraction of thewand, as well as an exceptional rangeof motion, generous reach and securedocking retraction. Choose the SpotResist Stainless finish, with Chrome

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Going bold with fixtures

Do you remember the beach houseproject that I shared with you theother week? My goal was to create

a comfortable, stylish setting for a wonder-ful local family. I talked about turning nega-tives into positives — in this case, turningan empty space into a focal point withlarge letters that spelled out “ohana.”

Another key element of design is yourcolor palette, and that’s what I want to talkabout today. Color palettes are easy if you dothem in threes. Select a dominant color, a sec-ondary color and an accent color to makethe space come alive. In small spaces especial-ly, too many colors will make things feelchopped up, so three is the magic number.

As I do with every client, I asked whatcolors they like and don’t like. I found outthe wife likes whites and yellows. My job isto take that in to account and create a colorpalette that will complement the space.

The flooring we chose from The FloorStore was a dark vinyl planking that with-stands water, sand and salt. We decided onwhite for the cabinets to lift the space. Andsince the house is on the ocean, I wantedthe rest of the colors to go in a beachydirection. I chose blues for the accent wallon one side of the house and gold, the colorof sunsets and sand, for the opposite wall.

So I had my palette of blues, whites andgolds. Now how do you take a colorscheme and make it work?

The trick is to switch out your dominantcolors. This house was sunny and airy butcozy, so I decided that on the side whereblues dominated, yellows and whites wouldbe secondary, and where whites dominat-ed, yellows and blues would be secondary.

In this photo of the family room, youcan’t see the white kitchen cabinets, butthey are only a few feet away. I needed topick up some of that brightness, but nottoo much. So the sectional sofa is white butsprinkled with the same accent-wall blue.

Notice the golden hues of the throw pil-

lows. That gold is alsoin the beautiful, richgranite we found atMarmol as well as inthe commercial fabricwe used to upholsterthe counter chairs.

In the whitekitchen, the placesettings pick uptouches of blue. Thedining area has ablue ikat banquettethat we designed asfunctional seating,and a pop of fresh yellow in the pillows andthe centerpiece.

The color palette remains the same,allowing the spaces to feel bigger and cohe-sive, yet interesting because they have differ-ent dominant colors. I did introduce othercolors in other rooms, but made sure toincorporate golds and whites everywhere.

As you decorate your own home or

office and transition from one space toanother, keep this idea in mind. Even if youuse the same colors, how can you varytheir proportions? This doesn’t mean youcan’t introduce other colors, but especiallywith smaller spaces, sticking within yourcolor palette will make it breathe better.

So go ahead and color your space —after all, it’s as easy as 1-2-3!

Cathy Lee is president and designer ofCathy Lee Style and Cathy’s Marketplace. Sherecently opened reStyle Hawaii, an affordable,style-conscious consignment warehouse withupholstering and repurposing services. To findout more, go to www.cathyleestyle.com.

Color Your WorldWhen designing a space, choose dominant, secondary and accent colors to enliven the environment and create a cohesive look

CATHY LEE16 MAY 19 • 2013


JUSTIN DOTSON

PHOTOS

Here’s your ray of lightA lternate Energy’s solar pros report that the hotly

contested solar tax credit bill, SB 623 and SD 2HD3, has died in committee. This means Hawaii’s gen-

erous solar tax credit is still available, at least for the timebeing.

“Now is the time to go solar,” said Bruce Ekimura,founder of Alternate Energy.

He’s right. Now, while the company’s 35 percent or$5,000 maximum state solar tax credit, and even multiplesystem tax credits, are still available for each qualifying sys-tem installed in a tax year, it’s the perfect time to get a PVsystem on your home or business.

According to the Temporary Administrative Rules thattook effect Nov. 16, 2012, a system is defined by its totalpower output capacity rather than by the number of inde-

pendent physical connections to the grid. Each system for which a credit is claimed must have a

total power output capacity of at least 5 kilowatts (kW)before a homeowner can claim a second system for taxcredit purposes.

The Temporary Administrative Rules can actually reduceyour upfront cost (as compared to previous rules) byreducing the need for multiple electrical hookups, additionalinverters and installation labor associated with setting upseveral “systems” as defined by Hawaii’s old rules. This is allwhile keeping your rate of payback steady at just three tofive years.

Alternate Energy was the 2012 No. 1 residential solarcontractor in the state. They’ve been installing solar systemsfor Hawaii families for 20 years, always operating in the best

interest of their customers, friends and family.“All the conjecture and misinformation about the

changes to the solar tax credit this legislative sessionresulted in a lot of delay and confusion,” saidEkimura. “But right now the bottom line is, the billhas died, the Temporary Administrative Rules are stillin effect and there will never be a better time to gosolar in Hawaii.”

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A s Hawaii’s most damaging pest,ground termites are responsiblefor nearly $100 million in proper-

ty damage annually. Their ability to enterhomes through minuscule cracks as smallas 1/32 inch and eat from the ground upenables them to remain undetected formonths or even years. Ground termitesare active 24 hours a day and not onlydestroy wood material, but can also dam-age plastic plumbing pipes, sub-flooringand even swimming pool liners. Hawaii’swarm, humid climate is ideal for groundtermites to thrive and their colonies cannumber in the millions.

To help local homeowners in the con-stant battle against ground termites,Island Insurance is the only insurer inHawaii to offer a break-through solution— Ground Termite Coverage. Unlike tra-ditional termite prevention methods,Island Insurance Ground TermiteCoverage includes an annual inspectionof your home, and if any ground termitedamage is detected and confirmed withinthe policy period the damage will berepaired at no additional cost. If the

inspection reveals active ground termites,Ground Termite Coverage will treat theinfestation, then repair the damage.Although many types of preventativeground termite treatments are available,Island Insurance is the only companyoffering insurance coverage to repair newground termite damage to your home,

regardless of how extensiveit may be.

This avoids the headaches of unnecessar-ily drilling ground treatment holes in yourhome’s foundation, annually applying termiti-cides and regularly monitoring numerousbaiting stations. Treatment is only applied ifneeded, saving you time and money. SinceIsland’s Ground Termite Coverage will repair

new ground termite damage to your home,it may be the only method that assures yourhome’s protection.

Ground Termite Coverage is availableas an option with an Island InsuranceHomeowners policy for only $23 permonth. For more information, contactyour Independent Insurance Agent or callIsland Insurance at 643-4000.

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Protecting your homefrom termite damage

Design your ultimate dreamhome, and build it rightWhen driving around these beautiful islands, have

you ever wondered what building contractors,architects and homeowners are thinking when

they design and construct some of the monstrosities thatare created in residential home design? In some instances,the home does not fit into the community architecturally.When a home is built in such a manner, not only does it lookawkward, but it either improves or takes away from theresale value of the home and sticks out like a sore thumb.

It is a relatively simple task to design additions and newhomes that are modern, functionally aesthetic and easy onthe eyes. This is not to imply that all of the homes on theblock must look alike, because everyone has individualtastes, but why not look around and explore the bestdesign option before your build?

Have you ever wondered why planned communitieswith governing associations have design guidelines? This isto assure that all parties involved with the building designprocess keep in check so issues such as blight (an infectionthat browns and kills plants) are not created in the com-munity, which bring the resale values down. The guidelinesalso are a merit of a well planned community and make itan attractive place to live.

So next time you hire a professional to create yourspecial home or addition, think carefully about the designand outcome. After all, you are spending thousands ofdollars for it! Why not build something that you and your

children can be proud of, and that will elevate the valueof the whole neighborhood? Take your time and makesure that the design meets your requirements, even if youneed to redesign what is presented to you. Get the verybest that you can and have fun along the way. Be proudof what you build because it will be with your family foryears to come.

Town & Country Builders LLC is a licensed general con-tracting design build firm that has been serving Oahu forthe past 32 years. It specializes in custom homes, remod-els, additions, designer kitchens, bathrooms, Americanswith Disability Act (ADA) modifications/improvements,constructing package homes and offering full constructionservices.

Call Town & Country Builders at 737-7766 for a free in-home consultation, or visit www.townandcountrybuildersllc.com. The company is a member of the Better BusinessBureau with an A+ rating, a certified remodeler and has beenrated by Angie’s List. It has also won the elite “Excellence inCustomer Satisfaction” award for two years in a row.

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A ll too often members of the Hawaiicommunity either directly experi-ence or hear of an elderly loved

one tripping over a bathtub, causing seriousinjury, even death.

To prevent this, Island Bath Works offerswalk-through bathtub conversions, an innova-tive process in which the existing bathtub ismodified by removing a portion of the sideto create a seamless opening that allows foran easy and safe entryway.

The need for bathtub conversionsAvailable on all the islands, Island Bath

Works’ bathtub conversion is a popularoption for those with limited mobility. “Manyhomeowners commit to doing a walk-through bathtub conversion only after hav-ing an accident,” said Eric Thompson, CEOand president of Island Bath Works. “Ourgoal is to help people take the necessarypreventative measures before it’s too late.”

With the middle-aged and elderly popu-lation in Hawaii increasing, as well as thenumber of households with multigenera-

tional families living under one roof, thereexists a need for bathrooms that can safelyaccommodate everybody, said Thompson.

Bathtub conversions do not have tobe expensive or complex

Oftentimes, the high cost of labor andsupplies is the reason why many choose tohold off on bathtub conversions. However,thanks to various cutting-edge techniques,Island Bath Works is able to maintain a sig-nificantly lower price tag than most bath-room renovation companies.

“Typically to get a walk-in shower or sit-in bathtub, the conversion process canrange anywhere from $12,000 to $15,000on average,” said Thompson. “Our servicesachieve a seamless, high-quality finish onapproximately 80 percent less of what theservice would normally cost.”

Unlike most bathroom renovations, thewalk-through bathtub conversion does notrequire major reconstruction or demoli-tion. Labor time is minimal as most conver-sions can be completed in less than oneday and homeowners can start using theshower 24 hours after the job is complete.

“Most people think renovating any partof the bathroom is a weighty and complexjob that requires not being able to use yourbathroom for weeks,” said Thompson.“Since we are converting your existingbathtub and not replacing it altogether, theentire process is quick and burden-free.”

Homeowners can place the entrywayon any part of the bathtub in any desiredsize up to three feet. Additionally, the con-version process is advantageously versa-tile as it can also be done on any type ofbathtub ranging from fiberglass to castiron or steel materials. “Most homes inHawaii were built with high-quality castiron bathtubs, so for those homes itmakes no sense to replace the bathtub

completely,” said Thompson.In addition to the bathtub conversion,

customers can also choose to refinish theirbathtub. Unlike bathtub replacement, whichwould involve removing and replacing allcomponents as well as redoing the plumb-ing configuration, refinishing resurfaces theexisting fixtures with an industrial coating.

“We offer the American standard whiteor almond for bathtubs,” said Thompson.“For walls, homeowners can choose from avariety of finishes like granite, which give thebathroom a very nice stone appearance.”

Island Bath Works ensures the durabilityof all its products by guaranteeing a lifetimewarranty on all labor and materials as wellas a five-year warranty on any refinishing.

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What could you do in 23 years? A lot, apparently —you could trip your way to an Oscar win likeJennifer Lawrence. Better yet, what about bank-

ing billions by 23 like Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg? Youcould have a baby, send them to college and buy them theirfirst (legal) libation — all before having to change a lightbulb.

With the U.S. incandescent phaseout wrapping up inJanuary 2014, there are a lot of confusing messages in thelighting aisle using unfamiliar words like “lumens” and“kelvins.” You’ve got things to do (and 23 years to do them),don’t get bogged down in technical lighting jargon.

The solution is simple, instead of getting lost in the mazeof bulb options, go for the one that will make your life easierand save you money. Most LED light bulbs use approximate-ly 85 percent less energy than their incandescent counter-parts, can last for up to 23 years and brighten your homebeautifully (based on Cree LED bulb 60W replacements at9.5 watt, 11 cents per kilowatt-hour, 25,000 hour lifetimeand average usage of six hours per day).

Go green, save greenUsing less energy means spending less money, and after

replacing your top five most-used light sources with LEDoptions, you can see an average annual savingsof $61 dollars. Now that’s a bright idea.

When LED light bulbs first hit the marketplace, they wereringing up at as much as $50 a bulb. For many consumers, itwas too high a price to pay for light bulbs. As technologyadvanced in recent years, LEDs have become more affordable.This month, The Home Depot and Cree released the mostcost-friendly, technologically advanced light bulb to hit the mar-ketplace. Selling for approximately $13, this light bulb is lesspricey than earlier LEDs and can pay for itself in less time.

Matching the right bulb to the right roomYour blood, sweat and tears went into creating your

home sweet home, and you want to show it off. The finaltouches on home decor mean finding the right color lightto showcase a room. Color temperature is how you meas-ure the color of the light. Incandescent light bulbs give off awarm light with a rating of 2,700 kelvins, a hue everyone hasgrown familiar with. However, you can achieve a similarcolor temperature with LED warm light bulbs that are afraction of the cost to operate. Also an option in energysaving LEDs are bulbs with bright or daylight color temper-atures for various rooms. First, think about what you use theroom for. Kitchens may be best in brighter, clean daylightlight. Living rooms and bedrooms are beautiful in warmlighting with a rating of 2,700 kelvins, similar to a traditional

incandescent light bulb. Track lightingis ideal for LED bulbs because youdon't have to climb back up a ladderto change it for a couple decades.

Don’t reinvent the bulbIf you're comfortable with a tradi-

tional-looking bulb, keep it simpleand buy a traditional-looking lightbulb. The Cree LED Bulb, available

exclusively through The Home Depot, is designed to lookand feel familiar, although there's complicated top-of-the-line technology behind the shatterproof glass.Traditionallooking bulbs also look great in all fixtures and fit in seam-lessly with a variety of decor styles.


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Follow these tips to help you save money and energy with LED light bulbs

A bright idea for lighting

Ensure a safe, healthyhome for your familyHave you included

home safety onyour list of new

DIY projects?Almost every home in

the U.S. has a smoke alarm,but most do not haveenough. Fire experts rec-ommend installing alarmson every floor and insideand outside of every sleep-ing area. A recent survey byKelton Research found lessthan a quarter of home-owners have applied thisrule. A fire can double insize every 30 seconds. Thesooner you hear a smokealarm, the more time youhave to escape.

Also, 75 percent ofhomes have a potentialsource of carbon monox-ide (CO), but only half ofthe homes have a workingCO alarm, according to theU.S. Census Bureau.Produced by fossil fuel-burning appliances andengines, CO can causeinjury or death if it buildsup in your home. A work-ing CO alarm is the onlysafe way to detect thisodorless and invisible gas.

Consider these ques-tions from the experts atKidde to determine if yourhome is safe from fire andCO dangers.

1. How old are your smokeand CO alarms? Replaceyour smoke alarms every10 years and your COalarms every seven to 10years, based on the modelyou purchased. Considerpurchasing an alarm with asealed lithium battery, suchas the Worry-Free smokeand CO alarms, which pro-vide hassle-free protectionfor 10 years.

2. Do you have enoughsmoke alarms? Place themon every floor andinside/outside of all bed-rooms. Place CO alarmsnear sleeping areas and oneach floor.

3. Have you developed afamily escape plan? Make aplan for every room in thehouse and practice it. Befamiliar with two ways out

of every room and who willassist children and thosewith mobility/health issues.

4. Do your children knowtheir address and how todial 911? Post your homeaddress and emergencyphone numbers on therefrigerator.

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Going the extra mileto satisfy homeownersYou may be wondering what makes

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panies. There are many qualities that distin-guish it from the competition, and thecompany will inspect your existing doorsand windows and provide you with solu-tions to improve the comfort, safety andappearance of your home.

Here are some reasons Diamond HeadWindows & Doors stands out:

• Experience. The company has more than25 years in the window business and usesthis experience to select and install thewindows and doors with the highest rat-ings and quality.

• Variety. Unlike many dealers in Hawaii,Diamond Head Windows & Doors offersfive top-quality brands of windows in anystyle or material you choose. We can findthe best window to fit your needs andbudget.

• Experienced installers. The companydoesn’t use subcontractors, only its own

employees who have been factory-trainedin the installation of your particular brand.An average installer has more than 15years of experience and takes pride in hisor her work.

• Made for Hawaii. The company negotiat-ed with its top manufacturers to createwindows especially designed for Hawaiiand its elements: heat, high exposure to UVlight, salt, wind and rain. Its exclusiveAmerimax brand has 100 percent stain-less-steel hardware (no plastic rollers) andheavy-duty screens, including new “UltraView” screens.

• Factory-direct pricing. No middlemen ordistributors are used. The company pur-chases directly from factories on the WestCoast and packs and ships its own contain-ers to ensure your products arrive quickly,securely and at the minimum cost.

• Consultation. The company will give anin-home consultation that includes educat-ing you on the benefits and differencesbetween various window brands. It brings

windows to you so you can see how theyoperate in your own home. The companycan help you choose the brand and stylethat will fit your budget.

• Warranty. Lifetime warranties from themanufacturer come with the products, aswell as Diamond Head Windows & Doors’lifetime installation warranty. Read the fineprint, as many window warranties don’tcover Hawaii or have limitations on cover-age for labor, screens or hardware.

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Upcycling: Breathe new lifeinto decor with DIY inspirationIf you've ever looked around your

house and gotten the urge to purge,you might consider pausing and first

thinking about how you could transformthat old, damaged piece of furniture oroutdated light fixture into a fresh-facedshowpiece for your home.

Not only are you doing something good

for the environment — and likely yourpocketbook — by restoring something,you're embracing your inner creativity. Youcan make a truly one-of-a-kind decor piece,tailored to your personality and style.

This notion of restoring and reusingitems that would otherwise be cast asideto the junkyard or thrift store is called

“upcycling,” and it's a trend that hascaught on quickly, especially in homedesign. So where do you start? Hereare some helpful tips for tacklingyour own upcycling projects.

Start with a little inspirationLook through magazines, home design

blogs and websites to gather inspiration.Look for pieces that catch your eye and havethe same structure and “bones” as items inyour home that you’d like to restore.

For example, DremelWeekends.com isfilled with inspiring and low-cost do-it-your-self projects, tool recommendations andstep-by-step instructions to help you trans-form just about anything while bringing anew perspective to home renovation anddecoration. You can even sign up to receiveweekly project inspiration right to youremail inbox.

Shop without breaking the bankDecorating your home doesn't have to

cost a fortune. Look around your base-ment, attic, or at yard sales and consign-ment shops for free or inexpensive items

that you might be able to breathe new lifeinto. The old adage "never judge a book byits cover" would apply here. Do your bestto look beyond an item's current conditionand let the inspiration you've gleaned takeover as you see its full potential in a differ-ent light. If the piece has some defects,don't immediately overlook it. Sometimesperfection and personality can be found inthe imperfection.

Secrets of upcycling successThe secret to any do-it-yourself project

is to plan ahead. Beyond finding the inspira-tion for a project, gather the supplies andtools you'll need, read up on step-by-stepinstructions, dedicate a roomy workspacewhere everything is at your fingertips, andcarve out time to focus on the project.


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A re you thinking of renovating yourhome, but unsure of where tostart? This can be a challenging

process, but with a clear plan and the righthelp, the reward of an improved home canbe well worth it.

A home renovation can be a large invest-ment, so having the right lender is just asimportant as having the right contractor orarchitect. With many different financingoptions available, finding the lender that willwork hard to suit your personal needs andsave you the most money is so important.CU Network Services’ (NMLS# 375459)home loan experts will sit down with youto set a personalized plan to make yourhome renovation project affordable.

Before you collect quotes from contrac-tors, you should have an understanding ofhow much you can afford given your cur-rent financial situation. This will give you aclear picture to help keep renovation costswithin your budget, rather than stretchingyour budget to fit these costs.

Depending on your situation and theamount you are looking to borrow, here aresome popular financing options that arespecialties of CU Network Services:

Home Equity Line of CreditA Home Equity Line of Credit is the

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Cash-out refinanceThis allows you to take advantage of the

equity you have built up in your home byrefinancing your current mortgage balancewith the cash amount you need for yourrenovation. With this refinance option, youmaintain just one monthly payment.

Owner/Builder Construction LoanThis specialized and innovative loan is

one of the best options for homeownerslooking to knock down their current homeand rebuild a new one. With a constructionloan, portions of the loan are given out aseach phase of the construction process iscompleted, and it allows the option of inter-est-only payments during construction.

While there are many other things toconsider when choosing the right financingprogram, the lowest interest rate may notentirely mean that it’s the most cost-effec-tive option for you. CU Network Services’home loan experts are available for freeconsultations to help assess your personaland financial situations to get your budgetstarted. They can help you see what type ofmonthly payment you can afford and whichfinancing options would best fit your needs.

Call 529-4599 to speak to an experiencedhome loan expert or visit 681 S. King St. CUNetwork Services is an Equal Housing Lender.

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“HAWAII’S BEST FLOORING”

Good Sunday Morning to you! This week I would like to talk about perimeter and transitional moldings. These are those very necessary trim pieces that are used to fi nish off a fl oor both for safety and aesthetics. After a wood, laminate or vinyl fl oor is laid, one of the main things that should be remaining is an expansion gap. This is a small space or channel that is left along all perimeters of a fl oor so that there is room for movement.

The fl oors mentioned above are constantly expanding and contracting as temperature and humidity varies in your home. Follow manufacturer’s instructions as to how large a space to leave but the rule of thumb is to leave an expansion gap

the thickness of the fl oor. This gap needs to be covered over and the majority of folks choose to go with a quarter round that matches the fl oor. Other options include baseboards (in either matching wood or painted white) and base shoe molding. These are attached to your walls (not the fl oor) as the fl oor needs to move back and forth Transitional moldings are used to fi nish off a fl oor depending on what we are butting up to or where we are ending the fl oor. Try to select a molding that will be the least in-trusive, avoiding resemblance to a speed bump in your home. To slope the edge of the fl oor down to a lower height, such as to sheet vinyl or low carpet, a reducer is used. To bridge a gap between two fl oors of the same height, such as wood to tile, a T-molding is called for. And to wrap off a raw edge of a fl oor, say at the front door or if the adjoining fl oor is quite different in height, a threshold (aka an end molding or end cap) will nicely frame your fl oor. This is just some of the wealth of information that is covered in my monthly seminar. To learn more, please call HAWAII’S BEST FLOORING COMPANY to sign up for our next seminar.

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Adorn your windowswith elegant shadesSilhouette Window Shadings are win-

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of a shade and the softness of a curtain allin one design. The name itself suggestsbeauty, femininity, grace and style. They aresoft and sheer and control light withoutsacrificing privacy.

Silhouettes are made of sheer front andback facings that have fabric vanes sus-pended between them. When the shadingis lowered, the soft fabric vanes can be tilt-ed to direct and diffuse the sun for variablelight control. Sheer facings also diffuse light.With the vanes open, the sheer facingssoften the outside view, filter incoming lightand provide daytime viewing with privacy.This unique design offers superior UV pro-tection even when the vanes are tiltedopen. Silhouette Window Shadings help

block damaging sun rays, reduce heat/coldloss or gain, help lower utility bills and savevaluable resources. When the shadings areraised, the shade completely disappearsinto the headrail to expose the entire win-dow for an unobstructed view.

Silhouette Window Shadings are beauti-ful yet practical and graceful yet durable.Silhouettes give you the ability to modifythe look of any room by changing the qual-ity of exterior light — from harsh andunyielding to soft and comfortable. You willexperience the sun rays transforming intoa gentle, diffused beauty.

Silhouette Window Shadings are part ofa Hunter Douglas Counterparts® Refined& The Whole House Solution™ program. Itis a new program designed to offer superi-or coordination for selected fabrics andcolors with other Hunter Douglas prod-

ucts. By pairing similarly styled, colored andtextured fabrics, you can easily mix andmatch horizontal and vertical window fash-ions. Other window treatments in theCounterparts® program are theLuminette Privacy Sheers and the VignetteModern Roman Shades. This is an idealsolution for rooms with windows of vary-ing sizes, or if you’re looking to cover win-

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Swimming pool myths thatsimply don’t hold waterIt’s got all the hallmarks of a great home improvement

— adds value, enhances livability and beauty, and cre-ates a perfect gathering spot for family and friends. So

why wouldn’t you add a swimming pool to your outdoorliving space?

From the belief that it costs too much to operate a poolto the misconception it will go unused, myths about poolownership abound — and they likely dissuade some home-owners from making this valuable home improvement. Ifyou’ve been considering adding a swimming pool to youroutdoor environment, here are five common myths that areall wet:

Myth: Pools are too costly to install.Reality: A swimming pool is a significant home improve-ment investment, there’s no denying it. However, the costof a pool will depend on many factors, including the size ofyour yard, the dimensions of the pool and the materialsyou choose. When compared to other significant discre-tionary expenditures such as a family vacation — whichcosts the average family nearly $4,800 for one week of funeach year — a pool can be a high-value investment thatpays for itself in just a few years. Of course, finding the rightinstaller is key to a positive, cost-effective purchase. TheAssociation of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) offers an

online member locator to help consumers find an APSPCertified Professional in their area.

Myth: It’s difficult and costly to maintain a pool.Reality: Long gone are the days when operating a poolpump could cost almost as much as running your centralair conditioning during the summer. Pool pumps and filtra-tion systems are more energy efficient than ever, savingmoney on electricity costs. Plus, improvements in filtrationsystem and purification chemicals mean you’ll need lessproduct to keep a pool sparkling throughout the summer.In fact, when it comes to pool maintenance, 63 percent ofpool owners say maintaining correct water chemistry is notrouble at all, according to an APSP survey.

Myth: Pools are not energy efficient.Reality: Modern pool pumps require much less electricityto operate than you might think. Energy-efficient pumps canuse up to 30 percent less power to operate. When com-pared to other household sources of electricity consump-tion, swimming pools are a small percentage of a home’soverall energy use. What’s more, these systems can be evenmore cost effective when solar powered. Accessories canhelp conserve energy, too. For example, using a solar cover

on an inground pool when it’s not in use can help thewater retain heat and keep debris out of the pool, whichmeans less work for the filtration system — and you.

Myth: A pool won’t enhance my home’s value.Reality: Buyers like homes that have swimming pools:Among people who purchased a home with an existingswimming pool, an eye-opening 78 percent said thepresence of the pool contributed to their decision tobuy the house, according to the APSP survey.Depending on where you live, a pool may enhance yourhome’s appeal to prospective buyers even more —especially if you live in a region with very hot summersor a year-round temperate climate.


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MAY 19 • 2013 27

MAY 19, 2013 • 27

Photovoltaic systems have become very popular withhomeowners in Hawaii. They are attractive not onlybecause of their benefits to the environment, but

because they save homeowners a lot of money. For mosthomeowners, a photovoltaic system is one of the best invest-ments they will ever make.

What makes a photovoltaic system from Island PacificEnergy such a good investment? Let’s look at how a typicalhomeowner in Hawaii saves with a photovoltaic system.

Our example homeowner has a monthly electric bill of$300. This represents about 830 kWh of electricity per month.

A custom designed photovoltaic systemfrom Island Pacific Energy can provide 100percent of the homeowner’s electricalneeds. In this example, a 7.5kW photo-voltaic system consisting of 30 photovoltaic modules wouldprovide 100 percent of the customer’s energy needs andcost $32,000.

Without any financial incentives, it would take about nineand a half years for the saving in electricity costs to pay forthe system. Not bad, but fortunately, homeowners inHawaii have two financial incentives to help pay for the pur-chase of a photovoltaic system. The first is a 30 percent fed-eral tax credit. The second is a 35 percent state tax credit.

A tax credit is a direct reduction in the amount of taxes youowe. For example, if you owe $10,000 in taxes and you havean $8,000 tax credit, you only pay $2,000 in taxes. Or, if youhave already paid the taxes, you will get a refund of $8,000.

The tax credits on photovoltaic systems are based onthe total cost of the system. In this example, the photo-voltaic system from Island Pacific Energy costs $32,000.Calculating the tax credits, the 30 percent federal tax creditwould reduce federal taxes by $9,600 (30 percent times$32,000). The 35 percent state tax credit would reducestate taxes by $11,200 (35 percent times $32,000 andadjusted for limitations).

If you apply the tax credits to the cost of the photovolta-

ic system, the time it takes to pay for the system with sav-ings is much shorter. In this example, if you include the ben-efits from both the federal and state tax credits, the time ittakes to pay off the system goes from nine and a half years(with no tax credits) to only four and a half years.

The return on investment on a photovoltaic system isexcellent. The annual rate of return on the investment in aphotovoltaic system from Island Pacific Energy is more than25 percent per year. That’s more than 25 times the returnon a savings account and more than four times the histori-cal returns in the stock market.

Even better, homeowners can get this excellent rate ofreturn with no money down. Island Pacific Energy offers avariety of no money down options. You can finance 100percent of the cost of the system and use your monthlyenergy savings and tax credits to pay off the loan in lessthan five years.

No other investment is as easy and pays back as well asa photovoltaic system from Island Pacific Energy.

For more information on how you can make one of thebest investments, call Island Pacific Energy at 377-4570 oremail us at [email protected].

Make a wise investmentby installing solar panels

contact // 377-4570email // [email protected] // www.islandpacificenergy.com

ISLAND PACIFIC ENERGYBACK PAGE STORY28 MAY 19 • 2013


ISLAND PACIFIC ENERGY

HR 051913 Opt

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