Kitsap Construction

Building a Legacy

Raising the Bar in Public Infrastructure

 

In Hawaiʻi’s construction industry, success is measured by more than scale or speed. Geographic isolation, complex permitting, and public accountability demand discipline and adaptability that few contractors consistently demonstrate. Kitsap Construction stands among them. With deep roots in public-sector work and a workforce shaped by decades of shared experience, the company has become a trusted partner to state agencies, educational institutions, and correctional facilities across the islands.

From Experience to Ownership

Kitsap Construction began operations in 2015, but its foundation was built years earlier through the leadership team’s shared experience at a large general contracting firm in Hawaiʻi. Working together for decades on state and government projects, the team develops the technical expertise and collaborative approach that ultimately shape Kitsap Construction.

George Baxter, Managing Member of Kitsap Construction, explains that the company’s launch is driven by timing and opportunity. “I got my contractor’s license in 2015 while Deja, Darin, and I were working for a large general contracting company here in Hawaiʻi,” Baxter explains. “The owner is nearing retirement and planning to pass the business to his kids, and I decided it makes sense to start my own company rather than stay on.”

Rather than making an abrupt transition, Baxter begins building Kitsap Construction while still employed, taking on subcontracting work and gradually establishing the business. “Between 2015 and 2018, I was doing subcontracting work like painting and drywall while slowly building the company,” Baxter recalls.

By 2018, Kitsap Construction fully transitions into prime contracting, applying the same structure and expertise the team has relied on for years. “We really just morph into what we were already doing,” Baxter notes. “I handle estimating and project management, Deja manages projects, and Darin runs the field. We bring that same experience with us.”

Strength in Continuity

When the former general contracting firm eventually closes its doors, many long-serving employees follow Baxter to his new company. That continuity becomes one of Kitsap Construction’s defining strengths. Today, the company employs approximately 20 to 25 people, supported by flexible labor as needed, but the core team has worked together for decades.

“A lot of the employees who work with me now, I’ve worked with for 20 or 25 years,” Baxter reflects. “We all started in the same place, and now we’re here together.”

That shared history fosters a culture rooted in trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. Kitsap Construction experiences very low turnover, and the company’s workforce often spans multiple generations. Sons of longtime employees now work alongside their parents, and siblings frequently share job sites.

“We’re a very tight-knit group,” Baxter adds. “Some of my employees have their sons working here now. Deja’s brother is with us as a superintendent, and I’m training him to move into estimating. There’s a lot of mentoring and teaching going on all the time.”

The team’s versatility is another distinguishing factor. Many employees can perform a wide range of tasks, from operating heavy equipment to completing detailed finish carpentry. “Our guys can do it all,” Baxter emphasizes. “They can operate an excavator and then turn around and do finished carpentry. That kind of skill set is invaluable.”

Delivering on Public Projects

Kitsap Construction focuses primarily on public-sector work, serving agencies such as the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, the University of Hawaiʻi system, and the state’s correctional facilities. These projects demand a high level of coordination, compliance, and accountability, areas where the company’s experience proves essential.

In recent years, Kitsap Construction has completed several full cafeteria kitchen renovations for the Department of Education, including projects on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi. Many of these facilities have not been updated in decades. “Some of these schools haven’t had new kitchen equipment in 50 years,” Baxter points out. “We go in and completely modernize the kitchens with new equipment, exhaust systems, and finishes.”

The company is also in the midst of a significant project at the Kauaʻi Community Correctional Center, where it is assembling and outfitting a prefabricated kitchen building shipped from the mainland. “The building is fabricated in Oregon and shipped over,” Baxter explains. “We’re installing all new kitchen equipment and expanding their capacity. We’ve been doing a lot of kitchen work lately.”

Beyond institutional projects, Kitsap Construction also delivers community-focused work, including the recent construction of a dog park on Lānaʻi. “That project is really special,” Baxter says. “The community response is incredible, and we have a blessing ceremony that means a lot to everyone involved.”

Navigating Hawaiʻi’s Regulatory Environment

Working in Hawaiʻi requires navigating a complex regulatory and permitting landscape, particularly for public projects. Inspections, approvals, and submittals are an ongoing part of the process, and delays are common.

“Permitting is always a challenge,” Baxter notes. “Between inspections, submittals, long-lead materials, and closeouts, everything has to be timed carefully.”

In many cases, state agencies apply for permits themselves, but the process can still be lengthy. “Permitting in Honolulu takes a long time,” Baxter explains. “Sometimes we’re asked to start work while we wait for the permit, then we operate under courtesy inspections until everything is finalized.”

Rather than viewing these constraints as obstacles, Kitsap Construction treats them as part of doing business. “We’ve been doing this for so long that regulatory compliance is second nature,” Baxter states. “It’s not really a challenge anymore. It’s how things work here.”

Safety is another critical focus. Kitsap Construction invests heavily in training and certification to ensure that crews operate safely and responsibly on every site. “We’re very safety-oriented,” Baxter adds. “We make sure everyone is up to date on their training and certifications.”

Financial Discipline

Kitsap Construction takes a conservative and disciplined approach to financial management, prioritizing stability over rapid expansion. One of the company’s defining characteristics is its commitment to operating without debt.

“We don’t borrow money,” Baxter states. “We’re completely debt-free.”

When new equipment is needed, the company purchases it outright rather than financing or renting long-term. “If we need a piece of equipment for six months out of the year, we just buy it,” Baxter explains. “That includes forklifts, backhoes, scissor lifts, and company trucks.”

Short-term needs are addressed through rentals, but long-term assets remain in-house. This approach provides flexibility while protecting the company from financial strain. “Nobody likes making payments,” Baxter adds. “Being debt-free gives us peace of mind and keeps the focus on the work.”

Merit over Low Bid

A key component of Kitsap Construction’s success is its participation in the State of Hawaiʻi’s preferred small contractor programs. These invite-only programs emphasize merit, performance, and reliability rather than the lowest price alone.

Deja Corpening, Controller at Kitsap Construction, outlines the process. “These programs require you to submit extensive documentation about your experience and performance,” Corpening explains. “You’re graded, and if you don’t meet the requirements, you’re not accepted.”

Kitsap Construction is currently accepted into two such programs and is preparing for a third through the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Once received, contractors are invited to bid on projects for several years.

“These are five-year programs,” Corpening adds. “Bids are only sent to a small group of contractors who meet the criteria.”

Each project is evaluated on multiple factors, including schedule, pricing, and past performance. “It’s not just low bid anymore,” Baxter emphasizes. “It’s merit-based. You’re graded on every job.”

Investing in Apprenticeship

Beyond projects and programs, Kitsap Construction places a strong emphasis on workforce development. The company actively supports apprenticeship pathways for young workers entering the trades.

“We take young people straight out of high school and enroll them in apprenticeship programs,” Baxter explains. “We’re funding their training to become foreman painters and foreman carpenters.”

These programs typically last three to five years, and Kitsap Construction covers the cost without binding agreements. “There are no strings attached,” Baxter adds. “If they choose to leave after they finish, they can, but we’re confident they’ll stay.”

By investing in training, Kitsap Construction helps address workforce shortages while creating meaningful career opportunities. “We want to build the next generation,” Baxter states. “It’s important for the industry and for our communities.”

Leadership by Example

Leadership at Kitsap Construction is defined by example rather than hierarchy. Baxter emphasizes ethical decision-making and personal accountability in every aspect of the business.

“I’m not a boss boss,” Baxter reflects. “I lead by example. I wouldn’t ask anyone to do something I wouldn’t do myself.”

That approach empowers employees to make decisions aligned with company values, often without direct oversight. “My superintendents already know how I’ll answer most questions,” Baxter notes. “They don’t even need to call me.”

When working in smaller island communities, that sense of responsibility extends beyond contractual obligations. “If someone needs help, we help,” Baxter adds. “If our crews are on an island and a school or teacher needs something small done, we take care of it. It’s about supporting the community.”

Work Worth Doing

Over the next 12 to 24 months, Kitsap Construction’s priorities remain focused and deliberate. The company plans to continue participating in preferred contractor programs, strengthen relationships with public agencies, and selectively pursue private work through referrals and long-standing client relationships.

“I don’t just bid for anything,” Baxter notes. “Private work comes from people who already know us and trust us.”

At its core, Kitsap Construction remains motivated by the same principles that guided its founding. “I love the work,” Baxter says. “I love estimating, bidding, and being able to support the families who work here.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Kitsap Construction

What: A public-sector construction company defined by experience, trust, and disciplined execution.

Where: Operating across the Hawaiian Islands

Website: kitsapconstruction.net