Business View Magazine March 2023

27 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 3 AQUA ENGINEERS Project Services Program, which streamlines the standardized review process of all work associated with Army sewer system modifications, expansions, upgrades, rehabilitation, etc.” “We review and approve construction plans, permits, connection requests, and future project proposals, coordinate issue resolutions, and consult with developers to determine the best routes for off-site wastewater works,” Paul adds. Aqua Engineers took on an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) model in 2006 with support from the company’s four original founders: Ian Kagimoto, Walter Briant, Seichi Oyama, and Frank Kiger. Mr. Paul shares that becoming 100% employee-owned meant staff at Aqua Engineers felt they were intrinsically valued and directly involved in the growth of the business. “ESOP is an incredibly powerful wealth transfer business model. When you share the wealth with employees, they start to see the gain in their own accounts and really feel the benefits of the hard work they put in every day. I think it changes their focus from just showing up to ensuring every job is the best it can be from both an operational and service perspective,” Paul describes. “Their career becomes more than just a job; it’s a long-term investment. Usually, when you form an ESOP, you have to buy the company from the owners at 100% debt. Our founders kept some cash in the company to help us get started, which got us on our way a lot quicker. We actually had that initial loan completely paid off by 2011.” The Aqua Engineers team is a huge supporter of community-led projects and environmental industry initiatives such as the Kauai Make A Splash event and multiple sustainable wastewater plant designs, which have landed them national and state-level awards and recognitions. The impressive list of recognitions includes the Top 100 Most Charitable Companies in Hawaii (Hawaii Business), Performance and Innovation in SRFs Creating Environmental Success (PISCES) Award, Secretary of the Army Sustainability