9,743 Attend the 9th Annual BIA-Hawaii Remodel it Right, Remodel it Green Expo

BIA Press Release

​HONOLULU- The 9th Annual BIA Remodel It Right, Remodel It Green Expo, held on August 9 - August 11 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, generated an attendance of 9,743 over the three event days. Sponsors RevoluSun and BIA-Hawaii Remodelers presented Hawaii’s top contractors, suppliers, building industry experts and associates. The unique “Meet the Experts, Remodel It Right and Remodel It Green” interactive presentations offered educational round tablesessions with experts from the entire spectrum of the remodeling industry.

​Karen Nakamura, BIA-Hawaii CEO stated,

“We are surprised and very happy with the results of this year’s show. Out total attendance of 9,743 is a +25% increase over last year and our Sunday attendance of 4,311 is the highest number of Sunday attendees since this event premiered in 2005. Our exhibitors reported thousands of solid leads from attendees who came to the Expo with their plans, specific questions and timelines. Many families came to the Expo this year that were very actively planning whole house remodeling projects and were interested in seeking information from our experts. Popular topics included saving money by reducing energy consumption with solar photo voltaic panels, energy Starappliances, windows and green products that save people money with lower utility bills, rebates and tax credits. Since approximately 60% of Oahu homes are more than 50 years old and could benefit from a remodeling project, we are very committed to this building industry consumer event that is designed to educate homeowners in a collaborative environment.”

Department of Taxation (Announcement 2013-04) on the Sunset of Act 105

BIA's top legislative priority in the 2013 legislative session was to ensure that Act 105 (2011), which suspended the subcontractors' exemption, sunset as scheduled on June 30, 2013. We are happy to report that Act 105 repeals on June 30, 2013, after which all GE and Use Tax exclusions, exemptions and deductions under it will no longer be suspended. The Department of Taxation has issued an announcement on Act 105.

View Announcement No. 2013-04 here

Statement from NAHB Chairman Rick Judson on Senate Immigration Bill

NAHB Press Release

WASHINGTON, April 16 - Rick Judson, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Charlotte, N.C., issued the following statement regarding comprehensive immigration reform unveiled today by a group of eight bipartisan senators:

"NAHB congratulates Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) for their efforts to advance comprehensive immigration reform.

"We are pleased that the bill would create a fair, efficient and workable employee verification system that preserves the direct employer-employee relationship and the current knowing liability standard so that employers may easily understand their role and obligations. We also appreciate that the measure contains strong protections for employers against prosecution and penalties when acting in good faith and also includes provisions to make the system workable for our nation's small businesses.

"This bipartisan Senate bill represents a responsible solution to bringing the current undocumented population out of the shadows, and NAHB also welcomes the work that has been done to create a new visa program for the low-skill sector. However, we need to improve the size and scope of this program, and NAHB looks forward to working with the U.S. Senate to improve the bill as the legislative process advances."

Rep. Hastings' Bill Would Keep Forests Healthy, Boost Timber Production

WASHINGTON, April 11 - The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today urged Congress to support draft legislation unveiled by House Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) that  would require the U.S. Forest Service to actively manage its commercial forest lands and increase timber production on federal lands, thereby helping to ease lumber price volatility and keep the nation's forests healthy.

"The Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act would encourage increased production on federal timber lands, while at the same time remain mindful of important environmental considerations," said Justin Wood, vice president of construction for Fish Construction NW Inc., based in Portland, Ore. "This legislation will go a long way toward helping rebuild the supply chain and reviving local mills and timber companies, while ensuring the continued recovery of the housing industry."

Testifying on behalf of NAHB before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation, Wood said that the legislation would benefit rural communities and boost harvesting on federal lands by requiring the federal government to implement active forest management plans.

"I live in Vancouver, Washington, which is approximately 10 miles from the Gifford Pinchot National Forest," he said. "In our wooded rural neighborhood, the county encourages land owners to remove dead and diseased trees, including dead undergrowth, to reduce the risk of forest fires. It is confusing to the residents of the area that we follow these recommendations, while the policies are not implemented in the federal forest just a few miles away."

With lumber one of the most volatile-priced building materials and a major component in home construction, Wood also pointed out that proper federal forest management policies are tied to affordable housing.

NAHB research shows lumber and wood products account for 15 percent of the cost of construction for a single-family house. Lumber prices soared as the housing recovery gained momentum in 2012. For example, prices of oriented strand board, an engineered wood product, are up 92 percent since last April. Framing lumber is also seeing price increases upward of 28 percent.

These higher costs drive up the cost of construction, which in turn, drives up the price of a new home. This is of particular concern in the affordable housing sector, where relatively small price increases can have an immediate impact on low- to moderate-income home buyers.

"NAHB research shows that for every $1,000 price increase for a median priced new home, over 232,000 households can no longer afford that home," said Wood.

Another factor fueling rising lumber prices is that global demand is also up, especially in China, and U.S. exports have doubled in the last five years. There will be additional upward pressure on lumber prices as the housing industry recovers unless additional supply can be brought into the market.

"Federal forests supply a mere 2 percent of the wood used by the forest products industry, and it is important for Congress to take a deep look into what barriers the Administration is facing in pursuit of increased harvesting on federal lands," said Wood. "Chairman Hastings' bill would ease escalating price pressures, allow responsible timber production to occur on federal lands, protect the environment and help keep housing affordable for hard-working families."

FHA Reform Efforts Must Ensure Borrowers Have Access to Affordable Home Loans

WASHINGTON, April 10 - With tight mortgage lending standards preventing well-qualified home buyers from obtaining home loans and impeding the housing and economic recovery, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today expressed support for congressional efforts to reform the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) but urged lawmakers to proceed in a cautious manner to avoid any disruptions to the nation's housing finance system.

Testifying before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, NAHB First Vice Chairman Kevin Kelly, a builder and developer from Wilmington, Del., pointed out the vital role that FHA played to help the housing sector emerge from its worst downturn since the Great Depression.

"While there is no doubt that the housing finance system needs to be reformed, the contributions that the FHA made during the economic downturn underscore the need for a government backstop for both the primary and secondary mortgage markets," said Kelly. "In times of crisis, private sources of mortgage credit have been unable or unwilling to meet housing capital needs."

Without government support for home purchasing and refinancing, Kelly warned lawmakers that the nation's mortgage markets "will grind to a halt in times of economic stress and uncertainty."

In 2006 before the housing downturn hit, FHA's share of the market was a meager 3 percent as private financial institutions boasted a healthy presence. When the housing downturn hit, there was a role reversal, as private players fled the market and FHA-insured mortgages became the only credit option for first-time home buyers, minorities and those with limited downpayment capabilities.

"This dramatic shift is evidence that FHA is performing its mission of providing the federal backstop to ensure that every creditworthy American has access to a stable mortgage product," said Kelly. "As the private market assumes a greater role in the mortgage marketplace, maintaining an appropriate level of government support is essential to preserve financial stability, promote investor confidence and ensure liquidity and stability for homeownership and rental housing."

Noting that the Federal Reserve and leading economists have warned that overly restrictive underwriting requirements are preventing creditworthy borrowers from accessing mortgage credit, Kelly called on lawmakers to take a long-term, holistic approach to housing finance reform.

"Changes to FHA's programs cannot be separated from the larger discussion of reforming the complex housing finance system, including future reforms to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac," he said. "NAHB urges Congress to proceed cautiously and not to significantly alter the role of FHA programs."

"Housing has led America out of every economic downturn and can do so again if the future policies regarding housing finance reforms are addressed in a manner that provides liquidity for the entire housing sector," he added.

Highlights from the Board of Directors Meeting at the 2011 International Builders' Show

Key video reports from the recent NAHB Board of Directors Meeting is available for viewing.

To view the videos please log onto the NAHB.org website before clicking on this link.

Promote National Designation Month in February

In February, NAHB Education sponsors National Designation Month to promote ongoing education in the housing industry, recognize the achievements of building professionals and educate the public about the value of selecting builders, remodelers and other industry professionals who hold NAHB designations. The 2010 NDM was a great success, with more than 150 classes held at participating HBAs across the country drawing a total of 1,616 registrants.

Marketing and public relations materials to promote National Designation Month are available to order or download here: www.nahb.org/ndmtools

For more information on participating in National Designation Month, visit www.nahb.org/ndm, or call the Professional Designation Help Line at 800-368-5242, x8154, e-mail them at designations@nahb.org.

17th Annual 2011 BIA Home Building & Remodeling Show Generates Attendance of 22,655

BIA Home Building and Remodeling Show Attendees

Lea Kanaya, BIA Training Coordinator and Karen Nakamura, BIA CEO at the HBRS show

HONOLULU- The 17th Annual BIA Home Building & Remodeling Show, held January 28- 30 at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, generated 22,655 attendees. This is a +13% increase over the  2010 show and the third largest attendance in the 17 year history of this signature BIA-Hawaii event.

Silver Sponsor BIA-Hawaii Remodelers presented Hawaii’s top contractors, suppliers, building industry experts and associates. The daily seminars conducted by award winning designers and industry experts drew hundreds of interested consumers. The most popular exhibitors featured Photovoltaic Solar Panels, Windows, Kitchen & Bathroom Renovation contractors and sustainable materials that offered low maintenance and energy savings to homeowners. The top sustainable and energy efficient material categories were flooring, cabinets, counter tops and roofing. Consumer attendees were focused, brought lists, took notes and asked the exhibitors specific questions. The 2011 attendance reflects an increase of +13.0% over the 20,059 show attendance in 2010.

Karen Nakamura, BIA-Hawaii CEO stated, “We are thrilled with the tremendous public response and our exhibitors are very excited to start 2011  with this level of interest and leads from the commercial and residential markets at the 2011 BIA Home Building & Remodeling Show. For many people, their home is their most valuable asset and we are proud to provide ‘The Big Show’ array of products and services under one roof. Consumers used our guidebooks to find specific vendors, obtain information, costing and availability of products and services.”

Chartered in 1955, the Building Industry Association of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders, representing the building industry and its' associates. The 500 members of BIA-Hawaii are developers, contractors, suppliers, Realtors, architects, financial institutions and a host of other professionals who serve the building industry. BIA-Hawaii takes a leadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality of life for the people of Hawaii.
View the 2011 HBRS News Coverage on the BIA Youtube Channel

2011 BIA Home, Building, and Remodeling Show

The 2011 BIA Home, Building, and Remodeling Show is just 2 days away. Graham Builders is participating in this year's show and will reveal a very unusual display. It's called the "Green Dog Haus", an eco-friendly dog house visitors can bid on with proceeds benefiting the Hawaiian Humane Society. And joining us now live is Mark Slivka from Graham Builders.

View the KITV-ABC interview here

FDIC Hotline Lets Builders Voice Concerns on Credit Availability

To help small business firms address their difficulties in obtaining credit, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) has announced the creation of a new hotline and website that enable small business owners – including builders – to register specific issues or problems they may be having with credit availability. Let your members know about this excellent opportunity for them to weigh in directly with the FDIC to discuss any business constraints they are facing due to the scarcity of credit for housing.

Members can call 866-924-NAHB (866-924-6242), which will patch them through to the FDIC's hotline, where they can discuss their specific situation. Callers should be aware that they will be talking to a live FDIC representative, so they should have all relevant information at hand. Operating hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., EST, Monday through Friday.

They can also provide more details by accessing the dedicated FDIC website at www.fdic.gov/smallbusiness and using the Business Assistance Form at the bottom of the page. This allows them to fill in information and provide details about lending or credit problems they are having with a specific bank or lending institution.
NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen sent a letter to all NAHB members this week alerting them to this great opportunity to help expand regulators' awareness of the extent of the credit crunch for small home builders. Any home builder, developer or associate who is unable to obtain financing, is having a hard time with an outstanding AD&C loan or feels that they have been treated unfairly by their lending institution should alert the FDIC either through the hotline or the FDIC website.

Strong member participation is vital to raise greater awareness of the AD&C credit problems builders are facing and to find constructive solutions that will restore the flow of credit to our industry. Please urge any of your members who are experiencing credit problems to contact the FDIC today!

teamhawai'i in the US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

hale - a built structure
pili -connection; to connect
honua - earth and land

teamhawai'i, one of twenty university teams selected by the U.S. Department of Energyin the SOLAR DECATHLON (http://www.solar.hawaii.edu/), will build a sustainable house leading the way to a more sustainable future.


Photos left to right: Tarin Ma / Justin Carland / Elyse Petersen and Tyler Phillips with Karen Nakamura at the International Builders Show in Orlando.