LAHAINA, Hawaii (Oct. 14, 2024) – In the aftermath of the devastating Lahaina fires that took place in August 2023, Nordic PCL Construction, Inc. is playing a critical role in the Ka Laʻi Ola emergency interim housing project which will provide 270 prefabricated modular units to displaced families.
“The Ka Laʻi Ola initiative is a crucial part of the ongoing recovery efforts for fire victims and our involvement reflects Nordic PCL’s commitment to helping the people of Maui rebuild,” said Glen Kaneshige, Nordic PCL president. “We are dedicated to helping the community and will continue to support its recovery however we can.”
In July, the first emergency housing unit was installed on the 1,128-acre Lei Alii site near the Lahaina Civic Center. Nordic PCL has been installing the foundations, access ramps, steps and decking as the site contractor completes mass grading and underground utility installation. The installation process involves carefully placing the modular living pods onto an engineered steel foundation followed shortly by the connection of utilities to the unit. The project team is also designing and constructing community spaces, including laundry facilities and outdoor gathering areas to provide residents with the experience of a living in a kauhale, or Hawaiian village community.
The site is divided into two areas: one for families qualifying under Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines and another managed by HomeAid Hawaii on behalf of the State of Hawaii. Modular units allow the flexibility to be configured in various orientations to accommodate small and large families. The development of Ka La’i Ola will provide a stable and secure environment for the fire survivors until many can have their homes rebuilt in Lahaina.
Around the time the first modular unit was set, Nordic PCL also participated in the Remembrance and Paddle Out event at Hanaka’o’o Beach Park, marking the one-year anniversary of the fires on Aug. 8. This event provided a moment for reflection and community solidarity, with lunches donated and distributed to those in attendance as a gesture of aloha to honor those affected by the fires.
The Lahaina Fires and associated recovery are deeply personal for Curtis Tiritas, a project manager at Nordic PCL who has been involved in Ka La’i Ola. Curtis himself experienced the devastation of losing his own home on Oahu by a fire nearly two years ago.
“My house burned while I was working on the Big Island in December 2022, and the experience of rebuilding it was incredibly challenging,” Curtis Tiritas shared. “That hardship, combined with my deep connection to Lahaina where my first child was born, made this project personal for me. It’s not just a job — it’s about helping my neighbors and making sure the rebuilding is done right.”
Nordic PCL remains committed to working alongside the community, inspiring hope and healing to those affected by the fires.
"Our motivation is about people and the community. We’re here to help rebuild and give the people of Lahaina the support they need to recover,” said Tiritas.
PCL Construction
PCL is a group of independent construction companies that operates throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia. As one of the largest contracting organizations in North America, PCL completes more than $7 billion USD in work annually, building projects that shape communities. The company’s 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL’s leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com.