TheBuzz
TheBuzz
HawaiiPlanz.com is not a Web site for hip-hop peepz planning vacationz in the 808 state. A new virtual
mousetrap for isle
construction contractorsIt is a new online digital planroom for contractors.
The "Z" is there "to be different," said President Kenneth Leong Jr. "It also signifies saving time." As in "zip" or "zoom."
Hawaii Planz Administrators Inc. was founded last year by Leong, vice president Ryan Doi and James Fujino, director of software engineering.
The Web site bears plans for government contracts which companies otherwise would have to collect from 16 offices on Oahu and the neighbor islands.
Most of the time estimators make the runs and "they are normally paid 110 percent of a journeyman's wage," said Leong. He doesn't believe the company will put estimators out of work.
"They can concentrate on doing actual estimates," he said. "We're trying to save contractors money up front during the bid process."
A former electrical contractor, Leong does the running and plans are uploaded from the trio's Manoa Innovation Center offices to the company Web site. Neighbor island information is mailed in.
Hawaii Planz members receive e-mail notification of work falling within their company profiles as well as any addenda to such projects. Government work is the focus, but the company also hopes to lure private sector work.
Fees range from $50 to $300 per month, with discounts offered for annual memberships and for members of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii, which has handed its plan room over to Hawaii Planz.
"They were looking for a solution," Leong said. "The thing got cumbersome."
Grace Pacific is a subscriber that found another way to use the service, Leong said. Rather than fly people around to view physical plans, the company can use the site in teleconferencing.
Companies unable to download plans can opt to have them printed and delivered by The Blue Print Co. at a preferred subscriber fee, according to President Allan Dowsett.
Contractors have round-the-clock one-stop access to only those bids they want to see. "The government gets more bids and it's obviously good for us," he said.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com