Hawai‘i Professional Women in Building Council: Empowering Women in Construction
Established in 2024 under the leadership of BIA Hawai‘i President Hinano Nahinu, the Hawai‘i Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council is a powerful voice for women in the building and construction industry. As part of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) network, PWB is committed to advancing professionalism, leadership, and opportunity for women at the local, state, and national levels.
Through targeted programs in education, professional development, and networking, the council equips members with critical business and leadership skills to accelerate career success. PWB also provides access to national scholarships, awards, grants, and industry recognition opportunities.
The Hawai‘i PWB Council offers a dynamic platform for women to connect, collaborate, and thrive—supporting diversity and inclusion across the construction industry statewide.
Ready to Join PWB Hawaii?
To participate in the PWB Hawai‘i Chapter, you must register through the official member application and pay the associated dues:
Already a BIA Hawaii member?
Click JOIN NOW, complete the form, and select “PWB” in Step 5 of the application.
Not a BIA Hawaii member yet?
We welcome you to apply as a Builder, Supplier, or Associate. Once your BIA Hawai‘i membership is approved, you may return here to join PWB.
For more information contact: events@biahawaii.org
Message from Our Chair: Hinano Nahinu
Hinano Nahinu | PWB Hawaii Council Chair
In 2025, the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council marks 70 years of advancing women in the residential construction industry. With more than 70 councils and thousands of members nationwide, PWB has helped open doors and create new opportunities for women to lead and thrive in a field that has traditionally been male-dominated.
Last year, BIA Hawai‘i launched its first-ever PWB Council—establishing a new space where nā wahine in construction can connect, grow, and lead. As founding chair and immediate past president of BIA Hawai‘i, I’m proud to be part of this movement. Together, we’re building more than just homes—we’re building careers, confidence, and community.
My introduction to PWB came in 2023 through NAHB’s Emerging Leaders Program. At a leadership summit in Palm Springs, I met incredible women from across the country—builders, designers, engineers, and leaders—who shared stories of mentorship, advocacy, and success. I left deeply inspired and felt a strong calling to bring that energy home to Hawai‘i.
Since then, PWB Hawai‘i has helped women launch businesses, earn contractor licenses, and explore new paths in construction. We focus on three pillars: networking, education, and community outreach. These are the tools that help women not just enter the industry—but lead in it.
We’ve already seen the impact. One of the most powerful examples came at the Wahine Forum last fall, where I met a young Native Hawaiian entrepreneur interested in construction. We welcomed her into our network. She joined BIA Hawai‘i, graduated from our Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training (PACT) program, and is now working in the field.
That’s what this council is about—lifting each other up and helping the next generation find their path.
Looking ahead, our council is planning a full calendar of workshops, panel discussions, and networking events. We’re expanding to the Neighbor Islands and working with local schools and women’s organizations to make sure PWB Hawai‘i reaches every woman who wants to be part of this industry.
"We’re not just opening doors—we’re helping women walk through them with confidence."
– Hinano Nahinu, Chair, PWB Hawai‘i
From Learning to Leadership: A PWB Success Story
Tiffanie Gardner | PWB Vice Chair
At Top Priority, Inc.—a locally owned countertop fabrication company—we’re always looking for ways to grow and stay competitive. In 2019, I enrolled in BIA Hawai‘i and NAHB education programs, and continued my training even through the challenges of the pandemic. That commitment to professional development became a turning point for both my career and our company.
Before taking these courses, I had limited knowledge of project management, large-scale contracting, and complex bidding processes. Through BIA and NAHB, I earned certifications in Project Management and CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist), and completed courses in Estimating & Scheduling and Construction Quality Management. The knowledge I gained gave me the confidence to step into new business opportunities with clarity and direction.
As a result, Top Priority successfully expanded into government and civil projects, large-scale general contracting, and multi-unit developments. We also became recognized experts in aging-in-place design and consultation. Today, our annual revenue consistently exceeds $1 million—a milestone I attribute in large part to the training and support I received.
I’m incredibly grateful to our owner, Chino Haynes, for investing in my growth. The return on that investment has been transformational.
“The skills I gained through BIA and NAHB didn’t just help me grow—they reshaped the future of our company.”
– Tiffanie Gardner (PWB Vice Chair), General Manager, Top Priority, Inc.
Engineering a New Path
Gindi French | PWB Education Chair
Gindi French (PWB Education Chair) grew up in Southern California and began her career at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory while still in high school, working as a rocket surgeon. She went on to study mechanical engineering with a minor in ocean engineering at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, paving the way for a decade-long career in spacecraft and deep-sea instrumentation—fulfilling her passion for exploring extreme environments.
After moving to Hawai‘i, Gindi consulted for the University of Hawai‘i’s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) and the Hawai‘i Space Flight Laboratory. She also taught Technical Communication at UH Mānoa. When the lab closed, she shifted into the trades and quickly discovered a talent for hands-on work and project management across general, electrical, and plumbing contracting.
Today, Gindi is the co-owner of Kamaʻāina Handyman and Oʻahu Home Inspections. She is an active member of the Hawai‘i Electricians Association (HEA) and Professional Women in Building (PWB), and she teaches courses at BIA Hawai‘i, helping others grow in the industry.