University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa alumna Kiana Yamat is back at her alma mater. This time, the College of Engineering graduate and Miss Hawaiʻi USA 2022 is serving as a project engineer for the construction transformation at the heart of the Mānoa campus.
Yamat runs the office team for Hensel Phelps, the construction company in charge of the Mānoa Mini Master Plan.
She plays a key role managing contracts, ordering materials and handling finances in order to make these major upgrades to McCarthy Mall possible.
“It’s surreal and it’s an honor,” said Yamat. “Using the talent and experience gained from school, we are building something that impacts more than just the campus itself.”
Giving back for future generations
A major part of the project is the construction of a modern building for interdisciplinary learning, which will replace Snyder Hall as the home of the College of Education.
Being a part of this opportunity is especially meaningful to Yamat, whose mother is a retired public school teacher with a special education background.
“Knowing that there are people like my mom that will one day influence the whole community, thatʻs a big deal,” said Yamat.
Paving her path
During her time at UH Mānoa, Yamat was grateful for the many resources and partnering programs that the College of Engineering had to offer. It was through the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) UH Mānoa student chapter, which she was president of, that Yamat landed her current engineering role.
When Hensel Phelps presented to ASCE at one of their club meetings, it opened her eyes to civil engineering, a path she had not previously considered. Yamat connected with UH alumni at Hensel Phelps, who encouraged her to join the team.
Now, Yamat is on the other end, inspiring future engineers. Her company continues to partner with the ASCE student chapter.
“I want students to realize that no job is too small to be impactful,” said Yamat. “From the interns that we have on site all the way to the higher-ups, all of us are a piece of shaping something the public gets to see.”
—By Josslyn Rose
