The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Engineering is continuing a long-standing partnership with the General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) to strengthen construction engineering education. Through funding from the GCA Education Foundation, the college supports a dedicated faculty position that brings construction industry professionals into the classroom.
“This partnership not only enriches our students’ learning with practical, real-world experience but also strengthens connections with employers, helping launch their careers and support Hawaiʻi’s construction engineering industry,” College of Engineering Dean Brennon Morioka said.
Joshua Ka Tung Au was recently appointed to the GCA-funded position in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering. He replaces longtime instructor Randy Akiona, who taught construction engineering courses at UH Mānoa for more than two decades as part of the same industry-supported effort.
Au brings more than 20 years of experience in construction engineering, project management and education. A UH Mānoa alumnus, he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and later completed a master’s degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in construction engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. His professional experience includes work on major projects in Hawaiʻi and internationally, most recently as a project engineer with Allied Builders System.
“I am honored to join the University of Hawaiʻi and contribute to shaping future construction leaders,” Au said. “This position allows me to bridge my industry experience with academic teaching, preparing students to tackle real-world challenges with confidence and innovation.”
GCA has supported the College of Engineering since the 1970s, funding instructors from the industry to align academic programs with workforce needs and support student projects and experiential learning.
“Hawaiʻi’s construction industry needs professionals who understand both engineering fundamentals and the realities of working in the field,” GCA Executive Director Cheryl Walthall said. “With Joshua joining the faculty, GCA is investing in a stronger, more prepared local workforce for the long term.”
Read more about Au on the College of Engineering website.
