From May 6 – 10, the construction industry came together to recognize Construction Safety Week, a national effort to elevate awareness and renew commitment to keeping every worker safe on the job. At HCATF, safety is always top of mind – it’s built
into every step of training.
Whether they’re starting their first week as a pre-apprentice or are an apprentice working toward
journeyworker status, HCATF trainees are taught that safety is foundational to their success. From the earliest classroom sessions, apprentices are introduced to OSHA standards, PPE protocols, hazard recognition, and near-miss reporting. But
more importantly, they learn that safety isn’t a checklist – it’s a culture.
“You can teach rules, but you have to show what it means to live by them,” said Errol Kusunoki, HCATF’s Training Coordinator on Maui. “The more apprentices understand the why behind safety, the more likely they are to carry it forward – on every job,
with every crew.”
As the industry evolves and job sites become more complex, safety training has become both more technical and more collaborative. HCATF emphasizes jobsite communication, hands-on hazard identification, and situational awareness
as part of every apprentice’s core education.
“What separates checking the box from real safety culture, is consistency,” Kusunoki added, “Are you showing up every day with the same mindset? Are you making sure your crew is, too?”
He encourages apprentices to develop safety habits early – not just for themselves, but for the people working alongside them.
“One habit every apprentice should build from the start is speaking up. If something looks off or feels off, say something. That’s what builds trust – and trust is what makes a safe site work.”
On every island, in every training yard and classroom, safety is reinforced as both an individual responsibility and a team value. And as Hawaii’s construction workforce grows, so does the need to lead with intention – keeping one another safe
through awareness, action, and respect.
“Our job isn’t to just build structures,” said Kusunoki. “It’s to build people who come home safe to their families and loved ones, every time.”
