AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. AN EDITION OF GIVE YOUR INTERIOR DECOR AN ANTIQUE TOUCH. See Page 14 When tackling solar projects both big and small, Sunetric has risen above the competition to become a top-notch energy service provider in Hawaii. | See page 3 FEBRUARY 10, 2013 | HAWAIIRENOVATION.STARADVERTISER.COM HHE Scan Here • Call today to talk to our Solar Specialist for free estimate (residential & commercial) • Locally Owned & Operated since 1981 • 0% Down Finance Option Available 808-695-3976 www.hawaiihomeexpo.com | Special Loan Available Now: 0% Interest for 2 years, Payments amortized up to 10 years
Transcript
AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC.
AN EDITION OF
GIVE YOUR INTERIOR DECOR AN ANTIQUE TOUCH. See Page 14
When tackling solar projects both big and small, Sunetric has risen above thecompetition to become a top-notch energy service provider in Hawaii. | See page 3
FEBRUARY 10, 2013 | HAWAIIRENOVATION.STARADVERTISER.COM
HHE
Scan Here
• Call today to talk to our Solar Specialist for free estimate (residential & commercial)
• Locally Owned & Operated since 1981
• 0% Down Finance Option Available
808-695-3976www.hawaiihomeexpo.com | Special Loan Available Now: 0% Interest for 2 years, Payments amortized up to 10 years
ARE YOU A SALESMACHINE?
NOW IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY!
Want to work for THE BEST?
www.sunetric.com
Saturday, February 16th, 9am to 2pmHawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki
Join us!
www.sunetric.com/sell16
Visit our website and complete an online application for an Energy Consultant position prior to stopping in at the event.
HIRING EVENT
Just when you thought the gift giving,indulgent eating of the holidays wasover, Valentine’s Day pops right up. If
you’re like me, you’d rather get a sentimentalcard and a good meal than a gift. Then again,I’m not necessarily your typical girl. While Ican appreciate the beauty of a designerhandbag, I’ve never understood the reason-ing behind spending thousands on one. I’drather have an item for the home that I’ll useevery day and even get a return on invest-ment for in the future.
We all know that the biggest returns
come from the kitchen.But what you may notknow may surprise you.Whether you are shop-ping for yourself or foryour significant other,here are five kitchensolutions you neverknew you needed:
1. Pull-down shelv-ing. If you are short like me, or if you justwant to maximize your space, consider thisoption and get rid of your step stool. Thisshelving pulls hard-to-reach items down andout from the cabinet, allowing you to reachthem with ease.
2. Garbage disposal air switch.Why switch your switch? Safety. Because ituses a puff of air to turn on the disposal, theair switch eliminates the chance for electricshock that traditional wall switches pose.
Plus, it is usuallymounted directlyinto the countertopnear the sink, so youwon’t have to worryabout leaning over toturn on the disposal.
3. Dishwasherdrawer. If you havea small household or
run your dishwasher infrequently, this scaled-down appliance is for you. It takes up lessspace than its traditional counterpart andallows you to run half-loads without wastingprecious resources.
4. Pot-filler faucet. This is one yourback will thank you for. A filled pot of watercan weigh up to 20 pounds, and this faucetwill eliminate the need to lug it from the sinkto the stove. It also frees up the kitchen sink,allowing you to multitask.
5. Elevator oven. Say goodbye to burnsfrom the side of your oven. This wall-mount-ed oven’s bottom drops down to counter-height, allowing you to access it from multi-ple sides. It lifts back up with the touch of abutton and even doubles as a cook topwhen left in the down position.
When shopping for your home, keep inmind that the best products provide functionand style that you can appreciate every day.
2 • FEBRUARY 10, 2013 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
JOANNE ROMERO2 FEBRUARY 10 • 2013
Hawaii Renovation is a weekly advertising supplement published by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Now that we are well into the newyear, it’s time for home improve-ment projects. Remember when
you bought your first car? Think about allthose questions you asked yourself and theall-too-eager car salesman. How much tospend? Is it safe? How is it on gas?
It’s almost like buying your first photovolta-ic system (except solar doesn’t burn hydro-carbons). With competition in Hawaii’s solarenergy industry heating up, your choice forPV contractors has grown and will onlybecome more confusing. And it’s not like youcan take a PV system out for a test drive.
But with the right questions, you cantake the contractor out for a “test drive.”Don’t let your enthusiasm for getting rid ofelectricity bills get the better of you.
Sunetric presents these questions foryou to ask your PV system contractor soyou can collect your thoughts and makethe smartest investment for your home.
Does the contractor have a C-13 licenseand other solar-relevant certifications?Sunetric holds a number of license classifi-cations, including a C-13 ElectricalContractors license. This means Sunetricemployees are licensed to install the sys-tems they sell. More so, Sunetric employeesare NABCEP (North American Board ofCertified Energy Practitioners) certified,which means that Sunetric specializes in PV.Also, make sure that the company is anHSEA-approved contractor.
Who provides the warranty on the sys-tem? It’s best to choose a contractor whotakes full responsibility for the design, instal-lation and warranty, so issues don’t fallthrough the cracks. It’s also good to askwhether the company has been in the PVbusiness for as long as the current warrantythey are offering. At a minimum, the con-tractor must have survived at least one fullwarranty cycle to prove it’ll be there afterthe sale should you need it. Sunetric offersa six-year warranty and has been in busi-ness for more than eight years.
How does the contractor measure expe-
rience in the business?Many companies toutcumulative years ofexperience. If Sunetric were to measure itselfbased on cumulative years, it would havemore than 400 years. Other companies touthours of training, but that is no substitute foryears of experience. Don’t be misled bycompanies that talk about open permits. Areal measure of success is the number ofclosed permits a company has. Also, ask howmany megawatts they have installed inHawaii. Sunetric has installed more than 50MW of PV, which is more than three timesmore than any other company.
What’s the contractor’s history with cus-tomers? Check with the state Departmentof Commerce and Consumer Affairs,Better Business Bureau (BBB) andProfessional and Licensing Division. WithSunetric, every job begins and ends withsafety as a priority and core belief. Puttingsafety first — for those on the job and forthe customers and their home — is stan-dard operating procedure at Sunetric.
What is the company’s warranty onworkmanship? Sunetric offers a six-yearwarranty on all work performed on itsinstallations. Furthermore, Sunetric’s highlytrained roofing crews allow the companyto offer a five-year warranty on your roof,whereas most other companies only offerone year or none at all. Additionally, mostof the systems Sunetric installs come with
a 25-year warranty. Is the system sized properly? Don’t fall
victim to companies playing the bait andswitch game. Many companies will say thattheir smaller-sized systems can produce theequivalent of another company’s largersized systems just to acquire your business,leaving you with a large portion of youroriginal bill to HECO. An improperly sizedsystem will affect its efficiency and indicatespoor workmanship.
Sunetric’s proprietary design tool is theresult of more than eight years of refined cal-culations. Sunetric specializes in determiningyour needs and providing you with nearexact solutions, so you can expect to receivethat zero dollar bill you are looking for.
“Going solar can seem like a complicat-ed process,” said Alex Tiller, Sunetric’s chiefexecutive officer. “However, if you ask theright questions and choose a company witha history of quality, relevant certificationsand years of experience, solar can be thesimplest decision you can make.”
AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC.
AN EDITION OF
GIVE YOUR INTERIOR DECOR AN ANTIQUE TOUCH. See Page 14
When tackling solar projects both big and small, Sunetric has risen above thecompetition to become a top-notch energy service provider in Hawaii. | See page 3
FEBRUARY 10, 2013 | HAWAIIRENOVATION.STARADVERTISER.COM
HR COVER STORY FEBRUARY 10 • 2013 3
FEBRUARY 10, 2013 • 3
Buying your first PV system
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Everything you need to knowabout composite deckingHave you ever considered compos-
ite decking but disregarded theidea because you felt like you did-
n’t know enough about it? Maybe you’vewondered how composite decking ismade? Or what kinds of materials makeup composite decking?
Although composite decking is not new,lack of familiarity with the product maylead you to be confused when making adecision about the type of product youshould choose for your deck. To make thisdecision-making process easier, it oftenhelps to go back to the basics.
So what is composite decking anyway?By definition, composite decking is a wood-like product that is created by the mixtureof wood fibers, or sawdust, and virgin andrecycled plastics. The combination of theseelements along with color pigments and other protectiveadditives, form a traditional wood-like decking profile thatrequires less maintenance than traditional wood decks.
Many composite decking products are manufacturedthrough a process called extrusion. This is defined as a form-ing process in which melted plastic and wood materials areforced through an opening to produce a product that main-tains a relatively consistent size and shape.
Weather resistanceThe density of a composite decking board helps protect
the board from rot and decay caused by prolonged expo-sure to moisture. By keeping moisture out, this helps reducemildew, insects and bacteria.
Complementary colorsThe composite boards are also manufactured in a range
of colors to perfectly complement any home. Instead ofneeding stain or paint, the colors are already added to theboards.
DurabilityComposite decking boards are manufactured to be stain
resistant against certain common food and beverage stains,including mustard, ketchup, barbecue sauce, canola oil, fruitpunch, wines and coffee. This stain resistance will preservethe life and beauty of the deck.
MaintenanceComposite decking does not require paint, stain or a seal-
er, reducing the overall maintenance of the deck. The bestway to maintain a composite deck is to keep it swept, hoseit off at least twice a year and attend to stains promptly.
Overall, composite decking is a low maintenance productthat has become a desirable alternative for outdoor living.Some composite deck products, like TAMKO’s Envision, addan extra layer of protection against weather, staining andscratching to preserve the natural beauty of the compositedecking board. To learn more, visit www.tamko.com.
This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.
4 • FEBRUARY 10, 2013 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
*Ends 2/16/13. See store for details.**On approved credit. Minimum 25% down payment and minimum monthly payments of 3.75% of the amount financed, but not less than $25 is required. No finance charges will be assessed as long as the minimum monthly payments are made and the amount financed is paid in full by the end of the promotion period.
See store for details. u ] q Welcome. Photos shown are for illustration purposes only and does not necessarily represent actual product. See store for details. 2012
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A home office that fuels productivityOne of the biggest mistakes busi-
nesspeople make is assuming thatworking from home will automati-
cally result in a higher level of productivity.Unless you carefully construct your homeoffice environment, you may find thatworking from home is less productive thanyou anticipated.
Staples, the world’s largest office prod-ucts company and a trusted source foroffice solutions, offers the following tips forsetting up your home office to help maxi-mize your productivity:
The ideal working environmentHome office setup is an exercise in know-
ing yourself. Before you make any decisions,make a list of the things you need to spurproductivity. Some people can work at adesk in a common area of the house withthe television running. Others want a closed-door environment where distractions areminimized. For some people, a home office isa place to finish up work from a regular dayjob. For others, a home office is a primaryworkspace where they spend eight or morehours of the day. Before you start rearrang-ing the furniture, decide what you need as anabsolute minimum to encourage you to usethe space as intended.
The right office furniture, equipmentand supplies
Once you have decided whether you’regoing to segregate an area of the livingroom, convert a spare bedroom or setyourself up in the basement or garage, youshould start thinking about home office fur-niture. The type of office furniture you pickand the way you organize your space willsignificantly impact your productivity.
Whatever your preferences are, invest-ing money up front in the style of office fur-niture that makes you comfortable will nat-urally lead to greater productivity. At thevery least, this ensures that you won’t be
tempted to relocate to the bedroominstead of working at your desk. Likewise,an upfront investment in office supplies andequipment will help you get your workdone faster and avoid distractions.
The cost of outfitting a home officeA basic home office setup can cost you
under $500 if you already have a computerthat you can relocate to your new space.There are a number functional office furni-ture options that look expensive but areactually quite affordable, especially if you arewilling to put the furniture together your-self. A printer and a phone with voicemail
can round out a basic home office setup.A more advanced home office setup
would include a fax machine and a photo-copier. Fortunately, there are 3-in-1 officemachines that combine a printer, fax andcopier all in one piece of equipment forless than $300, saving you money andspace. Keep in mind, however, that amachine that does many things often offersfewer features for each specific function.For example, if your work at homerequires more than the occasional photo-copy, it can be more efficient to buy a ded-icated copy machine that has special func-tionality to handle a heavier workload.
Don’t forget to set aside money in yourhome office budget for office supplies. Frompaper to paper clips, you will have to buy allof the little things that you took for grantedwhen you worked for an employer.
A home office is sometimes consideredthe holy grail for people who work. Whowouldn’t want a comfortable home oasiswhere commuting is a foreign concept andthe work just gets done? To achieve homeoffice nirvana, make a plan that is specifical-ly designed to meet your individual needs.
This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.
6 • FEBRUARY 10, 2013 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
6 FEBRUARY 10 • 2013
94-480 Akoki Street #4 • Waipahu, HI 96797671-0808 • 383-7233 • www.windows-hawaii.com
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Our knowledgeable staff at our PV Design Center will help you get thesystem that is best for you. Call or come in today for a free detailed estimate.
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Investing in your home’s futureThe recent BIA-Hawaii show was a
great place to see a variety ofhome improvement products. It
seems the interest level in the show hasincreased if you take the size of the crowdinto consideration.
There was also an apparent theme: Ifyou want to save money, you have tospend money. This makes sense, right?There’s a well-known phrase that says ifyou buy quality, you buy once. If you buyprice, you buy twice.
Investing in home improvements is anessential part of homeownership. Whathappens if you never invest in your homeother than just paying the mortgage? Tenyears go by quickly and that leaky faucet isstill leaking. Oftentimes, investing in oneproject per year insures that your invest-ment will be more valuable than when youfirst purchased your home.
One of the best ways to save money isto make your home environment more
energy efficient with simple things likechanging the windows in your home. Nowthere’s an idea!
Not all windows are alike. Some win-dows are more efficient than others.Remember that with tax credits a fewyears ago, if you invested in energy-efficientproducts, you received a credit towardsthat investment? Well regardless of thecredit, energy efficiency is now the fore-front in many products for your home. Notall windows are built to this standard; someare built around price.
When the credits went away, some prod-
ucts went back to building around priceinstead of a higher standard. Take the Anlinbrand of energy efficient vinyl frame win-dows, for example. The company’s standardis to use the very best quality vinyl frame, thethickest dual-pane glass and the most ener-
gy-efficient products in the industry. Here are a few reasons to compare
your window choices with Anlin:
1. Infiniti E Plus from Anlin blocks UVby 95 percent. 2.The vinyl frame is .080 thick. 3. Dual-pane glass has double strengthglass (1/8 inch). Others use single-paneglass (1/16 inch). Anlin is now offeringa Sound/Security Package on TripleStrength sound-damping glass for noextra cost (offer expires Feb. 15).4. Windows-Hawaii offers a lifetimeinstallation warranty. 5. Anlin windows exceed Energy Starratings by up to 45 percent.
These are just a few reasons to checkout Anlin — exclusively distributed andinstalled by Windows Hawaii. Call the com-pany for a free home demonstration andconsultation at 671-0808 or 373-7233.
FEBRUARY 10, 2013 • 7
WINDOWS HAWAII FEBRUARY 10 • 2013 7
WINDOWS HAWAIIcontact // 671-0808 • 373-7233address // 94-480 Akoki St. Unit 4web // www.windows-hawaii.comwww.northwestexteriors.com
BY KAREN NAKAMURA
In 2011, Act 105 became law and disallowed theexemption of Hawaii’s General Excise Tax (GET) onsubcontractor work by the general contractor. This
law is scheduled to be discontinued this summer.Act 105 causes the GET to be charged multiple times
on the same GET already paid. This practice is called taxpyramiding. Since the inception of Hawaii’s GET, pyramid-ing was cautiously avoided by exempting servic-es that triggers tax on tax situations.
In Hawaii, the number of subcontractorlicenses continues to grow with every newproduct or new way of work, due to a currentstate law. We have two types of general con-tractor licenses: “A” for general engineering con-tractors; and “B” for general building contrac-tors, and more than 168 subcontractor licenses.
Each type of license identifies work dedicatedto a specific jurisdiction. For example there aredifferent licenses for fencing depending on thetype of fence: wood, vinyl, stone, glass and more.There are different licenses for roofing depend-ing on the type of roof: wood shake, asphaltshingles, hot tar, metal, tile and more. Each typeof license can be subject to multiple taxing ofthe GET depending on if a subcontractor uses
other subcontractors.Here’s an example: When a cabinet maker sells to a cab-
inet installer (first tax), and the installer sells the same cab-inet with installation to a general contractor (second), andthe general contractor sells the total job with cabinets andthe installation to you, the consumer (third), the state TaxCollector gets the 4.5 percent GET three times on thesame cabinet, which is ultimately passed on to the buyer.
By allowing Act 105 to sunset June 30, contractors willbe allowed to pay the 4.5 percent GET at the first level,
just once, and not continuously add the tax at each level.Contractors identify the amount the previous subcontrac-tor has paid and deducts that from the amount due onthe total sale. This practice lowers the cost of constructionto you, the buyer.
The state tax collector favors allowing this law to sunset.Rep. Sharon Har introduced HB 1194, which allows for
the sunset of the subcontractor exemption. TheCommittee on Consumer Protection & Commerce hadscheduled this bill for hearing earlier this week at theState Capitol.
Rep. Sylvia Luke has introduced HB 1360, which wouldmake permanent the suspension of the subcontractorexemption. It has a single-referral to the FinanceCommittee, of which she is chairwoman, and no hearinghas yet been scheduled.
Please write to your state representative to tell them toallow this law to sunset so construction costs can remainaffordable in Hawaii.
Karen Nakamura is executive vice president/CEO of theBuilding Industry Association of Hawaii.
Hawaii & America’s #1 Authorized Residential Integrator of Solar Frontier CIS Photovoltaic
An energy solution that’s just rightSome homes have too much shading,
others may have roofs that face thewrong direction. But for homes that
fit certain criteria, installing a PV system is areally good idea.
RevoluSun understands that everyhome is unique, just like the family thatlives in it. This understanding is at the coreof how the company approaches eachcustomer when helping them with theirsolar system needs. It is RevoluSun’s goalto do “what’s best for the homeowner”every time. The company does this in threeways:
Quality workmanshipRevoluSun installers are separated into
two teams — roofing and electrical — allwith at least 450 hours of training beforethey step foot onto your property. In fact,the company even has roofers with sub-specialties in roof-type. So if you have atile roof, you will get a roofer who is
specifically trained to work on tile. Inaddition to having a highly trained profes-sional workforce of more than 100 menand women who have completed thou-sands of PV projects, RevoluSun employs
NABCEP-certified workers.
Variety of productsA solar company that only offers one
type of solar panel does not have the tools
to effectively address each home’s uniquerequirements. Limiting the offering to onetype of solar panel may be good for thecompany’s bottom line, but not for thehomeowner’s.
RevoluSun chooses to work with a num-ber of providers, offering the most efficientand cost-effective components fromproven manufacturing partners. From thesmallest bolt to the largest array assembly, itaims to exceed industry standards withevery installation.
Variety of financingMoving forward with a solar system is a
big deal. Whether you are going to pur-chase the system or lease it, it’s a decisionthat will affect your finances for decades tocome. The company doesn’t “push” oneway or the other. It listens to homeownersand learns what works best for their needs.RevoluSun offers the best solution for itscustomer.
FEBRUARY 10, 2013 • 9
REVOLUSUN FEBRUARY 10 • 2013 9
REVOLUSUNcontact // 748-8888 web // www.RevoluSun.com
S. TANAKA CONSTRUCTIONHome Design • Free Consultations1349 Mookaula St. • 848-5010
“I guarantee to offer lower prices than any other Window & Door supplier in Hawaii, for a comparable product” - J.M. Griffin, President
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Jazz up your life with a JacuzziIn today’s rigorous world, finding time to
wind down and de-stress becomesmore challenging. Sure, we live in Hawaii
and we have a natural abundance of sun-shine and water to play in, but sometimesafter working all day, enduring a gruelingdrive home, picking the kids up and puttinga meal on the table, whatever scrap of ener-gy we had diminishes to negative numbers.Good luck with getting to the beach.
Rather than quietly waiting for yourweekend or next vacation, give yourself afew minutes to unwind every day by slidinginto a Jacuzzi® and let the multitude of jetssoothe your aching muscles and revitalizeyour mind.
The Jacuzzi® was invented with healingas its intent. The Jacuzzi® family, with itsbackground in engineering, created the firstsubmersible pump to treat an ailing familymember. From there, the Jacuzzi® hasevolved into a household name known forits therapeutic baths and hot tubs, emerg-ing as a leader in hydrotherapy.
So what is hydrotherapy and what are itsbenefits? Hydrotherapy is the use of waterto relieve pain and to promote well-being,and there are numerous benefits. The heathelps open blood vessels for increased cir-culation, and the therapeutic jets help relax
muscles and remove built-up lactic acid,which reduces pain associated with sore-ness, both promoting the flow of endor-phins and making for a happier individual.
Today’s Jacuzzi® is much more then justa healing tub. A Jacuzzi® is a great way toentertain friends and family. The modelsoffered currently boast sound systems tobe envied with the modern convenience ofconnecting your MP3 players and phones
for customized playlists. Also, there are chromotherapy
options that use light to rejuvenate yourmood or spirit, and finish options thatcomplement any style. The Jacuzzis® oftoday have room for everyone, withsome models allowing seating for up tonine. Jacuzzi’s® are built to endure the testof time as well as the elements and all mod-els are warrantied against defects.
Jacuzzi® is exclusively sold on Oahu byHawaii Home Expo, with eight brand-newmodels that just arrived. Come see whatcould be the “life revitalizer” you need.
10 • FEBRUARY 10, 2013 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
HAWAII HOME EXPO10 FEBRUARY 10 • 2013
HAWAII HOME EXPOcontact // 695-3976 (EXPO)address // 2933 Koapaka St. web // www.hawaiihomeexpo.com
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: The Year ofthe Snake is coming up and I would like toknow what you forecast for this year and whyit is called the year of the “black” snake. Thatdoesn’t sound very good! Also, I’ve alwaysbeen curious as to how Chinese astrology andfeng shui relate to each other as one is aboutthe stars and the other about the home.Finally, what are some feng shui specificthings I can do to best prepare for this year?
Happy Chinese New Year! Today,New Year’s Day in Chinese cul-ture, is the perfect time to answer
your questions! First, a “black” year hasnothing to do with anything dark or omi-nous. Rather, it relates to the element asso-ciated with the snake this year. This year isthe year of the water snake and, in Chineseart and culture, black represents water.
Understanding the yearUnderstanding the animal provides
insight into the energy and unique oppor-tunities the upcoming snake year offers.The snake, powerful and ambitious, knowsto shed its skin when it is time to renewitself, symbolizing intelligence, intuitiveness,gracefulness, wisdom and new beginnings.So, for many of us, this year can be trans-formative, a time to “shed the old,” lettinggo of anything that is holding us back —stagnant friendships, deadbeat situationsand even bad habits.
Things to keep in mindThis year, like a snake, use your intuition
to decide what is best for you; plan forwhat you want, rather than jumping intoany situation that comes along, and seekpeaceful surroundings, where you can beyour most productive self.
Subtle actions to take to maximize the year
Chinese astrology, based on astronomy,
has a close relationshipwith the Chinese philoso-phy of feng shui (yin yangtheory and the five elements). Ancient fengshui masters relied on astronomy to find acorrespondence between the universe andthe best positioning of energy for humanson earth. Astrologically, today marks thebeginning of the energies of the year of thesnake, pushing out the year of the dragon.Below are some emotional and mental per-spectives you can adopt to help youenhance the energy of the snake year andsome feng shui changes to prepare you forthis new energy:
New emotional, mental perspectives1. Release any fear about the future andwhat the year will bring, as the year of the
snake will bring you every-thing you need.2. To make the best of the
snake energy year, be cautions in dealingswith others and do your homework beforeyou sign or get into anything.3. The water snake is black like deep water,symbolizing a need for personal reflection,so make sure to schedule time with your-self and avoid getting caught up in thechaos that can take over your life.
Feng shui actions to take in your home
Take these feng shui actions to optimizeyour home and get ready for the year ofthe snake:1. Welcome the incoming year with waterenergy in the form of colors, adoring your
home with black, navy blue or dark greencolors.2. Besides the usual clearing and purging, assoon as possible clear outstanding debtsand any misunderstandings betweenfriends and family. Avoid brining this energytoo deep into the coming year.3. Set the intent for maximum wealth forthe coming year. It always feels good tohave lots of money in your wallet, so fillyour wallet with cash today, making itappear stuffed and full, symbolizing theabundance you expect. 4. Wear something new today, represent-ing a new outlook, a new you, and newbeginnings. Red, the color of fire, symbol-izes passion, joy and happiness, so, if youhave no new clothes to wear, at least wearsomething red!5. When you finish this article, open all thedoors and windows and let the energy of2012 move out so that new, inspirational,and fresh opportunities can be welcomedin for 2013. Then, take a few deep breaths,inhaling the new and exhaling the old.
Your year is up to youCelebrating a new year is about cele-
brating the change from the old to thenew. What you do on New Year’s Day setsthe intent for the rest of the year, but it isup to you to keep the momentum going.Don’t let this year be one in which you dothe same old thing. This is a magnificentyear for new awareness and inspiredchange! Let go of anything outdated, and,like a snake, shed your old skin!
Alice Inoue is a life guide at Alice Inoue LifeGuidance LLC, a company committed toassisting people in living empowered lives.Alice shares her wisdom as a professionalspeaker and personal consultant, and offers aseries of instructional DVDs on feng shui, aswell as her award-winning books on feng shui,happiness and spiritual life wisdom. Visitwww.aliceinspired.com to read her blog, signup for her newsletters and download usefulfeng shui tips.
FEBRUARY 10, 2013 • 11
withAlice Inoue
Shedding Old Skin, HabitsRenew yourself through the following feng shui tips and make 2013 a year to remember
ALICE INOUE FEBRUARY 10 • 2013 11
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In an era when going away on vacationis not in the budget, many homeown-ers are finding it makes fiscal sense to
turn the master bath into a spa environ-ment with high-end amenities such assoaking tubs, saunas, whirlpools, granitecountertops, double sinks, marble and tileflooring and his and her dressing areas. Thefinishing touch to a redecorated bathroomis complementary lighting that is highlyfunctional and attractive.
“Everything in the bath has beenupgraded except the lighting,” said GeorgeChandler of lighting manufacturerHubbardton Forge. “The right lighting willmake the room. Without it, everything youpurchased won’t look half as good.”
Kellee Hollenback of Savoy Houseagreed. “People are making an investmentand creating a retreat reminiscent of ahotel room at their favorite vacation spot,”Hollenback said. “Redoing the bathroom isan economical way to do a homemakeover. Even simply installing a UL-listedshower light or a chandelier or spotlightover the tub can enhance both comfortand ambiance.” (UL-listed products havebeen tested and evaluated for safety byUnderwriters Laboratories.)
There are two must-haves for properbath lighting: an ambient light source andtask lighting. There has never been a bettertime to buy a decorative ambient fixturethan right now. Lighting manufacturers havedesigned some truly elegant and highlyfunctional fixtures that will set a luxuriousatmosphere for the room and make yourguests envious.
“When selecting a decorative fixture,make sure you’re getting good light fromit,” said Todd Phillips of lighting manufactur-
er Quoizel. “Overall, soft contemporarystyles are leading the pack. We’re seeingthe importance of a bronze finish on cleandesigns. There’s been great growth in vanitysinks, which often have matching hardware.This has led to a desire for lighting fixturesin a complementary bronze finish,” saidPhillips. “We’re also noticing a trend infaucets with an antique or brushed nickel
finish.” Chrome is also a popular finishchoice that will always be in vogue.
“Today’s homeowners are looking forsomething unique and not the same thingthey can find everywhere else,” added RonHenderson of lighting manufacturerVaraluz. “They are carbon footprint-sensi-tive, and we use a lot of reclaimed andrecycled materials in our bath fixtures.”
The most critical area for proper lightingis at the mirror, where the majority ofgrooming tasks — from make-up applica-tion to shaving — takes place. Althoughmany builders and interior decoratorsinstall one recessed light over the sink, light-ing experts say this is not ideal for puttingyour best face forward.
“The best scenario at the bathroom mir-ror is a lighting fixture at the top and twosmaller wall-mounted fixtures located oneither side of the mirror,” explained architectJoe Rey-Barreau, education consultant forthe American Lighting Association (ALA),and an associate professor at the Universityof Kentucky’s School of Interior Design. “It ispossible to add a recessed light over the sinkas a supplementary light source, but itshould never be the primary light because itwill create shadows on the face.
Decorative sconces that either match or
12 • FEBRUARY 10, 2013 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
12 FEBRUARY 10 • 2013
Lighting makes a splash in the bath
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Surface blemisheson even the mostbeautiful mirrors
often are the result offrequent cleaning withammonia products. Toprotect all of your finemirrors clean frequent-ly with mild detergentand hot water. Oncethey have becomeworn and splotchy youcan conceal deteriorat-ing edges without everremoving the mirror. Aproduct currently avail-able to do just that isthe MirrEdge™ System,which uses mirroracrylic or woodgrainfinished polymer stripsand corner plates.Homeowners can
enhance the décorwhile concealing uglyedges.
Using only a razorknife and a measuringtape, MirrEdge™ canbe custom cut for anyrectangular type mirrorin minutes. The productis safe to install and canextend the mirrors’useful life.
Protect your mirrorscomplement the over-the-sink light will evenly illuminate bothsides of the face. Rey-Barreau recommends a minimum of150 watts of incandescent lighting per sink, or 40 watts of flu-orescent.
“An alternative to a compact fluorescent is the halogenIRC by Osram, which is low-voltage and provides 28 lumensper watt. It gives a lot of light and gives good color so thatskin doesn’t look washed out,” said Paul Eusterbrock of light-ing manufacturer Holtkoetter International. “People needenergy-efficient light that helps them look good.”
And don’t forget a dimmer. Dimmers are essential forcreating a soothing and comfortable environment. Installinga dimmer in your master bath is one of the easiest, leastexpensive and mood enhancing techniques you can do.
“The reality is that the amount of light provided by typ-ical vanity fixtures gives much more lighting than we needfor the majority of times that we are in the bathroom,” saidRey-Barreau. “Once you have a dimmer, being able toadjust the light levels for different situations is amazinglypractical.”
A lighting specialist at any American Lighting Association-member lighting showroom can explain all of the manyoptions available for beautifying your bath. To find your closestALA-member showroom, visit www.AmericanLightingAssoc.com.
This article is courtesy of Home Improvement News andInformation Center.
Collecting relics isn’t a hobby just forGrandma and Grandpa any more.With the explosive popularity of
TV shows centered around unearthing his-toric memorabilia and valuable pieces ofAmericana, searching for knickknacks andartifacts that make one-of-a-kind homedecor is now a popular pastime for peopleof all ages. But how do you know the dif-ference between what’s really treasure andwhat’s simply trash?
Larry Singleton, decor manager atCracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc., isan expert when it comes to collecting his-toric relics. Singleton and his family havebeen collecting for more than 40 years,providing real American artifacts, memora-bilia and signage to the more than 600Cracker Barrel Old Country Store loca-tions nationwide. He offers these insightfultips for the next time you’re on the hunt ata garage sale, flea market or thrift store:
1. Research and learnResearch and learn as much as you can
before you shop. Watch TV shows, searchon the Internet, visit local collector’s stores.Discovering what’s valuable and knowingwhat’s currently in-demand helps guide youin making that “big discovery.” It’s importantto be willing to invest the time and neverbe afraid to ask questions.
2. Know your interestsIf you have an interest in a particular
type of item — such as vintage advertise-
ments, folk art or children’s toys — famil-iarize yourself with what makes a pieceauthentic and what might indicate a repro-duction. Plus when you have a personalinterest in the item you’re seeking, the huntbecomes that much more fun.
3. Keep a smartphone closeA smartphone can be a treasure
hunter’s best friend because you can con-duct research quickly while on location. Youcan also research similar items to compareprices and see if the price is reasonable orinflated.
4. Know an expertKeep an expert’s number on hand —
every collector runs into questions andhaving a knowledgeable contact you cancall or to whom you can send a picture isinvaluable. Good resources include com-munity associations, historical societiesand friends or family members.
5. NetworkOne of the best ways to learn about
items as well as where to find them is totalk to like-minded people. Treasurehunters and collectors love to share infoon what they collect, buy and sell. Usethis information (and camaraderie) toyour advantage.
6. Know the storyWhile some items might have plen-
ty of monetary value, other historic relicsmight be valuable simply because of thestory they tell. Seeking historic artifacts andmemorabilia provides a piece of decor thatis more than just pretty; it’s a conversationpiece when guests visit your home.
These expert tips are what Singleton fol-lows to find the authentic memorabilia thatdecorates all Cracker Barrel locations. Eachstore has about 1,000 artifacts displayed,giving patrons a taste of American history.You, too, can create an interior space thatpairs modern comfort with the panachethat only unique historic relics can bring toa home’s decor. Start your own treasurehunt today.
This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.
14 FEBRUARY 10 • 2013
14 • FEBRUARY 10, 2013 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Cathy Lee is on vacation.Her column will returnnext week.
Trash vs. treasure: Hunting for authentic garage sale finds
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G raham Builders, Hawaii’s premierdesign+build company, recentlycompleted a revamp of its website
and invites all homeowners to visit thenew, easy-to-navigate site. With more than20 years of experience in the home con-struction industry, Graham Builders isready to help Hawaii’s homeowners turntheir dreams of a new home, renovation oraddition into a reality.
“We wanted to provide visitors a betterunderstanding of who Graham Builders is,the type of home construction projectswe’ve worked on and how we can helphomeowners who are thinking about ahome project achieve their dream home,”said Evan Fujimoto, president of GrahamBuilders. “We welcome all inter-ested homeowners to visit ournew website to take a look and
then contact us so that we can talk storyand learn more about their individual hous-ing needs.”
One of the most noticeable changes tothe Graham Builders site is the photogallery selection. Be sure to check out pic-tures of:
view past Graham Buildersprojects based on the typeof project they are interest-ed in. All photos for eachproject appear as smallerimages on a single page fora quick overview, but visi-tors can click on each individual photo toenlarge and view in a separate window.
Having helped hundreds of homeownersthroughout its 20-year history, GrahamBuilders receives constant feedback from itsclients. In the “Testimonial” section read howhomeowners began by attending GrahamBuilders’ free seminar and went on to selectthe company for their project. Learn what itwas like to work with Graham Buildersthroughout the process and how they feltabout the finished product.
“We understand that customer satisfac-tion is paramount to the success of anybusiness which is why we added client tes-timonials, including video interviews, to thewebsite so that homeowners can see whatour past clients have to say about what it’slike to work with us, as well as their overallsatisfaction with the project,” said Fujimoto.
For homeowners who are interested inattending Graham Builders’ free monthlyseminar, they can now also sign up directlyon the website. The company is the first inthe state to offer free seminars, which havebeen attended by more than 5,000 home-owners.
To learn more, please attend GrahamBuilders’ free upcoming “Building YourHome for Life” seminar Feb. 23. To register,visit www.grahambuilders.com or call 593-2808.
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BY KYLE GALDEIRA
A s is the case with most renovationand remodeling projects, whenone buys a pre-finished hardwood
floor, it needs to be accessorized.Hawaii Hardwood Flooring brings more
than 30 years of experience to every floor-ing project it takes on, and President ChrisBrenna makes it a priority to offer cus-tomers a multitude of residential and com-mercial flooring options. As it continues totransition from the original Kalihi locationto a new home down the road at 1727Republican St., Hawaii Hardwood Flooringis offering up to 70 percent off a widerange of flooring products and accessories.
So, as the company moves into its newdigs, customers can move some high-quali-ty flooring upgrades into their homes andstill have enough money left over to tackleother home improvement projects.Customers are shepherded through thepre-planning and consulting process by thefriendly staff at Hawaii Hardwood Flooring.The skilled experts are also offering a FloorRefinishing Special, as home or business
owners can refinish an existing flooring sys-tem for just $4.75 per square foot.
The company features three installationteams and three sanding and finishingteams that take the worry, stress and messout of the installation process. Brennaexplained that with each flooring project,certain accessories are needed to com-plete the overall look and feel of theupgrade.
“When you buy a new, pre-finishedhardwood floor for your home, there areaccessories needed to finish the job,”Brenna said. “In Hawaii, sometimes it’s hardto get a hold of the right molding for yourfloor, but we’re stocking them now. HawaiiHardwood Flooring offers moldings for avariety of different floors. We have them instock, and they can be used with any engi-neered floor.”
One of the more popular types of mold-ing is the T-Molding, which are used to tran-sition from wood to tile, and also in door-ways where wood flooring is added to anexisting wood floor style, or if there aredirectional changes in different rooms. Itallows for different surfaces on the same
level to be connected smoothly, and with-out exposing any cumbersome edges.
End caps, which are also referred to assquare noses, are used for wood-to-carpettransitions and doorways, and also for slid-ing glass door-to-wood transitions. Babythresholds and thresholds do the samething, only they are usually wider and havemore of a gradual slope from the raised sur-face to the lower one. Reducers are used insituations where the flooring style goesfrom wood to vinyl, wood to concrete, orwood to sliding glass door tracks that arelower than the floor — basically anything
lower than the floor that’s being connectedto. In this case, one needs to “step down”gradually, and this type of molding providesthe appropriate transition.
Hawaii Hardwood Flooring also offerstrim molding to go around walls, includingquarter round, which provides a smooth,rounded edge at the point where floormeets wall, and baseboards which givesome “bling and pop” when matching wallswith a hardwood floor.
For more information, call 842-7755. Tospeak with Brenna directly about the bestflooring options, call 306-3374.
16 • FEBRUARY 10, 2013 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Small energy improvementsto help you save big money The beginning of the year is a great
time to make positive changes inyour home. While many will wait a
while before embracing “spring cleaning”and making home improvements, a fewsimple changes can be made now to helpyou conserve energy and start savingmoney right away.
Here are some steps that can help lowerenergy consumption — and associatedcosts — in your home this month andthroughout the year :
Turn your house into a “smart home”From cooling to ceiling fans, lighting and
security systems, homes can now be wiredfor a number of automated functions tooptimize the energy consumed by the sys-tems they run.
“Smart home” technology, like the ADTPulse home automation system, can help
save homeowners money by allowing cus-tomers to remotely manage thermostatsand lighting controls. In addition to helpingprotect homes against intrusion, fire, floodand dangerous levels of carbon monoxide,integrated home automation systems canhelp users plan ahead to create schedulesto turn off lights when they’re not needed,or decrease cooling settings when no oneis home. In fact, according to ENERGYSTAR’s website, using a programmablethermostat alone can save up to $180 ayear in energy costs. Users can controltheir home automation system eitherthrough in-home panels, or through smart-phones, tablets and computers.
Don’t forget the basicsEvery home requires sealing, which is well
within the abilities of most do-it-yourselfers,but you can also hire a professional to:
• Seal air leaks around windowsand doors to prevent drafts.• Replace old, inefficient, worn-out or damaged windows.• Seal cooling system air ducts.
Lower your light billsIf your home is like the aver-
age American household, a sig-nificant portion of your energy bill eachmonth could be attributed to lighting costs.Since you need a basic amount of light tofunction in your home, reducing the num-ber of light sources is probably not anoption. Instead, look to reduce the amountof energy needed to power the lights inyour home, or increase the amount of nat-ural light that enters the house.
Start by replacing incandescent bulbs —which are energy inefficient — with ener-gy-saving bulbs. Energy.gov says replacing
just 15 incandescent bulbs could save youabout $50 a year. Energy efficient bulboptions include halogen, CFLs and LEDs.And while some homeowners may balk atthe higher initial cost of these types ofbulbs, keep in mind that CFLs last 10 timeslonger and use a quarter of the energy oftraditional incandescent bulbs, according toEnergy.gov. LEDs are even more energyefficient, lasting 25 times longer.
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There are so many things to considerand do before, during and after a ren-ovation. Having a contractor control
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A recent project involved a homeownerand serviceman who, just before he wasdeployed, contacted me about our services.When I went to complete the free estimate,he had already been deployed, so his wifewalked me through their renovation request.I then drafted an estimate on site andexplained it to the homeowner’s wife frombeginning to end.
After a few email exchanges with thedeployed husband, the couple settled onwhat they wanted in their renovation. I hadthe wife come to our showroom to look atsome samples and finalize the contract. Then
we went shopping for their appliances.Contractors always know where to get
the right-priced materials for your projectand help you with buying the right appli-ances to fit your budget. While shopping, I
gave her my opinion on what have beenthe most popular items that would fit herbudget. We settled on what she wantedand had the items delivered.
As with all renovations, there were
bumps along the way. I helped the couplethrough these bumps by maintaining con-tact with the husband and wife. After theproject was completed, I found out thather father did a similar renovation (not inHawaii) and was amazed at the speed andquality of this project.
CV Construction LLC strives to exceedthe expectations of the homeowner witheach project. We maintain an open line ofcommunication so there are no surprises,and we always strive to save time and money.
We currently have a special for a brand-new house build ($115 per square footminimum for a 2,000-square-foot build).This includes Hardie Board Siding/BambooFlooring and Standard Plumbing fixtures(restrictions apply). There is also a ChineseNew Year special offering 40-50 percent offcabinets. Call to inquire about the specials.
Victor Yeung is a project manager at CVConstruction.
18 • FEBRUARY 10, 2013 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
CV CONSTRUCTION18 FEBRUARY 10 • 2013
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Unique cast stones will ‘Rock’ youBig Rock is an exceptional store in
Honolulu that manufactures and sellsvarious products that are not avail-
able anywhere else in the world. It specializesin making copies of our Hawaiian stones andhas been doing so for 30 years. There is noother business like it!
You can’t imagine how many rocks, boul-ders and pieces of stone the owners, BonnieCooper and Brian Joy have accumulatedthroughout the 30 years, and they are alwaysadding to the collection. Some of the beauti-ful stone bowls and unusual boulders havebeen lent by homeowners who have seenand appreciated the quality of the copies andwant to contribute to the collection.
Molds are taken from the original piecesthey find, and then reproductions are cast ina lightweight concrete. There is unquestion-ably no way a person can tell the differencebetween Big Rock and the real thing, and justthink of how much of our islands’ naturalstone has been conserved through Big Rock’smethod of casting copies.
Even after 30 years here on Oahu thereare still many people that may have heardabout Big Rock, but have never taken thetime to visit its showroom, and Bonnie andBrian confirm this each time they participatein one of Oahu’s many trade shows. “The
people are always excited and impressedwith the few things they see at our show dis-plays, but admit they have not been to thestore. Once they come, they are happy theydid and always spread the word to friendsand neighbors,” the owners said.
Why would you use Big Rock? Well, it ismuch lighter in weight than real rock. For
example, the boulders do not have to be duginto the ground as they already have a flatbottom. The moss rock stepping stones are3-inches thick and ready-to-place, but theylook as though you have miraculously foundnatural rock for a pathway that is flat. Thestone items can be used to dress up lanaistoo, surrounded with a bit of river rock and
perhaps a small fountain.Big Rock stone veneer is used to cover any
and all wall surfaces, giving you a natural stonewall appearance, but it’s only about 1 1/2-inches thick, lightweight and easy-to-install.Actually, all Big Rock stone products are easyto use, and Brian and Bonnie always try toencourage homeowners to consider doingthe work themselves, whether it’s a rock wallor garden project. But if you’d prefer some-one else do the job, landscapers use Big Rockwith the assurance that they are not usingrocks taken from a sacred heiau. The mason-ry contractors love to install the easy-to-usestone veneer, too.
Big Rock has stone veneer, stone benchesand tables, boulders, stone bowls of manysizes, bridges, garden edgers, ponds, waterfallboulders, garden ornaments, Buddhas, tikisand much more. Of course, not everything atBig Rock is made there. Some garden accentpieces and other goodies are brought in, suchas a variety of rain chains, Japanese-stylelanterns, bamboo fountain kits, pond pumps,liners, filters, underwater lighting, birdbaths,decorative fountains and more than a dozenpre-cast waterfalls.
See how 30 years of being Hawaii’s “RockStars” have made Big Rock famous for thequality and uniqueness of its products.
VISIT OUR 3000 SF SHOWROOM TODAY!926 KOHOU STREET 847-7711
HOME OF HAWAII’S BEST FLOORINGBAYSIDE AND KAHALA FLOORS LINES
Shirley Pai HiltonPresident & CEO, PII
Want to learn more? Please attend our FREE seminar
WOOD AND STONE FLOORING 101Saturday, March 16, 2013 10AM
Please call to reserve a seat
Let’s Talk FlooringDid you know that the funny wood fl ooring with the ply layers below the layer of oak or cherry is called engineered wood fl ooring? And did you know the main purpose is not to skimp on wood but to add stability? And the main thing you need to know is that KAHALA FLOORS is the best brand of engineered—made especially for Hawaii! Learn more at our seminar! ALOHA!
1. Visit our Store - For Hands on Demos2. Go To CoolRoofStore.Net - For Pro tips & D.I.Y. Guides.3. Mark your calendar for our big One
Day Sale on March 9th from 10am to 3pm--when the prices are always the lowest in town.
575 G COOKE ST. KAKA‘AKOwww.CoolRoofStore.Net 591-1900
Need it Installed?Have our Licensed Contractor (C-16434) do it right and get a long Labor & Material Warranty.
SALE $225.99 (Reg $239.99)GACO ROOF SILICONE
JUST ONE OF OUR MANY ROOF COATINGS
6 DAY SALE ONLY!Ends 2/16/13
Accessibility issuesspark innovationDriven by a growing senior popula-
tion, soldiers returning homeinjured from war and the ongoing
obesity epidemic, mobility and homeaccessibility issues are becoming morecommonplace in America. In response,companies today are creating innovativehome solutions that focus on bothimproved form and function, and serve tocreate welcome alternatives to traditionalsolutions for homeowners with mobilityand home access challenges.
Because many of these new solutionsare designed to blend into one’s everydaylife and complement nearly any style, thefunctional benefits they provide can beeasy to miss. The home improvementexperts at Lowe’s offer tips to enhance thelook and accessibility of nearly any home.
Function hidden in plain sightOnce only found in public buildings such
as offices and schools, lever-style door han-dles have become a standard option forresidential homes. But it’s not just the lookof these handles that makes them a desir-able alternative to standard knobs — it’s
the function. Lever-style handles are easierto grip than standard doorknobs makingthem a preferred alternative for anyonethat’s ever tried to grip a standard knobfrom a seated position in a wheelchair,while juggling an armful of groceries, orwhile suffering from arthritis.
Delta has taken things one step furtherwith the introduction of touch faucets thatfeature classic designs with updated tech-nology to make turning water on and offmore effortless than ever before.
Looks do matterTraditional aluminum ramps may be
functional, but they hardly blend into theoverall look or style of a home. In the past,the only way to achieve a stylish and cus-tom look was with a specially designed andconstructed wood ramp, but a solution hasbeen found that makes a custom look eas-ier to achieve and install.
Lowe’s Gatehouse Custom AccessRamp System, for example, allows profes-sionals and do-it-yourselfers to install thesystem in less time than a custom woodramp, and the modular ramp can be con-
figured with right, left or u-turns to fit theaccessibility needs of users and the style ofthe home. Coordinating caps, balusters,post sleeves and railings give the system a
pleasing, custom look. The system alsoallows owners to remove, relocate andreuse the ramp if they move to a differenthome.
20 • FEBRUARY 10, 2013 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
20 FEBRUARY 10 • 2013
Small spaces, biginnovations
Most in-home falls occurin the bathroom and, espe-cially amongst the elderly, areone of the leading causes ofhospitalization. At the sametime, bathrooms tend to bethe smallest rooms in ahome making these spacesespecially challenging to navi-gate for those with mobilitychallenges. With these chal-lenges in mind, bathroomshave become an especiallyrich area of innovation inrecent years.
The emergence of multi-functional and fully integrat-ed solutions leads the trendin bathroom accessibilityimprovements. One of thesimplest solutions has beenthe introduction of “chairheight” toilets, which,because of their higher bowlheight versus standard toi-lets, provide better leveragewhen standing from a seatedposition. Grab bars are alsoevolving to include designsthat seamlessly integrate twoproducts into one stylishsolution, such as Moen’s grabbars that dually function as atowel rack or toilet paperholder.
Standard tubs and vani-ties, which tend to createbarriers to use for thosewith mobility issues, havegotten their share of atten-
tion too. Wall-mounted sinks,which can be accessed froma seated position, have bene-fitted from style updates andeasier installation than pastmodels. Retrofitting tubs tocreate easier-to-accessshower enclosures has alsobecome simpler with newinnovations in factory-installed shower seats, grabbars and shower valves.
Home accessibilityimprovements can help youenjoy your home safely for aslong as possible and newproducts and solutions aremaking accessibility easier toenjoy than ever before.
Locally owned and family-run business.We’ll better any price promised!
FREEGRANITEwith purchase of a set of kitchen cabinets
(on select 5 colors, some restrictions may apply, limited time offer)
Fashion an elegantwindow treatmeant P lantation shutters will give your
home the wow factor that you’vebeen looking for. They have a very
luxurious and elegant look that all home-owners should experience. Many customerslove the modern look they give to both theinside and outside of their homes. Make thedecision to get plantation shutters installedin your home today; it will be the best deci-sion you make for your home.
Plantation shutters are also one of themost versatile window coverings on themarket today. The functionality and durabilityof the shutter is why so many customerslove them. There are many different designoptions, but one of the best options is thedivider rail. With the divider rail option, youcan separate the top set of louvers from thebottom set, which allows you to close thebottom louvers and leave the top louvers
open. This gives you both light and air flow,but still provides the privacy that you need.
G&S Shutter Designs’ Polycore Shutter isvery durable and can withstand all the ele-ments that Hawaii’s tropical climate has tooffer. The Polycore Shutter is the moststructurally sound shutter on the markettoday and you can feel the differenceimmediately.
When it comes to window coverings,nothing beats plantation shutters. When itcomes to shutter companies, G&S ShutterDesigns should be No. 1 on your list. It
offers some of the best pric-ing on the island and thequality of our PolycoreShutter is unbeatable. Thecompany will provide youwith some of the best cus-tomer service, as its owners
handle every step of the process includingthe installation. The owners of the companytake pride in their work because it is theircompany and they would not be here if itwere not for all their wonderful customers.
Plantation shutters are one of the mostexpensive window covering options tochoose from, but G&S Shutter Designs triesto give you the best price without skimping
on quality. The company will beat any writ-ten estimate for the same quality productfrom any other company on the island. Itjust wants to offer the best price for thebest-quality shutter on the island.
Check out G&S Shutter Designs’ websiteat www.gsshutterdesigns.com for moreinformation and to see past projects thathave been completed.
22 • FEBRUARY 10, 2013 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Weekend warriors rule as 2013 is proving to be theyear that the do-it-yourself trend reaches fullmomentum. If you have a weekend to spare, you
have plenty of time to make some home improvementsthat add value and curb appeal. The key is to choose proj-ects that have a big impact, but only take a few days to com-plete.
The first step in preparing for any home improvementproject is ensuring you have all the right tools and supplies.If you need project-specific tools, it may make sense to rentthem rather than buy, depending on how many times youplan to use them.
Next, head to a home improvement store for supplies.An invaluable tool for weekend warriors is the Adarac TruckBed Rack System. This removable rack is compatible withmost inside-the-rail tonneau covers and can be quicklyadded to your specific truck model within minutes. The sys-tem provides a sturdy framework that carries a 500-poundload with ease — perfect for ladders, boxes, lumber, pipesand more.
Consider these projects that can be done in one week-end — each will add impressive curb appeal while enhanc-ing your home’s overall value:
Garage door upgradeOne of the largest focal points of a house’s exterior is the
garage door, yet it’s often overlooked when it comes timeto consider home improvements. An old garage door withdings, scratches and dents can be an eyesore that dates ahome. A new garage door can give your house’s facade astylish facelift, revamping the home’s look instantly. Modernoptions are convenient to install and operate, and are sureto impress neighbors, guests and potential buyers, if you areselling.
Create a grand welcomeMany people use their garage entranceway as the main
way to enter their home, so it’s easy to forget about theexperience of entering through the front door. That’s whyit’s important to take a moment to walk to your home
through the main entrance, like a guest or potential buyerwould. Is the experience warm and welcoming, or drab anddated? If the entrance path to your home is less than stellar,a few upgrades will improve it tremendously. Trim over-grown hedges, paint stairs or railways and consider replacingyour entry door — a new steel entry door has an impres-sive 85 percent return on investment. Use your AdaracTruck Bed Rack to move all the supplies, which is simplewith the multitude of tie-down points that run the entirelength of the system.
Reseal the drivewayA cracked, faded driveway can make your property look
older than it really is. If you have an asphalt driveway, it’s easyto refresh it without a complete replacement or upgrade toconcrete. Sealing, while messy, is achievable for even modestDIYers, helping to extend the life of your driveway whileadding an attractive cohesive black appearance. Visit yourlocal home improvement store for all necessary supplies.Remember to fill cracks and holes before brushing the seal-er over the surface of the driveway. Keep in mind that olderdriveways that have not been resurfaced may require twocoats
This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.
Call 630-6741 or 285-3663for a Free Consultation
SERVING ALL YOURELECTRICAL NEEDS
New Construction ■ Remodels ■ Maintenance ■ Trouble Calls
No saltNo chemicals
Eliminates lime scaleSaves water & money
Easy to install
WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY. CORROSION IS OURS.
• Tubs, Showers, Counters, Vanities,any type of Wall Surrounds• Rust, Fiberglass, Tile Crack Repair
and Refinishing• The thickest tub liners available
on the market• Specialist in Cost Effective
Alternatives for propertymanagers, realtors, hotels,homeowners & senior citizens
• Walk through tub cut for Seniors ordisabled
• Complete remodeling consultation
ALL ISLAND BATH REMODELING LLCOver 20 Years Experience Locally Owned & Operated
www.allislandbath.com
Guy KakugawaContractor’s Lic: #C31944, #C31945
Call for a Free Estimate
358-7780
License No.C-25776
OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE
A+ BBB Rating
•New Gutters•Reroofing•New Roofs• Apollo Solar
Roofing (PV)•Repairs
FREE ESTIMATES,CALL
428-794799-205 Moanalua Rd. Bldg. C. Unit #213 • Aiea, Hawaii 96701
Certified 5 star master shingle installerWe install all roofing types
FREESolar Fan
with reroofor new roof
SPECIAL8 Windows installed
for $5,900Offer good through February 28, 2013. Total of 800 United Inches. Plygem slider,
single hung or picture window. Not combinable with other offers. New customers only.
CALL US TODAY 808.799.8979Call for details and FREE estimate.
Quality window installation by Island Renovation.
CT-32605
W.G. Construction LLCQuality Concrete and Construction Since 1990
General Contractor License #BC-24619
Specializing In Concrete:
Weekend projects for DIYersthat add value, curb appeal
FEBRUARY 10, 2013 • 23
FEBRUARY 10 • 2013 23
For homeowners looking to upgradetheir kitchen or bathroom, whetherundertaking a layout and design
overhaul or by simply enhancing functional-ity, C&C Cabinets Granite has a specialoffer designed to jump start the process.
The company is offering 10 percent offits selection of 3/4-inch thick in-stock gran-ite pieces — a very durable natural stonethat makes for an ideal countertop. Graniteis an attractive construction stone, which isknown for its durability and beauty in awide variety of applications.
The family business also features morethan 40 varieties of granite, including ele-gant color schemes like Madura Gold, RiverWhite and Rose Pearl that provide practi-cal, durable stone surfaces to accentuateany kitchen or bathroom. Co-ownerWilliam Cao encourages customers tobring in their building dimensions and plansso that C&C Cabinets Granite can create adesign and generate an estimate.
“The granite sale we have going onoffers really good deals to those looking toimprove their home,” said Cao. “Customers
have an opportunity to start fresh witha new kitchen design.”
C&C Cabinets Granite is well equippedto aid in the design and completion of bothresidential and commercial projects. Thecompany has assisted home and businessowners with their building and remodelingneeds since 2010 while operating out of itsconvenient Iwilei location situated behindthe Costco gas station.
“We bring over 25 years of constructionexperience to the business,” said Cao of hiscompany, which specializes in providing
quality cabinetry, granite countertops andstainless steel sinks. “We have a lot of prod-ucts in stock and are ready to assist with allsorts of construction and remodeling proj-ects, including kitchen and bathroomupgrades.”
C&C Cabinets Granite offers seven cab-inetry color choices — available in bothframed and frameless construction —including Burgundy Cherry, Wheat Maple,Cinnamon Maple and Sunset Cherry. Thesolid wood face and framed cabinets fea-ture plywood box construction, and are
“well-built, dependable cabinet arrange-ments,” as Cao explained. “Whether for anew home construction project, or kitchencabinet remodel, we have what you arelooking for at a price you can afford.”
C&C Cabinets Granite also offers a widevariety of undermount stainless steel sinks.The sinks, which range in style from tradi-tional to modern, use the highest gradematerials that lead to a luxurious yetdependable product suitable for a home ofbusiness owner’s lifestyle. With a brushedsatin finish that hides any scratches thatcould occur over the sinks’ lifetime, themodels are constructed with 16-gauge 304stainless steel, and include sound-dampen-ing rubber pads in addition to being fullycoated and insulated.
“We offer better quality, solid wood cabi-nets than the competitors,” Cao said. “We’rea full-service company and are ready toserve our customers right away.”
For more information, and to receive afree estimate and complimentary designassistance, call C&C Cabinets Granite at 853-2088 or log on to CCCabinetsGranite.com.
C&C CABINETS GRANITEBACK PAGE STORY24 FEBRUARY 10 • 2013
24 • FEBRUARY 10, 2013 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
STORY BYKyle Galdeira
Quality service you can ‘C’C&C CABINETS GRANITEcontact // 853-2088address // 500 Alakawa St. #106
