The Emerging Professionals Committee hosts the first ever “NAWIC Mentorship Series.” A new series for professionals emerging into the industry to learn from prominent women in construction.

Have an intimate lunch with one of NAWIC’s own “celebrity” Kai Nani Kraut, founder and president of QRSE, LLC. Learn about her career path and the advice she has for emerging professionals.

Hurry and register as space is limited!

Agenda:
11:30 am Check-In
11:45 pm Lunch and Mentoring with Kai Nani
1:00 pm Pau

Lunch Selection:

• Mochi Crusted Hawaiian Kanpachi with Somen Noodles, Housemade Banchan Soy Yuzu Kosho Vinaigrette
• Miso Honey Glazed Butterfish with Taegu Salad
• Mochi Crusted Tofu with Somen Noodles, Housemade Banchan Soy Yuzu Kosho Vinaigrette

KAI NANI KRAUT, PE, CCM 

QRSE, LLC

Kai Nani Kraut, Principal Engineer, Founder and President of QRSE, LLC, is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer in Hawaii and Illinois, and a Certified Construction Manager. A University of Illinois graduate, she began her career with the Illinois Department of Transportation Bridges Department and has held the positions of Transportation Engineer with the Federal Highway Administration Hawaii Division office, Deputy Director of Transportation Services (DTS) for the City & County of Honolulu, and West Area Construction Manager for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, in addition to working in larger private engineering consulting firms. All these experiences led her to start her own engineering firm, specializing in Construction Management (CM).

Kai’s broad range of leadership and technical experience and knowledge has benefitted projects state-wide. QRSE has been providing CM training to the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Highways Division and other State and City & County agencies that are also invited to attend classes and given web-based access to all training and reference materials, to improve project execution. QRSE is also assisting HDOT Highways with their automated CM data systems development and training, and drafted multiple policies, procedures, and revisions or updates to the CM and Emergency Repair (ER) manuals.

QRSE also practices what it preaches in performing CM for various agencies across the state. Kai served and several of her staff continues to serve multiple roles on the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) projects to keep the work moving forward despite the many setbacks. When Hurricane Lane hit the islands in 2018, QRSE was asked to support the Hawaii Island office of HDOT Highways with initial assessments to obtain federal ER funding. QRSE also successfully managed ER projects for Kapue Stream Bridge undermined foundations and Makea Stream slope erosion three feet from the roadway, both on Highway 19, without major road closures avoiding high impacts to the public and completing after the fact environmental impact requirements. On Oahu, QRSE has performed CM on multiple HDOT Highways projects, most recently on the Kapolei Interchange, bridge repairs in Makaha, paving on Kalanianaole Highway, and night paving and repairs in downtown Honolulu. More CM work will start for QRSE on Kauai very shortly, and other Oahu projects later in 2023.

In addition to serving as the owner’s representative in CM, QRSE has also ventured into assisting contractors with problem jobs to get them properly executed and over the finish line. In working with the US Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu Engineer District, QRSE took over and successfully completed a stalled project on Haleakala, Maui, for the contractor. This contractor then asked us to complete their Hawaii Army National Guard project in Hilo, Hawaii, which had also been delayed. Both jobs required QRSE to use our knowledge and experience with federal military Construction Quality Management for Contractors, enforcement of EM 385-1-1 safety requirements, prudent project management and documentation in the automated or web-based systems provided.

QRSE is growing in Hawaii, but also laying down some roots in Illinois transportation and dabbling in design build cesspool to septic conversions. Having an eye on serving the public’s needs and holding to the company core values below, Kai is always moving forward.

$30
Register HERE