Howard K.C. Lau Named Engineer of the Year & Announces Retirement

A Well-Deserved Recognition for a Career Devoted to Hawaiʻi’s Engineering Community

HONOLULU, Hawaii — Howard K.C. Lau, SE has been a driving force in Hawaiʻi’s structural engineering community since 1974, known for his steady leadership and dedication to the profession. We’re honored to share that Howard has been selected as the 2026 Engineer of the Year and will be recognized at the Engineers’ Week Banquet hosted by the Hawaii Council of Engineering Societies (HCES) on February 21, at the Ala Moana Hotel Garden Lanai Room. Ticket options are available through the HCES 2026 Engineers Week Banquet registration page. 

Celebrating a Distinguished Career

Howard’s career began after earning both his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawaiʻi, where he graduated with honors and served as a Graduate Assistant. Howard’s early career at a soils engineering firm and then at Shigemura, Lau, Sakanashi, Higuchi & Associates (SLSH) laid the foundation for a lifetime of technical achievement and leadership.

At SLSH, he rose from a junior engineer to Vice President within 7 years, and to President in 1998, a position he held for 24 years. In 2022, SLSH joined Coffman Engineers where Howard served as a Principal Advisor mentoring the next generation and guiding complex projects with his trademark client care and attention to detail.

Howard announced his retirement at the start of 2026; however, he will continue providing support to Coffman’s structural engineering team as needed.

Technical Achievements & Impact

Over his 51-year career, Howard led the design and restoration of a diverse array of structures—from high-rise apartments and hotels to military facilities—across Hawaiʻi, Guam, Japan, Okinawa, the Philippines, and the Pacific. Known for “outside-the-box” problem solving, his technical expertise spans wood, structural steel, cold formed steel, and reinforced concrete, with specialized mastery in post-tensioned and pre-tensioned pre-stressed concrete, and the advancement of building codes with specialized regional design guides.

• Pioneering Cold-Formed Steel in Hawaiʻi: In the 1980s, Howard was instrumental in advocating for cold-formed steel (CFS) construction as a superior option to wood-framed structures, particularly when termite infestations posed risks to the structural integrity of wood-framed buildings.
• Midway Fuel Pier: Howard’s creative engineering solution preserved a pier slated for demolition, saving the government millions of dollars and adding decades of service life. The pier remains in active use today after its 1985 restoration.
• Rapid Defense Response: He led the seismic assessment of over 300 Buildings at Atsugi NAS and CFA in Yokosuka, Japan, helping the Department of Defense prioritize upgrades and investments for critical infrastructure within a quick five-week turnaround .
• Disaster Resilience: Howard played a key role in the Guam Typhoon Pongsana Assessment and evaluated all Naval facilities. He led the development of better design guidelines for hurricane- and typhoon-resistant construction.
• Essential Infrastructure: His work on the Minesweeper Ramp at Cubi Point, Subic Bay Naval Station in the Philippines during the Gulf War provided the U.S. Navy with essential infrastructure to protect valuable military assets.
• Iconic Landmarks: Howard’s portfolio includes the Chinatown Gateway Apartments, Waikiki Malia Hotel, Kingsgate Condominium, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Parking Structure, and numerous educational, commercial, and residential developments throughout Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
• Historic Preservation: He has contributed to the restoration and improvement of historic sites, including the Nuuanu Shops in Chinatown Honolulu and Linekona School for the Academy of Arts.

Leadership

Howard’s commitment to advancing the structural engineering profession is reflected in his extensive leadership and service, including roles as President of the Structural Engineers Association of Hawaiʻi (SEAOH), National Vice President of the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI), and Director and Past Chairman of the State of Hawaiʻi Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects. His leadership was especially impactful after Hurricane Iniki, when he mobilized engineers to help Kauaʻi rebuild stronger and safer and advocated for improved building codes and community education.

Throughout his time at Coffman and SLSH, Howard fostered a culture of collaboration and innovation. He continues to mentor emerging engineers, participate in advisory committees at the University of Hawaiʻi, and volunteer for mock interviews to prepare students for professional success. His contributions to the industry have been recognized with honors such as the Chi Epsilon Chapter Honor Member award, CFSEI Outstanding Contributions Award, and membership in Phi Eta Sigma and Chi Epsilon academic honor fraternities.

Community Service & Legacy

Howard’s enduring commitment to community service is as deep as his professional dedication. He served as Director and Past President of the Mun Lun School Board, helping guide the oldest continuously operating Chinese language school in the United States. In this role, he supported educational programs, cultural preservation, and the school’s ongoing operations. He is also a Director of the See Dai Doo Society and an active member in the St. Louis Alumni Association and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Howard’s civic engagement also extends to serving on the Property Improvement Committee of Hawaiʻi Loa Ridge, chairing the Course and Grounds Committee for the Mid-Pacific Country Club, and contributing to the Facilities Committee for St. Louis School. He has  been a member of the Lau Society and Lung Kong Society, reflecting his commitment to supporting Hawaiʻi’s diverse communities. Through these roles, Howard has helped improve neighborhood infrastructure, support educational facilities, and strengthen community bonds.

In his free time, Howard enjoys being with family, golfing, fishing, playing tennis, learning to play the ukulele, watching sporting events, volunteering, and supporting educational and cultural organizations. His legacy is defined by technical mastery, innovative leadership, and a lifelong dedication to serving both the engineering profession and the broader Hawaiʻi community.

Howard’s career exemplifies the highest standards of engineering excellence, integrity, and service, qualities that make him a truly deserving recipient of the Hawaiʻi Society of Professional Engineers’ 2026 Engineer of the Year Award.

Congratulations, Howard!