Hisato Isemoto, the founder of Isemoto Constructing Company, was born on January 8, 1897 in Hiroshima, Japan. He came to Hilo on July 4, 1942, at the age of 15, with his mother, Tama. His father, Sannenmon, had come earlier to Hawaii, and was working for the sugar plantation. Hisato joined his father at the plantation, but after about 6 months he was permitted to leave the plantation because of a back problem.
Hisato found a job with masonry contractor where he stayed for about 7 years, and learned the trade well. He was then invited to join a partnership with his boss and another person. The partnership fizzled after a couple of years when that person embezzled the partnership funds, and disappeared.
Hisato then started his own business and continued to do private jobs. However, he soon realized that getting government projects was the way to grow. In 1926, he incorporated the business, and Isemoto Contracting Company, Ltd was born. And the future looked brighter.
The Company was doing well over the ensuing years. However, disaster struck on December 7, 1945. He was confirmed, for the most part, in Sante Fe, New Mexico. To aggravate things, the U.S Army commandeered Isemoto’s better equipment and stock material for the “war effort”. The younger employees left to go off to war, or to work for the U.S Corp of Engineers to do military construction. Civilian jobs became scarse. Yukio Shiigi, Hisato’s son-in-law, the company estimator and bookkeeper, faithfully kept the business together although on a small scale.
Arther, the oldest son, was in college on the Mainland when the war started. Larry, 2nd son and 5th child among 6 daughters and 3 sons, was in the 8th grade. Through out the war years, whenever school was not in session. Larry worked for the company, doing custodial and other incidental jobs. Soon he advanced to help the carpenters and masons, or driving trucks, and operating small equipment.
After Hisato’s return from the internment camp in 1945, at age 48, it was like starting all over again. The equipment returned by the army were run down, and the payments for them were minimal. With the help of relatives and friends, Hisato managed to jump start the business and put the war years behind him. Soon, the construction climate improved, and Isemoto Constructing Company was getting its “share” of work again.
In 1967, Hisato turned over the responsibility of the company to Larry. Hisato never really retired for he was always around, but Larry feels he was much more relaxed and calm. In 1972, after a brief illness, Hisato passed away at age 75.
Under Larry’s tenure, and as opportunities grew, his first hire, in 1970, was his younger brother, Toshi, who was then the head of the Teo. H. Davis Home Planning Dept. Then Bryan Tomoyoshi came on board in 1972. He was followed by Jerry Egami in 1980, and who now heads the Kona branch office. Then came Lester Sakamoto, CPA, in 1983.
Isemoto’s construction activities have reached into every corner of the Big Island, plus a top Manua Kea and Manua Loa. Projects included government building such as the Afook Chinen Arena, Hiro’s main basketball arena, the rainbow bridge across Wailuku River, schools, hospital, industrial and commercial buildings, roads, bridges, sewer and water systems, etc. The company also had a one year experience on Kauai doing Hurricane Iniki repair work.
Traditionally, employment in the construction industry has its sharp up and downs. In 2007, Isemoto had almost 400 employees at its peak. Today, in mit 2008, there are about 250.
Larry retired from the company in 1993, and was followed in the presidency by his younger brother, Toshi. Unfortunately, Toshi’s tenure lasted only 5 years when he passed away in 1009 due to an illness. Lesli, Toshi’s son, became the President, and the 3rd generation to lead Isemoto Contracting Co. Leslie had already been in the company for about 15 years, holding various capacities within the company from apprentice carpenter, to office management, to equipment management, to estimating and project management.
Isemoto Contracting Co. was one of the earliest supporter of the Hawaii Japanese Center with monetary donations, as well as with the loan of construction equipment and tools during the renovation of the structure.
