HOW WE CAME TOGETHER
Restore Hawaii Construction (RHC), formerly known as Restore Hawaii Construction and Repairs (RHCR), was established by Gabriel Neufeld in 2019. With a background in construction and drywall work on the mainland, Gabriel wanted to utilize his skills to contribute to the local community. Joining him on Oahu in 2020 was his brother, Eli Neufeld, a former small business owner in the construction industry. Despite the economic challenges of 2019-20, the brothers continued to see growth, attributed to their reputation for integrity and commitment to excellence.
Beyond mere business success, the brothers were deeply committed to serving the community genuinely, utilizing their skills. This is an element which has remained central to RHC's mission, and we look forward to expanding those efforts as often as possible. In a notable instance in 2020, Gabriel and Eli volunteered in a clearing effort following a severe storm on the North Shore. It was during this endeavor that they encountered Aaron Simmons, who would later become the company's third partner. Aaron, with over two decades of experience in construction as a skilled finish-carpenter and framer, seamlessly integrated into the team, sharing their values and dedication to assisting others beyond delivering high-quality work.
Their like-minded values and desire to help others led to the initiation of their first large-scale project together in that year, which quickly attracted further requests for projects. As demand increased, it became evident that RHCR's workload surpassed the team's capacity. While the need to recruit new members continued to remain a pressing issue, finding individuals with both ability and integrity proved challenging. In mid-2021, the partners crossed paths with Gil and Elliot Meijer during a local church youth ministry event. Sharing similar backgrounds and a commitment to hard work, integrity, and community welfare, the brothers were soon offered positions within the company. Over time, their exceptional skills led them to become partners. Elliot assumed the role of financial manager and project lead, while Gil took charge of company leadership, design, and project management. Quoting King Solomon's wisdom from Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." We realized that they could help us grow just as we were helping them, and that we could go farther and accomplish more together than we could apart. And so, in January of 2022 our band of three became five!
Several years have passed since the company's inception, marked by significant transformations and blessings. Gil and Elliot have seamlessly transitioned into their entrusted roles, and RHC has expanded its services to include comprehensive layout and design expertise, enabling the realization of complex projects and remote collaboration with clients. Alongside the founding members, two new additions, Yoel Zauber and Caleb Pegues, who share RHC's vision, have joined the team. Fueled by RHC's reputation, the company anticipates continued growth to meet escalating demand while upholding its unwavering commitment to the community and embracing the familial spirit that embodies Hawaii.
On behalf of the entire team at Restore Hawaii Construction LLC:
Mahalo Ke Akua!