Industrial & Engineering Technology: Assistant Superintendent
Industrial & Engineering Technology
Assistant Superintendent: Kanani Langley
By Mike Yoshiura
Going to college wasn’t in the horizon for Kanani Langley so he took the tools that he acquired from high school, and built a solid career from the ground up. “If you’re not going to college there’s an alternative in construction,” said Kanani, assistant superintendent with Actus Lend Lease.
The average salary for a manager at Actus Lend Lease is $70,000 a year. Kanani has been with the company for more than 25 years, and he got this far with just a high school education and on-the-job training. Entering the construction industry was a huge step up from his first job detailing cars for $3.25 an hour.
Education & Training
Kanani didn’t have a career counselor or mentor when he entered the workforce so he volunteers his time at career fairs to speak to teenagers about the opportunities in construction. He encourages kids to go to college and get the most out of their education, something the graduate of Campbell High School never did.
“I tell them go out and get something better than what I’m doing. The reason I go to schools is because nobody visited my school when I was in high school.What I know now, I wish I knew then. I would’ve been in the front row of the classroom but at the time I just wanted to get out of high school and join the workforce.”
Starting Out
Not too long after he graduated high school in 1984, Kanani got his first labor job working with the Thrifty Builders & Construction. He started out at $18 an hour, which was a big pay increase from what he earned detailing cars. “There was no place I could go and get paid for training. All I needed was a basic high school education: reading, writing and arithmetic. High school provided everything.”
If you’re interested in a career in construction, see your counselor for advice on classes that can give you a running start. Kanani enrolled in Campbell High School’s Pre Industrial Program his sophomore year, which laid the foundation for a career in construction.As part of the program he took classes such as woodshop and auto drafting, which taught him how to use basic hand tools.
James Tano was head of the Pre Industrial Program at the time, and Kanani enjoyed his classes so much that he remained in the program until he graduated in 1984. “I’m sure whoever went to Campbell and took Mr. Tano’s class got a lot out of it and enjoyed it at the same time. He used to tell us, ‘if you like learn go in the shop, if you no like learn go in the class.’”
Like Father, Like Son
Charles Langley, Kanani’s father, was a mason all his life, and Kanani recalls accompanying his dad on side jobs when he was a teenager. It was his first real taste of the construction industry, and it was a commonality that he shared with his father. “My dad was a big player even until today. My dad was the biggest influence in my life. I knew I was going to do construction, but I didn’t know my destiny. I still don’t know my destiny,” said Langley, as he laughs and reminisces. “He used to tell me, use your head boy, not your body.”
Good Advice
“Never be satisfied! They make ladders for climbing. If you run out of rungs, go get another ladder and keep on climbing. The day we stop learning is the day we’re buried! There’s always room for learning in life.”
Job Description
As an assistant superintendent, Kanani’s job is to make sure the project runs smoothly. He oversees the entire site and supervises the workers on the job. Actus Lend Lease bids on construction projects, and they subcontract the smaller, specialized jobs out to local companies. At times there can be up to 200 workers assigned to one project. “I’ve been supervising for almost 15 years. I’ve been pointing fingers for a while now.”
Kanani works five days a week, and he puts in well over 40 hours a week. Supervisors at Actus Lend Lease get paid annual salaries, but other trades, like journeymen carpenters, can make upwards of $45 an hour.
The Upside
When you get married you will find that you can save a lot of money on home repairs. Down the line your parents are going to need someone to help take care of the repairs around the house, and that’s when know-how like Kanani’s comes into play. Regardless whether you go to college, with the right blueprint you can build a bright future.
