ABOUT US
Douglas Engineering Pacific is a Honolulu‐based engineering firm that has been providing fully licensed services in the fields of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing since 1992.
INTEGRITY
We are committed to living with the highest degree of personal integrity.
SUPPORT
We will support each other in personal and professional growth.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We will be accountable for all of our interactions.
INNOVATION
We will provide creative and innovative engineering services of uncompromising excellence.
WHY CHOOSE US?
We excel in diverse projects—industrial, military, institutional, airport, and roadway—adhering to strict standards. Our team deeply understands the systems, equipment, and coordination required, ensuring our designs integrate seamlessly with the project site’s realities.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Effective communication and teamwork are foundational to our design process, ensuring efficiency and quick coordination with clients and consultants through email, video conferencing, and the Internet. Our proactive approach guarantees thorough and detailed design coordination.
TIMELY EXCELLENCE
We are renowned for new construction and renovation projects, delivering quality work on time with a flexible approach. We consistently adopt the latest CADD and MEP Revit technologies, ensuring our engineering and documentation adhere to the highest standards, reflecting our pride in our work.
QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Quality Assurance and Control are crucial for our success, with our Principals actively involved throughout the design process. Our tailored QA/QC program ensures meticulous attention to scope, detail, and integration of design elements.
Our Core Technical Experts
Meet some of the innovative minds behind our success.
DOUGLAS BUHR, PE
President
Principal Engineer
DOUGLAS BUHR, PE
Doug Buhr has over 40 years of experience in the industry, with expertise in commercial, industrial, institutional, residential, condominium, and hotel design. He is experienced in designing energy efficient lighting and power systems for a variety of applications and particularly skilled in retrofit, renovation, and remodel designs. Mr. Buhr recently completed over 140 fire and life safety evaluations and has overseen the design of over 200 fire alarm systems. He also possesses excellent knowledge and understanding of mechanical systems and is detail oriented with highly developed troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
MYRON HUDSON, CSI
Vice President
Sr. Electrical Designer, Specifications
Myron Hudson, CSI
Myron Hudson has close to 50 years of experience in electrical systems design, technical writing, and project management. He is a seasoned site investigator and construction administrator with strong organizational skills and is experienced and thorough in coordination between trades. Mr. Hudson has a broad range of experience in industrial, commercial, institutional, residential, resort, and military projects. As primary specifications writer, his role is to ensure quality control, consistency, and coordination in contract documents.
KELLEY LEONG, PE
Corporate Secretary
Electrical Engineer
Kelley Leong, PE
Kelley Leong has close to 30 years of experience with the company and has worked on a variety of projects, demonstrating extreme competency in both her engineering and project management skills. She has extensive knowledge of fire alarm systems and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Ms. Leong has experience with both small and large projects, working well under pressure while meeting deadlines. A particular strength is her ability to work with owners, contractors, and others as a team player. She is experienced in improvements and new construction for tenant improvements including offices, clinics, and dental spaces, child development facilities, ADA, and various military and VA projects.
PHILIP W. WALKER, PE, FPE
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
Philip W. Walker, PE, FPE
Philip W. Walker has close to 40 years of experience in designing mechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. He has extensive knowledge in designing plumbing and fire suppression systems for a variety of projects including hotels, hospitals, schools, condominiums, office buildings, and more. Mr. Walker is also heavily experienced in design, field investigation, modeling and evaluation of industrial piping, heavy machinery operations, process control, solar and heat recovery, and water and wastewater treatment systems.
NATE WILBUR, PE
Electrical Engineer
Nate Wilbur, PE
Nathanael “Nate” Wilbur has over 10 years of experience in the field of engineering. He started with the company in 2013 as an intern and quickly advanced to electrical engineer after earning his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and obtaining his engineering license. Mr. Wilbur has become an expert on code interpretation and has successfully completed countless projects for the company.
DARREN SUZUKI
Sr. Electrical Designer
Darren Suzuki
Darren Suzuki has 25 years of experience as an electrical designer in renovations, remodels, new construction for hotels, custom residences, public housing, hangars, office buildings, judicial buildings, commercial spaces, and warehouses. He is highly skilled in AutoCAD and has extensive knowledge of site electrical power and lighting, replacements and designs for power utility service, distribution, emergency power, lighting and control systems, fire alarm systems, communications, and raceways. Mr. Suzuki is particularly proficient at developing plans for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and has consistently demonstrated a willingness to do whatever is needed to complete drawings on schedule for our clients.
aaron brandt
Mechanical Designer
aaron brandt
Aaron Brandt has over 4 years of experience in the field of mechanical engineering. He started with the company part-time in 2019 and quickly advanced to a mechanical designer after earning his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2020. Mr. Brandt is currently in the process of obtaining his engineering license and has successfully completed numerous projects for the company while becoming an expert on plumbing, air conditioning, ventilation, and fire protection systems.
OUR AWARDS
Douglas Engineering Pacific Design Awards
Kauai County Building
2012 Historic Preservation Honor Award
Kauai County Building – Annex 1
2010 Historic Preservation Honor Award
Bishop Museum Hawaiian Hall Renovations
2010 Historic Preservation Honor Award
Island Vintage Coffee – RHC
2009 BIA Renaissance, Grand Award Winner
C. Brewer Building
Preservation Award, AIA Award of Excellence
House of Parliament, Solomon Islands
Excellence in Design Award
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
Featured in “Learning By Design”
FEATURED PROJECTS
Explore our Projects Showcase, where we highlight our excellence in mechanical and electrical engineering. Our portfolio showcases innovative solutions and expert construction administration across a range of projects, demonstrating our commitment to meeting our clients’ unique needs.
Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Federal Building, 2015
Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Federal Office Building, 2015
Problem
This was the complete renovation and modernization of a 9-story U.S. Federal Office Building, to be a high-performance green facility, certified LEED Silver. Construction had to be strategically phased and conducted so that the building would remain fully occupied and operational. Phasing was to include temporary swing spaces to host personnel during remodel of their permanent spaces. As Part II of an ongoing project, this was to continue the implementation of the new 1000kw emergency power system, and include a separate branch of emergency power for the US Coast Guard Command Center.
Solution
We extended the new power distribution system utilizing bus duct risers from the new service switchboard up through the building. We extended the new essential and non-essential emergency power systems and, for the US Coast Guard, designed a Critical Operations Power System (COPS) as a dedicated branch. Since a COPS includes unique building resilience requirements that we were familiar with, we provided guidance to the rest of the design team regarding them.
As in Part I, the power systems included an imbedded electrical power monitoring system to provide detailed power quality and usage analysis. And as before we designed these systems to conform with the phasing requirements of the project; new systems were built alongside existing ones and switchovers occurred during unoccupied hours.
We designed three new roof-mounted photovoltaic power systems: 108kw, 85kw and 60kw.
We designed new lighting and a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) control system which provides very precise local control, and which is easily modified through programming and without re-wiring.
We designed a new UL Master lighting protection system.
We extended the new fire alarm and emergency communications system and designed a new Fire Command Center on the ground floor.
Results
The project as executed met the stated goals. The building was fully renovated as a state-of-the-art, high-performance facility, while occupied. It received LEED Silver Accreditation, and the project won 5 Awards, in 2015.
Bishop Museum, 2005-2007
Bishop Museum Hawaiian Hall, 2005-2007
Problem
This project was the renovation of a Hawaiian history museum set in a historic building. Our work included the design of lighting, power, and infrastructure for communications systems to support the exhibits and displays. The challenge was to incorporate the systems into the building’s existing structure while retaining its historic integrity and protecting the artifacts from UV radiation.
Solution
We collaborated with the Architect and Contractor to discreetly route the conduit and boxes to difficult-to-reach areas. The existing skylight which had been covered up was restored and opened up. The skylight remained closed off to natural sunlight and we designed lighting with filters to simulate the natural sunlight while reducing UV light.
Results
Our attention to detail and collaboration with the design and construction team helped to preserve the integrity and characteristics of a historic setting.
American Savings Bank Tower, 2015-2018
American Savings Bank, 2015-2018
Problem
This project was an 11-story bank headquarters building, designed and built in two separate construction contracts. The scopes were divided into Core and Shell, and Tenant Interior (TI) work. There were separate project Architects leading these efforts, effectively leading two separate design teams. The challenge was to develop the Core and Shell portion – complete structure with all major infrastructure and utilities in place – on a schedule ahead of the TI, yet designed to support the specific requirements of the TI portion.
Solution
We developed system designs with as much detail as possible for each project individually, with special focus on equipment spaces, arrangement of equipment spaces within the building, and pathways between them for utilities. This we shared on a running basis with the design team for each project. Beyond that, we shared the information for each of the projects with the other project’s design team, also on a running basis. This was done to prevent one team taking a direction which would conflict with the work of the other team, and to dovetail the two designs as completely as possible. For example, we designed a cable management system for exterior window controls with the TI team, based on their plans, for inclusion into the Core and Shell project. It was necessary to continue this level of coordination through both design efforts to the end of each.
Results
Our proactive approach to coordination helped avoid conflicts between contracts during construction, which would have resulted in additional time and expense.
Moanalua Hillside Apartments Master Plan Phase 1, 2013-2014
Moanalua Hillside Apartments Master Plan Phase 1, 2013-2014
Problem
This was a multi-building project involving four new high-rise multi-family apartment buildings, two new common area facilities, one new service building, and system upgrades to six existing multi-family buildings. The entire site included twenty-eight additional apartment buildings and service buildings, and was on a single primary metered power service. The new and renovated buildings were to be provided with individually metered HECO power utility services. Services had to be maintained in operation for the other buildings and facilities on site during construction.
Solution
For the new buildings we designed hvac systems, plumbing systems, fire sprinkler systems, electrical services and distribution systems, communications services and wiring systems, lighting systems and fire alarm systems. For the four new high-rise buildings this included emergency standby power systems.
For the six renovated buildings we designed ventilation and plumbing systems, electrical services and distribution systems, communications services and wiring systems, lighting systems, and fire alarm systems.
To keep the remaining buildings in service, and to meet phasing requirements for new construction, we designed all new underground utilities into the site to take over the role of serving the site prior to demolition of the existing utilities in the main project area. This involved some new primary utility power equipment to serve as the connecting and stopping-off point between Phase 1 (new construction and remodel) and Phase 2 (all the remaining buildings). This included provisions for future primary metering by the utility, and a new medium voltage transformer and primary metered power to the new service building which was too remote from the main project to receive a HECO service.
Results
We were able to assign many qualified staff to work on the multiple building projects and meet the project schedule while delivering complete designs. We drew on our extensive experience in utility system design, and made use of solid working relationships with utility personnel and the civil Engineer, to address the complex site and phasing issues.
TESTIMONIALS
Mr. Buhr [of Douglas Engineering Pacific] is very knowledgeable on the fire code, as well as the Life Safety Evaluation.
Reid Yoshida | Battalion Chief
Honolulu Fire Department
Douglas Engineering Pacific is an exceptional consultant, providing experience, service, and reliability across MEP [Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing] disciplines and project support from concept to completion.
Christopher Brown | Principal
Arkitek:Design&Architecture
Douglas Engineering Pacific helped our building pass the fire and life safety evaluation and saved our building from installing sprinklers! The project went smoothly and I would recommend them.
Vlad Rapoport
Imua Associates LLC
I can’t say enough good things about Douglas Engineering Pacific. Working with them was a game-changer for our project. Doug and his team have this incredible knack for finding solutions to every problem we threw their way. Their service is top-notch, and their ability to think outside the box saved us time and again.
Chris Kiriakos
Homeowner
Douglas Engineering Pacific has been working closely with our firm for more than two decades. We designed affordable housing, restaurants, offices, and many other commercial project types together. Douglas Engineering Pacific works very diligently to meet our design requirements and deadlines. Instead of just blindly following the owner’s requirements, Doug’s team makes recommendations that enhance the quality of the projects effectively. In a restaurant project, Douglas Engineering Pacific tactically met the power outlet requirements from the owner without upgrading the existing electrical panel. It was a cost savings that pleased my client. Their professionalism and good ethics have been very much appreciated.
Hannah Wong | Principal
Pacific Atelier
Doug and his crew were fantastic to work with in designing EV charging infrastructure for our 351-unit condo. Doug is a no-nonsense get-it-done engineer. Because he helped us figure out the steps beforehand, we were able to move ahead. I doubt we could have done it without him.
Michael Richards
Project Lead
Doug Buhr offers clear, direct advice on Mechanical, Electrical, and Safety issues. He has a team that delivers responsive designs which meet customer needs without overkill. We have used Douglas Engineering Pacific for our Life Safety Evaluation, Fire Alarm Design, Drain / Waste Replacement, Electrical Upgrade, and Roof Replacement. Next is the Fire Sprinklers design and evaluation. We have been very pleased with the quality and timeliness of Douglas Engineering Pacific’s advice and work product.
John A. Lacy | President
C.S. Apartments “The Coral Strand”