Honolulu’s construction crane count continues to rise, Rider Levett Bucknall report says

Construction cranes are signs of economic prosperity in Honolulu.

The number of construction cranes increasing in Honolulu can be attributed to the much publicized uptick in residential activity in the Kakaako neighborhood.

Tower crane counts dotting Honolulu’s skyline increased to 16 at the most recent count in November from 13 in August, according to the inaugural edition of Rider Levett Bucknall’s North American Crane Index.

Residential projects account for 53 percent of the tower cranes in Honolulu, with large commercial projects representing 33 percent of the total cranes, the report said.

Health care and hospitality projects make up a smaller percentage of the total crane amount.

While a couple of tower cranes have come down in the last six months as residential high-rise projects are completed, several more developments have begun and the pipeline of projects is likely to result in additional cranes during the next 18 months, Rider Levett Bucknall said.

The international firm known for providing property and construction consultancy advice at all stages of the construction cycle projects that the residential project growth will continue to increase both in the number and percentage of residential tower cranes based on recent ground breakings and piling activities in Honolulu.

The RLB Crane Index, which is published biannually, tracks the number of fixed cranes in major cities across North America.

Local RLB offices count the fixed tower cranes using three techniques, including a physical count, surveying its staff and contacting crane suppliers.

The crane index began in Australia in 2012 and now includes New Zealand, Southern Africa, the Middle East and North America.

The January 2015 North America report said that residential projects in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York and Seattle are responsible for the majority of cranes dominating the city skylines.

Of these locations, the majority of residential projects going up are mostly condominium and apartment developments.

With new construction developments emerging, along with an increase of redevelopment, renovation and expansion projects, Rider Levett Bucknall anticipates that tower cranes across North America will continue to increase throughout 2015.

Duane Shimogawa Reporter – Pacific Business News