KIMO K. KAAIHUE
Kapolei,HI
Summary
Highly experienced maintenance, welding, fabrication, and repair professional with 20+ years of hands-on experience supporting U.S. Navy and commercial vessel maintenance operations. Skilled in cutting, welding, fabrication, structural repair, pipefitting, troubleshooting, inspection, and evaluating damaged components. Experienced reading blueprints and technical work documents, performing repairs to established standards, inspecting completed work, and maintaining a safe and orderly work environment. Proven ability to work independently or as part of a team while meeting quality, safety, and production requirements. Seeking to apply extensive mechanical repair and fabrication experience to the Container Shop Mechanic position with Matson.
Professional with strong expertise in pipefitting, known for reliability and adaptability in fast-paced environments. Skilled in blueprint reading, welding, and pipe installation, with solid background in maintaining safety standards and ensuring project efficiency. Strong focus on collaborative teamwork and delivering high-quality results, consistently meeting changing demands and achieving project goals.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Pipefitter/Welder
EPSILON SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS, INC.
06.2021 - Current
- Perform hands-on maintenance, repair, cutting, welding, fabrication, and structural modification work on U.S. Navy and commercial vessels.
- Inspected components and work areas to identify damage, defects, and needed repairs, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
- Repaired piping, deck inserts, foundations, and metal components, contributing to vessel integrity and performance.
- Perform MIG and TIG welding, torch cutting, fitting, and metal fabrication operations.
- Inspect components and work areas to identify damage, defects, and required repairs.
- Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, work specifications, and repair documents.
- Inspect and test completed work to verify proper fit, workmanship, safety, and compliance with applicable requirements.
- Perform work safely in confined spaces and other challenging work environments.
- Maintained clean, safe, and environmentally responsible work areas, promoting safety and efficiency among team members.
Pipefitter/Welder
PACIFIC SHIPYARDS INTERNATIONAL
01.2024 - 07.2024
- Executed cutting, welding, fabrication, structural repair, and maintenance on commercial and U.S. Navy vessels to ensure operational readiness.
- Fabricated and installed structural and piping components according to specifications.
- Performed MIG/TIG welding, torch cutting, fitting, and related fabrication operations.
- Repaired piping, deck inserts, foundations, and other metal components.
- Inspected damaged components and evaluated repair requirements using technical documents and established work procedures.
- Conducted testing and inspection of completed work to verify performance standards, safety conditions, and quality of workmanship.
- Utilized and maintained tools and equipment, ensuring they were in safe working condition.
- Sustained a safe, organized work area to effectively meet production schedules and maintain compliance with safety regulations.
Pipefitter/Welder
C&S SERVICES
03.2020 - 12.2021
- Executed maintenance, repair, welding, cutting, fabrication, and pipefitting on commercial and U.S. Navy vessels to ensure operational readiness.
- Maintained vessels to meet ABS and NAVSEA standards, contributing to compliance and safety.
- Inspected components and work areas to identify damage and repair needs, enhancing reliability and safety.
- Maintained vessels in accordance with ABS and NAVSEA standards.
- Inspected components and work areas to identify damage, defects, and repair requirements.
- Performed testing and inspection of completed work to verify quality and compliance.
- Maintained tools, equipment, PPE, and work areas in safe operating condition.
- Followed established safety procedures while working in confined spaces and demanding shipboard environments.
Craft Foreman, Shipfitting/Welding
BAE SYSTEMS HAWAII SHIPYARD
10.2014 - 03.2020
- Supervised and coordinated daily workflow for 20+ employees performing shipfitting, welding, fabrication, structural repair, and maintenance work.
- Performed hands-on shipfitting and welding duties while serving as a working lead.
- Reviewed technical work documents, specifications, and NAVSEA standards to identify errors, ensuring compliance and quality assurance.
- Inspected work and provided checkpoint reports to support procedure implementation and verify product quality.
- Monitored labor hours, work progress, and budgets to ensure timely completion of job requirements.
- Inspected work and provided checkpoint reports supporting procedure implementation, evaluation, and product verification.
- Monitored labor hours, work progress, and budgets to ensure job requirements were met.
- Promoted proper use of tools, equipment, and PPE and maintained a safe, organized work environment.
- Identified work and safety concerns and ensured appropriate issues were communicated to supervision.
Lead Foreman/Pipefitter, Pipe Shop
BAE SYSTEMS HAWAII SHIPYARD
10.2004 - 10.2014
- Executed pipefitting, welding, fabrication, maintenance, and structural repair work to ensure structural integrity and functionality.
- Performed hands-on pipefitting, welding, fabrication, maintenance, and structural repair work.
- Analyzed blueprints, process-control procedures, and NAVSEA standards to confirm compliance and quality of work.
- Inspected components and evaluated repair requirements using technical work documents and specifications.
- Inspected completed work for proper fit, quality, safety, and compliance.
- Reviewed blueprints, process-control procedures, and NAVSEA standards to ensure work met established requirements.
- Utilized and maintained tools, equipment, machinery, and PPE effectively in various work environments.
- Coordinated daily work activities and upheld safety standards to foster a productive and organized work environment.
Education
High School Diploma -
CASTLE HIGH SCHOOL
Kaneohe, HI05-2003
Skills
- Structural & Body Repair
- MIG and TIG welding
- Structural fabrication
- Metal fabrication
- Blueprint reading
- Torch Cutting
- Preventive Maintenance
- Quality assurance
- Defect inspection
- Issue resolution & Repair Evaluation
- Quality testing
- Hydrostatic Testing
- Aluminum welding
- Mild steel welding
- Stainless steel welding
- Copper-nickel welding
- Copper-nickel to steel welding
- Silver brazing techniques
- Metal fabrication
- Structural Repair
- Metal/Body Repair
- Component Repair
- Damage assessment
- Shipboard Maintenance
- Equipment Inspection
- Equipment Inspection & Care
- Work area safety
- Safety compliance
- OSHA regulations
- OSHA Safety Requirements
- NAVSEA regulations
- NAVSEA & ABS regulations
- Confined-Space & Aloft Work
- Confined-space operations
- Hand & Power Tools
- NAVSEA regulations
- Quality assurance
- Confined-space operations
- Equipment Inspection
Timeline
Pipefitter/Welder
PACIFIC SHIPYARDS INTERNATIONAL
01.2024 - 07.2024
Pipefitter/Welder
EPSILON SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS, INC.
06.2021 - Current
Pipefitter/Welder
C&S SERVICES
03.2020 - 12.2021
Craft Foreman, Shipfitting/Welding
BAE SYSTEMS HAWAII SHIPYARD
10.2014 - 03.2020
Lead Foreman/Pipefitter, Pipe Shop
BAE SYSTEMS HAWAII SHIPYARD
10.2004 - 10.2014
High School Diploma -
CASTLE HIGH SCHOOL
AWARDS
Employee of the Year — 2019, 2025