Paving the Way Alakona’s Vogele 5100-2 Tracked Paver First in the State

Alakona recently introduced the new Vogele 5100-2 tracked paver to its operation, the first-of-its-kind in Hawaii. The new machine has superior technology and sets the standard in terms of ease of operation, material management and drive technology. Additionally, it can pave up to 15-feet wide, the equivalent of an entire lane, making larger paving jobs quicker, more efficient and reducing the impact on our environment.

“The new Vogele paver is truly innovative and will help to pave projects more efficiently, which ultimately will help our clients get an even better-quality product,” said Arist de Wolff, Superintendent at Alakona Asphalt Paving Specialists.

Thanks to its ergonomic design, from a sitting position the operator has an unobstructed view of the material hopper, the outer edges of the screed, the auger tunnel and can follow the entire material feed and paving process at all times. The machine is also very eco-friendly. It monitors and regulates the engine rpm necessary for the task at hand, allowing for less fuel consumption and lower noise emissions.

“In addition to its efficiency, we chose to bring this machine to Hawaii because it is eco-friendly. We make it a top priority to be as sustainable as possible,” added de Wolff.

The machine cost $350,000 and arrived to Hawaii in this summer. Vogele’s California office recently sent a technician to train Alakona employees on this new technology.

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A Royal Makeover

In preparation for the arrival of Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to Hawaii in July, the Japanese Consulate hired Alakona Corp. to repave the parking lot at its Nuuanu Avenue location.

“We were honored to be chosen for this job,” said Arist de Wolff, Superintendent at Alakona Corp. Asphalt Paving Specialists. “Japanese culture is deeply ingrained in Hawaii so to be able to play even a small role in making the royal couple’s visit memorable was a privilege.”

To give a flawless look fit for the emperor, Alakona cold planed the existing asphalt at a depth of 2-inches and rehabilitated the entire parking lot. Afterwards, a subcontractor was hired to seal coat the area. The job took less than a week to complete and was ready in time for the royal couple’s visit.

The last time that the crowned couple visited Honolulu was in 1994.

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Student Education Tours

Students from Punahou and Kamehameha Schools had the opportunity to visit Alakona’s Kapolei facility during the summer to learn about how asphalt can be recycled, as part of their summer school environmental education class. The middle school students learned about Alakona’s Green Mix Hawaii, a foamed asphalt base made using recycled asphalt.

“These tours are important to educate our youth, who are the future of Hawaii’s green movement,” said Betsy Wilson.

The highlight was seeing the WIRTGEN KMA 200 machine in action! Staff turned on the 40-foot machine and demonstrated how old, reclaimed asphalt is sent through a cold mix process, that uses less energy and emits virtually no pollutants, and comes out as a brand new base, Green Mix Hawaii, that is ready to be used. Before the tour, the students didn’t know that Hawaii’s roads and parking lots could be recycled.

At the end of the day, each student was allowed to take home a piece of RAP (reclaimed asphalt pavement), so long as they could carry the piece, to remind them about what they just learned.

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