Biography
Dr. Paula Nonu was born and raised in the Friendly Islands of Tonga, where his early experiences instilled in him a strong work ethic, deep respect for craftsmanship, and commitment to community service. After graduating from Tonga High School, he moved to the United States in 2000 to pursue higher education at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, followed by Doctoral study at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, School of Architecture, where he developed a passion for building design and integrated project delivery.
Dr. Nonu brings years of professional experience in construction, project management, and engineering before his role as Assistant Professor. His career includes leadership and technical positions with several major Hawaii-based construction firms and organizations where he worked as Project Manager, Site Superintendent, QC Manager, Site Safety and Health Officer with hands-on field and engineering experience.
Throughout his career, Dr. Nonu has developed a strong reputation for excellence in quality assurance, project scheduling, safety management, and budget control. His combination of professional expertise, cultural perspective, and academic preparation enables him to mentor students effectively, helping them develop the technical skills, discipline, and integrity needed to excel in the construction and facilities management industry.
EDUCATION
2016 DArch , University of Hawaii at Manoa
2012 B.A Construction Management and Design,
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Professional Licenses, Certifications, and/or Technical Training • First Aid-CPR (2022)
• Fall Protection – Competent Person (2021)
• Cranes and Rigging (C) – Construction Safety (2020)
• Fire Safety (C) – Construction Safety (2020)
• Scaffold Safety in Construction – Construction Safety (2020
• Occupational Noise Exposure – Construction Safety (2020)
• Hazardous Materials – General Safety (2020)
• Hazardous of Asbestos in the Workplace (2020)
• Welding and Cutting – General Safety (2020)
• NFPS 70E-Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (2020)
• Personal Protective Equipment – Construction Safety (2020)
• Concrete and Masonry Construction (C) – Construction Safety (2020)
• Excavation in Construction – Construction Safety (2020)
• USACE Construction Quality Management for Contractors (CQM) (2018)
• Environmental Compliance Assessment, Training, and Tracking System – ECATTS (2018)
• Respirable Crystalline Silica Safety Awareness (2018)
• Confined Spaces – Construction Safety (2018)
• OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety and Health (2017)
• 40 Hour EM 385-1-1 (2001)
• Asbestos Awareness
ACADEMIC SERVICES / VOLUNTARY WORK
• BYUH Cultural Expert Committee
• BYUH Pickleball Advisor 2024 – Present
• Certified Pickleball Coach 2022 – Present
• Hauula Sharks Pickleball Club Administrator 2021 – Present
• Coaching North Shore Rugby 2007 – 2020
• Boy Scouts Volunteer 2012 – 2018
• Served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Antonio, Texas.
Work History Prior to Teaching
Dawson Federal/D7/DE
• QCM/Superintendent/SSHO/PE/, 07/2020 – 07 2023
Hawaii Pacific Joint Venture / Aulii Construction
• QCM/Alternate Contractor Quality Control Manager/Project Engineer/, 07/2018 – 07/2020
Paul’s Electrical Contracting
• Project Engineer, 01/2017 to 07/2018
Polynesian Cultural Center
• Project Manager, 03/2014 to 12/2016
Hawaii Tradewind Masonry
• Project/Field Engineer, Labor, 1/2007 to 12/ 2013
Teaching Experience Brigham Young University–Hawaii: Fall 2023 – Present
• Fall 2025 Instructor, CFM 200 Building Systems
• Fall 2025 Instructor, CFM 220 Project Planning and Pre-Construction
• Fall 2025 Instructor, CFM 285 Estimating in CFM
• Fall 2025 Instructor, CFM 299 CFM Practicum
• Spring 2025 Instructor, CFM 200 Building Systems
• Spring 2025 Instructor, CFM 299 CFM Practicum
• Winter 2025 Instructor, CFM 200 Building Systems
• Winter 2025 Instructor, CFM 299 CFM Practicum
• Winter 2025 Instructor, CFM 350 Sustainability Building Solutions
• Fall 2024 Instructor, CFM 200 Building Systems
• Fall 2024 Instructor, CFM 299 CFM Practicum
• Fall 2024 Instructor, CFM 350 Sustainability Building Solutions
• Fall 2024 Instructor, CFM390-2 Special Topic (CFM 220 Project Planning and Preconstruction)
• Spring 2024 Instructor, CFM 299 CFM Practicum
• Spring 2024 Instructor, CFM 350 Sustainability Building Solutions
• Winter 2024 Instructor, CFM 299 CFM Practicum
• Winter 2024 Instructor, CFM 350 Sustainability Building Solutions
• Winter 2024 Instructor, CFM390-1 Special Topic (CFM 200 Building Systems)
• Winter 2024 Instructor, CFM390-2 Special Topic (CFM 220 Project Planning and Preconstruction)
• Fall 2023 Instructor, CFM 299 CFM Practicum
• Fall 2023 Instructor, CFM 350 Sustainability Building Solutions
• Fall 2023 Instructor, Math 101 Intermediate