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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Thursday, May 15, 2003

American Electric changes ownership

By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two Honolulu electrical companies that trace their beginnings to the 1940s came under sole ownership this week and will begin operating side-by-side on Sand Island Access Road.

HSI Electrical Inc. is moving into the newly renovated, 28,000-square-foot facility that is home to American Electric Co.

Bob Dewitz, the owner of HSI Electrical Inc., bought American Electric Co. from California-based Amelco Corp. and plans to keep the operations separate. American Electric was bought for a sum that was not disclosed under an agreement with Amelco.

HSI was founded in 1947 as Kems Electric and went on to become Honolulu Shipyard Inc., specializing in electrical work for Navy ships and submarines, refineries and large motors. Dewitz bought Honolulu Shipyard in 1994 and renamed it HSI.

American Electric began in 1946 and grew into one of the state's largest electrical contractors, focusing on power plant construction, high voltage and heavy industries.

"There's great value in preserving the separate identities of the two companies," Dewitz said.

Both companies have about 60 employees and all of them will be retained, Dewitz said.

Dewitz is the sole shareholder of both companies and chief executive officer.