Hawai’i loses one of its finest

Hawai’i lost one of it’s finest engineers last week with the early passing of Karen Chun (CE ’89), Design Branch Manager at The State of Hawai’i department Of transportation.

Karen was a true “unicorn” in the engineering community. She was beloved and respected by everyone she touched over the years with her positivity and signature laughter.

She was a master at managing Hawai’i’s impossible transportation projects including the most controversial project in Hawaii’s history – Interstate H-3. Karen tirelessly worked with H3 protestors resulting in the unheard of restoration of trust from Hawaiian cultural community.

Karen will always be remembered for her friendships, aloha spirit, dedication, accessibility, and professionalism. Remarkably she accomplished this as female engineer in a male dominated profession. She paved the way for many young women to follow.

Karen will be sorely missed by everyone.