Honolulu

Helical piles in Honolulu, Hawaii

Frost is not a concern in lowland Hawaii, but soil movement is. Soil studies cited in a Kailua Neighborhood Board document describe clay locally known as "adobe" on windward Oahu, with very high expansion potential that can uplift slabs and foundations. Helical piles can carry a structure past the zone that swells and shrinks with wet and dry seasons.

Steep hillside lots, tight urban sites and coastal properties add to the case. The equipment is compact, creates little spoil and needs no concrete trucks, which helps on narrow Honolulu streets. Projects are permitted through the county building department, and near the ocean you should ask about galvanizing and corrosion allowances, since salt air and wet soils shorten the life of bare steel.

Helical pile companies serving Honolulu

Two Honolulu companies are listed, and neither mentions helical piles.

• Mort Drilling Services, Inc.: Installs drilled piles, micropiles, ground anchors and soil nails for commercial and industrial projects. Helical piles are not listed.
• Foundation Systems Hawaii: Offers micropiles, drilled piers, tieback anchors, foundation repair and seawall repair on Oahu. Ask which foundation systems it installs before booking.

Costs and what to ask

HomeGuide reports a national range of about $2,000 to $4,000 per installed helical pier. Hawaii projects often run higher because of shipping, equipment mobilization between islands and hillside access. Use our helical pier cost guide to compare quotes. Questions to ask:

• Will an engineer stamp the design and specify capacity and verification torque?
• Which pile system do you install, and do you cover Oahu?
• What galvanizing and corrosion allowance protect the steel near salt air?
• Does the quote include the Honolulu permit, and what warranty applies?

See all Hawaii helical pile installers for companies on other islands.