Many hands help right a wrong

March 2026

We first began working on the Kahului Project several months ago and it took a moment to find our footing and rally the right people to get involved. Today, I am humbled to share this great news: the Kahului Project is officially complete! To pick up where we left off…

As the roofing work progressed, we once again teamed up with KHON to update the community on what was unfolding in Maui. This time, BBB's Chief Innovation Officer, Dale Dixon, joined the KHON team in studio to highlight the businesses stepping forward to help without hesitation and to show viewers what happens when a community refuses to look the other way. When the call went out that a kupuna in Kahului had been taken advantage of, ethical contractors responded. They did not ask what was in it for them. They asked how quickly they could help. You can watch this latest KHON story here.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, another remarkable layer of generosity was unfolding.

Paul Spencer at Sun King submitted a grant application to Hawaii Energy to ask them to donate brand new solar hot water panel equipment for the home and support Sun King’s in-kind work. The turnaround was unbelievable. Within a matter of days, Hawaii Energy approved the application and confirmed the equipment was ready to go.

Paul at Sun King and Scott Hansen at Advanced Roofing Solutions, the Accredited Business spearheading this in-kind project, coordinated seamlessly. Sun King carefully removed the existing solar panels from the flat portion of the roof, making way for Advanced Roofing to replace that section properly and permanently.

Scott shared with me that the flat roof portion required more work than originally anticipated, but they did not waver. This is what integrity looks like in action. When obstacles arise, ethical businesses like this don’t walk away. They adjust, they solve, and they finish what was promised. Every bit of it remained 100% in-kind for kupuna.

Once the new roof system was fully installed, Sun King returned to place the brand new solar hot water panels on top of it. Aren’t they stunning? 

What began as an urgent need to repair failing shingles became something far greater. Kupuna now not only has a structurally sound roof, but also a fully upgraded solar hot water system that none of us anticipated at the outset. This was above and beyond.

When all is said and done, the total donations from the hazardous materials test, plywood roofing, tile roofing, and solar installation is more than $69,000. I’m beyond humbled to be a witness to all these businesses banding together to create this kind of monumental impact.

At the conclusion of the project, kupuna’s daughter shared words that capture why Restoring Trust® exists:

"Before this program, my trust in people was definitely at an all time low. Hearing that people were willing to help to right a wrong was definitely an uplifting experience."

That is the outcome we strive for every time. Yes, we want roofs replaced. Yes, we want homes made safe. Yes, we want $220,000 wrongs answered with tangible action.

But at its core, Restoring Trust is about something deeper. It’s about rebuilding faith in good business. It's about showing consumers that ethical contractors are not the exception, they are the standard. And when one bad actor causes harm, there is an entire network of Accredited Businesses ready to demonstrate what integrity truly looks like.

To Advanced Roofing Solutions, Sun King, Ventura Construction Corporation, ABC Supply, Hawaii Energy, and Hawaii Inspection Group: THANK YOU! You did not just complete a roofing project. You helped restore confidence in a community built on trust.

Do you know of anyone else on Oahu or Maui who could use the services of Restoring Trust? Or would you like to chat and brainstorm together for the next project? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me: [email protected]

Yours in trust,
Meghan Conradt, Director of BBB Foundation

A New Roof and Renewed Hope Rises in Kahului

February 2026

Every Restoring Trust® project follows its own path. Some take longer than expected. Some require pivots. And some remind you very quickly why this program exists in the first place.

The Kahului Project is becoming one of those reminders.

After we shared kupuna’s story — including a story feature with KHON — something remarkable happened. Instead of one business responding, we heard from multiple roofers on Maui who wanted to help.

That kind of response never gets old.

One company in particular stood out: Advanced Roofing Solutions, a BBB Accredited Business for more than nine years, based right near the beneficiary on Maui. When owner Scott Hansen heard about the project, he didn’t hesitate. He called expressing his interest in helping and also said his contact at ABC Supply, Reggie Crichton, stepped forward and committed to donating 100% of the roofing materials. Scott and his team committed to donating their time and labor in full for a brand-new roof - altogether, this added up to a donation value of $34,000.

Scott visited the home right away and confirmed what we suspected: the best way to restore safety and long-term integrity would be a full roof replacement. But he didn’t stop there. He recommended installing all-new plywood across the roof trusses before placing new shingles — ensuring the structure underneath would be solid for years to come.

And then the ripple effect continued.

Scott reached out to Dennis Ventura with Ventura Construction Corporation, who stepped up to donate the labor to take care of the plywood scope of work. ABC Supply also donated all plywood materials to support this part of the project, and the total donation value between the two added up to nearly $17,000. It’s always incredible to see how one ethical business owner’s network can multiply impact so quickly – and makes sense that these trusted, local businesses stick together. 

Then came another thoughtful layer of care. Because the home has a solar hot water panel system mounted on the roof, it needed to be removed before the new roof could be installed. Rather than simply remove and reinstall the old system, Scott connected with Paul Spencer at Sun King Inc., who began working on a grant application to donate an entirely new solar hot water system — giving this family not just a repaired roof, but a fully modernized, energy-efficient setup for the future.

Within days, Advanced Roofing and Ventura Construction scheduled and completed their scopes of work. The new plywood is installed. The new roof tiles are in place for the majority of the roof (aside from the solar panel area). Scott even took it upon himself to contribute additional plywood and coverage to the carport to ensure it’s fully protected and structurally sound.

Our BBB team member, Lisa, traveled to Maui to see the project in person — meeting Scott, his crew, and the homeowner at the house. There is something deeply grounding about standing on a Restoring Trust project site and witnessing the tangible results of community generosity. The difference between a roof with failing shingles and a fully restored structure is visible, measurable, and immediate.

But what’s most powerful isn’t just the new roof. It’s the message.

A senior couple had $220,000 stolen from them because of contractor fraud. And in response, ethical contractors stepped forward and said: Not on our watch.

The next phase will be scheduling Sun King to complete the solar installation. Once that is finished, Advanced Roofing will complete the final roofing details, and kupuna will have a brand-new roof and solar hot water system — defined not by a scammer, but by professionals who care about their craft and their community.

I can’t wait to share more photos and videos soon.

This is what happens when businesses choose integrity over indifference. And this is proof that good contractors don’t just exist — they lead.

If you’re interested in supporting Restoring Trust in your region, please reach out: [email protected]

Yours in trust,
Meghan Conradt, Director of BBB Foundation

Hearing Kupuna's story: Left with a compromised roof

October 2025 - January 2026

My name is Meghan Conradt, and I’m the Director of BBB Foundation, the charitable arm of Better Business Bureau. As we’ve grown the Restoring Trust® program, I’ve come to understand something on a deeper level: contractor fraud does not just damage homes, it damages people. It shakes your sense of safety, your confidence in asking for help, and your belief that the next person you hire will do what they promised. Restoring Trust exists because we believe consumers deserve better, and because we know there are ethical businesses in every community who want to be part of the solution.

This project began when our Investigations Team was tipped off by the Maui County Office on Aging about a heartbreaking scam involving an elderly couple in Kahului. Sam Cooper with Quality Roofing & Home Repair claimed to be a licensed roofer and offered to repair their roof, then pressured them into paying $220,000 through cashier’s checks. He did only minimal work, asked for even more money, and then disappeared. Their daughter has been helping navigate the aftermath while also grappling with the emotional weight of watching her parents go through this. Her mom has since moved into senior living, while her dad remains in the family home, trying to determine what comes next, and how to do it safely with so much of their savings compromised.

Better Business Bureau opened an investigation on Quality Roofing & Home Repair and found that it did not have the necessary license to perform roofing work in Hawaii. Our investigation closed in January 2026 after we attempted multiple times to reach Sam and Pauline Cooper, identified as the owners, but never received a response. The business address on file appears to be a mailbox located at a UPS Store and all mail sent by BBB was returned.

Today, this senior is living alone in a house with shingles still falling off and potential concerns about water intrusion. Their daughter shared that their goal is to get the home in safe, stable shape, both so he can live comfortably for as long as he chooses, and so the home is in good condition if the family decides selling is the best path forward.

When we took on this case through Restoring Trust, the first step was finding a reputable roofer willing to evaluate the situation. I reached out to BBB Accredited roofers, and Brennan Leong at Kapili Roofing responded right away, offering a roof inspection. After Kapili’s evaluation, they raised an important concern that is especially common in Hawaii: older roofing materials can sometimes include hazardous components like asbestos, and paint on older exterior elements can contain lead. Before any responsible contractor could safely move forward with repairs or replacement, we needed to know what we were working with.

This is where the story took a hopeful turn.

After weeks of searching for the right support, Robert Miskae, owner of Hawaii Inspection Group, stepped up and donated a full hazardous materials analysis at no cost, a gift worth nearly $1,500. They tested for asbestos in the roofing materials and lead in the paint on the rafters. The results came back negative across the board, which means there is no hazardous material present and abatement is not needed. That single milestone removed a potential huge barrier and brought them one step closer to getting real help. 

While Kapili Roofing ultimately is not able to donate the roof replacement for this project, they have continued to support this effort by helping us look for another roofing partner who may be able to step in. We are also tapping into relationships through the Building Industry Association of Hawaii (BIA) to find the right match - someone who can evaluate the roof and determine the best path forward - which at this point appears most likely to be a replacement.

And this is where I want to invite our community into the story.

Do you know a roofing company that serves Maui and may be willing to help this family? We need a qualified roofer to perform an evaluation and, ideally, donate repair or replacement services to help these kupuna recover. Restoring Trust exists to prove that while bad actors cause harm, good businesses are real, and they show up when it matters most.

If you have a connection or an idea, please reach out to me at [email protected].

Yours in trust,
Meghan Conradt, Director of BBB Foundation

HONOLULU (KHON2) — With tax refunds approaching, home improvement projects are set to increase in the months ahead. Many homeowners will hire contractors, but the Better Business Bureau urges caution, stressing the importance of choosing one you can trust.

Recently, BBB told viewers about a kupuna couple in Maui who lost more than $200,000 to an unlicensed contractor. Today, we have an update on their case and tips from the BBB on how you can protect yourself during your next remodel.

HONOLULU (KHON2) — A warning for homeowners across Hawaii, especially kupuna and their families.

A senior couple in Maui lost their life savings to an alleged fraudulent contractor. Now, the local Better Business Bureau is stepping in with its social impact program – Restoring Trust – and looking for good Samaritans to help make things right and to warn others before something similar happens again.