PPC PROfile: Our interview with Glenn Hamanaka, Hamanaka Painting, Eureka, California
Starting his own company was challenging, but passion, dedication and a desire to learn helped Glenn Hamanaka navigate the complexities and become one of the most respected contractors in Eureka, the largest coastal city between San Francisco and Portland, Oregon. We sat down with Glenn to learn more about his unique path to success.
How did you get your start in painting?
My journey into the painting industry began with a childhood fascination. I vividly remember watching a commercial featuring painters in Tyvek suits operating boom lifts to paint a massive commercial airplane. They sprayed white paint over a gray primer, and that image stuck with me. Inspired by this, I began experimenting with painting my bicycles, dismantling them, sanding them down, and using spray cans to repaint them.
Although I tried to pursue college, my true calling led me to paint old trailers, end dumps and trucks. I got my break with Peterbilt International, a local company tasked with painting trucks. Our major project involved transforming the local PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric) trucks from brown and tan to blue and white. I was mainly an apprentice preparation painter. Unfortunately, I was laid off when that contract ended and transitioned to house painting.
My real growth in the industry began when I joined Ray Wolfe Construction, a company specializing in custom homes. I honed my skills under the mentorship of a seasoned painter named Mike Flynn, whom I call Sensei. Mike’s unique teaching methods and my passion for painting allowed me to master the craft within nine months.
Word of my skills spread, and I soon found myself hired by a friend, Joe Nichols, to work in his painting company. Although this position was short-lived, it led me to my first independent project. A friend’s parent, Vicky Lee, needed a building painted, and I provided an estimate, which they accepted. The success of this job gave me the confidence to pursue my contractor’s license and start my own painting business.
You started Hamanaka Painting Co. in 1993. What have been some of the major turning points in the growth of your company?
For the initial two to three years, I handled everything from painting to answering phones and doing estimates. It was challenging
to juggle all these responsibilities, but looking back, I’m glad I dedicated myself to the work.
The first significant turning point came when I hired my first employee to help me, which eventually grew into a crew of three employees. This allowed me to focus more on estimates while my crew handled the painting jobs. However, learning about worker’s compensation, business liability and other business intricacies was tough. The expenses were higher than anticipated, and making money was more complicated than I initially thought.
Read about Hamanaka Painting’s work on Eureka’s historic Carson Block project
How did you let people know about your company?
Playing competitive softball and other recreational sports helped me develop connections with people in local government, PG&E and Caltrans (California Department of Transportation). These connections led to contracts with the city and local government, crucial in understanding the ins and outs of the business.
By 2000, my company had grown to about eight employees, and we landed our first major commercial project with the Cher- Ae Heights Casino expansion in Trinidad, California. Despite my limited experience in reading plans, I meticulously worked through them, and the project went smoothly.
Around this time, I hired Phil Jackson, who has now been with the company for going on 27 years. Phil played a critical role in helping the business grow during pivotal transitions and has remained a cornerstone of our operation ever since. Not long after, Nick Reman joined us at just 18 years old, referred by Eric Hollenbeck – a master craftsman featured in “The Craftsman” on HBO Max (season 2, episode 4: “The Carson Mansion”).
Nick is now going on his 19th year with the company and has become one of our most consistent and dedicated team members. In fact, both Nick and I were shown working together on that very episode, which offers a glimpse into the pride and craftsmanship we bring to our projects. We’re also proud to have several other employees who have been with us for more than a decade, each contributing their loyalty, skill and work ethic to the continued success of Hamanaka Painting.
Another key turning point was implementing Exaktime timekeeping solutions, which streamlined our payroll and helped with more accurate estimating.
Purchasing large equipment like boom and scissor lifts was also transformative, enabling us to take on larger projects and establish a presence in downtown Eureka, California. Displaying our signs on these projects helped spread the word about our capabilities.
You offer a wide range of services. How has this helped your company and your customers?
We started with a primary focus on residential painting, which allowed us to build a solid foundation and reputation. Over time, we expanded into commercial projects, painting small buildings, apartments and commercial structures. Recognizing the need to adapt during winter and economic downturns, we broadened our expertise to encompass a variety of liquid-applied coatings. This diversification included striping and seal coating, which we began offering about 15 years ago to keep our team busy year-round.
Ensuring my employees remain consistently employed, even during the rainy Humboldt County winters, has always been my focal point. The weather here is often not conducive to painting, so we acquired additional skills such as polishing concrete, applying paint coatings on steel, and epoxy coatings on floors. We also invested in coating removal equipment, which has been instrumental in our floor projects.
Our expansion into roof coatings, including silicone and polymer coatings, has opened doors to industrial projects that generally offer our employees higher pay. This diversification keeps our team employed and enhances their skills and earning potential.
Our broad range of services and extensive experience significantly benefit our customers. We can handle various tasks, from diagnostics to execution, ensuring high-quality outcomes. Our expertise allows us to offer valuable suggestions that often save our clients money while enabling us to generate revenue. Our comprehensive service offerings and dedication to quality have cemented our reputation as a versatile and reliable contractor in Humboldt County.
©2025 Fusable. Glenn Hamanaka was interviewed by PPC/Pintor Pro Editor Mike Starling. Glenn Hamanaka photo: Jack Hopkins. Carson Painting project photography courtesy Hamanaka Painting.
