About — EA & Associates | Risk & Safety Engineering

Who We Are

Built on Discipline.
Driven by Mission.

EA & Associates was founded on a single belief: that real safety lives in the decisions made before work begins — not in the paperwork filed after something goes wrong.

Our Mission

Closing the Gap Between Documentation and Execution

Too many construction projects treat safety as a compliance exercise — something to satisfy regulators and move on. EA & Associates was built to change that. We believe safety planning only works when it's grounded in field reality, enforced with discipline, and documented in a way that protects everyone involved.

We bring federal construction experience, proven hazard analysis methodology, and a veteran's commitment to precision to every engagement — from pre-construction planning through final closeout. Our job isn't to hand you a binder. It's to make sure your people go home safe.

Safety professional reviewing documentation on a jobsite

What We Stand For

Our Core Values

Discipline

Safety is not situational. We apply the same standard of rigor to every project regardless of scope, timeline pressure, or complexity.

Accountability

We own the outcomes of our work. When we put our name on a safety plan, it reflects the same standard we would hold ourselves to in the field.

Field Integrity

Every recommendation we make is grounded in real project experience. We don't advise from a desk — we have stood on the sites we plan for.

Mission Focus

Drawn from military service: clear objectives, decisive execution, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the people behind the mission.

Leadership

The Person Behind the Mission

Jesse Jone Kaopua

Principal Consultant & Founder

STS-C, Safety Trained Supervisor Construction
Qualified Rigger
EM 385-1-1 40-Hour Construction Safety
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
M.E.M., Engineering Management
B.S., Construction Management
SDVOSB Owner

Founder

Field-Tested Leadership.
Mission-Driven Safety.

Jesse Jone Kaopua founded EA & Associates with one clear objective: to close the gap between safety documentation and what actually happens in the field.

With hands-on experience supporting federal construction projects, complex construction operations, hoisting and rigging activities, and critical infrastructure work, Jesse brings a level of practical authority that is rare in the safety consulting space.

As a Service-Disabled Veteran, Jesse carries the discipline and accountability of military service into every project engagement. That background shapes how EA & Associates operates — with precision, a proactive risk management approach focused on preventing incidents and maintaining compliance, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the people on the ground.

His expertise spans the full spectrum of construction safety: from drafting Accident Prevention Plans and Activity Hazard Analyses to standing on the jobsite ensuring those plans are executed with fidelity. Jesse and his team work as partners to your project — not inspectors.

"Safety isn't paperwork. It's the decision made at 6am before the first crew member sets foot on the site."

EM 385-1-1 OSHA Compliance Federal Projects Hoisting & Rigging Qualified Rigger Hazard Analysis SDVOSB Construction Safety Leadership

Credentials & Certifications

Verified. Accredited. Trusted.

SDVOSB Certified

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business — verified recognition of veteran ownership and service-connected disability status.

BBB Accredited Business

Accredited by the Better Business Bureau, reflecting our commitment to ethical business practices and client accountability.

STS-C — Safety Trained Supervisor Construction

Board of Certified Safety Professionals credential demonstrating advanced safety knowledge in the construction industry.

EM 385-1-1 — 40-Hour Construction Safety

Full 40-hour training under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers safety and health requirements for federal construction projects.

OSHA 30-Hour Construction

OSHA-authorized construction industry outreach training covering hazard identification, prevention, and regulatory compliance.

Qualified Rigger

Certified qualification for planning and supervising hoisting and rigging operations, including critical lift planning and signal person coordination.

Work With Us

Ready to Work With a Team That Takes Safety Seriously?

From pre-construction planning to active jobsite support, EA & Associates is ready to deploy. Let's talk about your project.

Built on Discipline.Driven by Mission.