By Allison Young

Grit

KIUC’s Brandon Simpliciano sums up his approach to life by quoting martial artist Bruce Lee: “I fear not the man who practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”

Brandon and co-worker Royce Ramos are both electrical engineers working in KIUC’s Transmission and Distribution department. Born and raised on Kaua‘i, they went to college off-island and came back to Kaua‘i to work and raise their families.

Both view returning home and gaining employment as a catalyst to excelling in their profession. Embracing Ho‘okela - one of KIUC’s Ho‘oka‘ana Waiwai shared values meaning excellence - they view education as a lifelong pursuit.

Together, Brandon and Royce recently passed the Hawai‘i State professional engineering exam. Obtaining this license requires receiving a four-year college degree, passing an eight-hour fundamentals of engineering exam, gaining four years of experience, and passing an eight-hour principles and practice of engineering exam. Royce, who graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in mechanical engineering, says he struggled with his sense of purpose while working part-time jobs through college.

“I wasn’t experienced enough to know if I would really enjoy being an engineer,” he says. “It was stressful to think that I would waste all this time and energy for a career I wouldn’t like.”

Royce has worked for KIUC for nine years.

“Engineering is the backbone of our infrastructure and society,” he says. “This line of work makes me feel like I am making a difference on my home island when my decisions directly affect the price stability and reliability of electricity for my family, friends and myself.”

Brandon grew up in “KekaHOT” and was the first in his family to graduate from college. He received an electrical engineering degree from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in honor of his grandfather, a Filipino immigrant who Brandon says went straight into labor at a young age and worked as a ditchman at the Waimea hydropower plant alongside electricians and engineers.

Although his grandfather did not have the opportunity, “I became an engineer to pay homage to the man who raised me,” Brandon says.

As substation operations supervisor and SCADA engineer, Royce and Brandon help keep Kaua‘i’s grid stable. They are instrumental in helping KIUC reach its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2033. “We’re on an island, in the middle of the Pacific, generating and supplying our own electricity,” Brandon says.

“We’re doing it in ways the world has never seen before. I’m always proud to be working with people who have the same drive and passion for elevating our island.”

“I don’t think people really see the impacts we are making to revolutionize the utility industry. We’re the gold standard. KIUC is the bar, and the rest of the world is working to catch up to us.” Brandon Simpliciano

Gratitude

To balance out their lives, Royce likes to ride bikes and motorcycles with his daughters, Indi and Sami, and his father, brother-in-law and friends. Royce trains in jiu-jitsu and kickboxing at Jiu-Jitsu 967.

Brandon enjoys jiu-jitsu, bodybuilding, fishing and camping with his fiancée, Kathleen. The couple and their four children - Jayden, Kairi, Logan and Miko -live in Kekaha.

Gratitude is a big part of both men’s perspectives.

“Remain thankful, cultivate good thoughts, attract blessings,” Brandon advises.

Royce agrees, and adds, “Mahalo Ke Akua for getting me to where I am,” he says. “Thanks to my parents for always supporting me. I want to shout out Brandon because he inspired me to finally take the test. And my supervisor John Cox also pushed both of us to take the test and provided his approval. I wouldn’t have gotten my P.E. without them.”

For the Keiki:

"Teach yourself, learn on your own, take care of your health, and become financially literate." - Royce

"Kaua‘i is special man, is more than just where home stay. Kaua‘i is your biggest fan. When you go out into the world and make one name for yourself, plenty people going to ask, “So, tell us about where you’re from, and what the world should know about you.” Tell em’ Kaua‘i as why. And watch everyone back at home catch chicken skin. No better feeling." - Brandon