The “Three Little Pigs” got it wrong. The pig who built with wood wouldn’t have lost his house — if he’d used Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT).
I’m Jason Wong, Principal Broker at Island Dragonfly LLC and a top producer since 2004. In this video, I break down the engineered wood that’s quietly reshaping how we build — and why every Hawaii buyer, seller, and investor should understand it before their next move.
What you’ll learn in 3 minutes:
✅ What CLT actually is — layers of structural-grade lumber, criss-crossed and bonded under massive pressure
✅ Why its strength-to-weight ratio rivals steel (the “CrossFit champion” of building materials)
✅ How it survives 1,800°F fire tests for 90 minutes — while steel turns into a wet noodle
✅ Why CLT flexes through earthquakes — the reason Japan and the Pacific Northwest love it
✅ How prefabrication slashes build times (think IKEA-for-buildings)
✅ Why mass-timber skyscrapers like Milwaukee’s Ascent tower are pointing the way forward
Why this matters for Hawaii:
We import almost every nail, beam, and bag of concrete to our islands. Build costs are some of the highest in the U.S., insurance underwriters watch hurricane and seismic exposure carefully, and sustainability is non-negotiable for the next generation of buyers. CLT touches all four problems at once.
If you’re considering buying, selling, or developing in Honolulu, Kāhala, Lanikai, Diamond Head, Wailea, Hualālai, Princeville — or anywhere across the six islands — the conversation about what your building is made of matters more than ever.
🌺 Work with me:
Whether you’re a local family searching for your first home, a Mainland or overseas investor evaluating a portfolio play, or a developer eyeing your next project, I bring 22+ years of experience, an MBA lens, and a global network that spans Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Vancouver, and beyond.
🌐 Personal: https://jasonwong.us
🌐 Firm: https://islanddragonfly.com
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