June 2006

Cover Story

Dog Inc.

Inside the Business of Bail Bonds and Bounty Hunting

Features

Home Grown

Small businesses of all sorts are sprouting on the Garden Isle as residents catch the entrepreneurship craze

Departments

Editor's Note

Best in Show

This Month's Parting Shot:

Parting Shot

A portrait of Hawaii business life

SmallBiz

Tech Essentials: Web Content to Keep People Coming Back

Encouraging dialogue, staying on topic and engaging readers are just some of the ways to keep people coming back to your website.

What’s It Worth? $140 an Ounce for La Mer Moisturizing Cream

Considered the face cream of the stars, Creme de la Mer is a moisturizing cream containing biofermented sea kelp and a slew of vitamins and minerals.

Standing Fit Converts Countertops into Stand-up Desks

Tiffiny Taylor created Standing Fit as an inexpensive alternative to traditional standup desks.

Wahine Toa Designs Clothes for a Woman Warrior

Nita Pilago creates Polynesian-styled designs often named after animals and plants.

It’s All About Kids Sparks Enthusiasm for Learning with Technology

IAAK brings new learning technology to students. The latest is a Promethean ActivBoard, which is like an 87-inch iPad.

Small Local Companies Versus Mainland-Based Giants

City Mill, Leather Soul, Mobi PCS and Title Guaranty share how their small companies take on bigger competitors.

Ask SmallBiz: Engaging Employees

It seems like a paycheck isn't enough to keep my employees fully engaged in customer service and efficiency. What can I do?

5 Steps to a More Civil Workplace

Penelope Paik of Civility International offers a few tips on creating a better work environment with your colleagues.

Electric Car Range Anxiety

It may not run on fossil fuels, but electric cars present its own new sets of challenges.

Pau Hana with Evan Fujimoto

Even Fujimoto, president of Graham Builders, likes to surf.

Hawaii Pacific University’s College of Business Administration Dean Wants to Give Students Real World Experience

Deborah Crown is HPU's newest dean of the College of Business Administration. She wants the school to "develop profession-ready global leaders."

Flooding and Nationwide Popularity Boost Lei Prices

Lei will be pricey because of the shortage of Thailand-grown orchids and the thousands of lei that are now shipped to the mainland for graduations.

Honolulu EMS Chief Patty Dukes Studies for Business Management Degree

Patty Dukes worker her way up from paramedic to become chief of Honolulu's Emergency Medical Services. She went back to school to adapt to her new position.

Should a Hawaii High School Graduate Go to a Local or Mainland College?

Many say a UH business or law degree is a better ticket to success in Hawaii than a prestigious mainland degree

Parting Shot: Central Pacific Bank

Central Pacific Bank's mascot Alex the Loyalty Dog returns, and here he is behind the scenes.

My Job: Steve Looney of Pacific Soul Tattoo

Tattoo artist Steve Looney specializes in Polynesian-style tattooing and large-scale custom-design work.

Talk Story with Kathryn Raethel of Castle Medical Center

Castle President and CEO Kathryn Raethel discusses hospital renovations, green efforts and open-heart surgery program.

Career Change

Four Hawaii residents share life experiences leading them to new careers

2012 Founders & Visionaries- Hawaii's Best

The road to success for Hawaii¹s most successful leaders is more than just the bottom line, it takes Vision, Passion and Compassion. We take an inside look at extraordinary Founders and...

Our Favorite Things

Hawaii Business staff describes cherished foods, activities, entertainment and more

Hawaii's Tax Pyramid plan crippling small businesses

A state tax increase imposed last year is killing off construction projects, raising the cost of other projects and encouraging law-breaking

Hawaii’s Best Places to Work 2012

At these 73 companies, employees love their job.

How Healthy is Healthcare in Hawaii? - Extended Version

The full transcript of a discussion on major trends and problems in Hawaii's healthcare

How Healthy is Healthcare in Hawaii?

Leading doctors and other experts discuss major trends and problems in Hawaii healthcare

Women's Fund of Hawaii supports unique programs

In 2011, the Women's Fund of Hawaii awarded 18 nonprofits with grants totaling $80,000.

Saving Healthcare

Hawaii healthcare costs are soaring, so many experts say the solution is to turn financial incentives upside down

Talk Story with Robbie Alm

Executive VP, Hawaiian Electric Co. Practitioner, Collaborative Leaders Network

Ask SmallBiz: Solar Tax Benefits for Small Businesses

Alex Tiller of Sunetric explains the tax benefits of solar PV for small businesses

Rookies Start Their First Restaurants

A passion for food and people draws newcomers Kristin Jackson, Bud Antonelis and Carri Loui into a challenging business

SpeediShuttle changes travelers' habits

SpeediShuttle offers rides to and from Honolulu, Lihue, Kahului and Kona airports

Earl's Garage Nurtures Wonder in Kids

A Waimea nonprofit gives children and youth a fun place to explore technology and solve problems

Store brings Hawaii's flowers, foods and music to Pacific Northwest

Hawaii General Store brings touches of Paradise to Seattle

How to Create a Best Place to Work

Trust, support and compassion are important in creating a Best Place to Work in Hawaii

Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods is Rebuilding Hawaii’s Forests

Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods i harvesting some trees sustainably to help pay for permanent forests

Compare your website to the competition with Alexa

Tech Essentials column explains how businesses can compare their websites with their competition's websites

How thick is your bubble?

A book called “Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010,” by Charles Murray, explains how America is becoming a more rigid class society, with the classes unable to relate to each other

Business Law Corps offers free legal advice for startups

New Hawaii nonprofit helps startups with free legal advice

Seeking Entries for Best Company Vehicle Contest

Got an awesome company car or truck? We want it to see it for our Best Company Vehicle Contest.

My Job: Ocularist

Hawaii's only ocularist makes protheses for people who have lost eyes to disease or accidents

Tetris Evolves into Facebook Phenom

Honolulu company creates popular Facebook game

Wanted: Kitchen to rent on Kauai

Leaders launch kitchen incubator project

Parting Shot: Martin & MacArthur

Craftsmen at Martin & MacArthur sand and oil koa furniture many times to bring out the natural color and grain of the wood.

Kapolei

Inventive Local Companies Can Apply for Federal SBIR Grants

Federal grant program funds innovation at small businesses

VISIT USA Bill Will Boost the America’s and Hawaii’s Visitor Industry

New law to attract more visitors to Hawaii.

Readiband: Identify, Assess and Manage Fatigue

Making money by monitoring sleep history.

Risk Source Hawaii Provides 24-Hour Whistleblower Hotline

Employees may report workplace problems anonymously through 24-hour hotline

SEO Tips for your Small Business

Even small businesses can use SEO to increase traffic to their websites

Cheaper Now to Fly into Kalaupapa

Makani Kai Air Charters launches federally-subsidized flights to and from Kalaupapa

Talk Story with Mike McCartney of HTA

Hawaii Tourism Authority President & CEO Mike McCartney discusses after-effects of APEC and HTA's plans for 2012

Lessons Learned: Housing Lessons

Terry Brooks of Housing Solutions talks about creating Sea Winds Apartments, a 50-unit project completed using government funding.

Ask SmallBiz: Buying Commercial Property

Dennis Wong of Hawaii National Bank explains how to buy commercial property

Hawaii Salesperson of the Year Vicky Cayetano Shares Her Sales Secrets

Hawaii Salesperson of the Year Vicky Cayetano Shares Her Sales Secrets

Hawaii Business Magazine’s 20 for the Next 20: People to Watch 2012

Hawaii Business magazine's 20 for the Next 20 recognizes emerging leaders in local businesses, nonprofits, government, education and law

Best Practical Jokes at Work

A dozen stories about practical jokes in Hawaii workplaces

More Than Just the Chinese Will Visit Hawaii

In the coming generations, hundreds of thousands of people will travel to Hawaii from Asian countries such as Vietnam, India and Singapore

Aloha for Japan Revealed Hawaii’s Heart

Hawaii raised an unprecedent amount of donations for Japan's disaster relief efforts.

Hawaii Council on Economics Education Teaches Finance to Teenagers

A six-week program will teach up to 30 Hawaii high school students about important economic concepts.

My Job: Master illusionist at Magic of Polynesia

John Hirokawa has performed magic for 39 years.

Train to be a Yoga Master at Yoga Oasis in Puna

Become Yoga Alliance certified by taking a monthlong program at Yoga Oasis.

Cake Works Custom Cakes Cost $3,000

Cake Works makes pretty elaborate cakes, including a 1959 pink Cadillac.

Pau Hana with Barron Guss

Barron Guss, president and CEO of the human resources agency Altres, enjoys flying remote-controlled helicopters and airplanes.

Mana Magazine Brings New Voice for Hawaiians

With another Hawaiian Renaissance on the horizon, two local media companies are collaborating on a new forum to report on and explain coming events.

Learn About the Ocean at Living Art Marine Center

The Living Art Marine Center has a modest collection of fish tanks for children to touch sea animals, and also gives reef walk tours.

Advice from the Top with Art Ushijima

The president and CEO of the The Queen's Health System talks about working for the historic hospital and staying motivated at work, even after 20 years.

Behind the Scenes at Polynesian Cultural Center

Behind the scenes at the Polynesian Cultural Center's evening show, Ha: Breath of Life

Advice from the Top with Eric Tessem

Eric Tessem of dck Pacific Construction LLC shares insights on working for his own small business and for a large corporation.

Leaders in Technology

Finance Quarterly December 2011

Is Your Subconscious a Bad Financial Advisor?

Fear, shame or parsimony could be sabotaging your financial security and happiness, without you realizing it

Innovation: RescueStreamer Can be Seen for Miles in an Emergency

RescueStreamer is a long ribbon of orange plastic that can be unfurled by a wayward hiker or someone lost at sea.

Talk Story with Tim Johns of HMSA

The current SVP of HMSA talks about his always moving career, which includes stints at the state DLNR, Amfac and Bishop Museum.

Hawaii's Richest People

Tech entrepreneurs and major landowners dominate list

Connect with Hawaii Business on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

As the media landscapes evolves, so will this publication

Parting Shot: Bradley & Lily Fine Stationary

Bradley & Lily Fine Stationery and its antique letterpress

2012 SmallBiz Success Awards

18 Hawaii small businesses are finalists for Hawaii Business magazine's SmallBiz Success Awards

Ask SmallBiz: Requesting Public Records for Your Business

Two Hawaii lawyers explain how to get information that is important to your small businesses, such as unreleased reports, information related to government contracts and background on new rules

Pau Hana with Joe Perez

Joe Perez, executive director of the Hawaii Meth Project, unwinds with kickboxing

Kauai's Kahuaina Plantation Costs $67.5 million

The Kahuaina Plantation, 360 acres of vacant land on Kauai's North Shore, is for sale at $67.5 million

The Art of Tease with Hawaii's Cherry Blossom Cabaret

Cherry Blossom Cabaret performs burlesque, but it also includes have singers, dancers, aerialists, tap dancers and belly dancers

New Workplace Law Aids Breastfeeding

State and federal laws support mothers who want to breastfeed at work or express breast milk while on the job

Website Connects Hawaii Moms

MomsinHawaii.com gives Hawaii mothers a way to connect to each other and learn useful information about parenting

Feedback—February 2012

Letters to the Editor at Hawaii Business magazine

Crowdsourced Graphic Design Agency AdTournament Harnesses Global Creativity

The Hawaii-based AdTournament website allows companies to stage global contests to create their logos and other designs

My Job as a TV Captioner

Sharon Mujtabaa began her career as a court reporter and now runs her own business as a TV captioneer

T-Shirts with Your Logo Can Boost Your Small Business

Many Hawaii companies are making a lot of money by selling products with their logos, which then serve as free advertising

Hawaii Electricians Training Fund

Finance Factors

Alaska Airlines

Hawaii Dental Service (HDS)

Honolulu Board of Realtors

Kapili Construction LLC

Olsten Staffing & Executive Search Services

Peter Vincent Architects

Recycle Hawai‘i

Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center

Business Energy Guide 2012

2011-2012 Founders & Visionaries- Hawaii's Best

Perhaps one of the most remarkable traits of Hawaii’s vast community is its members’ strong commitment to treating others like family. Featuring: Reyn Spooner, Arcadia, Hawaii Home Expo,...

Local startup Sprout bought by India-based InMobi

More than 5 years after we first covered the startup, ChipIn/Sprout is bought by an Indian company with global reach