There aren’t many places you can feed dolphins one minute, then, in the next, bite into a juicy sirloin burger with truffled tater tots while listening to live jazz. You can do this in a single afternoon at The Kahala Hotel & Resort. The hotel, which has had Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins since 1964, offers an interactive program open to the public…
Haaheo Mansfield believes rock collecting is in her DNA. “Apparently my paternal grandmother also collected rocks,” says the VP of programs for Parents and Children Together, a nonprofit family service agency. Mansfield has been collecting rocks and incorporating them into her jewelry making for over 40 years. She zealously guards where she finds her precious quarry. “Sometimes I’ve met people…
Name: Lily Dudoit Job: Director of culture and activities, Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay Experience: Three years START: Dudoit, who was born and raised in Kona and is part Hawaiian, was walking the grounds of the resort a few years ago while working as executive assistant to the general manager. “I saw rock structures made from…
The state’s art program spent time in the spotlight last year after state Rep. Faye Hanohano got upset about the art being installed in her legislative office. Now that the furor has dissipated, it’s worth considering how state- owned art ends up where it does. The art installed in public places by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is intended to…
For Maui native Brittany Yap, the opportunity to be president of FemCity Honolulu came at a good time. Yap had been working in communications and living in Northern California for almost two years before she decided to return to Hawaii. She was unsure what to do next when Femfessional founder and CEO Violette Sproul was searching for someone to bring…
Like most things, the price of opihi often depends on supply and demand – and the supply is inconsistent, especially on Oahu. Some people, such as state Sen. Clayton Hee, are worried that overharvesting is hurting the long-term sustainability of the local delicacy. Opihi are sea snails that cling to wave- swept rocks on the Hawaiian Islands, making them accessible to…
Question: My family owns a local business. I am a second-generation clan member who helps run it, but I want to change careers. How do I get out gracefully and keep the relationship with my family intact? Answer: Deciding to get out of a family business can be tough. Many in your situation would stay out of a sense…
Roberta Oaks, Fashion Designer and Retailer Oaks did not start out to be a fashion designer. She majored in photography and art history, and then worked in restaurants for 10 years. Not until her late 20s did it hit her: “How am I going to make a living?” Oaks was discouraged with the clothing options available in Hawaii. She had…
Leaders who thrive know the importance of having a strong team. David S. Chang offers these tips to position yourself for success: 1. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. You can’t be an expert at everything, so don’t try. Don’t shy away from hiring somebody who knows more than you in certain areas; this maven could help…
It was business as usual as the restaurant’s small staff prepared for the lunchtime crowd. The kitchen was scrubbed, the floor immaculate, and the equipment and fresh ingredients ready. Just the same as every day since the restaurant’s opening seven years earlier in East Oahu. Then the call came. “A man from a credit card company told me that my…
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID CROXFORD & COURTESY OF PUPU COOLER Problem: How long did you leave poke out at your last party? According to the FDA, seafood and other perishable food should always be kept cool in a refrigerator, on ice or in a cooler to prevent bacteria from breeding. Lukewarm poke can make you sick. Creator: About four…
I recently read “Flash Boys,” Michael Lewis’ account of how Wall Street has stolen from you, me and our 401ks. I was astonished by the sophisticated corruption, and about how many people and companies thought it was OK to cheat customers and strangers alike. I’ve read several of Lewis’ books and other accounts of Wall Street, so I should not…
You seem to have lived many different lives. I’ve done a number of things. Probably some of the work I did with the visitors bureau and the various committees I’ve been on did more for Hawaii, but I’m best known for the billfish tournament and I’m OK with that. I still run Greeters of Hawaii; the tournament is my hobby…
The voice of TheBus and Hawaiian Language expert, Puakea Nogelmeier, on TheBus on Lagoon Drive.Hawaiian and English are both official languages of Hawaii, but most government services are available just in English. We tried to find out what it would cost for the state to provide most of its services in both languages. Hawaiian was made an official state language…
Colbert Matsumoto, Chairman at CEO of Island Insurance Companies, in downtown Honolulu.To learn about leadership in Hawaii, Hawaii Business senior writer Dennis Hollier interviewed seven of the state’s most powerful and effective leaders, past and present. Among the questions he asked: What are the key attributes of great leaders? How do great leaders deal with crises? Are leaders obligated to…
We rank individual Realtors and real estate companies by the dollar value of total sales during 2013 and by the number of transactions. One Realtor led both lists; turn the page to find out who. Methodology How We Compiled the Lists Starting in February 2014, our research partner, PKF Pacific Hawaii LLP, analyzed the Multiple Listing Service data collected from…
Hawaii-born Russell Leu loves working in China, though he recognizes living there offers challenges. The Hawaii attorney wears a top quality, high-tech, air-filter mask on the street on days with heavy air pollution, and has a phone app that tells him Beijing’s air quality each day, but he has never regretted his decision to go to China a decade ago….